By Kemi Akintokun

Seventy-four year old Rev. Olumide Adeshile, one of the early arrivals at his polling unit in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos, says he wants to witness a better Nigeria in his lifetime.

Adeshile spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Polling Unit 053, Ward E, Liasu/Ikotun area of Alimosho LGA on Saturday, as he awaited the arrival of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to begin the accreditation and voting process that would see him cast his vote.

”As much as I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy a better Nigeria, I also want to experience it in my lifetime; that is why I am out here to vote for it to come to pass.

”I believe Nigeria will be great and better,” the retired civil servant told NAN.

He said that he had always prayed and hoped for a better Nigeria to come to reality.

On the late arrival of INEC officials at his polling unit, the septuagenarian said the development would not deter him from carrying out his civic right.

“I have been here since 8.30a.m. and we are yet to see any INEC official on ground, but that will not discourage me from voting,” he said.

Meanwhile, as at 10a.m. voters were still awaiting the arrival of INEC officials for accreditation.

A NAN correspondent who was the polling unit reports that security personnel were not seen on ground. (NAN)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Oluwole Sogunle

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Digital Rights and Information Partnership (DRIP) and Paradigm Initiative, have called on the Federal Government to safeguard digital rights of citizens.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr Edozie Chukwuma of Digital Rights and Information Partnership (DRIP), and Miss Khadija El-Usman of Paradigm Initiative on Friday.

The groups made the call at a news conference, organised to educate pressmen and the public on the importance of safeguarding digital rights.

They said Electoral campaigns, voter education and civic discussions of candidates have been powered by both mass and digital media.

“The use of the internet, social and mass media conveys the importance of digital rights and freedom of speech in Nigeria.

“However, we know that the use of digital media has its unique challenges due to our dynamic political landscape.

“Some common challenges faced are data protection issues, freedom of expression online, internet governance, regulation, shutdowns, online privacy, and surveillance.

“Nigerians deserve protection against unlawful shutdowns as in the case of twitter ban in 2021,” the groups said.

They further said voters should be given an enabling environment to vote and publicly express their opinion online.

They said Digital Rights and Freedom Bill (DRFB), now at the National Assembly, is meant to address undue interference with digital privacy of any Nigerian citizen.

It protects the rights to peaceful assembly and association online of all Nigerians through social networks and platforms.

It ensures access to the internet and electronic media or communication of all people without being subject to discrimination or censorship.

They said it would also protect right to opinion and expression online without any restriction and secure the privacy of all online learners, including students.

Other issues it would tackle are Powers education and innovation by protecting information and communication technology, ensures that government recognizes the power of social media as a democratic advantage to reinforce democratic processes, drive efficiency, foster innovation, empower public sector workers and expose corruption.

According to them, Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations (UN) resolution that enshrines digital rights in human rights, the right to online privacy, freedom of expression, freedom to use and share information, right to peaceful assembly online, and the right to create public knowledge are all basic human rights.

“As the anticipated voting day approaches, we call on the government to safeguard the civic space by curtailing unlawful shutdowns, and guarantee freedom of expression and assembly online of all Nigerians.

“It is the civic responsibility of electoral agencies and government to ensure that the digital rights of Nigerians are not infringed upon during and after the presidential and gubernatorial elections.

“We call for the protection of digital rights and online freedom as it is of democratic importance to ensure accountability and good governance from our government at all levels,” the group said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

PUO/VAO

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Angela Atabo
Connected Development (CODE),a Civil Society Organisation(CSO),has set up its Situation Room to monitor the electoral process ,fact-check information to quell fake news, misinformation and disinformation ahead of the elections.

Chief Executive of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, said this in Abuja, while unveiling the situation room located at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

Lawal said that CODE, would deploy its electoral intelligence tool known as Uzabe to share live situation reports from all polling units across the country to ensure a credible and transparent election.

He said that CODE created a network of community-driven observers, 7000 of which were accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give on-the-ground real-time report from the Local Government Area and polling unit.

“Because Uzabe is a democratic alliance we have also partnered with reputable media organisations to expand coverage and fact-check information to quell fake news, misinformation and disinformation likely to incite violence or significantly impact the elections.

“ Uzabe puts powers in the hands of the citizens , and as we know ,for democracy to be successful, citizens must become informed about issues that can improve their lives.

“With Uzabe, citizens have access to real-time situation reports and analysis on electoral processes across the polling units and this is powered by 20,000 election observers.

These observers have volunteered their time and efforts in informing what becomes the outcome of the 2023 general election in the 36 States and the FCT. This qualifies Uzabe as a citizen-led movement,’’ he said

According to Lawal, in a truly democratic system, voters are the kings and are responsible for the creation of government, citizens’ duty goes beyond casting their ballot, but ensuring that they stick together, united in their values as they pick leaders who reflect their values.

