POLITICS
Anambra 2021: Massive Deployment of Security Not to Intimidate Law-Abiding citizens – IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has said that the massive deployment of security for the Saturday Anambra governorship election was not to intimidate law-abiding citizens.
Baba, who said the clarification became necessary to counter the rumours being insinuated in some quarters, said the deployment was to assure residents of their lives and security.
The IGP spoke at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders meeting on Anambra State governorship election in Awka on Wednesday.
He said that it was to reassure the people of adequate protection by deterring misguided political elements as well as non-state actors bent on threatening the elections through acts of armed violence or other conducts that violate the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Baba assured all “ndi Anambra” that security agencies were fully conscious of the threat by elements threatening to disrupt the electoral process.
The IGP explained that an election security management action plan that would engender effective coordination among INEC, the Nigeria Police, Military and personnel of other security agencies towards delivering a peaceful and credible election was in place.
“Aside the optimal deployment of our intelligence assets to proactively frustrate any threat to the elections, we have also deployed a total of 34,587 Police personnel for purpose of protecting the personnel and assets of INEC, the electorates, and residents of Anambra State during the exercise.
“This figure will be complemented by the Military and other security and intelligence agencies.
“Our election security is designed such that all the three senatorial districts, 21 Local Government Areas, 326 Wards and 5,720 Polling Units across the State will witness adequate security coverage,”Baba said.
He added that the massive deployment was to also serve as a strong warning that government was determined to bring such subversive characters to justice should they advance their ignoble, undemocratic and unpatriotic intents.
“The overriding objective of our operational action plan is to ensure an environment that is peaceful enough to encourage the law abiding people of Anambra State to exercise their electoral franchise.
“The message here is clear. For the political actors and electorates that are law abiding, they are fully assured of optimal security.
“However, for the destabilising elements and other deviants who despite all wise counsels are determined to deploy violence and other illegal means to advance their political interests or constitute a clog in the wheel of peaceful atmosphere for the election.
“They should be prepared for the consequences of their actions as they will be identified, isolated and decisively dealt with irrespective of their status, ideological inclinations or political affiliation.”
Baba assured all the people of Anambra State, Nigerians and the international community of security agencies firm commitment to support INEC in delivering a free, fair, credible and successful election in the State.
“I also wish to assure that the personnel of the Nigeria Police, as the lead agency in election security management, shall remain impartial, firm, accountable and professional in the exercise of their statutory duties as provided for in the Electoral Act and other enabling laws.”
Baba added that all the security personnel to be deployed for the election were under instructions to be guided by the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty as developed jointly by INEC and security agencies.
He added that all security agents were fully conscious of the fact that they were under an obligation to perform their functions within rule of law and civil dictates.
The IGP warned that they could be held accountable for any conduct that negate the dictates of the Code of Conduct.
He, however, said that the success of the electoral process was fundamentally dependent on the extent of national passion and responsibility that all the strategic political actors seated here today can exhibit.
“It is also dependent on their commitment to cooperating and supporting INEC and the security agencies towards advancing our democratic values.
“National security interests override personal or group considerations.
“Accordingly, while soliciting your support, we must draw your attention to the charge of President Muhammadu Buhari, that nobody or any group of persons should be allowed to use Anambra State as a staging ground to derail our democracy.”
The IGP said that in as much as security agencies would be professional, they would leave no one in doubt of their determination to give maximum effect to Mr President’s charge.
He called on all the political parties to embrace the virtues of democracy by seeing elections as a call to service by the people and not ‘a-do or die’ affair.
He urged parents and guardians to counsel their children and wards to resist the unprofitable urge of being recruited, brainwashed and deployed to disrupt the election process.
He said that such would be forcefully resisted by the Nigeria Police, the Military and other security agencies.
He warned that no one was allowed to wear any cloth, emblem or colour signifying any political party to the polling units on election day.
“No person is allowed to move around with security details around the polling units.
“Indeed, appropriate directives have been given for the withdrawal or scaling down of such security details around politically exposed persons and other personalities in the State until after the elections.
“Everyone is enjoined to vote and return to their respective houses or remain peacefully within approved perimeters of the polling centres.
“No one is allowed to move about from one polling unit to another as there shall be restriction of movements on the election day.
