18112022

More documents

Recommendations

Info

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 MEETING: Senegalese President, Macky Sall (left), during a closed door meeting with All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA's President/ Executive Producer, Mike Dada, in his official residence, in Dakar, where he pledged support for the hosting of the awards, 'Teranga Edition', scheduled to hold in Dakar, Senegal. :Vanguard News 2023: Govs to blame for violence —IGP By Kingsley Omonobi & Festus Osahon THE INSPECTOR General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has said some state governors manifest traits of political intolerance which contributes to violence in the country's electoral process. Speaking yesterday at a meeting with political parties and other stakeholders in preparation for the 2023 general elections at Force headquarters, the IGP said: "We have been receiving reports of some state governors who encourage political thugs and subnational security outfits under their control to disrupt seamless and statutorily guaranteed campaign activities of parties or candidates with whom they hold opposing political views. "In so doing, they deploy their powers and influences to either prevent the mounting of campaign bill boards or pull them down, while also denying political opponents of spaces to undertake their campaigns or peaceful political congregations in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (As amended). "Most of the recorded violent incidents or threats often result from political extremism, misinformation, intolerance, wrong political orientation, hate speeches, incitement, and, most importantly, the desperation of strategic actors within the political field who often place their parochial political ambitions over and above national security interests and our nation’s stable democratic order." To checkmate this resort to violence, the IGP said: "INEC should take decisive actions against candidates and parties that violate the Electoral Act in the areas of conduct of political parties, candidates, and other actors in relation to hate speeches; campaign funding regulations; encouraging, supporting, or inciting violence; and depriving political opponents of basic electoral rights guaranteed under the Act". On how the Nigerian Police :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 •Asks INEC to take decisive actions against candidates, parties violating Electoral Act •Says joint Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC, Fire Service personnel to secure INEC offices •Beyond mouthing it, IGP should take it a step further —Gov Okowa Force and other security agencies planned to tackle electoral violence, IGP Alkali said: "We have resolved to enhance intelligence gathering, sharing and utilization of same to stem acts of political violence; upscale the deployment of security teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide, with teams drawn from the Police, Nigeria Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Civil and Security Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Federal Fire Service. "Take decisive, lawful action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders, in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended. Those already arrested will face prosecution.'' Continuing, the IGP said: "This meeting with the leadership of the 18 registered political parties in the country became expedient, following a noticeable trend within the national political space which, if not promptly addressed, could evolve into a potent threat to not just our national security but the electoral process. "Drawing from the experiences of the past, electoral violence, both in the process leading to an election as well as the fall out of elections, has always constituted the most dangerous threat to our democracy. Political violence manifest in three forms. "First is violence that is targeted at the personnel and assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as recently witnessed in Ogun and Osun states. The second form of political violence manifests in the form of inter-party intolerance and violence which often become particularly pronounced during campaigns, elections, and postelections phases. "It is on record that not less than 52 cases of such politicallymotivated, intra, and inter-party violence have been recorded across 22 states since the official commencement of campaigns for the 2023 general elections on September 28, 2022. "The last form of political violence relates to the conduct of some state governors who manifest traits of political intolerance which often inflame political tension.'' But Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, agreed with the IGP. He said: "We must say that we are disturbed about certain vibes coming from a number of states. Why are we disturbed? Is because a number if individuals are trying to hide under certain guise to strangulate the democratic space. ''Where you go and make certain laws to contract that freedom at a time like this that Nigerians need that freedom, the freedom that we need is much more important to us than any other time. "So when you see states bringing in certain vibes to either make it difficult for people to be able to reach out to the electorate or make it difficult for people to visit their state and campaign, that cannot be in line with the principles of democracy. "You saw what happened to PDP when we traveled to Kaduna, individuals came to the arena and started unleashing some form of terror to those who have come to listen to their preferred presidential candidate, they were chasing them away because they are afraid of the number of crowds that have come. "In Kaduna you saw the number of individuals that were injured and vehicles destroyed. It is better we allow people no matter who they are to come campaign and go, then you can come and talk your own. It's talk your own, I talk my own. "So the IG needs to take it a step further beyond mouthing it, although we must commend him for what he did in Borno, when, of course, he tactically disagreed with the Borno State command, that not even investigated what happened and came out with a verdict that nothing happened, even when the cameras have shown the number of vehicles destroyed. "We trust that this IG will be in a position to do the right thing. Don't forget that he was here as a commissioner and while he was here, he also showed a lot of integrity.'' By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA—LEADER of the National Coalition Front NCFront and convener of the Big Tent coalition of Political Parties, Social Movements and Civil Society