NHRC vows to invite Oluomo, Gov Yahaya Bello over hate speech, electoral violence

By Albert Akota

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has vowed to invite MC Oluomo, the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello over incidences of hate speech, electoral violence, obstruction of voters and other infractions reported against them in the course of the presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly elections. lOjukwu who was responding to questions said he was sure, the affected persons are gentlemen who would not hesitate to respond to invitation from the Commission to clear their names on the allegations.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the preliminary findings of the Situation Room set up by the Commission specifically for the 2023 general election.

The NHRC boss said while the Situation Room received over 300 complaints after the presidential election, it has so far got nearly 150 within few hours after the governorship and state assembly elections, adding that more are being expected.

He said that the Commission would soon announce the date of the commencement of investigation of reported cases sent to it by the public including hate speech, violence, obstruction of access to polling units, extrajudicial killings and gender related assaults, among others.

Voters apathy: We will change situation for future electionsOgunleye

Aformer Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, says the All Progressive Congress (APC) will ensure Nigerians enjoy more dividend of democracy that will change the narrative for future elections.

Ogunleye, Chieftain of APC and member of the state Governors Advisory Committee, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

The APC chieftain said this after casting his vote during the Governorship and House of Assembly Election at PU 012, Solomade, Ikorodu.

Ogunleye, who said that though voters’ turnout was low compared to the presidential election, noted that the electoral process was peaceful.

“The job we have to do now, not only in Lagos, is to make sure we energise and encourage voters to come out and vote.

“Things were different during the times of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the early days of Mr Babatunde Fashola.

“I’m a party man and I know some reasons I can’t be saying in the public.

“We have the blueprint, my colleagues and I will sit down and work with it to change the situation in future election,” he said.

Ogunleye said that he believed in a free, fair and transparent electoral process, noting that the deployment of BVAS had reduced electoral malpractice.

Polls: Yiaga Africa commends INEC, condemns suppression, vote buying

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Nigeria’s frontline election observer, Yiaga Africa has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the significant improvement in the management of election logistics especially the early commencement of polls due to the prompt arrival of election officials in a majority of polling units.

Yiaga Africa stated this in its preliminary statement on the March 2023 Governorship Election on Sunday in Abuja.

“Unlike the February 25 presidential election, the INEC Election Results Viewing (IReV) portal functioned optimally enabling citizens to download polling unit-level results.

“Electronic accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was successfully implemented in a significant number of polling units observed by Yiaga Africa. “

Yiaga Africa further commended the resilience of voters for participating in the election despite the tense election climate, and trust deficit in the electoral process.

“The elections benefited from the vigilance and resilience of citizens who expressed determination to vote and reported cases of manipulation, violence and intimidation.

“The governorship/ state assembly elections were signposted with voter suppression, electoral violence, electoral impunity, vote buying and capture of the results management by political thugs in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Taraba states.

“Yiaga Africa is saddened by the cases of attacks on voters, INEC officials, journalists, election observers and personnel of the EFCC by political thugs. These stakeholders suffered grievous bodily harm and psychological trauma. Reports also indicate that at least eight fatalities were recorded within the last 24hrs.

“These election-related deaths are unacceptable and highly condemnable. It is important for security agencies to hold the political thugs and their sponsors accountable for these deaths and attacks.”

Yiaga Africa condemned in unequivocal terms acts of voter suppression fuelled by ethnic profiling, political thuggery and desperation to secure electoral victory at all costs.

“In flagrant abuse of the constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, registered voters and fellow citizens were denied the right to vote in some states. Voting is a constitutionally guaranteed right of voters that requires free and fair participation of all eligible voters in safe and secure environment. A denial of this right undermines the credibility of electoral outcomes. Yiaga Africa further condemns the cases of voter inducement reported across the country in the election as this act perpetuates electoral corruption and political inequality.”

He advised the citizens to vote for a competent leader who had the interest of the people in mind and could also drive development.

He also urged the youth to shun violence and inciting statements that could lead to chaos and disruption of electoral process.

According to him, when you have violence, you are enthroning mediocrity and those who aren’t qualified to rule will be put in the position to lead.

He noted that even if a leader was a PhD holder but don’t take care of people at the grassroots, citizens would suffer.

“I believe that development should start at the grassroots, and for this kind of country, Nigeria, we shouldn’t be suffering.

“What has been missing is a leader that has strong-will, ready and courageous to take decisions.

“I know that the presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, is a courageous person and have strong-will. We will continue to pray for him and for his success,” he said. (NAN)