AMPEF Task INEC To Redeem The Image Of Nigerians, Implore Adequate Techniques For Electioneering.
…Also tells FGN to implement the judgement of the supreme court on New/Old naira notes
By Onome Naomi
Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, the founder of AMPEF a Human Rights Organisation gave a comprehensive remark on the issues confronting credibility of election in Nigeria. He made comments on the just concluded presidential election stating that INEC has been given enough time to prepare which includes proper and accurate financing as well as facilities but yet failed in electioneering.
Nigerians were very much hopeful and felt assured that all has been put in place including the new technology acquired “The BVAS” to ensure that results are transmitted for transparency to further foster a credible outcome. In some part of the country there was unrest which entertained uncertainty as to whether the elections will hold as scheduled, but INEC chairman Yakubu exhumed certainty that the elections will hold and not shifted to a later date as speculated.
He told Naomisophyblog that this reassuring circumstances had led Nigerians in diaspora to have faith in INEC but was deterred by the irregularities and miscalculations observed during the presidential electronic transmission of results which had led to misappropriation of vote counts. Some areas had INEC officials arrive late amongst other thuggery disruptions observed in some polling unit across the country.
The police also gave the electorates 98% assurance in security but this wasn’t so as ballot box snatchers operated freely without obstruction causing electorates to scamper for safety.. “Where is the police?” who have promised adequate security. Even the soldiers were no where to be found. Also there were videos showing moments voters were intimidated into voting against their choice of candidate, he said.
Comrade Iche also noted that the procedure adopted in the pronunciation of the president elect is totally against the 2022 Electoral Act which states that:
“The Winner must have 25% vote from the Federal Capital, the president elect didn’t attain it yet he was declared winner. This had a major effect on majority of Nigerians as well as an outright contest of other parties in protest against a corrupt system. The INEC chairman Yakubu Mahmood was called to order, having been notified of the errors he has made but refused to concede.
AMPEF as a body alongsides well meaning Nigerians demands that INEC chairman Yakubu Mahmood give a credible response on why the BVAS supposedly meant for accountability didn’t work for the Presidential collation of results in some states and areas. Also why the president elect was announced against all odds and irregularities even after confirming issues with BVAS.
Nigerians in this regards has been potrayed as incapable and corrupt before the world. We are expected to lead by example as the giant of Africa but rather unfortunately, we are seen as a corrupt nation, manipulators as well as incompetent in handling our affairs.
To straighten outrageous errors committed in the presidential election, Nigerians expect that BVAS work effectively for the governorship election come March 11, 2023… As we await the challenge of the presidential outcome in court as filed by unsatisfied parties who is sure their mandate was stolen before their eyes, termed it day light robbery
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On the new naira note policy which has turned bizarre as it is, the president, Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele monopolized decisions taken which had led Nigerians into jeopardy, even the stake holders in govt. , the finance Minister, senators of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria were not carried along which has led to impossible situations and untold hardship on Nigerians.
On this note, Comr. Iche Implore the President, Muhammadu Buhari to implement swiftly the judgement of the supreme court declared that both old and new notes coexist until 31st of Dec. 2023… It should be noted that a similar judgement was passed in January but was not implemented as instructed by the president who totally defiled court order.
Nigerians are hoping that he will not repeat same measure taking into consideration the untold hardship melted on the masses due to scarcity of Naira. CBN should Inturn pump into circulation the old as well as new naira note to ease scarcity, he opined.
Naomisophyblog also had a chit chat with Comr, Daniel Oguine, a human rights activist. He gave a candid opinion on the electoral excesses observed during the presidential election which was held 25th, February 2023. He said majority of Nigerians who are hopeful for a New Nigeria fell into mourning, INEC assured that the use of BVAS will provide transparency and good electioneering as was seen in Anambra and Osun where it was tested and proved efficient. This gave rise to being sure that the Votes of Nigerians during the presidential election will count but these hopes was bashed.
Yakubu Mahmood the chairman of INEC has a lot of explaining to do, Nigerians cannot specifically say where he manufactured his number from against an outright win by Labour Party presidential candidate. Against all odds, Mahmood went ahead to pronounce the president elect which is seen as invalid due to inaccurate counting issues created by BVAS and manual count.
The 2022 Electoral bill assured Nigerians of a smooth sail in the use of Electronic Transmission but instead had a manual count as well as rascalities perpetrated during the election. A peace accord was signed by all the presidential candidates in Abuja yet was not adhered to. Electorates were being threatened to vote against their preferred candidate. Even the APC subject was the principal architect of the chaos established on voters due to some misguided utterances made during some party meetings.
The election didn’t hold in about 12 polling units, yet there was a result and that’s why Nigerians want a more credible outcome from March 11, 2023 gubernatorial elections devoid of thuggery, insecurity and miscalculations. All should come out and cast their votes undettered of the broad day light robbery episode in the just concluded presidential election, Comr Daniel quipped.
Addressing the FG, Comr. Daniel said: “As regards the court judgement of the new naira notes Co existing with the old naira, the CBN govt should make haste in implementation” , unlike the total disregard displayed in a previous judgement by the president who seems like a law to himself.
