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Police arrest 26 over electoral violence in Benue

Ijeoma OPARA
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Police arrest 26 over electoral violence in Benue

THE Benue State Police Command has arrested 26 suspects over electoral violence during the governorship and state assembly elections held on Saturday, March 18.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Catherine Anene on Monday, March 20.

She noted that the suspects were involved in political thuggery, illegal possession of firearms, snatching ballot boxes and voter intimidation.

“Exhibits recovered from them include; three (3) locally made pistols, cutlasses, knives and wraps of weed suspected to be indian hemp.

“While condemning these acts, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State CP. Wales Abass ordered detailed investigation into these case and promised to deal with suspects in accordance with the laws,” she noted.

Anene added that the command had specially deployed officials across the state for post election security management.

During the elections held on Saturday, March 18, The ICIR reported at least two people were shot dead in the Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The victims were suspected to be ballot box snatchers, who invaded some polling units in the area.

They had also tried to make away with the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), in the full glare of voters in a bid to disrupt the electoral process.

Nwifuru, Oborevwori, Muftwang win guber polls in Ebonyi, Delta, Plateau

Mustapha USMAN
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Nwifuru, Oborevwori, Muftwang win guber polls in Ebonyi, Delta, Plateau

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Francis Nwifuru has emerged the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Ebonyi State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer in Ebonyi, on Monday, March 20, declared Nwifuru winner after he polled 199,131 votes to edge his closest rival, Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Odii scored 80,191 votes while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Prof. Benard Odoh got 52,189.

In the same vein, candidate of the PDP, Sheriff Oborevwori, has been declared winner of the governorship election in Delta State.

Oborevwori polled 360,234 votes to win the election while APC candidate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege finished second with 240,229 votes.

Similarly, the candidate of the PDP in Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has been declared winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

The state Returning Officer Idris Amali said that the PDP candidate polled 525,299 votes to defeat his closest rival and the candidate of the ruling APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, who got 481,370 votes.

According to the declared results, the PDP candidate won in 10 local government areas while the APC candidate won in seven LGAs.

Election: Amnesty International condemns promotion of inter-tribal hatred on social media

Beloved JOHN
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Election: Amnesty International condemns promotion of inter-tribal hatred on social media

A Global rights body, Amnesty International, has condemned the rise in the use of social media to incite inter-tribal violence and hostility among Nigerians.

The human rights organisation, in a tweet on Monday, March 20, said it observed the use of ethnic slurs to incite inter-tribal hatred by journalists, political figures and other influential persons in the country.

“Amnesty International has noted a shocking and significant rise in recent social media posts inciting tribal hatred — using ethnic slurs that have gone unchecked.

“Influential people such as journalists and political figures were among those sharing the inciting posts,” the tweet read.

Amnesty International called on the Federal Government to prohibit inciting hostility, discrimination or violence along ethnic lines.

The NGO said the government must “urgently denounce any statements, online or otherwise, which advocate violence against a specific ethnic group”.

Amnesty International also asked social media platforms — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Whatsapp — to take “responsibility and scale up their content moderation efforts, and ensure that the algorithms behind their platforms are not fueling advocacy of tribal or ethnic hatred”.

After the presidential and national Assembly elections, tribal bigotry increased on social media and has heightened with cases of voter disenfranchisement and targeted attacks on specific ethnic groups during the governorship and state assembly elections.

Ethnicity was a noticeable weapon deployed in the quest to win elections in Lagos, where Igbos in some areas were openly threatened and attacked over the suspicion that they are supporting an opposition candidate.

The cases of intimidation during the governorship and house of assembly elections across the country has sparked tension among Nigerians on the social media, particularly between Yorubas and the Igbo.

Election violence: Police ask politicians to caution supporters in Ogun, Lagos

Vincent Ufuoma
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Election violence: Police ask politicians to caution supporters in Ogun, Lagos

THE Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Command in charge of Ogun and Lagos states, has urged politicians to caution their supporters against election violence.

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, issued the warning in a statement on Monday, March 20.

The warning followed reports circulating on social media platforms that supporters of an unnamed politician are planning to cause chaos in the two states.

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In the statement, Idris-Adamu stated that the police would not tolerate any breach of public peace and that anyone caught causing violence would face the full wrath of the law.

She advised members of the public to disregard the message making rounds on social media and assured them of their safety and security.

According to her, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command headquarters, Abiodun S. Alabi, has reiterated the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents in the two states.

