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The Ogidi community in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State has completed its 40-year-old abandoned water project through the use of communal self-help scheme and the support of the state government.
The National President of Ogidi Development Union (ODU), Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, disclosed this while speaking during the 2014 Ogidi Day celebration, explaining that the water project was embarked upon some 40 years ago by a Canadian Catholic priest who served in the community and the project had been abandoned for four decades.
According to him, “Ogidi Day always provides us the opportunity to seek the assistance of our friends in prosecuting projects that would add value to the lives of our people, this is not a new thing for us since we have had to virtually on our own provide for ourselves the modern amenities taken for granted elsewhere.
“Our fathers taught us to imbibe the virtues of self help, we single-handedly built our community secondary school, we also embarked on the electrification of this town and had done more than 80 percent of the work before government assistance came.”
Ipinmisho explained that: “The present generation of Ogidi people have continued with the tradition of self- help which had assisted the community to complete its town hall, cottage hospital and the water project.”
He noted that through the contribution of friends and the assistance of the state government, the water project, cottage hospital and the town hall had been completed, adding that: “We have connected water from the borehole to five points in the town while the cottage hospital will be fully completed as soon as the necessary equipment is procured.”
On the issue of peace and security in the community, Ipinmisho appealed to the state government and the security agencies to come to their aid by checking the activities of Fulani herdsmen who have invaded the town, stressing that: “We are peace loving people and we have nothing against visitors settling among us.
“However, the Fulani nomads having no respect for any law, having scant regard for human life and taking delight as it seems in strangulating the economic life line of our people, constitute such visitors we do not want.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The National Conference monday recommended further measures to strengthen the crusade against corruption and electoral malpractices by unanimously approving recommendations to establish special judicial courts to dispassionately try offenders without undue hindrance.
While considering the report of the Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reforms, delegates took far-reaching decisions including jettisoning of the controversial plea bargain system, which has become an easy escape route for corrupt public officers.
There was also recommendation for the setting up of electoral offenses tribunal under the constitution to try those alleged to have committed electoral offenses. A delegate, John Mamam moved a motion for the amendment of the constitution to provide for a special court to handle corruption cases.
Among his prayers was that the establishment of a special courts to treat corruption allegations will hasten the adjudication of cases by removing all the hindrances of injunctions and bureaucracy.
The committee chaired by Justice G. A. Oguntade had tried to resolve the issue agitating most delegates on how to secure legal endorsement for their decisions.
In order to facilitate approval and implementation of the conference recommendations, the committee proposed that the recommendations be broken into three parts, policy recommendations, issues requiring abrogation or amendment of some existing but out-dated or obnoxious laws and issues that would require outright amendment of some sections of the constitution.
For policy recommendations, the committee proposed that the president should implement it, while the implementation of recommendations relevant authorities in the ministries, departments and agencies should carry out requiring abrogation of amendment of existing laws or regulations other than the constitution.
However, it resolved that recommendations requiring amendment to certain sections of the constitution should be drafted as bill and submitted to the president to forward to the National Assembly.
The committee’s report said in a situation where there is still need to get approval from Nigerians, recommendations should be taken to the court of public opinion/referendum.
While lamenting the challenges facing the country’s legal system, the committee demanded that the entire judicial system be overhauled to make it compatible with current realities.
It said in order to ensure greater financial autonomy of the judicial organ and insulate it from manipulative tendencies of other organs all it’s funds both capital and recurrent, should be made a first line charge on the consolidated revenue fund of the federation or state.
Femi Okurounmu supported the setting up of athe nti-corruption court that will be made up of persons without blemish and who will discharge justice without any hindrance.
Another delegate from the South-west, Yinka Odumakin spoke in support of the abolition of plea bargain in the judicial system and the establishment of a special court for corruption cases, saying that the measure will check the impunity that go with the trial of corrupt officials, especially the high profile ones.
Also, another delegate, Ayo Adebanjo decried the abuse, which the plea bargain had been subjected to whereby those regarded as the big looters were allowed to go free after they had agreed to part with an insignificant part of their loot.
Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, said what he had seen in Supreme Court in recent times was giving him some worry as against what obtains in the past. “I believe that everything going to the Supreme must be seen to be very important to Nigerians. Senior lawyers must be ready to show examples to the younger ones and not continue to allow cases to be delayed. These senior lawyers, like the SAN will sit down in their houses and will be causing cases to be adjourned in courts and thereby prolonging cases,” he said.
Responding to the allegation of delaying cases, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), said they are not to be blamed. Everybody wants expedited trial but no one will allow any of their witnesses not to be examined. “We now have a situation whereby the courts are inundated with cases from busy bodies that have no locus standi to file such cases.”
A delegate from Cross River State and veteran journalist, Ray Ekpu spoke on the issue of awaiting trial, that is people who are detained for long period without trial or acquittal, saying that as part of measures to check the trend, conference should recommend that appropriate compensation be paid for the period of detention.
Another delegate said those who kill by extra judicial means should be brought to book and should be made to face equal punishment.
Former governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, who said he is the right person to give account of the taste of prisons in the country, being one of the ‘latest graduates of the prisons’, said due to the poor state of the prisons, it is necessary to do something to decongest it.
He urged fellow delegates to vote in support of interventions to improve the condition of prisons because no one knows when it will be his or her turn to be there.
He said the prisons should remain in the Exclusive List of the constitution, adding that putting in the hands of state governor will bring about abuses. Conflict between the NJC and the state government also attracted delegates’ attention during the debate on the report with speakers blaming it on the seeming ambiguity of the constitution, which provides that the governors shall appoint judges and at the same time saying that the NJC shall recommend judges.
According to delegates, this ambiguity has brought about disagreements and has led to conflicts that often grounded the activities of the judiciary in the affected states.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A former lawmaker at the upper legislative chamber, Senator Saidu Dansadau has decried the manner in which husbands are divorcing more women from the Northern part of the country.
The former lawmaker who got a rousing support from women delegates during yesterday’s sitting recommended for the establishment of a Women and Children Islamic Rights Commission to deal with divorce cases.
“Another issue is the problem that affects mainly women in the northern part of the country. It’s a very serious problem. The way and manner we Hausas divorce women in this country with impunity is becoming a very serious problem, “ he emphasised.
Senator Dansadau, while making contributions to the Law and Judiciary Report lamented that the situation is worse among the Hausas, wondering why Hausa men do not comply with the provision of the Sharia on marriage.
According to the former lawmaker, he had read literatures of communities bothering on marriages but he has not seen where women were being divorced with impunity like in Hausa land.
He called on the Houses of Assemblies to enact laws to establish Women and Children Islamic Rights Commission, where women affected by such cases of divorce can take their matter to.
“I know a person who is about 50 years of age who has been married 74 times. It is real, not a fiction. It is only in Hausa land that a man will have four wives, all of them living in rented accommodation. It is only in Hausa land that you have a girl married at the age of 15 or 18 after she had had eight children, her husband will divorce her.
“We should enact a law to protect women and children’ s rights. The revision of sharia regarding divorce is like the constitutional provision for the creation of states. It is almost impossible. The point I am making is that the Islamic injunction regarding divorce is like the constitutional provision for the creation of a new state. But we as Muslims are not adhering to that injunction “So there should be a Women Islamic Rights Commission to make us comply with these injunctions,” he added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), to appear before it in view of their inability to agree on who should instruct a lawyer to defend the governor in court.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the directives yesterday when the lawyers instructed separately by Okorcha and Ume could not agree on who should legitimately represent the governor in a suit brought against him by his former party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
When the case was called, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) announced appearance for Okorocha, shortly after which another lawyer, Sunday Olabode also announced appearance for the governor.
While Akintola insisted he was instructed to handle the case by the governor, Olabode claimed to have equally been instructed by the state s Attorney General to handle the case.
In view of the disagreement, the judge asked the two lawyers to inquire why they both announced separate representations for the governor.
