By Angela Atabo

An election observer group, Ready To Lead Africa, on Monday in Abuja called on INEC to tackle  challenges affecting collation of results of Saturday’s elections.

President of the group, Mr Godbless Otubure, told a news conference that it observed that the elections were dogged by logistics challenges, violence and harassment of some individuals.

“We call on INEC to address these issues with alacrity as concerns are beginning to swell from various parts, denting confidence in the process.

“We must now address the many negatives which have thus far threatened to mar the efforts of INEC.

“We deployed observers across the 36 states of the federation.

“In the course of duty, many of them observed incidents of violence, malfunctioning of equipment or malpractice during the voting and counting stages at different collation centres.

“There had been several incidents of result collation centres either not opening or opening late.

“In addition, they observed 34 incidents of violence, 31 of vote counting suspension, and 30 of polling stations running out of material,’’ he said.

Otubure said a police officer harassed one of the group’s observers at Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers and she was denied access to the collation centre in the area.

He added that observers reported faulty Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in Rivers.

He said also that reports from Obiakpor Local Government Area and, Woji Town Hall, both in Rivers indicated that voting process was slow at two polling units.

He explained that at the two units, INEC officials arrived late and needed extra time to set up the BVAS machines.

“Also, in Oyo State, the collation process took much longer than normal; with collation starting extremely late at the local government area level,’’ he said.

Otubure said results collations were delayed in so many areas of Lagos State with many presiding officers reporting delay in obtaining materials.

He advised INEC to ensure strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC guidelines on results collation.

He, however, commended high voter turnout and Nigerians’ high expectation of the elections outcome.

He called on Nigerians to remain calm and to retain trust in the electoral umpire, and only undertake legal means where necessary. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Alli Hakeem
 

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An Abuja based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, has called on newly elected political leaders in the country to fear Allah and fulfill their electioneering campaign promises when they assume office.

Al-Yolawi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that being truthful in promises and covenants was one of the best characteristics by which true believers were known.

“I will like to remind our brothers and sisters in Islam, those who were elected in the President and National Assembly elections to fear Allah and endeavour to fulfill their electioneering campaign promises.

“They should also justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate, by ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of resources that will be
entrusted to them.

“They should also ensure the protection of lives, properties and learn from the mistakes of their immediate predecessors; leadership is about trust and you will be asked by God on what you were entrusted with.”

The cleric also enjoined them to work hard and emplace policies that would enhance the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

“This means that leaders must have very close relationship with followers so that they can contribute their energy and work together towards realising and achieving set goals,” Al-Yolawa said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Maharazu Ahmed

“Adamu Muhammad Mainasara Aliero of PDP having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared winner and returned elected as Senator for Kebbi Central Senatorial District,” he said.

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Peoples Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M), a political association, has called on Nigerians to prepare for life after election.

Prof. Omotoye Olorode, a member of the TPAP-M Secretariat, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Olorode said Nigerians ought to go beyond casting their votes, to preparing to hold the incoming government accountable.

He said it was important to ensure that candidates that would emerge victorious in the 2023 General Elections were “put on their toes” to address the concerns of the masses.

The don said Nigerians had grappled so long with rising debt profile, poor minimum wage, unemployment, deteriorating health infrastructure, lack of respect for human rights among others.

He further that said in view of the prolonged hardship, Nigerians must ensure that the new leaders hit the ground running.

Olorode said one of the ways Nigerians could close the huge gap between them and the ruling class was to ensure that they did not “go to sleep” on their responsibilities.

“Nigerians have been victims of imposition by the ruling class for a long time and it is time to unite to ensure they delivered on their mandate.

“It is unfortunate that they sell public property to themselves and still fall back to government for funding.

“Debts of many of the allegedly commercialised and privatised companies are funded with taxpayers’ money as bailouts.

“An example is the energy costs incurred by the Power Generating Companies (GENCOs), following the so-called unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN),” he said.

The don said, “Our position as TPAP-M is that Nigerians should not allow the elites to divide them along ethnic or religious lines but insist on good governance.

“It is worrisome that almost everything is owned by the ruling class, so much so that the voices of the people are not heard.”

According to him, average Nigerians do not need soothsayers to know that until they used peaceful and legitimate means to demand for their rights, the elites will continue to impoverish them.

He said the ongoing Naira scarcity was a typical example of the level of hardship Nigerians were going through.

“Talking about the cashless policy of the Federal Government for instance, the banks are owned by the elites.

“So, it will be easy for anyone of them to call up a bank manager to reserve the new Naira notes while the masses suffer.

“We all see how difficult it has been for the common man to access Naira anywhere.

“Also, the rich own the supermarkets where they go to shop, making them not to feel the pains of an ordinary Nigerian, who may not be able to afford three square meal.”

Olorode said TPAP-M would continue to ensure that Nigerians kicked against anti-people policies, adding that “we must understand that the other ethnic group is not our problem but the elites.”

“The issues of employment, health, education, gender, poverty and inequality must be addressed.

“It must be stressed that growth is always inclusive and sustainable.

“And while we are aware that our economy experienced ups and downs, but over-time it must be seen that the standard of living of her citizens improve.”

He said it was high time Nigerians registered a pro-masses political party or seek a socialist alternative that would guarantee employment, quality education, quality health service, security, gender equality among others.

He further said it was high time Nigerians sought a system that would emphasise hard work, efficiency and dignity of labour.(NAN)(www.nan.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz