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2023 General Elections: INEC assures Nigerians on transparency
2023 General Elections: INEC assures Nigerians on transparency
By: Our Reporter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed optimism that it would not disappoint residents in the conduct of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council election scheduled for February 12, and the 2023 general elections.
INEC’s National Commissioner for North Central, Sani Mohammed Adamu, made this known during an INEC FCT election monitoring and support red zone implementer’s workshop, in Abuja.
This workshop was organised by INEC in collaboration with the European Center for Electoral Support, ECES and the Planning, Monitoring and Strategic Committee, PSMC, to deliberate, map-out modalities and bring to light some of the weaknesses of INEC, in view of the FCT area council polls and the 2023 general elections.
Delivering his remarks, the National Commissioner for North Central said that the 2022, February 12th FCT area council election would be a positive “model”, “signpost” and “recipe” for which the 2023 general elections would bask.
While commending the national Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu for the successful elections he has carried out in the country, assured Nigerians that the elections would hold peacefully and transparently, also stating that the commission is well equipped and Hi- tech ready for the success of elections.
In his words: “The professor, Mohamood Yakubu led INEC has done enormously well in conducting elections successfully in Nigeria.
“There’s been a lot of improvement. I like to believe that this coming election in the FCT is very important to all of us.
“It is a signpost to 2023. It is a recipe for 2023. We take this election very seriously. This is the FCT. The Anambra election was held successfully; technology was deployed. The forth coming election is going to be conducted, we believe successfully, transparently.
“It is going to be inclusive because the same technology will be deployed and I want to assure the nation the election will hold peacefully and successfully.
“It is very important for us at this very critical juncture to asses and re-assess our level of preparedness. The essence of coming here today with veterans like professor Kunna, Professor Ayela, the commission is in safe hands with their vast experience in the business of conducting elections.
“INEC rely heavily on professionals that are profoundly known to have engineered, nutured credible election in Nigeria.
“I want to assure the nation that we can not afford for any reason to fail this nation. We have the huge confidence and we have the huge capacity to deliver.
“We trust all of you from the lowest member of staff to the highest we are all prepared. We are adequately equipped to successfully conduct the council election in the FCT, while we do all this preparations.
“We are also well garnered and empowered to conduct the 2023 elections by the grace of God.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Planning, Monitoring and Strategic Committee, PMSC, Honourable Chairman, Abdulahi Zuru, pointed that the Commission has engaged experts on election risks management for the FCT council election and the 2023 general elections respectively.
He said: “we have assembled some experts on election risk management to engage with us and our stakeholders and share their expertise and skills on the following carefully chosen topics.
“The EMSC Data Collection reporting tools for the red zone, the INEC security and not a notification system, the items and I believe this will also talk about the helmet that allows us to monitor threats on individuals or facilities. And then, of course, the MSC communications strategy at election day operations.
“However, we must keep in mind that when electoral risks are not understood and addressed, they can undermine the credibility of the process, our results, it heals with possible devastating violence.”
“Let me re-echo the honorable chairman of INEC by reminding us that the FCT election is unique in the sense that it is the only local government level election being conducted by INEC. And of course, INEC is the utmost election management body in the country, in the West African sub region, and indeed, in the whole of Africa. We simply cannot afford to perform in the conduct of this election.
“Therefore, the Honorable chairman has declared it is election as the Commission’s election, and he repeatedly have mentioned this at different forum accordingly. On behalf of the chairman, we wish to assure you that the Commission will deploy all necessary human material and managerial resources to ensure that the election is free, fair, credible, peaceful, inclusive, and transparent.
“It will be a model for the forthcoming state and federal constituency by-elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship election, and indeed, the 20 general election”, he added.
On his side, the ECES project coordinator, Hauza Fassi-Fihr, asserted that it is needful for INEC to ensure that the FCT area council elections go transparently as it would serve as a picture of what the 2023 elections would look like.
The ECES project Coordinator, while commending INEC’s National Chairman on his effort in expanding the process which led to the increase of about 120,000 polling units to now up to more than 176,000 polling units across the country, tasked the commission on transparency and inclusivity against the 2023 general elections
He, furthermore, charged the national chairman to demonstrate strong commitment towards comprehensive scientific and evidence based monitoring of the electoral process.