“Only INEC accredited Election Monitors/observers are allowed to move around for the purpose of election monitoring and they must all wear their INEC accreditation tags.
“Only accredited journalists are allowed to cover the election. Such journalists must carry their accreditation tags.
“Praise singing, drumming and dancing around the vicinity of polling units are not allowed.
“Vehicles branded in any political party colour or emblems are not allowed to be deployed on any election assignment.
“Selling of alcohol beverages around the polling booths and collation centres is totally banned,”he warned.
Baba further warned that any person that violated any components of the Criminal Laws, before, during and after the elections shall be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the requisite criminal law.
These according to him include, being in possession of weapons of violence of any description either on the streets or around the polling units, engage in any violent act, attack critical national assets, engage in corrupt inducement of the electorates, or threaten public peace in any manner. (NAN)
POLITICS
Ondo Polls: Shettima Seeks Massive Votes for Aiyedatiwa
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has implored voters in Ondo State to re-elect Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday while addressing the crowd at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign.
The Vice-President assured that the duo would bring hope, prosperity, and unity.
He added that they would ensure that the sun continued to shine brighter in the sunshine state.
Shettima told the electorate to ensure their votes collectively become their voice, conviction and message to those underestimating APC’s strength and will in the state.
“Aiyedatiwa is not merely campaigning to hold onto a position — he is campaigning to bring hope, prosperity, and unity to every corner of Ondo State.
” I am confident he is the leader who can turn these ambitions into realities. This election is more than a choice between two candidates.
” It is a choice between progress and stagnation; unity and division. It is a chance to stand with a party that has consistently delivered and with a leader who truly understands the heartbeat of Ondo.
“So, as you go to the polls, remember what we stand for. Remember what you deserve: a governor with the experience, the compassion, and the strength to keep pushing Ondo toward greatness.
“Let’s secure Ondo’s future together. Let us vote APC, and re-elect Aiyedatiwa,” he said.
Extending President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of the state, Shettima said the President was in support of Aiyedatiwa.
According to him, President Tinubu is confident that the governor’s re-election will sustain the commitment of APC to the people’s well-being.
“Today, I bring you the goodwill of President Tinubu, who would have loved to be here today, but he is with us in spirit, and he has fully endorsed the Aiyedatiwa-Adelami ticket as the torchbearers of prosperity for the state,” he said.
Shettima urged the people of Ondo to look beyond distractions and instead at the integrity and stability, the APC has brought to the state.
“Look at the work we’ve done to strengthen our economy; even if the gains may not always be immediately visible. Consider the real, practical solutions APC offers to make the sun shine brighter in Ondo State,” he added.
He described Aiyedatiwa and his deputy as men of exceptional courage and leaders tested by challenges that would have deterred many.
Shettima noted that the governor had shown remarkable resilience in building a formidable force for the APC in the state.
“From overcoming politically motivated attacks to uniting our great party, he has proven himself not just a survivor but a leader who stands strong for the good people of the sunshine state,” he said.
Earlier, Aiyedatiwa urged the people to vote for APC, saying that his predecessor, late Rotimi Akeredolu, would be happy seeing all APC winning the election.
Aiyedatiwa recalled that Akeredolu once told him that he, Aiyedatiwa, would succeed him, adding that the late governor would be glad to see this happen come Saturday.
He said that the electorate would attest to the level of development in the state, pledging that by the time he returned, he would do his best.
The National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, also expressed confidence that Aiyedatiwa would win the Saturday, Nov. 16 gubernatorial election.
According to him, a vote for Aiyedatiwa is a vote for unity, peace and development. (NAN)
POLITICS
Rivers Crisis: Wike’s Aide Warns Okurounmu Against Being Bias
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has warned Afenifere Chieftain, Dr Femi Okurounmu, to avoid getting involved in matters capable of ridiculing his status as an elder statesman, especially matters on which he would not speak objectively for obvious reasons.
Olayinka stated this while reacting to Dr Okurounmu’s statement, accusing President Bola Tinubu of being laid-back on the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, asked “what exactly Dr Okurounmu expected President Tinubu to have done?”
Olayinka said it was strange that Dr Okurounmu, a former Senator could opt to be playing ostrich to the avalanche of disobedience to court judgements by the Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, and the danger such affront on the judiciary posed to democracy and peace in the country.
