Some INEC adhoc Staff in Nigeria have said that they will not start the accreditation and election process until they are paid their training allowances.
The presiding officers of Dorayi Karama Constituency in Gwale Local Government of Kano State in the north-west of the country, said that they are asking for the training allowance given to them by INEC.
Our correspondent in Kano, said that now the voters there are crowded and waiting for the voting to start.
Kano State has more than five million voters, which makes the state one of the most frequented places for candidates to seek votes.
Governor Umahi has called on Ebonyians not to entertain fears on the flight patrol of Officers of the Nigerian Air force across the State.
Umahi made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki, Friday.
The Governor explained that the operation was to ensure miscreants do not exploit opportunities to cause breakdown of law and order during the general elections.
“We also got a surprise package from Security Chiefs from Abuja all aimed at having a free, fair and credible election in Ebonyi state. Ladies and gentlemen, let me inform you we have a flying Officer from the Nigerian Air force, Enugu.
“I want Ebonyians to know that they would be flying low in their domain, so they should not be afraid. They are actually there to protect them and evaluate flashpoints and any envisaged threats, and to deal with the matter decisively.
Governor Umahi while assuring that efforts have been put in place to ensure hitchfree elections in the State, said the efforts were to instill confidence on the voters, as deployment of electoral materials and personnel have been concluded to ensure free and fair elections.
The Governor expressed concern about possible cases of existence of fake election observers and urged Security Agencies to checkmate the situation.
The Governor also directed Security Agencies to ensure that movement across polling units during elections are prohibited within the State.
“We have also agreed that anybody seen with gun that shouldn’t have gun or causing violence/ disrupting the election process, must be arrested immediately and taken away for the law to take its cause.
“I have instructed all my party people including those of other parties not to violate electoral laws, anyone doing so must be arrested.”
The Governor also remarked that though the activities of Ebubeagu Security outfit has been suspended, it’s replacements, the Neighbourhood Watch and Vigilante Corps would not participate in Election Security.
The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called on anti-corruption agencies to stop vote buying and selling as Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday.
The organization said the commercialisation of votes has continued because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have failed the country in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, raised the observations in a statement titled, ‘Women groups call for votes for female candidates, advocate zero tolerance for election violence and vote buying’, issued on behalf of Womanifesto group, including the National Coalition on Affirmative Action (NCAA), Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN), and Gender Technical Unit (GTU).
While calling on Nigerians to “vote for women for a better Nigeria”, WARDC announced the deployment of 400 candidates across 27 states to observe the election.
The statement reads, “Vote buying is an act of electoral malpractice and any attempt to influence the electorate to vote in favour of a particular candidate or party is an electoral offence under the electoral Act 2022 and an action to further disenfranchise women candidates.
“We call on anti corruption agencies to ensure that they do the needful to respond where vote buying occur; the reasons why vote sales have continued without abating is because anti corruption agencies are not doing enough.
“We encourage Nigerians to shun any, and all forms of vote buying despite the cash crunch and economic hardship prevalent particularly at this time in our country as a result of the Naira redesign. Vote buying and electoral violence is a threat to our democracy and an act of corruption, it also jeopardizes our electoral integrity and accountability process.
“As Nigerians head to the polls to conduct the 2023 general election to elect the President and members of the National Assembly on February 25, WARDC and four leading Nigerian women network and coalitions call for citizens vote for women candidates across political parties, presenting names of women candidates across Nigeria.
“We are concerned about the low number of women and the impact of vote buying and electoral violence on the votes of women and girls..The group deployed 400 candidates across 27 states to observe the election.
“We therefore call on all citizens to shun any forms of vote buying, vote women into the National Assembly to increase women’s participation, maintain peace, and shun violence.
“Women in Nigeria constitutes half the number of voters and population, and often the target of all form of electoral violence and vote buying. Last elections saw rape and other forms of sexual violence against women, 2019 also had female election officers been targeted for violence.
“Prior to election Kimpact Development Initiative data shows about 385 incidents of electoral violence reported amongst which was the report of the death of the woman leader of Labour Party in Kaduna and other attacks on citizens.
“2022 has also recorded attack on election management bodies, which provides context for caution and fear. We call on security agents to secure electorates and play their constitutional roles in this regard.
“We further admonish every Nigeria to play an active role to ensure a free fair and credible election without any form of violence so as not to truncate our democratic process/journey.
“Hence, we call on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure and enforce strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 which seeks to curb vote buying and electoral violence.
Finally we are not intimidated to call on citizens to vote women for a better Nigeria.”
The massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of N32, 400,000 (Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos. The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission.
The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning
The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has implored all personnel of the Commission deployed for election monitoring duties to show courage and not give room for unscrupulous persons to undermine the integrity of the elections through financial inducement.
Tactical team of operatives are currently on ground in all the states of the federation and the FCT. Telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission. Details of the number are available on EFCC social media platforms.
Members of the public are encouraged to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store. They can also reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng.
An Anambra-based sex worker operating in Awka the state capital has pledged to offer free sex to the first five customers who approach him in her office if the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi wins the 2023 general election.
The sex worker, identified as Jenny, made the declaration on Thursday night at the ever-busy Abakaliki Street (also known as the Club Road) in Awka, which is adjudged the Headquarters of sex workers in Anambra state.
Jenny started by shouting and cheering Obi’s name, while also assuring that her vote is for him.
“Obi! Obi! Obi! My vote is for you, nwoke oma ọsịsọ! Beware, Obi must win this election!” she repeatedly said (in English-mixed Igbo language), thereby attracting the attention of the passers-by and those having fun in the area.
According to her, aside the confidence she repose in Obi’s competence to lead Nigeria to the promised land if he wins, Obi’s emergence will also help to make life better for them.
“Can you imagine that I’ve been standing here since this night, without making one Kobo or one Niara, just because of Buhari’s new naira. Nobody patronizes me anymore because I don’t accept transfer.
“In fact election should come quick so that we will vote out this people and enthrone Obi. In fact, if Peter Obi wins, I will offer free sex to the first guys who will approach me,” she declared (all in English-mixed Igbo language), throwing the audience into laughter, as she salaciously left the scene to ‘hawk her goods’ on the other side of the street, while the listeners gradually dispersed.
This reporter Izunna Okafor, gathered that Obi, who is one of the forefront candidates for the 2023 election, has been getting endorsement from different groups and individuals who have all pledged to support him, vote him, and contribute their resources to ensure he wins the election
As Nigerians go to the polls this weekend clerics under the umbrella of Christian Faithfuls forum have warned about the possible break up of the country should the election be manipulated.
They further alleged hat the grand plot by those they described as enemies of democracy to tamper with the BIVAS has been exposed and that the masses are out to take on them should they attempt to do that.
Spokesman of the group Apostle Victor Ndulue who spoke to reporters noted that Nigerians have chosen who the next President of the country would be adding that the Candidate of Labour Party Mr Peter Obi has already been chosen for the task of rebuilding the country.
“We had in April last year predicted that Mr Peter Obi would emerge as the choice of the masses and today we have been vindicated by what is happening in this country”
“Those who think that they would rig this election should be mindful of the grave consequences of this country breaking up and they would be held responsible for that”
Ndulue further noted that the Nigerian youths have become more political that you cannot take them for a ride and this movement that is happening in this country is not only spiritual but Devine ”
“This country is witnessing a Divine intervention and no mere mortal can stop it and the consequences would be would be grave and that would be the breaking up of this country ” he said.
The body urged the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to stamp it’s feet on the ground and ensure free fair and credible elections in the country.
ATIKU: Look, there will be need to bring in the INEC
OKOWA: Hmm, I think there will be need to interface with INEC and not create suspicion
TAMBUWAL: Waziri Adamawa, I will not want to disappoint you. And for me to accept to go into this, let us strategize and discuss the arrangements and how it can be achieved.
ATIKU: Tambuwal, that’s why we are meeting. Let us sit down and find any other technology that may be used to make sure we emerge. So there has to be a way on how to find loopholes.
OKOWA: We are going to provide for the INEC officials starting from the polling units through to the ward collation centers and I just hope that we are going to have to find a way to rig the elections. This is the best time to do so.
ATIKU: It is not enough. First of all, you give money to the state INEC. There will be need to bring in the INEC and also make sure they don’t use BVAS. We have seen what the use of BVAS have resulted in Osun.
TAMBUWAL: Atiku Abubakar, I am with you on this one.
OKOWA: And you also supervise to make sure we use the central bank to share the money and then of course, find a way to get them out of power.
TAMBUWAL: It will be extremely difficult in a way. You see, it depends on certain fundamentals and indices. If Nigerians are having only two options clearly from two regions, then one of them will be. The numbers will count in this case and we all know the voting strength of each bloc in this country.
OKOWA: It is obviously a major issue. It should not be restricted. We must look at the things that will give us result.
TAMBUWAL: And also look at the process that will bring in one of our best to be president of Nigeria. So, so, I try as much as possible to do my work. For me, don’t like mistakes. And as i have said, I have won my elections 5 times consecutively. You all know that I have the support of my home base so its a matter of strategy, but it is not about me. It is about Atiku Abubakar Waziri and making him president.
OKOWA: We cannot act in disregard of normal rule. There is a need to give INEC money to be able to run their normal processes on their own and to mobilize their people for the purpose of the election. That is likely going to make a stronger impact. Not the way we are going through.
ATIKU: Ok. And what are those areas that will be difficult to correct to win in the elections
OKOWA: The INEC officials, they need to take instructions from the PDP agents and there is no doubt about the process,….. eh eh eh, just good enough to ensure that this time, it is not questionable.
TAMBUWAL: Are you sure that this time we can win the elections?
OKOWA: YES! It must be done in such a way that it is skewed in favor of PDP.
ATIKU: Even with BVAS?
OKOWA: Yes, I think we are on course. it is just a question of trying.
…As, Police Recover Weapons Starched for Election, Arrest Kingpin
…Thugs Have Infiltrated Our Area – Community Leader Laments
Twenty four hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections, House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency, Engr Akarachi Amadi and his father, Prince Charles Amadi (Charlvon) have been fingered for allegedly masterminding the stockpiling of arms in view of Saturday’s election.
Acting on a tip off, the Imo state police command swung into action and arrested a kingpin who is said to be into “yahoo plus”, Chibuzor Oguzie, popularly known as “Ezeiche” at Iho, a suburb in Ikeduru LGA and recovered arms and ammunition allegedly stocked for the Saturday’s polls.
An insider source revealed to this newspaper that trouble began when the owner of a popular hotel opposite Iho market square and indigene of the area identified as, Akate petitioned the police against the said, Chibuzor Oguzie (Ezeiche) over threat to his life.
Working on the petition, the state police command stormed the residence of the said Chibuzor Oguzie and recovered various arms and ammunitions allegedly purchased for the purposes of intimidating voters and wrecking havoc in Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency during the February 25th election.
According to the source, while the police were still investigating the matter, a chieftain of the ruling APC, Prince Charlvon and his son, Engr Akarachi Amadi, a House of Representatives candidate of APC in the Saturday election were said to be working seriously to frustrate the ongoing police investigations.
The source maintained that the arms kingpin, Chibuzor Oguzie is allegedly one of the political thugs of the APC stalwart, who according to him is prepared to wreck havoc should the Saturday election goes against his son.
In his desperate bid to frustrate the investigation and possibly close the matter at the police, the APC chieftain, Prince Charlvon in connivance with his son and candidate of the party, Engr Akarachi Amadi succeeded in securing bail for the notorious arms dealer, whom the source revealed, has been threatening fire and brimstone since he was released from the police hook.