He said that CODE was taking the observation process critically and would be guided by INEC’s guidelines around election as well as the 2022 Electoral Act.

Lawal said that CODE was partnering with security agencies to ensure that issues around violence that would be reported by their observers would be escalated and appropriate actions taken.

He advised Nigerians to remain peaceful, go out and cast their ballot knowing that their votes would and one vote could make a difference.

Mr Emmanuel Njoku CODE’s Director of Democracy and Governance, said that the observers would send in both structured and unstructured reports using Uzabe.

Njoku said that CODE’s platform has two lens, one is the structured report which would focus on the election procedures while the second would focus on unstructured report such as incidents and security reports which we would be published on Uzabe.

He said that the incidence categorisation on Uzabe, was expected to cover areas such as security issues, fake news, positive event, collation centre, ballot issues as well as voter inducement. (NAN)(nannews.ng)
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Taiye Agbaje

Gender and Election Watch (GEW) observation group, on Friday, urged the stakeholders in the Saturday’s poll to give priority voting to pregnant women and nursing mothers in line with the Electoral Act, 2022.
Mufuliat Fijabi, the Chief Executive Officer, GEW Room of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), also advised that the elderly and persons with disabilities should be accorded with priority voting.
Fijabi made the call while addressing a pre-election press briefing held in Abuja.
She said that no fewer than 400 accredited observers would be deployed across the six geo-political zones for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for tomorrow, and governorship and state assembly elections skates for March 11.
She said the team would be observing and assessing how all elements of the election process impact all stakeholders from a gender perspective.
Fijabi, who said that GEW would monitor the poll in collaboration with other observer groups, stressed that it was an election observation platform from a gender perspective.
“This strategic initiative has been put in place to gather information and carry out analysis on women’s participation in the elections in comparison to men as well as the assessment of all critical components of the electoral processes for action and advisory towards a more vibrant democratic governance in Nigeria.
“NWTF through its use of an electronic gender-based checklist will watch and harvest critical data on the participation of women and other vulnerable groups in this election and will carry out its analysis based on the Electoral Act (2022) as amended.
“Additionally, NWTF’s GEW Room will closely observe the election day performance of voters, candidates, and poll officials from a gender perspective.
“Also, NWTF’s GEW will closely watch the efficiency and effectiveness of technology deployed for the electoral process,” she said.
She, therefore, called on the security agencies to perform their duties without militarising and intimidating the voters, especially women on election day.
Fijabi, who advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to demonstrate fairness, maintain professionalism and due process in the discharge of their duties, also said INEC should maintain its statutory level of preparedness to ensure early early opening of polls.
She urged political parties and their candidates to adhere to their commitment to the peace accord signed for a peaceful election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GEW Room, is an initiative of NWTF, an organisation founded to close the gender gaps in governance in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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By Justina Auta

As Nigeria gets set for Presidential and National Assembly elections, an NGO, Seyi and Grace Compassionate Foundation, has urged widows to come out en masse and vote credible, competent and compassionate leaders.

The Founder of the group, Mrs Grace Garbson, made the call in Abuja on Friday at  the official unveiling of the foundation’s empowerment programme for widows, orphans and vulnerable persons.

Garbson said “I want to talk to every woman out there, the next few hours will tell how our lives as a country and as individuals will be in the next four years.

“Get your Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and go out and vote. If they give you money to buy your vote, please don’t accept it.

“Let’s vote the right candidates.”

She also appealed to government, development partners and other stakeholders to assist orphans, support women, particularly widows to address challenges affecting them.

She said the group was established to take care of some of the needs of widows, with the aim of pulling them out of poverty, adding that the empowerment exercise was part of 2023 strategic plan to engage 100 widows, vulnerable persons, orphans and female heads of households.

She explained that beneficiaries would be empowered through skills acquisition, training, wealth creation, mentorship and micro-financing to harness their potential and transform them.

“We have a lot of women out there that are voiceless, so this foundation is here to give them a voice and we have different departments like the legal that has to do with vulnerable women.

“We also have a segment that handles scholarship, orphans, among others,” she said.

Garbson also added that the foundation would empower at least 40 widows quarterly to enable them to start petty businesses and offer psycho-social and health support to the vulnerable.

Ms Arih Jalilah, the Spokesperson of the foundation, said the beneficiaries were selected from rural areas within the Federal Capital Territory.

Jalilah added that the women were selected based on their vulnerability, poor financial status and family burden.

Mrs Dorcas Emmanuel, a widow, thanked the organisation for the support, assuring that the women would utilise the opportunity to improve their financial status.

Emmanuel encouraged women, widows in general to participate in the forthcoming general elections and vote leaders that would help the masses, especially women.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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