He said: “This workshop provides an appropriate platform to assess the level of the Commission’s preparedness ahead of the polls. “Incidentally, it is taking place almost one year ahead of the general election 2023.
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“The commission had noted that this is the second important election where INEC will be deploying the beavers. In a similar notes, the FCT election is also the second important election after the governorship in Anambra governorship election in Anambra where voters can experience voting in new polling units. Open successful completion of its review and expansion process which led to the increase from about 120,000 polling units to now up to more than 176,000 polling units across the country. An effort geared towards ensuring all voters have better access to polling units close to their place of residence.
“For all these reasons, the FCT election is particularly important for I like to draw lessons for future elections, including that of off cycle governorship elections in equity and are shown later this year, and the 2023 general elections.
“In this context, the EMSC is very instrumental being an innovative election management system that monitors critical occurrence along the electoral cycle. The phase the monitoring of the processes that it offers is a critical factor of success.
“It helps election managers adjust to evolving uncertain contexts and take appropriate action to avoid glitches and delays leading to successful outcomes.
“I’m sure that EMSC tool is playing its role in helping the ionic identifying gaps, risks and lapses in the process, and is useful in addressing them.
“In addition to this important role of identifying issues ahead of time, monitoring also ensures accountability and transparency in the electoral process, thereby inspiring stakeholders confidence and acceptability of outcomes.
“It’s my hope that this red zone implementers workshop will be useful for the election managers convened here to critically assess the status of preparations, while identifying necessary actions for a hitch free exercise.”
“It is therefore commendable to note that Ionic has demonstrated strong commitment towards comprehensive scientific and evidence based monitoring of the electoral process through the innovative tool of the EMSC.
2023 General Elections: INEC assures Nigerians on transparency
Borno Floods: FG Deploys Experts to Test for Hazardous Chemicals
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has deployed a team of experts to help mitigate the effects of the flooding that ravaged parts of Borno state.
The government also announced that experts will carry out continuous water sampling and tests and identify sources of hazardous chemicals, and take proactive measures to prevent waterborne diseases in the state.
The recent flooding in Borno State, caused by the breakdown of the Alau Dam, has resulted in unprecedented devastation, with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 residential houses destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced, critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, severely damaged, including approximately one million people losing their source of livelihood.
In a press statement on Wednesday, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, noted that he led key officials of the ministry to pay a condolence and sympathy visit to the state last Friday, towards mitigating the adverse effects that may occur as a result of the unfortunate flood incidence.
Lawal stated that it is important to focus on the urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive response to mitigate the resultant environmental challenges posed by the flood.
He said: “During the condolence visit, I informed the Governor that the Federal Ministry of Environment will send a team of experts from the relevant department, agencies and projects to collaborate with Borno State Government in addressing the impacts of the flood.”
The minister highlighted that the ministry has consequently deployed a team of experts from the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, the Department of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, the Department of Forestry; the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-arid Landscape Programme Project, the Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project, the National Park Services, and the Environmental Health Council to help in mitigating the effects of the flooding.
He said: “The above team will carry out continuous water sampling and tests, identify sources of hazardous chemicals, and take proactive measures to prevent waterborne diseases. Similarly, the team will maintain continuous sampling of water sources which is essential for monitoring water quality, identifying contamination, as well as taking proactive measures to maintain public health and safety in the state. All agencies under the Ministry in Borno State have been directed to collaborate with the State Government to mitigate the effects of the flood disaster.
“So far, 100 drums of 40kg of chlorine has been deployed to Borno State to disinfect water sources, ensuring safe drinking water and preventing waterborne diseases like cholera. Furthermore, the Ministry will deploy 30,000 flyers to sensitise the public on best sanitation and hygiene practices which include proper waste disposal, frequent handwashing, and personal hygiene to reduce the spread of infections.
“Beyond immediate short-term response, the Ministry will also work closely with Borno State Government to develop comprehensive flood mitigation strategies and early warning mechanisms to safeguard against future recurrences. We will also explore avenues for collaboration with international partners to strengthen the State’s capacity for disaster risk management and climate adaptation.”
The minister commended Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum for his swift response in mobilising resources and ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
He said: “I am confident that under His Excellency’s capable leadership, Borno State will emerge stronger from this tragedy and the resilience of its people will once again shine through.
