By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined Nigerians to be patriotic, peaceful and display true sportsmanship as they exercise their civic rights to vote.

Jonathan made the call in a message to Nigerians released by Mr Ikechukwu Eze, his Communications and Public Affairs Adviser, in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that in recent times, West Africa and a few other nations in the continent have witnessed a crisis of democracy that led to unconstitutional change of governments, which derailed their democratic quest for peace and development.

He said that NIgerians must not allow elections to be a source of violence and anarchy.

“We must desist from the temptation of yielding to those desirous of making our communities and states, theatres of conflicts for their selfish ends.

“Let us realise that the primary purpose of democracy is to uphold the freedom and dignity of citizens and deploy the instruments of governance toward advancing and improving the well-being of our people.

“We should strive to consolidate the gains we have recorded in our democracy in the last two decades by ensuring that the elections are peaceful, just, and fair,” Jonathan said.

He also urged politicians to eschew hatred and violence, be circumspect in their actions and work towards consolidating the nation’s democracy.

“Power is sought and held in trust to be selflessly exercised in the interest of the people and seeking it at all costs negates this ideal and projects politicians in a bad light.

“Let us eschew hatred and violence and display true sportsmanship, during and after the poll.”

Jonathan, who said that the future belong to the youth, advised them not allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction and violence.

“This election provides you with the opportunity to be key partners in the nation-building process by electing leaders of your choice.

“Those you can hold to account, those you trust to defend your future and guarantee unity, peace, and prosperity in our great country.”

The former president said that 2023 election means so much to all the citizens, describing it as a moment of truth and courage.

“Democracy has put our fate in our hands. It has given us power, the power to make the right choices, determine our future, and shape our destiny.

“I urge you all to make your respective choices in the best interest of our land. Let us make our choices peacefully and respect the choices and rights of others.”

Jonathan also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other critical stakeholders to be professional, civil, and non-partisan as they carry out their duties during the election.

“This way, we can deepen citizens’ faith in our democratic process and minimize the likelihood of electoral violence,” Jonathan said. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Angela Atabo

Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF),has tasked Nigerian politicians to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process toward a credible 2023 general election.

Dr Arome Salifu, the Executive Director AYGF said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The foundation believes that credible elections are a fundamental requirement for strong democratic governance and respect for human rights which are critical for sustainable development and lasting peace,” Salifu said.

He called on security agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing the country to intensify effort and do more to make the entire electoral process safe for voters, candidates, observers , media, and electoral officers.

He however, said that a peaceful, and credible election was not entirely the task of security agencies alone.

” INEC, political actors, and other stakeholders have a part to play; INEC must be seen as an umpire indeed and must ensure neutrality, credibility, and acceptability of the electoral process and it outcome.

“For the politicians, they ultimately desire to win the elections, they must do so within the annbiance of the law.

“The promotion political violence and the spread of disinformation and misinformation, including vote buying, hate speeches, and unguarded statements are capable of undermining the democratic process, public peace, and harmony.

“In few days to the end of the campaign ,politicians and their followers must promote their messages with a very high degree of responsibility toward ensuring that the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process is guaranteed,” Salifu said.

He urged them to eschew violence and avoid all forms of incitement incitement as tools for mobilsing and canvassing for votes.

Salifu said that Nigeria was faced with a pandemic of security threats across the six geopolitical zones, saying that credible, peaceful, and conclusive election would help to resolve the myriad of problems faced by the large population of youths and other citizens.

“Evidence has shown that a failed election could be detrimental to Nigeria and the West African countries.

“It is on this premise, we are hosting this press conference to draw the attention of critical stakeholders to the need to conduct a credible, peaceful, and conclusive general election.

“The global communities’ attention is on Nigeria as 93.4 million registered voters are expected to vote on Feb. 25 and March 11,” he said.

Salifu said that the 2023 general election was an opportunity for citizens to choose a leader with solid determination to steer the direction of the country.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts toward deepen democratic governance through transparent elections via its reforms.

He said the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result viewing portal have implications for promoting transparency and trust in the electoral process.

Salifu called on youths and the citizens in general to remain ready, peaceful and desist from vote selling,urging them to be resolute to participate in the polls and vote for the growth and development of Nigeria.

“It is also imperative to call on the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing the country to intensify effort and do more to make the entire electoral process safe for voters, candidates, observers , media, and electoral officers,” he said.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Stephen Adeleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi, on Tuesday said a total of 1.6 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) have been issued to their owners in the state.

Briefing journalists on the commission’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s general elections, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi, Dr Hale Gabriel Longpet, said that the 1.6 million eligible voters were out of the 1.9 million residents who registered to vote in the election.

Lonpet said that the 1.6 million voters represent 84 per cent of the registered population in the state.

The REC commended the electorate in Kogi for their enthusiasm in coming out to collect their PVCs, and urged them to come out en mass to cast their votes on the elections dates.

“As part of our preparedness for the elections, we have so far collected 3,508 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which have been configured to be used in all the 3,508 Polling Units across the state.

“We have also received additional 282 backups BVAS to be used in case of any eventuality during the elections.

“It will interest you to know that we used some of the BVAS to conduct the recent Mock Accreditation exercise in the state to test the integrity of the BVAS, and they gave us excellent results.

“Except for a few cases were issues of the machine not recognising finger prints of some farmers was experienced , but by simply using Methylated Spirit solved it.

“One good thing about the BVAS is that it will help improve the transparency of election results and increase public confidence in electoral outcomes in the 2023 elections, ” he assured.

The REC further disclosed that deployment of election materials to the 21 LGAs of the state has been done and that more materials arrived CBN yesterday for collection by the commission.

He said that Ad hoc staff, Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers, have been recruited and trained with practical demonstrations in their ability to use the BVAS for a successful and credible conduct of the elections.

He added that the training of technicians that would handle any challenge that might arise with the BVAS had also been concluded.

On security, Longpet said that the commission had held meetings with Heads of security agencies in the state, who had assured the commission of peaceful and violence-free elections.

While reiterating the commission’s preparedness and readiness to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the state, Longpet called on political parties, politicians and their supporters to ensure they abide by the rules and regulations guiding election conduct. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Benson Iziama

By Augusta Uchediunor

Prof. Omololu Soyombo, a Professor of Sociology at University of Lagos, has stressed the need for INEC to ensure adequate provision of assistive devices to aid Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) during the 2023 general elections.

He made the call in a presentation on “The Pre-Election Assessment of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Provisions for Persons with Disabilities” on Monday in Lagos.

Soyombo, a Consultant to the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), said an assessment of INEC’s preparations
for PWDs in the elections found that the people are ready and willing to exercise their voting right.

He added that thousands of PWDs registered and collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), “but they
are skeptical about availability of assistive devices that would help them during the election.

“PWDs expect improved outcomes from the situation in 2019; they expect INEC to provide materials in accessible
formats for them. Braille format, sign language interpreters, magnifying glasses and so on.

“They also want INEC and relevant authorities and agencies to provide adequate security to safeguard their
mobility and lives during the exercise.’’

He said a review of the 2019 election was conducted and a cross section of PWDs identified challenges such as
long distance, challenges with transportation and having to scale gutters, steps and other impediments,

They also expressed concern over their safety and security, harsh weather, having to join long queues, poor communication
of voting instructions, voting cubicles not convenient for use by PWDs, among others.

Proffering some solutions, he called for the provision of accessible polling booths and adequate security at polling units.

He said “there should be provision for braille ballot papers for the visually impaired, language interpreters for those
with auditory impairment and special centres for PWDs to cast their votes without going through stress.”

He urged INEC to comply with international best practices on protection of the rights of PWDs.

Mr David Anyaele, the Executive Director, CCD, said that the essence of the presentation was to draw stakeholders’ attention to the situation of persons with disabilities and the electoral process in the forthcoming elections.

Nigerians will go to the poll on Feb. 25 for Presidential and National Assembly election, while governorship and
state houses of assembly election will hold on March 11, 2023. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Savannah Centre for Diplomacy and Democracy (SCDDD) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure timely deployment of materials and personnel for the forthcoming 2023 elections.

Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, the Chairperson, Savannah Centre’s Council of the Wise and former President Court of Appeal, made the call at news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bulkachuwa was represented by Amb. Brownson Dede, the Board of Directors Chair of the centre and member of the Council of the Wise.

She said that the integrity of the elections largely depended on its management by INEC who should be guided by the remarkable success so far achieved from 2015 to date.

According to her, as a neutral and independent institution, INEC must be fair and just too all political parties, candidates and electorate.

She said that the use of electronic gadgets and other modern devices by INEC was a welcome development and must be properly managed in order to enhance the integrity of the elections and to fully reflect the choices of the people.

Bulkachuwa appreciated the Federal Government for providing the INEC with all the resources it requires for the conduct of the 2023 elections as declared by the INEC chairman few days ago.

“Mr President is kindly requested to complement his evident determination for a successful election by also providing all the Security Agencies with the resources and leadership to enable them prevent any violence before, during and after the elections.

” While the council welcomes the promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari in his recent broadcast, it is important to emphasize that special attention is given to the open threats made by certain groups who are determined to formulate trouble in order to prevent the elections from taking place in some states.

“These threats should not be taken lightly or underestimated. The Council once again calls on all the Political parties to abide by their constitutions, the electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC in order to prevent violence or any act that would adversely affect the integrity of the elections.”

She stressed the need for all political parties to discharge their responsibilities to their members and the nation, without recourse to violence.

Bulkachuwa also enjoined the leadership of political parties to take steps to compel their members and officials to fully comply with the electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC in order to develop a culture of integrity and trust.

“To the Presidential, Governorship, National and State Assemblies Candidates, the Council’s sincere advice is that they should desist from rancour, hate speech, inflammatory and unguided utterances capable of instigating violence.

“It is imperative that they demonstrate leadership and courage by accepting the results of the election and anyone who is not satisfied with the outcome should take up the matter as provided by the constitution, not through violence.”

She appealed to the religious leaders to ensure that their adherents promote religious tolerance and mutual respect so that the devil would have no means of creating any misunderstanding or hatred between adherents of the religions.

“The Council wishes to express its appreciation to the religious leaders for the prayers they have been offering for peace, unity and progress to prevail in the country and to also urge them to intensify their prayers.

“The Council also recognizes the crucial roles that the traditional rulers have been playing in preventing instigators of conflicts from arising in their respective domains.

“They are kindly requested to continue providing the right leadership to their people and encourage them to turn out and cast their votes peacefully. They should educate their subjects to avoid hate speeches or insults in expressing their response to the outcome of the elections.

“The unpleasant experience that followed the 2011 general elections which recorded the highest casualty when hundreds of Nigerians were killed in that mayhem, especially in the Northern States is still fresh in our minds. ”

She, therefore, called on the electorate in their best interest to ensure that they cast their votes in peace so that they elect the leaders they need.

” The Council wishes to appeal to the electorate to turnout and cast their votes peacefully in order to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

“The youths, as the future leaders of the nation should be wiser by refusing to allow themselves to be used against the people. No youth should allow himself or herself to be used as an agent of violence to prevent the peaceful conduct of the elections in any way.”

Bulkachuwa said that the council appreciates both the print and the electronic media in the roles they have been playing so far.

“‘However, they must continue to be impartial umpires in reporting events before, during and after the 2023 general elections without fear or favour.

“You are critical to the success of the election. We, therefore, urge you to intensify the campaign for a non-violent election so that the results are acceptable to all.

“The Council is fully convinced that the ability of Nigerians to once more prove the prophets of doom wrong, largely depends on the conduct of the Political Parties, the Candidates, INEC, the Security Agencies and the Electorates during the forthcoming 2023 elections.

“They owe it a duty to the Nigerian people to improve upon and consolidate the democratic successes so far achieved in Nigeria.” (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Bridget Ikyado

Rev. Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has urged political parties to accept results of the 2023 general elections and refrain from actions that could trigger violence.

He made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja ahead of the general elections commencing Saturday, Feb. 25.

Pam urged candidates or political parties disatisfied with election outcome to pursue their case in courts instead of taking the law into their hands.

“We must remember that the world’s eyes will be on Nigerians; what happens here will send a very strong signal to the world about our readiness to grow as a nation.

“I am advising Nigerians to know that the hour has come for us to behave in a matured manner.

“Let us remember that leaders that will lead us are not regional leaders, ethnic leaders or religious leaders; we need a leader with a heart that will lead us regardless of our background, whether you are from the south or north.

“A leader that will look at you as a Nigerian first, and a leader that will hear the cry of the needy and the poor, leaders that will look at our major challenges in terms of insecurity and in terms of economy.

“The greatest of them all, is a leader that will work to unite us, finding common grounds that make us one in whatever we are doing as a country,” he said.

