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INEC to Pilot use of Electronic Voting Machines — Yakubu

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to pilot the use of electronic voting machines at the earliest time possible towards full introduction of electronic voting in major elections in 2021.

The commission disclosed this in a policy document titled “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic” signed by INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, officially released on Monday.
 

The commission, however, clarified that such pilot scheme would not be used for Edo and Ondo governorship elections scheduled for  Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.

Yakubu also disclosed the decision to suspend the Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR) for the time being to prevent the health risks associated with it in the context of COVID-19.

He stressed on the need to continue to make available INEC’s electronic channels for voters to check their registration status.

“The Commission recognizes the critical role that ICT will play in an electoral process that is being vastly reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the growing demands by Nigerians for the deepening of the use of technology in our elections.

“Consequently, the Commission shall continue to apply relevant, value-for-money technology in all aspects of the electoral process and election management,” he said.

According to Yakubu, the policy also includes the creation of e-platforms for certain INEC activities, including accreditation of observer groups and deployment of their field observers.

He said activities to be conducted online also include submission of nomination forms by political parties for candidates, tracking and reporting of campaigns and campaign finance by/for candidates and political parties.Others include submission of party agents lists by political parties, adding that in accreditation and deployment of observers, the Commission shall request and receive applications for election observation exclusively online.“Reduce the number of accredited observer groups b

ased on past performance and compliance with Commission’s guidelines for election observation.

“This is to reduce crowding and therefore, health risks at election venues. Reduce the number of fieldobservers,” he said.On health issues, Yakubu noted that the most immediate challenge that COVID-19 poses to the electoral process was health-related.He stated that in order to protect voters, election officials and other stakeholders in the electoral process, the commission shall implement some measures.

They include supply and use infrared thermometers at the Registration Area Collation Centres, the Local Government Area Collation Centres and the State Collation Centres.

Also, “the use of face masks is mandatory for all involved in the election process and must be worn at all election locations.

“The Commission shall provide face masks for all election officials; and Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be provided for election officials at the polling units.“Methylated Spirit and cotton wool will be provided for the disinfection of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) after the fingerprint of each voter is read.

“The rules of physical distancing shall be enforced at all election activities including stakeholder engagements, training, queuing at Polling Units, amongst others.”

Yakubu added that all protocols issued by the NCDC, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, State Committees on COVID-19 and other relevant health authorities should be observed by election officials and all stakeholders.

“The Commission shall work with the PTF and health authorities to have in place a system of voluntary COVID-19 testing for INEC staff before and after deploying for elections,” he said.

The INEC chairman added that the commission shall work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and health authorities in the states having elections to develop a protocol for dealing with persons who show symptoms of COVID-19 at election venues.

“Where an election official, a voter or any other person present at an election venue shows symptoms of COVID-19:

“The prevailing protocol shall be observed; the person must be isolated from other persons at the venue; the attention of the security personnel should be drawn;

“The dedicated number for COVID – 19 emergencies shall be called; and, if the affected person is an election official, the Commission must be notified through the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),” Yakubu stated. (NAN)

POLITICS

CP-PDP to Wike: “You’re Not Recognized as PDP Member”

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The The Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) on Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has crossed the red line and he is no longer recognized as a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reacting to the recent outburst by Wike in his latest media parley wherein he boasted that no one has the guts to tell him that he is not a member of the PDP, the CP-PDP declared that he has lost his membership of party by his open cessation of subscription, loyalty and adherence to the mandatory Code of Conduct of members as enshrined under Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

In a statement signed by Obinna Nwachukwu,
Protem National Coordinator, CP-PDP, “For emphasis Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution unambiguously dictates that “No member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the party or any of its elected government”.

“It is instructive to state that the legal claim, validity or legitimacy of membership of any political party or any organization for that matter, is explicitly embedded in the uncompromised subscription and absolute loyalty by an individual to the enshrined Code of Conduct of the organization.

“The self-executory import of Section 10 (6) is that by publicly aligning with the APC and declaring to work for the victory of the APC in the 2026 FCT Council Election and the 2027 Presidential election, the FCT minister, has by such alignment and declaration renounced, relinquished and terminated his membership of the PDP.

“Moreover, the constant outbursts, hauling of insults on the party leaders and the recent declaration to ‘pull out of all agreements’ and ‘to fight’ in the PDP underpins a complete rejection of the letters and spirit of the Code of Conduct of the PDP which action can only be associated with a non-member of the PDP.

“Furthermore, as patriotic Nigerians, the CP-PDP is disturbed by the FCT Minister’s use of his media parleys as channel to attack our party leaders. Such only overheats the polity and creates apprehension in the polity.

“The CP-PDP as a well-meaning body has directed our media professionals to engage their colleagues in the media on ways to check this disturbing trend. It must also be noted that nobody has the monopoly of media outbursts.”

While admonishing Chief Wike to leave the PDP alone and face his job in the APC administration, the CP-PDP restates its challenge to Chief Wike to hold a live media public hearing and allow Nigerians to directly engage him on allegations of corruption, mismanagement of funds, land grabbing, racketeering, vindictive revocation and demolition of property as well as alleged exploitation of residents, commuters and businesses with heavy tariffs, multiple levies and fees going on in the FCT in the last two years.

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POLITICS

Mid-term Report: Otti’s Govt Lacks Accountability, Transparency, says APC

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… Accuses Gov of Running ‘One-man Show’

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed Governor Alex Otti of Abia state, for lack of
transparency and accountability since he came into office in 2023.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners in the state, which held late on Sunday, Abia state APC Chairman, Dr.

Kingsley C. Ononogbu, said Governor Otti has been running a “one-man show” driven by propaganda rather than purpose.

Abia state chapter APC chaitman, however, assured the people and residents in the state of a competent hand devoid of propaganda and a one-man show.

According to him, a “better and truly new Abia” is still possible under the right leadership.

The Renewed Hope Partners is a support group of the party solely mobilizing support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027 general elections.

According to Ononogbu, the inauguration marks the beginning of the journey aimed at repositioning Abia State for the Renewed Hope Crusade, and I believe so because I can see on the faces of everyone here, the search for a truly new Abia State.

He said: “When we read and listen to social media hype and praises, regarding the state of Abia, one often wonders if it is the same Abia State that we live in.

“Abia State today is nothing but a “A One Man Show” anchored on a very well oiled propaganda machinery. Accountability is long gone. Checks and balances non existent while conflict of interest is now a norm.

“A government of one man show from his private home and for selected friends and cronies. A government where the governor operates as the chief executive, chief accountant and the auditor.

“An administration that would prefer to convert a newly built government house to a 5 star hotel, while operating necodemously from his personal house. And for the roads being built newly, the style of collation, scrutiny, and award of the contracts falls below acceptable standard of state (F&GPC) and best practice.”

The APC chieftain declared that the Renewed Hope Partners must come to terms with the fact that they are support groups of the party and must partner with the party in its collective efforts to reach out to the grassroots across the country.

“When our people are well informed, they will stand firmly to rebuke and resist the sugar- coated lies of the deceitful coalition oppositions.”

He assured that the party will not only win at the federal level in 2027 “but APC will also win in Abia State.”

He also called on all the APC stakeholders in the state to be more united, saying “in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliations as directed by the President and accepted by all the critical Stakeholders of Abia APC , I urge all APC members in Abia State who for one reason or the other have been staying away from the activities of the party in the state to come back home.”

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POLITICS

Zamfara North Communities Condemn Gov. Lawal’s Leadership as Total Failure

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By David Torough, Abuja

A coalition representing four local government areas in Zamfara North Senatorial District has launched a scathing attack on Governor Dauda Lawal, branding his administration a “monumental failure” after two years in office.

In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition—made up of Kauran Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi communities—accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his campaign promises and worsening the region’s insecurity, poverty, and infrastructure decay.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairman Yakubu Ibrahim Shinkafi lamented the dire conditions residents now face.

“People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.

They cannot go to their farms. They wake up and sleep in hunger,” Shinkafi said.

“Yet, during the 2023 campaign, he promised to end insecurity and hunger within two weeks.”

The coalition highlighted the unrelenting wave of banditry, kidnappings, and extortion plaguing their communities.

Shinkafi claimed thousands have lost their lives, while others have been forced to pay millions in ransoms, even as the state government celebrates its second year in office.

“What is he celebrating? He is celebrating failure,” Shinkafi remarked bitterly.

“The situation has deteriorated. Bandits now operate with confidence while the government remains silent.”

Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023 on promises of swift action to tackle insecurity, had assured voters that peace would return within two weeks of his inauguration. But two years on, residents say the crisis has only deepened.

“Not only has peace remained elusive, but insecurity has now become a permanent nightmare,” the coalition’s statement read.

The group commended the Nigerian Army and other security forces for their sacrifices but argued that the state government has failed to provide necessary support and leadership.

“There is no adequate intelligence cooperation, no visible engagement with communities, and no strategic direction from the governor,” the statement added.

“He has abandoned his duties and disconnected from the people’s plight.”

Beyond security concerns, the coalition criticised the collapse of essential services, pointing to deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

“The hopes people had when Governor Lawal took office have turned into despair,” Shinkafi said.

“Our communities are calling for a serious reassessment of priorities. We demand leadership and an end to the deception.”

“Zamfara State deserves better,” the statement said .

“We will not allow our lives to be destroyed under the weight of a failed administration.”

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