By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has admonished Nigerians to resist the temptation of posting or sharing  unverified election results on social media.

The minister gave the admonition on Saturday in his home town, Oro, near Ilorin after casting his vote in the Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister voted at Polling Unit 006, Oro Ward 2 in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

Mohammed who arrived at the polling unit at about 10.05 a.m. joined the queue, waited till about 11.15 a.m. (about one hour thirty minutes) before exercising his franchise.

Speaking with newsmen after voting, the minister appealed to media houses to act responsibly in publishing or broadcasting election results.

“You don’t have to post election results without checking the source and the best way and most authentic is to hear from INEC

“The media houses should abide by the National Broadcasting Commission’s regulations regarding the announcement of election results.

“What we have noticed in the past 20 years is that election violence does not start during voting but it is at the point of collation or announcement of results that violence starts.

“False news is a fuel of this kind of violence because if you post false results from a particular unit and it is at variance with the authentic result by INEC, that would lead to violence,’’ he said.

Mohammed enjoined eligible voters and party agents to wait patiently until the presiding officer announced results and they should cross-checked same before transmission.

He said that party agents should be vigilant and show a lot of responsibility.

Speaking on how the election went in his polling unit, the minister said the process was peaceful, there was massive turn-out of voters and he was satisfied.

“What struck me most is the turn-out, the young, old, strong, the physically challenged men and women, they all came out to cast their votes.

“You can see the determination and resolve on their faces in an atmosphere of conviviality.

“I hope that it will be the same atmosphere and ambience in every other polling units,’’ he said.

NAN observed a huge turn-out of voters at the unit particularlyyouths from age 18 to 22 who came to exercise their voting right for the first time.

One of them, Eric Ogala from Anambra, but schooling in University of Ilorin and living with his parents in Oro said he felt fulfilled attaining voting age and casting his vote for the first time.

“So far, so good the process has been peaceful and different from the news of election violence and bloodshed we do hear when I was growing up,’’ he said.

An 85-year-old Mrs Felicia Otuneye also commended the peaceful process of the election and the preference given to her to vote immediately she got to the polling unit by the electoral officers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ROT/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Reporters

Voters in Owerri West and North Local Government Areas of Imo have expressed worry over the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voting materials at the various polling centres in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporters monitoring the polls report that there was large turnout of voters at the various polling units visited but voting could not begin as at 8:30 a.m. as scheduled by INEC.

Some of the voters interviewed at the polling centres expressed frustration and disappointment over the development.

They decried the failure by INEC to ensure timely distribution of materials to ensure timely commencement of the elections.

At Orie Uratta polling unit, a voter, Mrs Onyinyechi Iwunze, said that while the INEC officials had arrived at the Owerri North Local Government headquarters, officials were yet to arrive with voting materials at the polling units in Ward 12.

In Ward 006, Health Centre, Ihiagwa, Mrs Peace Iwuagwu, also lamented the delay in the arrival of officials and materials at the centre.

At Aladimma Ward 1, polling units at Aladimma Primary School and Aladimma Police Station in Owerri Municipal, voters were seen waiting for both INEC officials and materials as at 9:27 a.m.

Also, at Polling Units 006 and 002, Central School Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area, there were no election officials and materials as at 10.54am, when NAN visited the centre.

Speaking on the development, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agwaigbo, a native of Omuma, who said he traveled down from St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene, to be able to vote, expressed concern over the absence of INEC officials and materials.

“As a citizen, I left my seminary yesterday to come and exercise my right to vote.

“I took the risk, in spite of cash crunch and fuel scarcity.

“Objectively, the elections are yet to hold here.

“I have not seen any sign of election starting now maybe due to one problem or the other.

“Hopefully, they will still come because I know government prepared adequately for the election,” the cleric said.

At Polling Unit 010, Ozuh Umuokpala Omuma, where Gov. Hope Uzodimma was expected to vote, there were no presence of security and INEC officials on ground as at 9:54 a.m.

“Since morning we have been waiting for INEC with no sign,” a resident, Mr Emeka Mbah, said.

A NAN Correspondent, who visited Oru East Local Government Area, reports that INEC officials were still sorting materials for distribution to various polling units as at 9 a.m.

At Umuorii/ Umushioke village, Polling Units 021, INEC officials were present, while voters turned out in large numbers but there was no security personnel on ground.

At Afor Orogwe ward 006, Owerri West Local Government Area, turn out of voters was also impressive with security operatives present, but INEC officials and materials had yet to arrive at the centre as at 9:15 a.m.

In Aladinma ward 013, Customs Quarters Ward 016, there was a heavy presence of eligible voters, but INEC officials and security personnel had yet to dhow up as at 9:30 a.m. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sam Oditah

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Many voters were stranded as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) BVAs machine developed technical hitches in some polling units in Abaji Area Council, FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports y some polling units like Ayaura, Onas palace 007 and Maisaje saw voters stranded while lamenting over failure of the machines.

At about 12 noon, voters who were seen on queue, waiting to be accredited at Ona’s palace polling unit were yet to start voting due to technical hitches from the BVAs machine.

An NYSC member, Ade Muyiwa, who is a Presiding Officer, said since they arrived at the polling unit around 8:00 a.m., the BVAs machine could not function.

“And we immediately forwarded the complaint to the INEC and until now, we are yet to get another BVAs machine to commence accreditation of voters,” he said.

A voter, Ibrahim Usman, said he came to join the queue since around 8:48 a.m. but was yet to be accredited due to technical hitches from the BVAs.

Also at Ayaura polling unit, some voters who were seen under the tree, complained that they were yet to cast their votes because of technical hitches from the BVAs machine.

Mrs Zainab Yakubu, a middle aged house wife, also said she was yet to cast her vote due to the technical hitches from the BVAs machine.

An INEC official at Ayaura polling unit, Mr Sayeed Umar, said a complaint had been forwarded to the office in the area, adding that they were waiting for another BVAs machine to enable them to commence accreditation of voters. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Chimezie Anaso

Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has voted in his 019 Polling Unit in Umudimakasi Square, Amatutu, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra.

Obi who was accompanied by his wife, Margaret was accredited at 11:39 a.m. and voted at exactly 11.44a.m.

Speaking shortly, Obi said he was hopeful of victory, saying that he had solutions to Nigeria’s challenges as he was prepared for the task.

“If you look at this election, if there is anybody people should step down for, it is me.

“I have the solution, I have the physical and mental energy. I am ready for it, l am prepared for it.

“I have articulated what will happen from day one. It will be clear, measurable and people will feel it,” he said.

Obi said that the voting process was smooth and wished it was the same across the country.

On the serenity and peaceful security environment in the locality, Obi said “anybody close to me knows that I am friendly with everybody. In my village, we live like a family.

“Nigerians should come out and vote, it is about our country, we need to come together as a people to start building this country,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) www.nanews.ng

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ali Baba-Inuwa

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 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)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu