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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday raised the alarm over the growing level of violence and insecurity in Imo and Kogi states, describing it as not only “unacceptable, unnecessary and worrisome” but also capable of scaring potential voters.
INEC National Commissioner and member Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, raised the fear during a one-day workshop organised by the commission for media executives in Owerri, Imo state.
“We have gone so far with our preparedness for the off-cycle elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.
“The Commission is truly worried about the growing level of insecurity and violence, in Kogi and Imo States. This is unacceptable, unnecessary and most worrisome.
“Campaigns in Kogi State, has been violent and this is most unfortunate. Our political gladiators and indeed, all citizens, must work towards ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
“It stands to reason that if this situation is allowed to continue, there is the likelihood that people will be afraid to come out to vote, on election day.
“Already, INEC is having a shortfall in the number of ad-hoc staff needed to superintend over the forthcoming elections,” Haruna said.
Speaking on “electoral operations activities,” the INEC chief said: “All non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the three states, in required quantities and good quality.
“The production of sensitive materials has been completed and ready for delivery to the three states.”
On how the provision for people with special needs and marginalised groups, the INEC National Commissioner said: “The Commission has provided Braille ballot papers for visually impaired voters, made available magnifying glasses for people with albinism and introduced enlarged posters, for voters with hearing impairment.
“We have gone further to integrate into the voting procedure, a process that accords priority voting for persons living with disabilities, vulnerable people like the elderly, pregnant and nursing mothers.”
REC speaks on engagement
Welcoming the participants; Imo state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Professor Sylvia U. Agu said “this engagement has been carefully packaged by the Commission, to enlighten the media and her executives, on the guidelines, processes and procedures, ahead of the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in Imo State.”
While soliciting the cooperation of media practitioners, Agu also appealed to eligible voters to come out and vote for their choice candidates, during the poll.
NNPP loses guber candidate to APC
Meanwhile, the Bauchi state 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples party (NNPP), Senator Haliru Dauda Jika, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national secretariat in Abuja.
Senator Jika, who dumped the NNPP alongside scores of states and national Assemblies candidates, explained that his decision was based on the wishes of his teeming supporters.
While pledging loyalty to the APC, Jika said Vice President Kashim Shettima and the first lady, Senator Remi Tinubu also influenced his decision to return to the APC fold.
Receiving the returnee back to the party Tuesday evening, APC National Chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the NNPP leader and its 2023 Presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would remain a serial loser at presidential polls.
Ganduje identified the pursuit of selfish interest as the bane impeding the realisation of Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.
Ganduje, who was a two-term governor of Kano state, argued the situation was compounded by Kwankwaso’s inability to maintain a principled stand in party politics over the years.
Ganduje who labels Kwankwasiyya-backed NNPP as “deceitful and exploitative,” applauded Jika’s decision to return to the APC fold as a step in the right direction.
The APC chair said: “When I got the news that you were coming to see me in my house to discuss the way forward, I knew I was meeting a very formidable politician in the person of Senator Jika who is a household name in Bauchi state.
“He is returning to a party that is very progressive and focused when we look at where he was coming from. He is coming from a party that used to be a decent party and highly respected but was later hijacked and polluted by the Kwankwasiyya group.
“We are happy that the original NNPP is taking back its proper position and leaving the Kwankwasiyya group deserted and thrown out completely.
“The Kwankwasiyya group headed by the former Kano state governor was forced to go into a sabbatical for eight years before it found its way back to Government House.”
While deriding the red cap symbol of the Kwankwasiya group, Ganduje said Kwankwaso “specialises in deceiving people. He was first in PDP, came back to APC when it was formed. That was when the nPDP merged with the legacy parties to form the APC.
“Instead of staying in APC, because of his ambition, he decided to leave APC after failing to pick the presidential ticket to go back to the PDP. He could not stay there again when he failed to pick the ticket.
“He still went on his own to contest the presidential poll and was defeated twice. He is a professional contestant for presidential election and would remain a professional failure. He is egocentric. He loves himself so much. I am happy you have dumped the red cap. It is a very sensible action that you have taken.”
Lamenting the setbacks suffered by the APC in the 2023 poll in Bauchi state, Ganduje promised to ensure inclusiveness of party stalwarts in the state as part of ongoing effort to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 poll.
