The  Nigeria Police Force, NPF has cautioned Politicians in Jigawa State against any act that would compromise peace during the Presidential and National Assembly elcetions on Saturday.

In a statement, the Comissoner of Police in Jigawa State, Mr. Emmanuel Ekot said “In this regard, the command in collaboration with all security agencies across the State will work assiduously to fish out troublemakers and their sponsors, conduct a thorough investigation and charge culprits in court.”

He also warned security aides and escorts not to accompany their principals to polling units and collation centres as anyone flouting the directive would be sanctioned.

The Police Commissioner also warned Poltical thugs to stay away from the elections.

He further stated that “established and owned  Security outfits, Organisation, quasi- security units and privately owned guards and security outfits are barred from participating in election security.”

Mr. Ekot assured residents of adequate security and urged them to turn out en masse and cast their votes.

He also advised all security personnel deployed for the excercise to be professional and shun any form of corrupt practice.

Confidence Okwuchi

Distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials has commenced at the sixteen local government areas of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.

VON Correspondent in Ilorin reports that INEC officials in the various local governments have begun distributing the election materials to all 193 (one hundred and ninety-three) wards across the state.

A few officials of the commission were sighted at the INEC Headquarters in Ilorin putting finishing touches to ensure hitch-free elections on Saturday.

The directive of INEC that campaigns by the various political parties should end 24 hours before the day of the election was strictly adhered to as politicians and their supporters were not physically seen campaigning.

International and local observers as well media practitioners posted to their various areas of assignments have arrived their duty posts.

It was also observed that notable politicians who reside outside the State have started arriving to participate in the exercise .

On the preparedness of the security agency, the police public relations officer in the State, SP Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed that over 6,000 (six thousand) officers of the command and other registered sister agencies are fully on ground to ward off any security breach from all the noted flash points in the State.

Meanwhile, all is now set for Saturday’s election in Kwara State.

The Police in Ekiti State has sought for the cooperation of voters, urging them to conduct themselves peacefully during Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

The State’s Police spokesman, DSP Abutu Sunday, told Voice of Nigeria in Ado Ekiti on Friday, that adequate personnel had been deployed to provide security for both the electorate and others involved in the process.

DSP Sunday explained that security preparations had been on for awhile due to the Governorship election held in the state in May last year.

“Remember, we did governorship election mid lasts year and months before it we had prepared for the election, that was why we had a successful election security-wise. And since then, we have not relented on our efforts that there is adequate security for the people of Ekiti State, especially the electorate, and materials for the election. 

“So, talking about this election, we can say that we are hundred percent ready. Both material and human resources have been deployed to ensure we have a credible and acceptable election comes tomorrow,” he said.

According to him, a lot of workshops and training were organised for the personnel to prepare them for the state Governorship poll last year, saying that such also continued up till now for the National elections.

He added that the morale of the officers are very high now because of the motivations they have received in terms of adequate welfare and equipment to make their assignment hitch-free during the election.

“The officers morale is high at the moment. They have been motivated all round. Workshops and training have been done for them. Other motivational materials have been provided. I think now, I can assure that the motivation is there,” he said.

Voice of Nigeria’ s correspondent in Ado Ekiti observed relative calm in the capital city as residents anticipate the commencement of the election proper on Saturday.

Confidence Okwuchi

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria says it is ready to conduct the 2023 Presidential Election in the State as sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been distributed to Local Government Areas.

The Administrative Secretary INEC Kaduna State, Awal Mahammad Mashi who made this known on Friday added that sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been deployed to all polling units in the state.

Speaking on the cashless policy in Nigeria, the Administrative Secretary noted the commission was able to secure some cash for immediate use from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

”We were able to collect little cash for immediate use as it is necessary for us to give corps members their transport and feeding allowances”.

He explained that the Commission has also made provision for fuel by providing petroleum spirit at designated filling stations in the twenty three Local governments areas of the state, “any one that needs fuel for election is to collect vocher from the office to get the fuel”.

Mashi also confirmed that a total number of four point three million, eleven thausand and Sixty three voters are expected to cast their votes in Kaduna State.

Meanwhile, the Police Kaduna state command has assured the people of Kaduna state and all political actors of absolute neutrality and a level playing field for them to exercise their franchise.

In compliance with the IGPs directives, three Commissioners of Police and other senior officers deployed to Kaduna state to provide water tight security before during and after the 2023 elections, are strategizing in order to provide effective election security in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

The newly posted officers headed by Commissioner of Police CP Babaji Sunday assured the people of Kaduna state and all political actors of absolute neutrality and a level playing field for the citizens.