Members of the public were advised to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of intimidation

78m Nigerian children at highest risk of water-related threats – UNICEF

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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78m Nigerian children at highest risk of water-related threats – UNICEF

THE United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has alerted that 78 million children in Nigeria face the highest risks from diseases related to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and climate hazards.

UNICEF raised the alarm through its Nigeria Chief of WASH, Jane Bevan, a medical doctor, preparatory to the UN 2023 Water Conference holding at the United Nations headquarters in New York between March 22 and 24, 2023.

Bevan, in a statement UNICEF mailed to The ICIR on Monday, March 20, urged the Nigerian government to take urgent action to address its water crisis.

“In Nigeria, one-third of children do not have access to, at least, basic water at home, and two-thirds do not have basic sanitation services. Hand hygiene is also limited, with three-quarters of children unable to wash their hands due to a lack of water and soap at home.

“As a result, Nigeria is one of the 10 countries that carry the heaviest burden of child deaths from diseases caused by inadequate WASH, such as diarrhoeal diseases,” the UNICEF chief said.

According to the official, Nigeria ranked second out of 163 countries globally with the highest risk of exposure to climate and environmental threats.

She stressed that groundwater levels were dropping, requiring some communities to dig wells twice as deep as just a decade ago.

Bevan noted that rainfall had become more erratic and intense, leading to floods contaminating scarce water supplies.

She warned that with Nigeria’s present commitment to WASH, it would take the nation 16 years to achieve access to safe water for all.

She said, “I believe we need to rapidly scale up investment in the sector, including from global climate financing; strengthen climate resilience in the WASH sector and communities; increase effective and accountable systems, coordination and capacities to provide water and sanitation services; and implement the UN-Water SDG6 Global Acceleration Framework.”

She argued that investing in climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene services protects children’s health and ensures a sustainable future for future generations.

 

Guber poll: INEC suspends collation of results in Abia, Enugu

Bankole ABE
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Guber poll: INEC suspends collation of results in Abia, Enugu

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended further collation of the gubernatorial election in Abia and Enugu states.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Monday, March 20, by the Chairman, INEC Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.

“The Commission met today, Monday 20th, March 2023 and reviewed the conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly elections held nationwide on Saturday, 18th, March 2023.

“Arising from the meeting, the Commission took the decision to suspend forthwith further collation of the governorship election results in some parts of Abia and Enugu states.

“It would be recalled that our office in Obingwa Local Government Area was invaded by thugs yesterday, Sunday,19th March, 2023, and our officials held hostage in relation to the collation of results from the Local Government Area,” the statement said.

INEC added that reports from Enugu State call for a review of governorship election results from the two outstanding local government areas – Nsukka and Nkanu East.

“Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the two outstanding Local Government Area of Enugu State which are yet to be collated.”

A review would be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded, the Commission disclosed.

The statement noted that INEC is pleading for the understanding and patience of all stakeholders in the two states.

Giloo’s crowdfunding pitch opens for documentary filmmakers

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Giloo’s crowdfunding pitch opens for documentary filmmakers

GILOO, Taiwan’s online film festival and streaming platform, is launching Giloo Festival this year with the aim of empowering the film community through technology.

The online event features a “Crowdfunding Global Pitch” to create cross-border channels for film funding and community building. Ten projects will be selected under the “Documentary Shorts” category.

The project selected for the “Community Award” will receive a cash prize of US$10,000 and two projects selected for “Expert Awards” will receive a cash prize of US$3,000 each.

The film must be under 40 minutes and in the planning or filming stage; previously screened films are not eligible.

There are no nationality restrictions for applicants, but the primary narration and dialogue in the film must be in Mandarin or languages commonly used in Chinese-speaking regions.

Documentary filmmakers interested in developing short films in Chinese languages can compete for cash prizes.

The deadline for the submission of pitches is March 31, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

‘Lagos has chosen competence and experience’, Sanwo-Olu says after victory

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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‘Lagos has chosen competence and experience’, Sanwo-Olu says after victory

LAGOS State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lauded Lagosians for voting him for a second term in office, saying they chose competence and experience to steer the state’s affairs.

Sanwo-Olu, expressing appreciation in a message he issued early today, said he was honoured to be re-elected.

He pledged to continue working tirelessly to deliver a better Lagos for all. 

