Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG) on Saturday commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all the security agencies for exhibiting high level of professionalism during the Governorship elections that took place in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, respectively.
TMG Chairman, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafisanjani) who made the observation in the preliminary report on the gubernatorial elections made available to Sunday Tribune, expressed concern over pockets of violence which occured in few of the polling units across the three states.
According to election observers’ reports, Political thugs were reportedly killed by the military in Ayingba and Idah town in Ida LGA of Kogi State.
The Group also expressed disgust over reported incidence of vote trading during the off-cycle elections.
“While sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibit vote trading, TMG observers reported that several means were devised to induce voters by desperate politicians who were seen doling out cash gifts ranging from N5,000 to N30,000, food items and clothing materials (wrappers) in some of the polling units observed. These include PU 010, Ekinrin-Ade, Ijumu LGA, Imiringi, PU 002, Ward 008, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa.”
According to the statement released by TMG, “Observers across the three states of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi reported a slow start to the opening of polls in the polling units observed. Averagely, most of the polling units observed opened between 8:30 and 9:00am. TMG observer reported that INEC Officials arrived Amaimo ward- Umukpe Umuri, polling unit 005 at exactly 9:30am.
“Accreditation and voting commenced without hitches across the three states. Based on the feedback from the TMG observers, accreditation and voting simultaneously commenced around9.00am in most of the PU observed. For example, PUs 006, 007 of Odo-Ere, Oke –Ere/Akata Ward of Yafba West LGA of Kogi State as well as PU 021, Ward 003 Epie in Bayelsa State as well as PU 006, Ward 008 Owudugbo in Ogbia, Bayelsa State respectively all opened around 9am.”
On the deployment of materials and Staff, TMG observers reported arrival of materials and INEC officials to be between 8:00am – 8:30am in most polling units observed. These include Ward 17, Unit 004, Betto Open Space, Kolokuma 1, Bayelsa State and Ward Polling Unit 004, Community Secondary School, Lokogoma Village, Kogi State as well as Polling Unit 004, Oweri Municipal, Imo State respectively.
On the BVAS functionality, the Group noted that the “Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) allows for the identification and accreditation of voters through finger prints and facial recognition. As such voters are expected to be processed and verified by BVAS at various polling units.
“TMG observers reported adequate deployment and functionality of BVAS across polling units in the three states of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi respectively. These were reported in PU 022, Ward 02, Owerri, PU 007, Ward 10 Tapere Egede Square, Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa and PU 002, Ward 01 Bassa LGA of Kogi State respectively.”
In its assessment of Security Officials’ neutrality, “TMG observers reported professional conduct of the security personnel at various polling units across the three states. Security personnel reportedly conducted themselves in a very civil and professional manner.
“The security personnel comprised of members of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), EFCC, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as well as Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigeria Correctional Service all deployed at the polling units. Also observed were military personnel who mount adjoining streets to polling units and boundaries.”
While noting that there was low turnout of People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) across the three States, TMG observers also reported availability of assistive materials such as magnifying lens for the visually impaired but most of the polling units lack ramp which should have allowed ease of movement of the physically challenged. PWDs and the elderly were given voting preferences at the polling units observed by TMG.
Generally, TMG Observers reported “higher voter turnout in Kogi and Imo states respectively. Hundreds of voters were seeing on the queue in Ajaokuta, Adavi, Bassa, Yagba West LGAs.
“However, Observers reported low turnout in Bayelsa state due to poor weather condition, difficult terrain and logistics issues as well as voter apathy in a number of polling units. TMG observers reported high turnout of voters in PUs 001, 002, 003, 005, Ganaja Junction of Ajaokuta LGA.”
The TMG Observers also reported presence of major political party agents in most of the polling units observed across the three states. These party agents were mostly representatives of APC, PDP, Labour Party and SDP.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
2023 Ballon d’Or: Osimhen finishes eight, becomes highest ranked Nigerian footballer
Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, has achieved the highest ranking for a Nigerian in the history of the Ballon d’Or football award. Osimhen achieved this milestone by ranking eighth in the 30-man list of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award...….
Tinubu intervenes in Fubara, Wike rift
President Bola Tinubu has moved to end the rift between Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor in office, Nyesom Wike, which has dragged the state into a political crisis.The president used the opportunity of Tuesday’s meeting of the Police Council, which both attended as members, to ostensibly end the feud between the two political allies……..
Reps summon Betta Edu over N1.1trn Conditional Cash Transfer
The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over the implementation of the N1.1 trillion Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for vulnerable Nigerians.The resolution which was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion under ‘Matters of urgent public importance’ sponsored by Hon. Moshood Adebayo (PDP-Osun), who harped on the need to scrutinize the policy on the CCT....….…
2024 Olympic Qualifiers: Super Falcons thrash Ethiopia, zoom to next round
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have booked a place in the third round of the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games after a 4-0 win against Ethiopia at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday. The former African champions won the second-round contest 5-1 on aggregate…..…
Four kinds of people you should date
It’s a few months to the end of 2023, and you still wonder why you have not met a good person to do matching pyjamas with. Well, here are a few tips about the quality of people you should date as you move on from your past sour relationships......…
Ondo Assembly suspends impeachment of deputy gov Aiyedatiwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has suspended the impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa following the refusal of the Chief Judge of the state, Olusegun Odusola, to set up a panel for the exercise...…
EDITORIAL: Sheikh Gumi’s incendiary outburst
RECENTLY, a Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, set the polity on edge, accusing the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of committing the unpardonable sin of making a Nigerian of southern origin and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)..……