organizations, Professor Pat Utomi, has protested against what he described as the nondistribution of Permanent Voter Cards PVCs in the coffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, alleging that at least 9.3 million such cards were lying idle in the commission's offices. Utomi, who disclosed this when he, alongside the chief spokesman of the Peter Obi/Datti Ahmed (Labour Party) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Tanko Yusuf, and Dr Austin Kemie, led an advocacy walk to INEC Headquarters under the aegis of the "Big Tent" yesterday, urged INEC to decentralize the process of PVC collection and if possible, take the cards to the doorsteps of Nigerians. Most PVCs ready for collection Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship holds end of the year thanksgiving THE VANGUARD Media Christian Fellowship will hold its 2022 end of the year thanksgiving service on November 30, 2022 at the Corporate headquarters of Vanguard Media Limited, Apapa, Oshodi Expressway, Opposite Berger Yard bus Stop Mile 2, Lagos. According to the co-ordinator of the fellowship, Pastor Emmanuel Orisi Emmanuel, the theme of this year's programme is “Every Yoke Must be Destroyed”, inspired by the book 2023: US govt threatens visa ban on election riggers, backs adoption of BVAS By Luminous Jannamike ABUJA—THE United States government has threatened to sanction anyone who interferes with the democratic process or instigates violence in the 2023 general elections. The US also said it would not shy away from applying sanctions, including visa restrictions, on those found culpable of election rigging. Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Rolf Olson, gave the warning at the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association Annual Seminar 2022 on "Promoting Electoral Integrity in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges" yesterday in Abuja. It also threw its weight behind the decision of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and electronic transmission of results for the poll. Noting that the BVAS and the electronic transmission of vote results sheets are to ensure the integrity of the elections, Olson maintained that the US had no candidate in the elections. Recall that the US government had imposed visa restrictions on some individuals for their actions during the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa state elections and in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo state elections. Although the US did not reveal the identities of those banned, it said the decision reflected its commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria. On the 2023 elections, Olson said: "It never ceases to amaze me how often we see comments, claims, and assertions from people in social and traditional media about what our supposed objectives are in the elections, which candidate or party we favour, how to interpret certain statements or actions of ours in terms of what it means about our intentions are perceptions. "In reality, I think it's quite simple to interpret us, especially when it comes to the elections. We always try to be clear in our messages, so let me be clear here on several important points: "The United States does not support any individual candidate or party in this election cycle (or for that matter, in any other upcoming election). Our interest is in supporting credible and transparent elections that reflect the will of Nigerian voters, in a process that is conducted peacefully, full stop." 2023: Utomi challenges INEC to distribute 9.3m PVCs in its coffers •Says registered voters shouldn't need cards to vote •Come for your cards, we can't distribute them, says INEC of Isiah 10.27. Emmanuel also informed that Pastor M.O. Oke National Evangelist of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, will be guest preacher during the occasion. He said the programme will start by 1.00 pm and also enjoined all staff of Vanguard and the general public to join voices with the fellowship to thank God Almighty and also ask for divine Visitation for a tremendous turnaround for the best, not only in Vanguard but also in Nigeria at large. In a swift reaction, INEC disclosed that most of the PVCs were ready for collection, adding that the number of Nigerians who had collected their cards were more than those yet to do so. Chief Press Secretary CPS to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, told Vanguard that it is the duty of registered voters to collect their cards in persons and not by proxies. He said: "The Independent National Electoral Commission has offices in all the states of the federation and the 774 local government areas to make the Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, available for collection. "Every registered voter has an obligation to collect his or her Permanent Voter’s Card in person. The PVC cannot be collected by proxy and there is a reason for that. "From our experience, more Nigerians have collected their PVCs than those that haven’t. For instance, as at January 2019, out of the 84,004,084 registered voters, 72,775,502 or 86.63% had collected their PVCs. "Already, Nigerians have been collecting their PVCs. The only units that are not yet available for collection, but which will be made available soon are the ones belonging to voters that registered between January and July this year, as well as those who applied for transfer or replacement within the same period. "The commission has made adequate arrangements to make the PVCs available for collection before the 2023 general election". No need for PVCs But Utomi queried the necessity of even having the PVC as a requirement for voting, saying with biometrics authentication of a potential voter, there was no need to have a physical card. He said: "It is the duty of INEC to do everything possible to decentralize and take down to the people, their PVCs, to make sure that everybody who was registered gets his or her PVC. "We even know that the process is biometric. So, it should not even matter if they don't have it (PVCs). Once their faces and fingerprints are recognized, they should be able to vote. It is not acceptable for Nigerians to be disenfranchised. "We know that about 9.3 million voter cards are yet to be collected and are sitting idle in INEC offices. We want an explanation. If INEC needs help, we are ready to volunteer so that these cards can get to their rightful owners. "We also want to discourage persons from further vandalizing INEC offices and burning PVCs which is capable of disenfranchising Nigerians. There is urgent need for the dissemination of information regarding the PVCs", he added. Utomi urged INEC to make extra efforts towards the distribution of PVCs to Nigerians, especially persons with disabilities. Tanko on his part, urged all "Obidients", that is supporters of Mr Peter Obi, to ensure they replicated the advocacy walk across the states and wards in order to collect their PVCs. We can't distribute PVCs Receiving the petition on behalf of INEC, an Assistant Director at the headquarters, Kelechi Maduneme, said the commission does not have the capacity to distribute PVCs, stating that Nigerians had to go to their respective INEC local government offices across the country to collect the cards. He said: "I have collected the letter on behalf of my director and it will be delivered to the Honourable Chairman.
VANGUARD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 — 9 How I escaped from ritualists in Lagos —Survivor Social Media Conversation •Details of how conductor sprayed perfume in the bus and passengers dozed off •Another abducted teenager rescued by police By Efe Onodjae A 50-year-old man, Gbenga Maxwell Ajayi, who was abducted on his way to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, on a day he was billed to travel to London has regained his freedom. The father of four was abducted last Friday inside a commercial vehicle from Ijaye area of Lagos to Oshodi where he planned to take another vehicle to Murtala Muhammed airport and catch his 1.40 pm flight to London. While inside the yellow color bus, he noticed that the driver was spraying perfume. He felt the spray was to reduce odour and he hastily alerted his travelling agent and waited for result. Unfortunately, that was the last time both his agent, members of his family and friends heard from him. While efforts were being made to trace his whereabout, calls were made to a contact waiting for his arrival in far away London airport but h e said his pasenger was yet to arrive. A s shock Second waves gripped his relations, his frenetic wife quickly rushed to Ijaiye police station to lodge a report on Saturday night and after making statement, the police advised her to go and come back on Monday. Meanwhile, members of his family spread their dragnet and were frantically making calls to everybody they know while at the same time combing the nooks and crannies of Oshodi and environs with a view to either locating his dead body or getting clues as to his whereabout. Shockingly, the family succeeded in receiving good news on Sunday afternoon after one of their relations victim, Emmanuel Timilehin. living in Ajah, Lagos called to announce that he had resurfaced after escaping from his abductors that wanted to use him for ritual purposes at Epe, a suburb of Lagos. The victim narrated his heartrending experience and how he regiand freedom to Vanguard. According to him, I regained freedom after my abductors noticed that I could not be useful for ritual purpose. Narrating his ordeal to Vanguard at his Ijaiye residence, Lagos, Gbenga said he boarded a commercial vehicle whose occupants dozed off having inhaled perfume sprayed by the driver in the bus. The victim who was seen with bruises on his leg during Vanguard's visit to his residence said, "I can't give details of what transpired while in the bus but what I noticed was that the driver was spraying perfume immediately the last person entered the bus and closed the door which resulted in us dozing off. "I initially sent a message to my travel agent that I wanted to order for a Bolt taxi b u t later, I discharged t h e rider when he delayed in coming as a result of traffic gridlock. I, thereafter, joined a public transport heading for O s h o d i . Unfortunately, we all dozed off after inhaling the perfume. "When I woke up, I saw myself and other passengers in an apartment but we all looked dizzy with white stain on our bodies. I heard an old man giving order for my release saying that I cannot be used for ritual purposes. Immediately, the charms placed on my head were removed, my eyes tied and was driven to an area, very close to a construction site which was later identified as Epe by a woman. I saw a woman who told me that I am at Epe. I explained my ordeal to the woman; she urinated on my head and immediately I regained consciousness. She sympathized with me, and gave me N500 and left. I then asked for direction from some headsmen who directed me on how to locate my way to Ajah. I joined lorry vehicle and they dropped me at Awoyaya and I gave them N500 and trekked down to Ajah where I located my brother's house in My lord, this is totally strange to me because this is a person that has never hidden his intention to always be in court. In fact, even in processes we filed at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the defendant said he would want to be present in court for hearing of all the matters •Victim, Gbenga Ajayi. Ajah and narrated my story to him." The victim's brother Seyi Ajayi said Gbenga told them that all the passengers were already clothed in black clothes. Then a man placed a calabash on their heads one after the other saying that if the charm worked on that person, he or she would be taken away. According to him, my brother was in a very bad shape physically while narrating his ordeal to me and after that, I quickly made calls to all our people announcing the good news. "For now, we have placed him on intensive treatment and we hope he will regain himself fully soon." Meanwhile, another teenager identified as Emmanuel Timilehin has been rescued by the police after he was abandoned by his abductors at Jakande in Ikotun area of Lagos state. Though the circumstances surrounding his abduction is not clear, Lagos state police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin said in his verified tweeter handle that he is under treatment and is still incoherent. "From the little he could mutter, he was abducted in Jakande, Ikotun area on Sunday, November 13, 2022. He has been giving different names and addresses of his parents and any information that will assist in locating his parents would be appreciated," he stated. You reap what you sow! ...And continue in the ‘world beyond'! Gay? They incur God's wrath! •Victim, G
Page 1 and 2: 2023: INEC Soludo, other critics fr
Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Page 7: Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Page 19 and 20: FG says debt sustainability now thr
Page 23 and 24: NAS takes medicare to Kaduna villag
Page 29 and 30: Rabiul Thaani 16, 1444A.H. Amanah i
Page 31 and 32: Vanguard, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Page 37 and 38: AKINBIYI I, Formerly known as OLUOK

18112022

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?