Connect with us

Politics

Naira Crisis: Parties Urge INEC To hold Elections As Scheduled

Published

on

How BVAS Will Affect 2023 Elections - INEC

Political parties have expressed concern that the 2023 general elections may be postponed due to challenges posed by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new naira policy, as raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In exclusive interviews with The PUNCH on Wednesday, major political parties urged INEC to maintain the previously scheduled election dates of February 25 and March 11.

Despite INEC’s concerns over the new policy and its potential impact on logistical arrangements and worker mobilization, political parties hope that the elections can be held as planned.

Yahaya Bello, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Federal Capital Territory, has raised concerns about the potential challenges that the ongoing naira crisis could present for the upcoming 2023 general elections.

He expressed his worries during the North-Central Stakeholders Round-table meeting, which was organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocate. Bello shared his apprehensions on Wednesday during the event.

The statement made by Yahaya Bello regarding the possible impact of the naira crisis on the 2023 general elections has sparked a heated debate among top political parties.

These parties have firmly rejected the idea of adjusting the election schedule. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, acknowledged that the cash shortage could potentially impact the planning for the elections.

However, they have ruled out the possibility of postponing the exercise due to this issue.

“This has the tendency to affect planning and logistics, but postponement would not be logical for INEC because it is a critical government institution that has inexhaustible avenues for mobilising cash resources for an election,” Abdullahi said.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye, has expressed his confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would always find ways to obtain the necessary funding to fulfill its responsibilities.

Yunusa Tanko, a member of the Labour Party(LP) Presidential Campaign Council, has suggested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should utilize bank transfers to pay ad hoc workers for logistics and mobilization to address concerns about accountability.

“I don’t think it should be a problem. It should be done in such a way that people can access the transfer. That, for me, is the most important thing. If it is a transfer you are doing, let it be traceable. I don’t think the new naira policy should stop the election; rather, it should make the election more credible. Of course, we know the liquid cash cannot be accounted for,” he said.

Ladipo Johnson, the Chief Spokesman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party(NNPP), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exercise restraint and consider alternatives to giving cash.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Director of Media, Bala Ibrahim, has reiterated its confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its ability to carry out the 2023 general elections as scheduled.

Ibrahim noted that it would be premature for anyone to call for a shift in the election calendar at this time.

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Shehu Gabam, has called on the public to hold the Federal Government accountable for not doing enough to find solutions to the challenges posed by the shortage of cash in the country’s credit system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

APC Wins All 20 Ogun LG Chairmanship Seats, Opposition Rejects Results

Published

on

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in Ogun State’s Local Government elections, sweeping all 20 chairmanship seats in the polls held on Saturday.

The Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, confirmed the results at the commission’s headquarters in Abeokuta, declaring that the APC also secured wins in all 236 wards across the state.

According to Osibodu, a total of 613,156 votes were cast during the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas.

READ MORE: Nigeria’s Water Project Under Fire As World Bank Reports Missing Funds

However, the outcome has sparked strong opposition.

The Labour Party (LP), along with other opposition groups, has rejected the election results, accusing OGSIEC of misconduct and irregularities.

In a press briefing, Ogun State Labour Party Chairman, Biodun Jagun, called for the cancellation of the entire election, alleging widespread malpractices.

“There was no election in most polling units in Ogun State,” Jagun claimed, citing the absence of OGSIEC officials and electoral materials in over 90% of polling stations by 1:30 pm.

“In the few polling units where materials arrived, they were incomplete and came much later than the scheduled 8 am start time.”

Jagun emphasized that the party and its supporters would not accept the results and vowed to challenge the election in court if OGSIEC did not annul the exercise.

“We reject the results of this flawed election and call on OGSIEC to cancel it,” he stated. “Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to pursue legal action.”

Despite the controversy, the elections saw participation from 19 political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Nevertheless, it was the APC that dominated the election, further solidifying its control in Ogun State.

 

 

Continue Reading

Politics

#OndoDecides2024: PDP Governorship Candidate Votes, Raises Concerns Over Election Conduct

Published

on

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the Ondo State election, Agboola Ajayi, has cast his vote at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, located in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

However, Ajayi expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process, alleging bias and inefficiency on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ajayi reported delays in the commencement of voting across some parts of the state and described his personal voting experience as challenging. He stated, “The BVAS devices are not working. Although the election is peaceful to some extent, I have concerns.” Ajayi also mentioned that it took nearly 10 minutes for him to cast his vote due to what he considered avoidable delays, adding that it seemed to be an attempt to frustrate voters.

READ MORE: AFCONQ: Nwabali Out Of Super Eagles’ Rwanda Game After Losing Father

The PDP candidate further criticized the proximity of security personnel to polling units, claiming that their presence was intimidating voters. “Why are security personnel stationed so close to my polling unit? They are intimidating voters. The distance between voters and military officers is uncomfortably close,” Ajayi said.

Ajayi also alleged systemic compromise in the electoral process. He remarked, “The system has been compromised. It is sad that the INEC can’t conduct an election well in one state.”

While the election has been described as largely peaceful in some quarters, Ajayi’s concerns point to persistent challenges in the electoral system, raising questions about INEC’s preparedness and neutrality.

The Ondo governorship election remains a focal point for observers, as various stakeholders continue to monitor the process.

Continue Reading

Politics

Ondo Poll: PDP Raises Alarm Over Alleged APC Thugs In Idanre Communities

Published

on

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Festus Akingbaso, has raised concerns over alleged activities of political thugs in Idanre Local Government Area during the ongoing elections.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 005, Oke Imikan on Saturday, Akingbaso, who also represents Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts so far but expressed worry about security lapses in some areas.

READ ALSO: CBN Warns Banks Against Sale Of Naira Notes To Hawkers, Announces Stiff Penalties

“The turnout of voters is not bad, and the security situation is also not bad. I have not seen anything wrong at this moment. I also want to commend INEC because it has not performed badly so far,” Akingbaso said.

He urged voters to remain vigilant and ensure their votes are protected. “My advice to the voters is that whenever they cast their votes, they should wait behind and keep watch until the final result has been announced. If everything goes as planned, my party will win,” he added.

Akingbaso also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of bringing in suspected thugs to intimidate voters in various communities within Idanre.

He highlighted specific villages, including Ofosun, Omifunfun, and Allah, as areas reportedly overrun by thugs.

“Information reaching me is that the majority of the villages are filled with thugs allegedly brought in by the APC. At the moment, all the villages are occupied with thugs. Villages like Ofosun, Omifunfun, and Allah are occupied,” he alleged.

The PDP candidate also recounted an incident in Ofosun, where suspected thugs reportedly broke into the home of a party supporter to prevent them from voting. “We were informed that there are plans not to allow people in the villages to vote,” he said.

Akingbaso criticized the response of security agencies, stating that despite raising the alarm, no decisive action had been taken.

“Since Friday, the APC has been alleged to have brought in suspected thugs. I have reported the matter to the DPO and DSS. To my expectation, the security agencies have not been able to do anything,” he said.

He called on security agencies to take urgent steps to address the situation and ensure that voters in the affected areas are able to exercise their rights without intimidation or harassment.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.