“One is however not too amazed because he (Okurounmu) holds the record of being the first Senator to be suspended by his colleagues out of the seven Senators that have been suspended since 1999 till date,” Olayinka said.
Dr Okurounmu had accused the FCT Minister of being the architect and mastermind of the Rivers crisis, saying, “even if Governor Sim Fubara is his godson, Wike should be told that he cannot be his surrogate as a sitting governor with full powers.”
Responding, Olayinka asked when Wike told Dr Okurounmu that he wanted Governor Fubara to be his surrogate, and not function as the Governor of Rivers State, adding that “He (Okurounmu, as an elder should be honest enough to stand before the mirror and ask himself the roles he played in Fubara becoming governor.”
He said: “In Yorubaland, when two children are fighting, what the elders do is to sit them down and listen to their sides of the conflict. Elders don’t just sit in their bedrooms and apportion blame as done by Baba Femi Okurounmu.
“Was it Wike that went to the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and set it on fire so as to prevent duly elected lawmakers from carrying out their duties?
“Was it Wike that has been illegally using three members out of the 32-member State House of Assembly to carry out legislative business in Rivers State, including passing the State Budget as well as screening and confirming commissioners, when the constitution says that budget can only be passed by two-third of the Assembly members?
“Hasn’t Governor Fubara been ignoring judgements of the courts concerning his regime of lawlessness in Rivers State? When the Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 10, 2024, affirmed a lower court’s decision nullifying the Rivers State’s 2024 budget signed into law and being operated by Governor Fubara, did the governor obey the judgement?
“And is it not shocking that Dr Okurounmu had chosen to ignore the danger Governor Fubara’s deliberate affronts on the rule of law pose to democracy and peace in Nigeria?”
On Dr Okurounmu’s accusation that President Tinubu was being laid-back on the Rivers State crisis, Olayinka asked; “What exactly does Baba Femi Okurounmu expect the President to have done? Overrule the various judicial pronouncements and join Governor Fubara in his reign of lawlessness?
POLITICS
$35 million Atlantic Refinery project: Ex-Reps member commend Tinubu, EFCC over diligent prosecution
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the recent investigations and prosecution of graft cases and fight against corruption.
Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, who represented the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, also commended the EFCC for the thorough investigation into the $35 million fraud concerning the 2,000 barrels per day (BPD) Atlantic Refinery project in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, in a commendation letter addressed to the Chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said the arrest of Mr.
Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, and Eng. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and others who are key figures in the alleged fraud, has instilled hope among our people and bolstered confidence in the EFCC under your leadership.According to him, “It is heart-warming to observe that public confidence in the agency under your leadership has grown significantly, as you have steered a new course of transparency, focus, and zeal in the operations of the foremost anti-graft agency.”
“While the arrest of the aforementioned individuals is a positive development, I respectfully request the investigation of the
board chairman of the NCDMB and its members for their potential complicity in approving the award of the contract to an entity with no known track record for the construction of a 2,000 BPD Modular Refinery in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.”
“The lack of response or support from either the board chairman or its members since I raised the petition on this matter raises significant concerns about their potential complicity in the fraudulent act. To fully understand their involvement, I recommend an immediate arrest and investigation of Timipre Sylva, being the board chairman and other members of the board.”
“Nothing would be more gratifying to the people of Brass Local Government Area than to see everyone involved in the perpetration of this $35 million fraud brought to justice, with every stolen dime refunded so that the project can be executed for the benefit of all.”
Hon. Sunny-Goli, who is also a traditional ruler from Two Brass with the title Kemmer V; Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama, extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the unwavering stance against corruption,”I would like to extend my gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering stance against corruption. This firm position has expedited the investigation and arrest of those involved in grand larceny while holding public trust, particularly in this case.”
“Such a resolute approach by the President serves as a deterrent to other public office holders.It is disheartening that, despite the government’s good intentions towards its citizens, those entrusted with implementing policies for the benefit of the people are choosing to corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of the populace.”
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Timber Kesiye Wabote, in connection with an alleged $35 million fraud involving the Brass Project.
It was gathered that the arrest is related to a failed refinery project for which $35 million was allocated.
Wabote’s arrest followed the detention of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, who is facing allegations of misappropriation, money laundering, and diversion of $35 million in public funds.
Wabote is currently held at the EFCC’s facility in Abuja.