2023 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS
On Saturday, 18th March 2023, the general elections will be coming to an end. Across the nation, the Governorship and State house of assemblies elections will be contested keenly. Eyes are on Lagos in particular. This is because it’s the leading state in Nigeria and there are three formidable political parties battling it out.
REDEEM YOUR IMAGE – TMG TELLS INEC
The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct credible elections across the country. On Saturday, Governorship and State Assembly elections will be held all over Nigeria.
Chairman of the Group, Auwal Ibrahim, in a statement said the electoral body should ensure smooth distribution of election materials. They should also make sure the BVAS machines are working well. While not forgetting to immediately upload results on the IReV portal.
“The TMG continues to commend the enthusiasm demonstrated by the Nigerian citizens. Also, commends their good conduct and orderly behavior in the 25th February 2023 elections.”
“TMG has carried out sensitization and awareness creation rallies in the states. At the same time, urging electorates to shun apathy and come out again en-masse. This time also to cast and defend their votes through all legal and peaceful means.” He continued.
“There must be strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022 by everyone involved in the election process.”
“Electoral offenders of any kind must be punished under the laws of the country. This is to dissuade others from perpetrating electoral offences in Nigeria.” The Chairman ended.
2023 ELECTIONS: PASTE, TRANSMIT RESULTS ELECTRONICALLY – COURT TELLS INEC
A Federal High Court in Abuja has today admonished the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Court ordered INEC to electronically transmit the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly’s election results. This is in accordance with its regulations and guidelines.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, also ordered the use of the BVAS machines. This is to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to INEC Result Viewing Portal immediately. It is to be done after the completion of all the polling units voting and result’s procedures in Nigeria.
He said that the commission had the legal duty to act in accordance with the law. The judge, however, refused to grant other reliefs.
HOW WE WILL TRANSMIT RESULTS – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has revealed how polling unit results will be transmitted during the governorship elections.
INEC Chairman on Information, Festus Okoye, disclosed this while speaking on Arise TV on Friday.
Speaking on the commission’s preparedness, Okoye said, “As of today, what we’re having is what we call state assembly and governorship elections.”
“In all the states of the federation, both the BVAS machines and all the sensitive election materials have left the Central Bank and the various state offices of the federation.”
“We want to ensure that all polling units open on time. Secondly, we made sure that we reconfigured all the BVAS that will be used for this particular election. This is in terms of making sure that the BVAS perform optimally . While also making sure that some of the challenges we had in the previous elections do not reoccur.”
He added that INEC had also given refresher training to all categories of staff that would be involved in the elections.
He said the country would be having 28 governorship elections and 993 state assembly constituency elections. “It’s a huge election and INEC will be paying very close attention to what is going on in the various states.” He ended.
LAGOS POLLS
LP denies alliance with PDP’s Jandor, describes news as fake
Less than 24 hours to the Governorship and House of Assembly elections. The Labour Party, LP, in Lagos has described reports making the rounds on Friday as “fake”. The reports said the party had gone into an alliance with the candidate of the PDP, Mr Olajide Adediran.
The viral news had said that Mr Rhodes-Vivour would be appointed as the Secretary to the State Government. While the LP would get 10 commissioners and five special advisers slots.
The labour Party, LP, quickly put out a statement.
The statement read: “Our attention has again been drawn to lies. These lies are allegedly being spread by the candidate of the PDP, Mr Olajide Adediran. He lied that the candidate of our great party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has stepped down for him.“
“This is the same PDP flag bearer who could not pull any electoral weight in the Presidential election. He suddenly wants to come, like a thief in the night, to take an undeserved glory. For the avoidance of any doubts, our candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is in the race. He has not entered into any alliance with anybody.”
“Also, Labour Party did not enter into any portfolio-sharing formula with any party. Please, disregard the fake news. Lagosians, we appreciate your support. We wish to reiterate that our candidate is still very much in the race. Definitely, with your support, he will be elected as the governor in tomorrow’s election.” The statement ended.
Obasa warns Lagosians against violence in Lagos
APC enforcer, Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, threatened Igbos today. He said anyone who does not want to vote the APC should stay at home.
Reacting to this. The speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa appealed to residents to conduct themselves peacefully during polls.
Mr Obasa pleaded in a statement. He urged youths not to engage in electoral violence that could undermine peace.
“Our youths should not engage in anything that will disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the nation. They should conduct themselves honourably, during and after elections.” The APC legislator said.
Mr Obasa also urged parents and guardians to advise their wards and children not to foment trouble during the election. He appealed to Nigerians not to allow their political differences to cause violence. He added that these problems are capable of throwing the country into crisis.
The Lagos speaker is an ally of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and MC Oluomo. So, unsuprisingly, he did not comment on the latest threat against the Igbos in Lagos.
“We have begged them. If they don’t want to vote for us, it is not a fight. Tell them, mama Chukwudi, if you don’t want to vote for us, sit down at home. Sit down at home”. MC Oluomo had said in pidgin English in a viral video shared on Twitter.
STILL IN LAGOS
MC Oluomo is the leader of the Lagos motor park management committee. He is notorious for commanding the militant wing of the ruling APC in Lagos. His threat could scare voters away from exercising their franchise.
Operatives of the APC have in the last week deployed several tactics to stop opposition parties supporters from fully participating in the March 18 governorship and state assembly elections.
This is coming after the shock loss to the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential polls.
Lagos Governor, Jide Sanwo-Olu has since been making frantic efforts. He stepped up his campaigns to appease the Igbo community. He has also tried to please the aggrieved youths over his handling of the EndSARS Lekki Tollgate massacre.
The Labour Party’s unprecedented victory in Lagos has positioned its candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as a major challenger to Mr Sanwo-Olu of the APC in the governorship election slated for Saturday.
2023 ELECTIONS: DISRUPTERS WILL BE DEALT WITH – IGP
The Nigerian Police has warned potential election disrupters against trying anything stupid on Election Day. The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba told newsmen on Friday afternoon.
He sounded out this order to every commissioner of Police in various states. The IGP told them not to hesitate to “shoot” or “maim” an election disrupter.
The Nigeria Police have told troublemakers threatening to disrupt Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly polls in Abia to be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in Charge of the South-East, Mr John Amadi, issued the warning on Friday in Umuahia. This was while addressing officers of the state command at the Police Officers’s Mess, Umuahia.
He gave assurance that the polls would go on and urged the people not to entertain any fears from any quarters.
“On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police and the management team, I assure you that there would not be any infractions”.
“I can tell you for sure, that we are ready”. Amadi said.
He further pledged the readiness of the force to maintain neutrality during the polls, saying that the police belong to no political party.
2023 ELECTIONS: STILL ON SECURITY
Restriction of movement in Kaduna – Commissioner of Police
The Kaduna State Police Command has ordered strict enforcement of restriction on movement for Saturday’s elections.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Sunday Babaji made this known today. He ordered for strict enforcement of the restriction of human and vehicular movements. This order included going into and within Kaduna State in compliance. It is in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police during the 2023 Elections scheduled for Saturday.
The Command’s spokesman, DSP Sunday Babaji in a statement, stated that:
“The General public is hereby informed that restriction of movement will take effect from midnight of Saturday 18th March 2023. It covers all the entry points into the State and within the 23 Local Government Areas. It is equally advised that no movement under whatever guise will be tolerated within the restriction hours. Violators of the said order will be dealt with.”
“The Commissioner of Police thus solicits for understanding from the public as to any inconvenience the restriction might cause”. He ended.
FOREIGN NEWS
UK TO SHUT VISA APPLICATION OFFICE IN NIGERIA
The United Kingdom on Friday said its visa application centres in Lagos will be closed on March 20. This is because of fears over the likely outbreak of post-election violence in the city.
Recall that the governorship and assembly elections are scheduled to hold on Saturday, March 18.
There are three top contenders for the governorship seat. The incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC. Abdul-Azeez Adediran of the PDP and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the LP.
In a statement on Friday, the UK said the affected centres are in Ikeja and Victoria Island. It also added that customers would not be able to collect their passports on the said day.
“The Visa Application Centres in Ikeja and Victoria Island will be closed on Monday 20th March. This is to protect the safety of customers and staff. There are no VAC appointments booked on this date and customers will not be able to access the VAC to collect documents/passports.” the statement read.
“Customers have the option to purchase the ‘keep my Passport and Courier return’ services in advance of the VAC closure in order to retain their passport during the period of closure. UK will continue to make decisions on all visa applications”. It continued.
The UK said priority visa services remain available while super priority visa, SPV services will be suspended on Friday because the next working day opening isn’t until Tuesday 21st March.
“Customers should not attend the VAC unless they have been contacted by TLS to do so. The British High Commission offices in Nigeria are not involved in visa decision-making. They don’t hold passports and so are unable to assist.” The statement ended.
SPORTS
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE DRAWS
The Uefa champions league’s last 8 draws were made today in Zurich, Switzerland. In an exciting matchup, Manchester City faces German Side, Bayern Munich. Chelsea faces Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s quarter-final tie.
Italian leaders Napoli face fellow Italians Ac Milan. Inter Milan also of Italy play Portuguese league leaders SL Benfica.
The matchups promises to be a fascinating and breathtaking one. The fixtures will take place on April, 11 as the race to Istanbul, Turkey rages on.
EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW
Meanwhile in the Europa League, English side Manchester United faces Spanish opposition for the fourth time this season. The Red Devils have already gone past Sociedad, Barcelona and Real Betis. They face three times winners, Sevilla in the quarter-finals.
Other notable fixtures include Juventus vs Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. Italian side AS Roma vs Feyenoord.
Thanks for reading.