Sanwo-Olu noted that the state witnessed a lot of divisive rhetoric during the campaigns. 

According to him, elections should be about capacity, competence, and experience, not ethnicity or religion. 

He said, “I salute those who refused to be divided by hateful and hurtful ethnic profiling. Recent skirmishes in some LGAs resulting in injuries are reprehensible and not reflective of who we are. Law enforcement and security agencies have been directed to ensure that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law.

“Very importantly, and this cannot be overemphasized: What unites us as Lagosians is far more important and substantial than whatever differences exist among us.”

He said the 2023 elections deeply tested the state, stressing that his victory belonged to every Lagosian. 

Sanwol-Olu argued that he had worked hard to live up to the responsibility of governing Africa’s most important subnational economy. 

The governor commended President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Muhammadu Buhari, and others who contributed to his victory.

He promised to ensure genuine healing in the state and would continue to run an inclusive government that delivers democracy’s dividends for all.

“The true Lagos spirit is a welcoming, embracing, liberal one, not a divisive, exclusionary one. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we will continue to do everything to demonstrate and amplify this. 

“We must reaffirm the spirit of solidarity and togetherness that binds us as Lagosians. Our work will continue, and there will be no break. The dividends of democracy must continue to be delivered,” he said.

The ICIR reported how the governor won the governorship election conducted in the state on Saturday, March 18.

He polled 762,134 valid votes to defeat his closest rival, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP), who got 312,329 votes.

Binani vs Fintiri: Fufure LG to decide Adamawa guber poll

Beloved JOHN
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Binani vs Fintiri: Fufure LG to decide Adamawa guber poll

AS the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) battle for victory in the state governorship polls, there are indications that Adamawa State may produce the first female governor in Nigeria.

Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as ‘Binani’, the APC candidate, is contending fiercely with Ahmadu Fintiri, the PDP candidate and incumbent governor.

Fintiri is currently in the Iead.

With results from 20 of the state’s 21 local governments announced, Fintiri is leading with over 35,000 votes.

The incumbent has 401,113 votes, while Binani has 365,498 votes.

Binani’s performance is exciting to many, but she is yet to overcome the hurdle of the incumbent governor.

As it stands, Binani’s chances of becoming the the state’s next governor are tied to her victory in Fufure, the only local government area whose results are yet to be formally declared.

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The tension in the area was heightened by disruption of collation by political thugs.

INEC on Sunday, March 19, ordered the recompilation of election results in affected areas.

The APC has accused Fintiri and the PDP of trying to subvert the electorate’s will by manipulating the election results.

Adamawa governor unleashed thugs to disrupt collation of results – APC

Mustapha USMAN
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Adamawa governor unleashed thugs to disrupt collation of results – APC

THE All Progressive Congress (APC) has accused the incumbent Governor of Adamawa state Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of unleashing ‘heavily armed’ thugs to disrupt the further collation of election results in the state.

The party also alleged that Fintiri is mantling pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to subvert final collation and announcement of the result of the governorship election.

Fintiri is seeking re-election for a second term under the People Democratic Party.

The APC made these allegations in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka on Monday, March 20.

Morka further stressed that the election results showed that Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) of the APC, is the winner of the Guber poll.

The statement read: “We draw urgent attention of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and our security services to massive thuggery, violence, intimidation and undue pressure by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calculated to disrupt final collation and announcement of result of the Governorship election in Adamawa State.

“Election results show a clear and decisive victory for Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani), the All Progressives Congress (APC Governorship Candidate. Faced with imminent and certain prospect of loss in the election, thugs and political actors led by incumbent Governor, and Candidate of the PDP, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, have unleashed heavily armed thugs to disrupt further collation of result and subvert the will of Adamawa people as expressed at the polls. The Governor is reported to have torn result sheets at the collation centre in a show of unprecedented impunity and executive brigandage.

“We are well aware of the massive pressure on INEC and law enforcement authorities to cave in to the inordinate demands of the PDP to subvert final collation and announcement of result. However, we are supremely confident that INEC and our law enforcement authorities will stand firm and conclude the election process in the State as required by law.

“The result of election in Fufore Local Government Area of the state must not be tampered with as Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) holds a clear, unassailable lead, only awaiting final collation and declaration by INEC.

“Nigeria is on the cusp of a major democratic record with the election and emergence of the first female Governor of a State in the country. We urge all well meaning Nigerians to stand together to protect and uphold this historic victory for women and our country.”

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