The Commissioner of Police CP Babaji, Kaduna State further called on the people to come out in mass to cast their votes and desist from any activity that can mar the elections.

N.O

The Independent Electoral Commission INEC in Taraba State says all sensitive materials have been distributed to the sixteen local government areas of the state successfully.

This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state at the opening of the Inter Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at the INEC office in Jalingo, few hours to the Presidential and National Assembly election.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Umar Muktar Gajiram, the meeting is to ascertain the level of preparedness by all the stakeholders.

Mr. Gajiram who commended the security agencies that comprised the Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC, NIS, Nigeria Prison Service, National Fire Service, and NYSC among other stakeholders for their cordial partnership in ensuring peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections in the state, also said that all election materials have been sent to all the local government headquarters.

The meeting which started at about 4:45 pm is expected to last for five hours and had in attendance the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Muktar Gajiram, Commandant of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army Jalingo, Brigadier General Frank Etim, CP, Yusuf Suleiman, State Director of DSS, Ibrahim Saleh, state Comptroller of NIS, Hallid Usman, and Corps Commander Celina Daniel of the FRSC Taraba State Command among others.

N.O

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has implored citizens of Gombe State to come out and vote in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

The governor said this during a state-wide broadcast ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, to ensure that the elections were peaceful, free, fair and credible.

He urged all political parties, individuals and groups, to shun all forms of violence and incitements before, during and after the elections.

“The security agencies are ever ready to ensure that people who are willing to vote are able to do so without any fear, intimidation or harassment; and to deal decisively with any politician or group that seeks to foment trouble,” said GovernorYahaya,” Governor Yahaya said.

He particularly stressed and encouraged the citizens to keep in mind that the peace, unity and stability of Gombe State and Nigeria were bigger than the political ambition of any individual or group.

According to him, it was his responsibility to protect the peace and stability of Gombe State and as such would not allow or tolerate any attempt to undermine the elections in order to serve, what he termed the evil agenda of any individual or group.

The Gombe State Governor called on all stakeholders to desist from spreading and promoting fake news and hateful political propaganda, or participating in any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of the elections.

He also called on religious and traditional leaders in the state to use their role to ensure the orderly conduct of the 2023 elections.

“I would like to thank them for their cooperation and patriotism so far. I urge them to intensify their sermons and prayers for the peaceful conduct of the elections, and to refrain from any campaign of sectarian incitement and violence. I also call on our traditional rulers to be fatherly in their conduct, and to exercise greater responsibility over their subjects,” said Governor Yahaya.

He commended security agencies for their commitment and loyalty to the country, who strive to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, while giving the assurances of his unconditional support and cooperation.

To the civil society groups, including domestic and international election observer missions, Governor Yahaya urged them to approach their assignment with patriotism and fear of God.

Overall, Governor Yahaya called on the public to continue to conduct its activities in peace, tolerance and mutual respect.

“Our diverse political choices should in no way affect our relationship with friends, relatives or neighbors. Let’s vote in peace, shake hands and embrace each other, and wait for the result. Whatever the outcome is, let’s commit our affairs to Almighty Allah, for He is the best disposer of affairs. He gives power to whoever he wishes at his own will,” Governor Yahaya said.

N.O

The management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC has refuted an online publication stating that Corps Members have been withdrawn from participating as ad-hoc officers in three Local Government Areas of Imo State during the forthcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday 25 February 2023.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of press and public relations of NYSC, Mr Eddy Megwa.

Mr Megwa said “for the avoidance of doubt, the existing Memorandum of Understanding between NYSC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on a seamless conduct of elections in Nigeria is still on course.

“NYSC Scheme is in total support of the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country. All the trained Corps Members in every State of the federation are set for the general elections.

“The management of the Scheme wants to state categorically that Corps Members are not withdrawn from participating in the elections in some Local Government Areas in Imo State, rather, we are against posting Corps Members to areas we consider not safe for them owing to insecurity,” he noted.

He said before now, there were some Local Government Areas in Imo State considered as flash points and therefore, the Scheme could not allow Corps Members to serve in such areas during the general election.

He further said that “prior to the 2023 general elections, the Scheme reached out to all Stakeholders to provide enabling environment for the Corps Members to effectively contribute their quota during the general elections, and as such, would not endanger the lives of any of our Corps Members.

Consequently, Corps Members cannot be posted to such flash points to serve as INEC ad hoc staff. We have clearly made our position known to the REC in Imo State”, he added.

The Director press and public relations of NYSC, Mr Eddy Megwa therefore called on members of the public to disregard the misleading and baseless online information meant to undermine the integrity and image of the Scheme.

N.O