“I hope that together, the Federal Government will strengthen its resolve to build resilience against such environmental challenges in the future.”
Borno Floods: FG Deploys Experts to Test for Hazardous Chemicals
NSCDC Deploys 6,433 personnel’s for Edo Election
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 6,433 officers and men for the Edo State Governorship Election.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi while announcing the deployment in a statement on Wednesday, charged them to remain apolitical, act professionally and disciplined while on election duty, noting that the NSCDC has a vital role to play in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure
He stressed that the security of election materials, both sensitive and otherwise, has become very vital for the operatives before, during and after the election.
According to the statement, the NSCDC will deploy over 300 operatives each from Ondo, Delta, Kogi, Osun, Imo and Enugu Commands, with the Edo State Command having 3,626 officers on ground for the election while Rivers and Bayelsa State Commands will draft in 400 and 350 personnel respectively.
Also, 607 Special Forces would be deployed from the National Headquarters, which comprises the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Female Squad, Anti Vandal Squad, Chemical Biological Radiological and Explosive Unit, while Kennel ( K9) Unit has also been mobilized for the election.
The CG was quoted to have said: “Our deployment for the Edo Governorship Election will cover all nooks and crannies, including flash points. Since we do not have a general election, we have enough personnel to deploy across Wards, Polling units, Collation centres, INEC offices and other areas.
“All Personnel deployed are to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election; the special forces and Anti vandal squad are to ensure the protection of government facilities and infrastructure with more attention paid to the identified flashpoints and volatile areas. Notably, the undercover officers have been deployed few days to the election to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and provide up-to-date intelligence report and real-time security situation from all the 18 local governments in Edo State.
“Let me use this opportunity to enjoin politicians not to heat the polity unnecessarily. You are also advised to shun all forms of violence, thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and any other form of electoral malpractices that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
“It is very vital to also warn in strong terms that parents and guardians should keep their children from being used as instruments of violence or being sponsored by desperate politicians to cause mayhem and electoral violence as those arrested would be charged accordingly in compliance with the extant laws”.
The Commandant General also directed the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations; DCG Philip Ayuba, to ensure overall supervision, monitoring and effective coordination of the deployed personnel before, during and after the elections
NSCDC Deploys 6,433 personnel’s for Edo Election
News
Maiduguri Flood: Northern Christian Youth Professionals Demand Investigation into Reckless Handling of Alau Dam
Maiduguri Flood: Northern Christian Youth Professionals Demand Investigation into Reckless Handling of Alau Dam
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals
have demand that the Federal and Borno State Governments investigate and hold accountable those responsible for Alau Dam’s reckless handling.
The group on Tuesday in a signed statement by its chairman, Isaac Abrak while insisting that the commonwealth provided for dam maintenance and climate change initiatives which has now failed the people, noted that the recent flooding in Borno State, caused by the breakdown of the Alau Dam, has resulted in unprecedented devastation, with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 residential houses destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced, critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, severely damaged, including approximately one million people losing their source of livelihood.
The statement read: “We demand that the Federal and Borno State Governments investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the dam’s reckless handling. The commonwealth provided for dam maintenance and climate change initiatives has failed the people.
“While commending President Tinubu’s compassionate visit and N3 billion pledge, we question setting up another fund without investigating why existing Ecological Funds (N40 billion, with Borno receiving N800 million) have failed to mitigate climate issues.
“Flooding is an existential problem worsened by leadership failures. Throwing money at environmental problems without accountability is inhumane.
“We urge: Investigation and accountability for dam mishandling; Transparent utilization of existing funds; Safe housing construction in highland areas; Logistics support for temporary relocation; School closures and alternative education arrangements.”
The group insisted that: “The 2022 Bayelsa flooding serves as a stark reminder. We cannot continue to fail the most vulnerable.”
Maiduguri Flood: Northern Christian Youth Professionals Demand Investigation into Reckless Handling of Alau Dam
Borno Floods: FG Deploys Experts to Test for Hazardous Chemicals
FG Assures Nigerians that Measures are in Place to Address Plastic Pollution
NSCDC Deploys 6,433 personnel’s for Edo Election
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