Akintola, who held out a letter from the office of the governor (with which he said he was instructed to conduct the case) expressed surprise about Olabode's continued insistence that his firm, Theolice Solicitors, was duly instructed by the state's Attorney General to represent the governor.
He told the court that the governor instructed him to handle the case for him (Okorocha), as he had done in most political cases involving the governor.
Akintola showed the court a copy of the letter containing the instruction from the governor, written on the state government's official letter head paper dated May 5, 2014 and signed by the Principal Secretary to the governor, Dr. Pascal C. Obi.
He also drew the court's attention to a letter he wrote to the Attorney General date June 12, 2014 informing him that his firm (Adeniyi's) had been instructed by the governor to handle the case, and that the case was a private suit brought against the governor in personal capacity.
Akintola argued that the Attorney General of Imo State was wrong to have sought to impose a lawyer on the governor in a case against the governor in his personal capacity and not against the state government. He described Ume's conduct as ambulance chasing, which he said was unethical.
Akintola queried the legitimacy of the Attorney General insistence on imposing a lawyer on the governor in a case not involving the state government.
"The important thing is that this man (Ume) is a serving Attorney General. Yet he has come to court to file processes in a private matter involving the governor.
“This is wrong. This is ambulance chasing, it is unethical and the rules of professional conduct frowned at this. “I have never seen this kind of thing in my years of practice,
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Delegates to the National Conference monday rejected the clamour for constitutional recognition of the right to self-determination through a majority voice vote.
Before the votes were called on the amendment, supporters of the self-determination clause, lead by Mr. Tabi Taiwo had proposed to have a clause to the right to self-determination added to the Nigerian constitution to serve as a check to injustice and bad governance.
However, when the proposal was put to vote, delegates, most of whom saw it as an attempt to legalise secession, voted it out.
Meanwhile, an amendment to have the CJN to take number three position in order of government protocol after the Vice-President raised controversy when the Deputy Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi put it to vote.
The resulting voice vote by delegates failed to yield a clear winner, leading to noisy exchanges by those who opposed the move by Akinyemi to pass it. In order for calm to return during the plenary, the conference deputy chairman said that decision on the issue would be put on hold.
Delegates voted in support of the committee’s report recommending the separation of the Office of the Attorney General (AG) and that of the Minister of Justice.
It said the Attorney General for the Federal and states should be appointed for a single term of six years, instead of two terms of four years each, while qualification for the AG should be at least 15 years of legal practice.
It recommended a uniform retirement age of 70 years for all superior courts. The delegates voted against what was considered a radical proposal to abolish powers of Attorney General to discontinue prosecution of cases.
On the issue of appointments of heads of key judiciary institutions, the conference approved that the President as the chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission should appoint a retired justice of the Supreme Court.
In the same vein, delegates voted into support of petition of the governorship election to end at the Court of Appeal.
A proposal for amendment to abolish death penalty was however stood down following bickering by delegates on the matter, while the conference resolved that cases dealing with trial of extra judicial killings should not exceed nine months.
The afternoon session of the conference witnessed a clash between pro-gender advocates and the moderates before the conference finally lay to rest the controversy on the issue of affirmative action on women participation in governance. The conference then passed an amendment that it should not be less than 35 per cent.
Delegates also voted that pregnant women and nursing mothers should be allowed two years to wean their child before serving their sentences, but attempt to remove the State High Court from the authority of the National Judicial Commission failed.
Debates on the report of the Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Reform also pitched delegates against each other with those advocating for a new constitution arguing issues with those drumming support for the retention of the status quo.
Leading those opposed to the discarding if the existing constitution, Bashir Dalhatu said, “If Nigerians are to accept that the existing constitution has expired, it means that President Jonathan will be asked to resign. This is because he is a product of the expired constitution. Also, the implication of discrediting the 1999 constitution should be that all the actions taken by all past civilian Presidents would be declared ineffective.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the newly elected National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has approached the former Governor of Osun State, Mr. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to join the party.
The APC leaders who paid a private visit to Oyinlola in his Okuku country home, said his experience and influence were needed in the party.
The leaders of the APC who visited Oyinlola, according to THISDAY source, were former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu; Osun State, Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the immediate past interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande.
It was noted that Tinubu and Akande spoke on behalf of the party during the visit and encouraged Oyinlola to join forces with other politicians in the APC.
Tinubu, according to the source, enjoined Oyinlola to team up with other progressives in the APC to provide strong opposition to the PDP in the 2015 general election.
THISDAY also learnt that the APC leaders assured Oyinlola of high placement in the party if he joins APC.
Oyinlola, it was learnt, informed the opposition leaders that he remains the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Osun State governor was said to have told the APC leaders to exercise patience for his decision, saying his decision would be made known to them soon.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the PDP yesterday accused Aregbesola of creating a nest of thugs in the state in a desperate move to instill fear in the electorate following the loss of the APC in the Ekiti State gubernatorial election at the weekend.
Also, on the visit to Oyinlola by leaders of the APC, the state PDP stated that the people of the South-west had rejected APC as evident in the outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election.
The PDP alleged that the APC thugs unleashed terror on members of the party in Ibokun, Ifewara, Iwo, Ilesa and some towns in Oriade Local Government Area of the state between Sunday evening and early yesteday morning apparently to intimidate them.
The party in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, equally sympathised with Tinubu over the loss in Ekiti State while also urging Aregbesola to prepare to leave the government house
"We understand the horrible situation the loss in Ekiti State has put the APC. That can explain the desperation in wooing Oyinlola whose mandate they stole through court. APC leaders must be jittery about the chances of the party ahead of August 9 and 2015 elections. The truth is that their time is up in the South-west," Olaoluwa said
Olaoluwa described the APC leaders who visited Oyinlola as forgetful and desperate, saying it would amuse the entire world that the party could be troubling Oyinlola whom Aregbesola sought to discredit to no avail.
“No amount of running from pillar to post can save the APC from losing in Osun State and in fact across the country, because Nigerians have rejected them, they will loose their grips and Nigerians will be liberated from their political chincanery and mis-governance as it happened in Ekiti State,” the statement read in part.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The United States monday said it was satisfied with the execution of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in which the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated that of incumbent of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It said in a statement from its diplomatic mission in Abuja that the INEC had from reports conducted a credible election in which the result reflected the decision of registered voters in the state.
The statement which also commended the reported conduct of voters in the state, said: "We congratulate the many electoral stakeholders for the successful conduct of the June 21 gubernatorial election.
“The INEC oversaw a credible, efficient process and by all accounts, the result reflected the will of the Ekiti voters."
On the conduct of security personnel who were deployed to the state for the election, the US noted that: "The security forces collaborated effectively and provided a safe and secure environment free of major incidents.
The parties and their supporters acted responsibly during and after the election, and the magnanimity exhibited by all candidates afterwards speaks highly of them and the people of the state. "That more than 50 per cent of registered voters turned out to make their voices heard, bodes well for the future of Nigeria’s democracy," it added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, among other Nigerians and groups yesterday joined in commending the federal government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security forces for the peaceful conduct of the governorship election in Ekiti State last weekend.
They also hailed the political parties in the state people as well as the contestants for the peaceful conduct and outcome of the election. Chime in a congratulatory message to Fayose said the PDP in the South East zone had requested the Nigeria electorate to emulate the Ekiti State example by keeping strong faith with the party; a party it said serves the overall interest of Nigerians no matter their tribe, interest or section.
Chime described Fayose's election as a not only “a victory for the PDP, but also a triumph for democracy and the will of the people as expressed through the ballot box."
On his part, Jang described the victory of Fayose, as an honour for his service to his people. In a press statement signed by his Director of Press, Mr. James Mannok, Jang noted that the people had demonstrated appreciation for the legacies of Fayose during his earlier service as governor of the state and urged him to strive to surpass the earlier feat.
He equally acknowledged Fayemi for his sportsmanship by accepting the results and congratulating Fayose over his victory.
Similalrly, the Imo State chapter of the PDP has described the election as not only victory to the party, but also to the Nigerian nation, even as the party commended Fayemi for quickly conceding defeat, as such acceptance depicts the quality of a true democrat.
They, therefore, congratulated Mr. President, the National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu and the leadership of the party as well as the governor-elect, the INEC, security agencies and the people of Ekiti State for the successful and peaceful conduct of the election.
“The world is now a living witness to the gains of the electoral reforms put in place and being driven by President Goodluck Jonathan,” the party said.
Also, Anenih applauded Fayose on his election as governor of the state even as he commended Fayemi, for conceding defeat and congratulating the governor-elect on his victory.
In a two-page statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Anenih paid glowing tributes to Fayemi’s statesmanlike act and urged other people who aspire to elective public offices to emulate him.
“I congratulate Fayose on his well deserved victory, which is a reward of hard work that he invested in the electioneering as well as his steadfastness in identifying with the grassroots people of Ekiti State.
In the same fashion, the Nigeria Governors Forum under the leadership of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State also congratulated Fayose of the PDP on his victory in the last Saturday governorship election in Ekiti state.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by the Sole Administrator of the forum, Osaro Onaiwu, the governors called on Fayose to see his victory as a challenge and an opportunity to vindicate the choice of the masses by ensuring his programmes are geared towards the elevation of all Ekiti indigenes on assumption of office.
The statement also commended Fayemi for his gracious concession speech, which they described as a show of political maturity by putting Ekiti first before self.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has declared that President Goodluck Jonathan has entrenched a culture of credible polls in the country.
In his congratulatory message to the governor-elect, Alkali said President Jonathan had again proven that he is a leader that can be trusted by ensuring that every measure is taken to ensure that every vote counts and the people are allowed to elect their leaders without let or hindrance.
In a statement in Abuja, yesterday a group, transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) also said the action of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in accepting defeat and congratulating the winner of the governorship election is an implicit manifestation of a true democrat that he is.
In a statement issued in Abuja, TAN's Director of Communications and Strategy, Dr. Udenta. O. Udenta said, "Given the impressive turnout of voters across the state, the peaceful conduct of the exercise, which has been generally acclaimed to be free and fair, and the spirit of sportsmanship demonstrated by the contenders, it is yet another refreshing moment for Nigeria."
While congratulating the governor-elect, Mr. Fayose, on his victory, TAN commended the incumbent Governor, Kayode Fayemi for exhibiting maximum equanimity to accept defeat without much ado. Also, former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd), has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for creating a conducive atmosphere for a free and fair election in Ekiti State.
Olubolade, a former military administrator of Bayelsa State, also appreciated the security agents deployed to Ekiti State for the election for their efforts.
“I want to appreciate President Jonathan for the encouragement and support in ensuring a peaceful conduct of the election.” In his reaction, the Leader of Opposition, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday declared that the last Saturday’s Ekiti State election was a turning point in the country’s political history.
Gbajabiamila in a statement he personally signed in Abuja submitted that, “The Ekiti Governorship election of June 21, marks a watershed in our political history. Perhaps for the first time we all witnessed the gallantry and magnanimity of opponents after a keenly fought electoral contest.”
“I congratulate the governor-elect, the PDP, the Ekiti people and more importantly I congratulate Nigeria and Nigerians for indeed whether we like the outcome of the election or not, sovereignty lies in the hands of the people.
“It has become evident now that free, fair and credible elections can be held in Nigeria without the use of the military, and that it is possible and better for the peoples’ votes to be counted and human suffrage respected. We must now stop the unconstitutional use of the military in elections, as their role under the provisions is purely to defend our territory from foreign aggression. It is only the police that are constitutionally empowered to maintain law and order,” he said.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) monday commended Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State for his rare show of patriotism and sportsmanship in conceding defeat and congratulating the PDP candidate and governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on his victory at last Saturday’s governorship election.
This came as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday praised itself for the smooth conduct of the Ekiti State governorship election, stating that the commission was well prepared for the election.
The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement said of Fayemi: “This exceptional show of statesmanship has indeed earned Fayemi the respect and admiration of Nigerians as a man of honour, a true democrat and a patriot.”
The PDP statement said the outgoing governor “exhibited the spirit of sportsmanship propagated and practised by the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan” even as it called on politicians in the country to “imbibe the same spirit and jettison all forms of bad loser-syndrome especially ahead of the 2015 general election.” It said credit must be given to President Jonathan for his insistence on free, fair and credible election at all levels, adding that it was on record that the PDP and the president had never hesitated in congratulating other parties and their candidates whenever they win in an election.
Thanking the people of Ekiti State and the entire nation for the massive support given to it, the PDP said its current leadership under the national chairmanship of Adamu Mu’azu was “more than ever before, committed to ensuring transparent and credible primaries that will guarantee the emergence of only popular candidates for elections.”
While calling on all PDP super stakeholders to work harder in this direction, the party said it would continue to provide a level-playing ground for all Nigerians to genuinely pursue their aspirations within the ambit of the overall national interest.
In the same manner, INEC in a statement issued in Abuja on the outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election, said: “A few days before the election, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had told stakeholders in a meeting at Ado-Ekiti that the commission was pre-pared to make the Ekiti governorship election the best thus far.
The statement said the only thing the commission needed was the support of the people of the state. According to INEC, quoting Jega, “We are looking forward to the best election. We however need the support of all stakeholders to ensure success.”
Also, INEC said the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Hussain Halilu Pai, had expressed confidence that the commission was going to pull off an outstanding election. He hinged his confidence on the elaborate preparation made by the commission to conduct the election.
Still quoting the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, INEC in the statement “I feel happy and elated that we had a peaceful election and we provided a level playing field to all contestants.”
He attributed the success of the election to the many lessons learnt from previous ones which were factored into the Ekiti governorship election and the fact that he carried all critical stakeholders along.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The leader of the police team deployed for the conduct of the governorship election in Ekiti State, Mr. Mogaji Nasarawa, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), `monday declared that the men of Nigerian Police Force were ready to repeat the success that was recorded in the Ekiti election in the 2015 general election that would be more credible, peaceful and acceptable to the generality of Nigerian masses.
“I wish to emphatically state that the standard witnessed in the conduct of a peaceful and orderly Ekiti State governorship election 2014, should be considered by all, as a demonstration of the commitment and readiness of the NPF in ensuring the conduct of a very peaceful, credible and acceptable 2015 general election in our country, Nigeria, “ Nasarawa said.
The Inspector General of Police (IG), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, had deployed 12,000 men and officers of the Force to monitor the governorship poll.
At a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, co-addressed with other five Commissioners of Police, particularly the one in charge of the Ekiti election, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Nasarawa said his men would be still be on ground for post-election duty.
Commending the indigenes of the state for their peaceful conduct and civility during last Saturday’s election, Nasarawa, however, warned that whoever planning to foment trouble must have a rethink or face the full weight of the law.
“However, I wish to advise in the interest of the general public, that if any one, group of people or political party has any grievances or objections to the conduct of election , such complaints should be channeled to the appropriate quarters.”
Nasarawa, who promised that the police would repeat the unblemished records in the conduct of Ekiti poll in the August 9 governorship poll in Osun State, said his men would henceforth make it impossible for poll riggers to have a field day in Nigerian elections.
He said: “May I recall that in the build up to the election, we gave assurances to the good people of Ekiti State, the residents, electoral stakeholders, election monitoring groups, local and international observers and of course, the entire nation that the police will leave no stone unturned, in ensuring a very credible, peaceful, crisis-free and widely acceptable election in Ekiti State.
“As we are mindful of the familiar disruptions and occurrences that generally mar the conduct of similar elections, our proactive approach made it practically impossible for hoodlums or criminals to break the law or violate the electoral process.”
The Election Police Commissioner, Aduba, reiterated the intention of the Force to curb some reported cases of overzealousness on the side of his men, saying they would be more civil than what was experienced in Ekiti in the future election.
Aduba pointed out that whoever suffered harassment in the hands of the police during the election should forward such complaint to the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti for proper disciplinary action against such officer.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
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