Reacting to the development, a political leader in Ikeduru LGA who preferred to be anonymous condemned the desperation of the APC Chieftain, Prince Charlvon to impose his son on the good people of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency, and warned him to discontinue from carrying out any nefarious act that may endanger the lives and property of their people during the Saturday poll.
According to him, all security agencies in the state should rise to occasion and frustrate the orchestrated plot of the APC leader to cause mayhem in the Saturday election, wondering how Prince Charlvon could go this far since he claimed that his son and APC candidate, Engr Akarachi Amadi is popular in the area.
Similarly, a community leader in Iho, Ikeduru local government area, Nze Linus Ikwuneme has lamented over the infiltration of their community by thugs suspected to be working for the APC House of Representatives candidate, Engr Akarachi Amadi.
Nze Ikwuneme, a retired Director in the Imo State Civil Service expressed surprise how some strange looking faces allegedly imported from an oil rich LGAs in the state have taken over the entire Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency ahead of the Saturday elections.
Accusing an APC chieftain, Prince Charlvon of inviting the thugs to assist in delivering his son and candidate of his party, Engr Akarachi Amadi, further called on the people of the two LGAs that make up the constituency to be vigilant and bold to report to relevant authorities any suspected act of brigandage and violence.
Meanwhile, efforts to get across the police spokesperson, in the state, Henry Okoye proved abortive as at press time.
With the recent arrest and release of the Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa in Finland on Thursday February 23, 2023 by Finland security authorities, new information regarding the secret modus operand of Simon Ekpa gathered through the combo of a six-hour long interrogation and a search of the apartment where he was arrested – have become public.
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247ureports.com gathered through a source who claims to have firsthand knowledge of the events that transpired in Finland indicates the Finland authorities have information that clearly points to the Simon Ekpa as “unclean”.
It was disclosed Simon Ekpa who took over the realm of spokesman-ship of the Biafra group from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu following the abduction by agents working for the Nigerian group, decided to turn the group into “something else”. He went for the money. He opted for fund raising from all quarters without discrimination.
“Simon Ekpa was raising funds under the guise of seeking for the release of Nnamdi Kanu”, explains a source who claims “it was not true”.
It is worthy to note that prior to the abduction of Nnamdi Kanu, Simon Ekpa worked under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu – who was the leader of the Biafra restoration group, the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra [IPOB]. Simon Ekpa was a disciple of Nnamdi Kanu.
As a disciple, he worked closely with Nnamdi Kanu and was knowledgeable of the finer workings of the group. Nnamdi and Simon were familiar with each other. Nnamdi Kanu was more of an intellectual activist with an idealistic picture of how to materialize the restoration project. Simon Ekpa was more combative and bloodier minded activist whose objective was to grow IPOB, and not necessarily the Biafra restoration agenda. Simon Ekpa loved the attention and the money.
There were numerous disagreements between Simon Ekpa and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu regarding issues of fund raising and other sensitive management decisions. Nnamdi Kanu was cautious about fund raising drives. He was “selective and purpose driven”. But Simon Ekpa was eager to accept funds indiscriminately. His “appetite was voracious”. Simon was “clearly doing in it for the money and fame not for Biafra or anything else”.
However, Nnamdi Kanu had a liking to Simon Ekpa. Probably due his energy and vibrancy which Nnamdi Kanu misread to mean dedication to the cause of Biafra restoration.
The militarisation of IPOB according was the making of Simon Ekpa. He wanted a military force under his command. He claimed he would restore Biafra by force in a face to face military combat with Nigeria. The formation of a military wing would open the flood gates for funds and donations from aggrieved Easterners in Nigeria and across the diaspora – in Simon Ekpa’s calculation.
Nnamdi Kanu was the major obstacle for Simon Ekpa’s plan. Nnamdi Kanu had resisted armed struggle or formation of an armed group.
However, the turn of the dice changed the direction of the IPOB as a result of the reaction on the part of the Nigerian security forces against numerous peaceful unarmed demonstrations and protests by the members of the IPOB in the south east and south geopolitical regions of Nigeria. The peaceful unarmed protests which were met with brutal force that caused the death of thousands of youths was organised by the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB for the restoration project. The members of IPOB were killed upon mere identification by the Nigerian security outfits – inside school compounds, churches, Market Squares and etc. The killings became indiscriminate, gatherings of young persons in the south east became unsafe and almost a death warrant.
one of the many peaceful IPOB protests
Through this measure, the IPOB leaders followed the turn of the dice – and took their destiny in their hands to defend themselves. It became easy for Simon Ekpa to sell his wish to Nnamdi Kanu.
Nnamdi Kanu’s assassination escape from the Nigerian military attack at Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Abia State sealed the militarisation of IPOB. It took top gear as Nnamdi Kanu resettled outside the shores of Nigeria. The leash around Simon Ekpa’s neck was loosened and the demeanor of the restoration struggle changed.
Following the abduction of Nnamdi Kanu, Simon Ekpa did not hesitate to grab the mantle of leadership and to present IPOB in a more combative manner. He was quick to declare a deadlier form of a sit-at-home order for the entire South East region in protest against the abduction and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian government.
He gave instructions for the enforcement of the sit-at-home order. His orders were told to kill and/or destroy to enforce the sit-a-home. Through this action, the funding took an upswing, as anticipated.
Meanwhile, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remained in the custody of the Nigerian government.
Gradually, through Ekpa’s orders, the south east geopolitical region descended into a war-torn region where police stations and other government owned infrastructures are bombed and attacked almost on daily basis while police officers and other security agents including politicians and government officials are attacked and killed. All under the guise of agitating for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
Interestingly, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers appealed to Simon Ekpa to ease up on the throttle. 247ureports.com gathered Nnamdi Kanu had dispatched messages to Simon Ekpa through his lawyers instructing him to stop the killing. Particularly, Nnamdi Kanu sent a message to Ekpa that “we can’t be killing the people we are supposed to be protecting”. He instructed the killings be stopped.
Simon Ekpa refused.
Security officials believe Simon Ekpa intends to milk the situation in perpetuity “making money and getting the attention he wants as long as Nnamdi Kanu remains in custody”. He has a vested interest in Nnamdi Kanu’s continued stay in detention.
It is unconventional to say that accredited journalists in Anambra State are yet to receive election coverage kits for the 2023 election, while the election is just few hours to kick off.
It is no longer news that the Presidential and National Assembly Assembly election will hold tomorrow, Saturday, February 25, to be followed by Governorship and States House of Assembly election slated for March. It is also not news that journalists have long completed the online accreditation process, in line with the guidelines and directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which entitles them to tags and other kits, for proper identification during the election coverage.
Howbeit, it is worrisome that while accredited journalists in other states have received the deliveries of their kits, their Anambra counterparts are yet to receive theirs.
It is also worthy to note that many of these journalists who hail from Anambra State will be traveling to their respective villages today ahead of tomorrows election, as many of them have their polling units in the village, and will also need to exercise their franchise, as well as carry out their journalistic duties of election coverage in the area as were assigned by their respective media houses. And, it is apparently not advisable to travel late this period, while the enforcement of movement restriction will begin at midnight.
The most worrisome of the entire situation is that both the Resident Electoral Commission in the state, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, and the Public Relations Officer of the Commission in the state, Barr. Kingsley Agwu have not been responding to phone calls and text messages from the journalists, who have been trying to reach out to them to ascertain what actually delays the delivery of their kits.
Meanwhile, in his brief statement on the situation, made available to this reporter, Izunna Okafor, early this morning, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, said an INEC official in the state told him that journalists’ kits are yet to arrive the state.
“Gentlemen, until 5:53 am this morning Friday February 24th, ln my last communication with the Anambra INEC PRO, election coverage kits for journalists in Anambra state haven’t arrived. We are on alert for that .
“Once we get signal, the Vice- Chairman of NUJ Anambra Council, Comrade Ngozi Obileri shall stand in for the Council to distribute them, unless INEC has some other arrangements,” Odogwu said.
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