The executive secretary further said that Nigerians should bear in mind that the will of God would prevail.

“Whatever we are doing now, the will of God is bigger than everyone, at the end, whoever emerges, we should rally round the person to make sure we have a new Nigeria.

“As we move toward installing a new administration, we must make sure that we have our country standing and to work together with the person,” he added(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Chief Olabode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman and the party’s Lagos Governorship Candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor)  on Monday united ahead of the general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there has been a cold war between George, the PDP leader in the state and Adediran over some unresolved issues between the duo shortly after the PDP primary.

In a statement by Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, the Head, Media and Communications, JANDOR4GOVERNOR Campaign Organisation, George and the candidate met on Monday to resolve differences ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

Ogunleye said, “The cold war between the National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George and the governorship candidate of the party, Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR) has been finally put to an end in a reconciliation and unity meeting held today.”

He quoted George as saying that there was no disagreement of any sort in the party again.

According to him, George  described himself as an irredentist member of the party.

He quoted George as saying that “personal differences would not affect his insistent on the rescue mission of the state from the grip of the marauders.

“The mis-governance and mismanagement of the resources of Lagos by the ruling APC over the years will be over in a matter of days as Lagosians will vote en-mass for Jandor.”

Ogunleye said that George enjoined all party members to unite and work hard to ensure the party wins in their respective local government areas.

Also, Adediran was quoted as expressing gratitude to George for his magnanimity and fatherly oversight.

He commended the elder statesman for his untiring efforts over the years to deliver Lagos state from the clueless and inept successive governors.

Adediran said that with the resolve of the leadership to close ranks, the coast was now clear and the chances of the PDP in the general elections was much brighter.

He assured residents that the pains and hardship being experience would be forgotten immediately the PDP forms the government at the state and the federal level. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The Bola Tinubu Support Organisation in United Kingdom (BTSO UK) says the APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu remains an arbiter of a new Nigeria.

Mr Kunle Adewumi, Political Head, BTSO UK, said this while distributing souvenirs to some party loyalists on Monday in Lagos.

The group, under the leadership of Mr Ade Adeshina and with professionals from all walks of life, also doled out campaign materials to promote the candidature of the former Lagos State governor.

Adewumi, said that the group believed in Nigeria’s emancipation, adding that the belief and trust in Tinubu are not momentary.

He said their belief was based on the track record of the APC presidential candidate’s leadership prowess, vision, action, change and identification as well as deployment of professionals and also “putting round pegs in round holes”.

“We believe that what Tinubu did at state level in Lagos, he is able to do more at the national level for Nigeria.

“Today, we want to further show our unflinching support for Bola Tinubu, by distributing these souvenirs to supporters and believers of “Renewed Hope”, which is the mantra of our principal.

“The members of executive of BTSO UK believe this will go a long way  to encourage electorates to troop out in their millions to vote APC and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the polls on Saturday.

“We also hope that this gesture will solidify the recognition of BTSO UK as a strong support group for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) Headquarters.

“Between now and the election, BTSO UK will show further support to reach out to at least 100 million people digitally to vote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu en-masse.

“We believe this will ensure landslide victory for APC at the polls,” he said.

Adewumi noted that BTSO UK had established structure of governance in the United Kingdom, with men and women saddled with responsibilities of offices to actualise its objective to support Tinubu to become the President.

According to him, BTSO UK is established in Nigeria through its grassroots movement across the entire Southwest of Nigeria with operational base in Lagos.

He said that BTSO UK, as recognised and registered official support organisation for Tinubu by the National APC Secretariat, had identified committed men and women on ground to propagate our objectives and mission at the grassroots.

Adeshina said the group had presence in the cyberspace and social media, noting that ‘it is a movement and self-funded by committed members of its executive”.

“This is a show of belief we have in Asiwaju to be the next President of Nigeria. From the funds raised by members of BTSO UK and executives, we have embarked on different projects,” he said.

Adeshina said they had been supporting Tinubu’s ambition since 2019 because they believed in his leadership ideals, capacity development and expressed confidence in the APC presidential victory at the polls.

He said, “compared to other contenders, Tinubu is way ahead. This is in terms of capacity and pedigree.

“With a long list of achievements, we are confident that all across the country from the North, down to the South, East and West, Tinubu will come out tops and he will replicate what he had done in Lagos,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa