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Ondo election: APC candidate, Akeredolu wins again

Ajibola AMZAT
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Ondo election: APC candidate, Akeredolu wins again

OLUWAROTIMI Akeredolu, SAN, candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has won the governorship seat in the Ondo State for another four -year term.

According to the result announced by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Sunday, October 11, Akeredolu in the 2020 governorship election defeated his closest rival Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party PDP with 292,830 votes against 195,791, representing nearly 20 percent lead.

The candidate of Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Agboola Ajayi scored 69,178 votes.

As expected by many observers, both Akeredolu and Jegede recorded a landslide victory in their senatorial districts and local government areas.

Ondo North where Akeredolu comes from, the APC led PDP by 62,621 votes while PDP led by 23,996 votes in Ondo Central, the stronghold of Jegede.

ZLP was in a distant third in each of the senatorial districts including Ondo South, the home front of Ajayi, the current deputy governor.

A similar pattern is repeated at local government level as Akeredolu led by 30,646 in Owo LGA while  Jegede led by 30,350 in Akure South LGA. Again, Ajayi lost to APC at Ese-Odo, his local government area.

In total, Akeredolu the incumbent governor cleared 15 local government areas including Akoko North East (16,572), Akoko North West (15,809), Akoko South East (9,419) and Akoko South West (21,232).

Others are Idanre (11,286), Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo(13,278), Irele (12,643), Okitipupa (19,266), Ondo East(6,485), Ondo West(15,977), Ose (15,122), Owo (35,957), Odigbo(23,571), Ilaje (26,657) and Ese-odo(13,383).

The candidate of PDP won only three local government comprising Akure North (12, 263), Akure South (47,627) and Ifedore (11,852).

 

With this number, Akeredolu has satisfied the two-third of the geographical spread of the 18 local government areas as prescribed by the electoral law and has been declared the winner by INEC.

In 2016 governorship election, APC also won by 94,462 votes, scoring 244,842 against 150,380 votes scored by PDP, the closest rival.

In 2012, the Labour Party now known as Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) represented by Olusegun Mimiko won with 260,199 votes. PDP took the second position with 155,961 votes while ACN, now APC scored 143, 512.

Since the return of the civil rule in 1999, four governors have ruled in Ondo State. They are Adebayo Adefarati, 1999 to 2003; Olusegun Agagu, 2003 2009; Olusegun Mimiko, 2009 to 2016 and Akeredolu who started in 2017. His second term begins in February 2021.

 

 

 

 

#EndSars: Dapo Abiodun orders release of all detained protesters in Ogun

Lukman ABOLADE
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#EndSars: Dapo Abiodun orders release of all detained protesters in Ogun

DAPO Abiodun, the  Governor of Ogun State has ordered the immediate release of the 23 EndSARS protesters arrested and detained in the state on Saturday.

Abiodun in his tweet on Sunday stated that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police has yielded to his instruction to set free the protesters.

“I can confirm that, following my instruction to the Commissioner of Police, detained protest organisers have been released from detention,” the Governor said.

It would be recalled that the Ogun State Police Command had on Saturday in a statement said it arrested the 23 protesters for turning the protest violent.

The police also alleged that the protesters were arrested with guns and charms.

It further added that the protesters were appealed to by the Alake of Egba land when they stormed the Owu day festival.

“They also damaged the back windshield of the deputy governor’s official car before heading to SARS office at Magbon where they fired some gunshots at the men and injured one Sgt Akabudike Augustine.”

ENDSARS: IGP bows to pressure, disbands SARS

Olayinka SHEHU
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ENDSARS: IGP bows to pressure, disbands SARS

MOHAMMED Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has announced the dissolution of the controversial and brutal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

Adamu who announced this at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday stated that the dissolution of SARS across the 36 states Police Command and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was with immediate effect.

All officers and men of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are to be redeployed with immediate effect, the IGP said.

According to him, the dissolution of SARS was in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people.

He stated that a  new police formation that will be tackling the 0ffences of armed robbery and other violent crimes will be unveiled to the public soon.

The IGP further stated that a Citizens and Strategic Stakeholders forum will be launched to provide an avenue for citizens to regularly interface and advise the police authority on issues touching on the general public.

He disclosed that to deal with crimes committed against citizens, an investigative team will be constituted which will include civil society organisations and culprits will be punished.

Benchwarmers: After collecting nearly N600 million in 12 months, 9 Bauchi lawmakers sponsor no bill, move no motion

Editorial
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Benchwarmers: After collecting nearly N600 million in 12 months, 9 Bauchi lawmakers sponsor no bill, move no motion

Haruna Mohammed SALISU

SINCE inauguration on 20th of June 2019, nine out of the 31 members of the current Bauchi State House of Assembly, including a former speaker have no tangible legislative achievement to their credit, despite collecting over N544 million in salaries and allowances in 12 months, according to a Bauchi-based news platform, WikkiTimes.

A document containing  summary of legislative activities from June 20th, 2019 to May 28th 2020 which was exclusively obtained by WikkiTimes revealed that the nine lawmakers have no single bill, motion, matters or reports to their credit.

Most of the other 22 lawmakers have also performed poorly during the period under review, as the assembly produced only one legislative bill: The Violence Against Person Prohibition Bill sponsored by the Speaker, Abubakar Y.Suleiman.

The nine lawmakers in question are Kawuwa Shehu Damina, a former Speaker of the Assembly who represents Darazo constituency, Hon. Ali Dan’iya, memeber representing Madara Constituency and Hon. Ado Wakili, member representing Burra Constituency.

Others are Hon. Bala Rabilu, member representing Itas Gadau Constituency, Hon. Dan’umma Bello, member representing Giade Constituency and Hon. Muktar A. Sulaiman, member, representing Katagum Constituency.

The rest include late Hon. Musa Mante, member representing Dass constituency, Hon. Umar Yakubu, member representing Udubo Constituency and Hon. Wanzam Mohammed, member representing Sakwa Constituency.

These lawmakers received a total sum of forty-eight million, six hundred thousand aira (N48,600,000.) in basic salary in their first 12 months in office, as each of them is entitled to four hundred and fifty-thousand-naira monthly.

Each of the lawmakers is entitled to a monthly N3.6 million constituency/welfare allowance and another one million naira for committee duties, according to the document obtained by WikkiTimes.

Though the constituency allowance is meant to fund projects in various districts, the money is used for other purposes.

In total, the nine lawmakers who recorded zero performance for the 12 months, according to the  public records,  went home with a whopping five hundred and forty-five million, four hundred thousand naira, (N545,400,000), during the period under review.

The cumulative money paid to the nine Bauchi Assembly lawmakers in 12 months could successfully pay 1,010 (one thousand and ten) graduate teachers who currently receive an average N45,000.00 (forty-five thousand Naira) as  monthly take home pay.

The total sum could equally pay 1,515 workers for a period of 12 months if each of them were to receive N30,000 minimum wage.

The primary function of law makers across the three tiers of government as enshrined in the principle of representative democracy in Nigeria is to make laws.

In Bauchi State, the legislature is the source of law tha expected to formulate “the will of the state into laws and gives it a legal character.”

The legislators through their mandate can also attend “deliberative functions” where they can debate “upon matters of national importance, public issues, problems and needs” of their constituents.

There are many other functions of States House of Assembly as stipulated in section 120-128 of the Nigerian constitution which include among others; oversight functions, which entails supervising “other arms of government to ensure that they implement government policies and programmes as contained in the Nigerian Annual Appropriation Act/Law of Government.”

Other lawmakers’ performance less impressive

WikkiTimes findings indicate that most of the other lawmakers have performed below expectations when compared to their promises during election campaigns.

For instance, Hon. Yunusa Ahmed Warji, member representing Warji, Bala Abdu Rishi, member representing, Lame Constituency, Toro, and Hon. Gazali Abubakar Wunti, members representing Ganjuwa East Constituency have only one matter each to their credit.

Hon. Sabo Bako Sade, member representing Sade Constituency in Misau and Hon. Musa Mohammed Lumo, members representing Lere/Bula Constituency have one motion to their credit; just as their Gamawa counterpart, Bello Sarki Jadori struggled to have one report to his credit.

Other low performing law makers according to the document include; Hon. Bala Abdullahi Dan, Bello Mu’azu Shira, and Hon. Tukur Ibrahim who have two motions and matters each to their credit.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Abubkar Y. Suleiman is the sponsor of the only legislative bill; the Violence Against Person Prohibition Bill which was recently assented into law by the State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Lawmakers carry out oversight functions over MDAs more for kickbacks than to seeking accountability —Political Analysts

Political analysts in Bauchi said most lawmakers in the State Assembly have a preference doing oversight functions other than law making in service of personal interest.

Bitrus Dungah, a political analyst in Bauchi said, “they prefer oversight functions because it is a cash cow for them in terms of kickbacks they usually get from the MDAs. Law making requires the use of one’s brain and connecting with the constituents; which is stressful for them.

“They can go to the extent of lobbying for juicy MDAs rather than lobbying their colleagues for good laws that would benefit their people”, Dungah insisted.

Tanimu Gambo, a political observer who works with the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi argued that “Bench-warming by people voted to represent the interest of their people spells doom for their political future because they’ll be reminded of their dismal performance when the time comes.

“The amount of money they earn is to enable them perform their legislative duties of lawmaking and wooing life touching projects to their constituents, unfortunately the people want money. That’s why lawmakers’ attention is forced to take turns to meet expectations of their constituents; they are more interested in oversight functions because such functions fetch them money,” he said.

“Disgusting is the fact that politicians’ popularity is measured by how much money they give, not how well they represent their people or their interests,” he added.

#ENDSARS: Protester shot dead in Ogbomoso buried

Olayinka SHEHU
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#ENDSARS: Protester shot dead in Ogbomoso buried

 JIMOH Isiaq, a young Nigerian in Ogbomoso, Oyo State  allegedly shot dead by men of the Nigerian Police Force during an End Sars protest has been buried.

Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor who confirmed Isiaq’s death in a series of tweets, also said seven others sustained injuries during the protest and have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Human rights organisation, Amnesty International also confirmed Isiaq’s death and said he was shot by the police.

Isiaq was allegedly hit by a Police bullet when they fired live bullets to dispersed young Nigerians calling for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force accused of perpetrating heinous human rights abuses.

The Oyo State governor said, “I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the #ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso. He later died at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, earlier today.

“Also, at this same protest, Abdulrasaq Olawale, Oluwadamilare Gbolahunmi, and five other persons sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

“This situation is highly regrettable. I have contacted the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, and other relevant agencies, and investigations into what led to the unfortunate incident are still ongoing.”

Nigerians early this week began street protest demanding the disbandment of the SARS over allegations of arbitrary arrest, extortion, torture, and murder against the SARS operatives.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on the 4th of October following reports that some SARS operatives allegedly shot dead a young man in Ughelli area of Delta State announced a ban on the unit carrying out stop-and-search, among other measures after a nationwide outcry.

President Muhammadu Buhari also on the 9th of October in a series of tweets shared on his official Twitter handle after continuous call for the disbandment of the unit said his government was determined to reform the Police.

He said, “Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people.”

“The IG already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, and ensure erring personnel are brought to justice. I appeal for patience and calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.”

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have criticised the government for failing to tackle the excess of the unit and also accuse the government of being insincere over its demand to reform the squad.

Ondo Election: Doctored video circulates online that Akeredolu’s wife was injured at polling unit

BAMAS Victoria
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Ondo Election: Doctored video circulates online that Akeredolu’s wife was injured at polling unit

VARIANTS of a video that went viral on Saturday, October 10, claiming that violence has erupted at a polling unit in Ondo State and that the wife of the state governor, Betty Akeredolu, was injured have been doctored.

The video is alleged to have been aired by Channels Television, a national television station in Nigeria.

Some of the captions accompanying the video alleged that the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, sponsored the attack when he sensed that he was losing the election at a polling unit: “Governor @RotimiAkeredolu sensed that he was losing in his own polling unit, then he ordered his police men to scatter the place!! 3 people have died on the spot!!! Everybody should pay attention to Ondo!!!”

Another reads  “Breaking: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s wife injured, 3 killed as Governor’s details invaded polling unit in Owo. #OndoDecides2020”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral umpire, on Saturday, October 10, 2020 conducts the Ondo State Governorship election. The race to elect a new governor for Ondo is ongoing as at press time. Ondo is a state in Western Nigeria.

Akeredolu is contesting for a second term under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. While other front runners are Eyitayo Jegede of  People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Agboola is the current deputy governor of the state.

The APC is the ruling party at the nation’s centre.

A false claim shared on Twitter that Akeredolu’s wife was injured at a polling unit following a violence which erupted during the Ondo state governorship election.

THE CLAIMS:

  1. That the video shows a polling unit in Ondo state where violence erupted.
  2. That Akeredolu’s wife – Betty –  was injured at the polling unit.

THE FINDINGS:

Checks by the FactCheckHub revealed that the video has been doctored and therefore  MISLEADING. The event in the video did not occur during the 2020 Ondo state election.

Checks have shown a similar video with different locations stated on the bottom right side. One of the videos stated that the disruption happened in Akure South. Another stated that the disruption happened at a polling unit in Owo while another stated that the event happened in Asaba.

The difference in location on the same video content said to have been broadcast LIVE is a red flag that indicated that the video have been doctored.

The same video showing different locations.

What is the story behind the video?

Channels Television has reacted to the viral video and labelled it as “Fake News”.

The TV station tweeted that the video is doctored and it is not part of its coverage of the Ondo 2020 Governorship Election.

They further stated that the original video happened a few years ago and provided a link to it .

“The events playing out in the video is from an incident in Delta State two years ago,” the tweet reads.

The accompanied link leads to a video uploaded on Youtube on October 3, 2018. The video is titled “Gunshots, Violence Disrupt Delta PDP House Of Reps Primary”.  Asaba is the location written on the original video at the bottom’s right-hand corner.

This means that the video that resurfaced online is two years old and as such could not have been an event that happened at a poling unit in Ondo in October 2020.

A look at the various videos in circulation shows people within a blue and white fenced location.

In addition, there are several white canopies. However, two canopies standing side by side with what appears to be a human figure standing on top of one can be seen in all the videos in circulation.  Also, the canopies are beside an arched-doorless door painted white.

Was Akeredolu’s wife injured?

Since the video did not emanate from Ondo state,  it can be deduced that Betty, Akeredolu wife was not injured. And perhaps she was injured, it was not at the event portrayed in the video.

Furthermore, Betty Akeredolu has debunked the claim that she was injured at a polling unit as put forward by one of the posters of the video.

In a report by the Nation newspaper, she said the video was meant to damage the voting exercise, distort information and put it in a bad light.

Speaking at her Owo residence in Ondo state, she said, “That is insane, that is absurd. That tells you how desperate people can be in politics or our political landscape.

“I am here in the ambience of my country home and somebody is there doctoring video that I was injured.

“Were you the one that injured me? Such desperation will not do any good to them.

“The detractors want to damage the exercise, to distort information and put one on a bad light. It is all false,” the report reads in part.

False tweet claiming a video that emanated from Delta state is as an event that happened in Ondo state.

Why misinformation abounds in the time of elections

This will not be the first time that a content will be manipulated and attributed to Channels Television.

In September 2020 during the Edo State Governorship election, the FactCheckHub checked a claim here that put forward that Channels Television has released the result of the governorship debate which was false.

In addition, the FactCheckHub had to debunk numerous viral misinformation that were in circulation; that  Ize-Iyamu begged Obaseki to return to APC or that  Ize-Iyamu congratulated his opponent’s party; that Oshiomhole voted for PDP , that a candidate withdrew from the election.

A multimedia journalist and social media strategist, Alade Abiodun, had explained to the  FactCheckHub that elections bring about the proliferation of misinformation.

He said misleading information are in circulation because “It is the season of election.”

Alade further explained that “Politicians, their supporters and apologists will want to woo voters by selling their preferred candidates, not minding if they make use of misleading information to achieve this”.

He added: “Some are deliberate, others are done out of mischief with the sole aim of scoring political gains.”

THE VERDICT: 

The claim that Akeredolu’s wife – Betty –  was injured in the election violence portrayed in the video is FALSE. Furthermore, the claim that the video shows a polling unit in Ondo state where violence erupted is MISLEADING because the incident depicted happened in 2018 in Delta state.

Akeredolu, Agboola, Jegede win polling units

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Akeredolu, Agboola, Jegede win polling units

Niyi OYEDEJI reporting from Ondo State

THE three major contenders in the Ondo State 2020 gubernatorial election have  won their respective polling units.

The Ondo State governor and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Akeredolu, won the election held in his unit.

In the result announced by INEC, Akeredolu had 413 votes at the unit 6 Ward 5, Isokun, Ijebu Owo, where he voted, while the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, polled 12 votes and the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Agboola Ajayi, who is the deputy governor got zero vote at the unit.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Deputy Governor and the governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party, Agboola Ajayi, has won his polling unit in Kiribo in the Ese Odo Local Government Area.

According to the result announced by INEC, Agboola won the Apoi Ward II, Unit 004, Idumado Quarters, Kiribo with 395 votes.

The Ondo State Governor and APC flagbearer, Rotimi Akeredolu, scored 13 votes while the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, secured five votes.

Similarly, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede, has won the election at his polling unit.

Jegede won the election held at PU 009, Ward 02 Sacred Heart Primary School, Akure South Local Government Area where he voted.

He polled 375 votes to beat the APC candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, who polled 103 votes.

The ZLP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, scored 11 votes at the unit.

Claim that Agboola Ajayi, ZLP candidate for Ondo governorship poll withdrew from the race is FALSE

Opeyemi KEHINDE
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Claim that Agboola Ajayi, ZLP candidate for Ondo governorship poll withdrew from the race is FALSE

VIRAL WhatsApp texts and image which claim that Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for the Ondo state governorship election has reportedly dumped his governorship ambition and withdrew from the race is making rounds on social media.

The texts alongside the ZLP candidate’s withdrawal letter written on the party’s letterhead paper were forward on Saturday, October 10, 2020 to the FactCheckHub by a concerned Nigerian for verification.

The texts read: “BREAKING: ZLP candidate, Ajayi Agboola has reportedly dump his governorship ambition, and withdraw from the race.” (see the image below)

The FactCheckHub reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral umpire, on Saturday, October 10, 2020 conducts the Ondo State Governorship election.

Ondo is a state in Western Nigeria.

Screenshot of the WhatsApp post with the image.

he race to elect a new governor for Ondo state is ongoing as at press time, as three major contestants including the ZLP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, slug it out at the poll.

The other major contestants in the election are Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While Akeredolu of the APC is the current governor of the state, Ajayi of the ZLP is the current deputy governor of the state.

THE CLAIM:

That the ZLP candidate in the Ondo state gubernatorial election, Agboola Ajayi, has reportedly dumped his governorship ambition and withdrew from the poll.

THE FINDINGS

The FactCheckHub reached out to Babatope Okeowo, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, to verify the image and viral WhatsApp post.

In his brief response to the FactCheckHub’s enquiry via his WhatsApp number, he stated that it’s “fake news”.

Similarly, Comrade Allen Sowore, the Media Adviser to the Deputy Governor (Agboola Ajayi), in a press statement on Saturday also debunked the post and withdrawal letter.

“Again, the attention of the Deputy Governor and candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Agboola Ajayi has been drawn to a forged resignation letter from the Governorship Election holding today, Saturday- 10 October, 2020…”

“For the umpteenth time, and for the purposes of clarity and emphasis, the Deputy Governor and candidate of ZLP, Agboola Ajayi will not resign or back out from the race he’s winning ultimately.

“The general public, members of our great party and most importantly the electorate should therefore disregard this latest antics…” the statement reads in part.

The FAKE letter of withdrawal.

Further findings by the FactCheckHub show that the image (ZLP letter) announcing the withdrawal of Ajayi from the poll was not dated. It also noted that the letter was signed by Ajayi, instead of the party’s state chairman, as obtained normally.

In addition, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, the Director-General of Agbo/Gboye Campaign organisation, the ZLP candidate’s campaign organisation, also corroborated the FactCheckHub’s findings in a statement released to newsmen on Saturday (October 10).

In the statement titled: ‘Disregard their propaganda & lies of withdrawal of H.E, Hon. Agboola Ajayi from the governorship race’, he said; “This is entirely false! A letter without a date and bearing a falsified signature of our candidate on the letter-headed paper of ZLP cannot deter our resolve to vote out the anti-people forces.”

He added: “Please note that Hon. Agboola Ajayi deos not sign letters on the ZLP letter-headed paper as he is not the Chairman of the party.”

THE VERDICT:

From all information gathered and presented above, the claim that the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate in the Ondo state gubernatorial election, Agboola Ajayi, has withdrawn from the poll is FALSE.

Youth Minister, Dare calls for SARS reform says Nigerians deserve protection not decimation

Lukman ABOLADE
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Youth Minister, Dare calls for SARS reform says Nigerians deserve protection not decimation

SUNDAY DARE, the Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sport, has joined the call for reform in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force, saying the youth have been at “the receiving end” of police brutality.

Dare said this in a tweet on his official Twitter page on Sunday as Nigerians continue to call for the disbandment of SARS and reform of the Police.

Dare said Nigerian youths deserve protection and not decimation adding that they have been at the receiving end of the misconducts of operatives of SARS.

According to the minister, the government has commenced the process for the reform of the FSARS, urging that the process must be followed through.

“I join the REFORM SARS NOW call! The process has started & should be followed through. Youth have been heard! Youth are the ones on the receiving end of the nefarious activities of bad SARS officers. Youth deserve protection, not decimation. Government is committed to protecting the youth,” Dare tweeted.

Other prominent Nigerians and political office holders have supported the call for reform in SARS and the Nigeria Police System.

Addressing protesters in Lagos state on Friday, Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State deputy governor narrated his experience with the operatives of the FSARS before he became a deputy governor.

“Every decent Nigerian will be upset. This happened to me four years ago. I was going to Amuwo Odofin, they (SARS operatives) were not in uniform, they had guns, they just double-crossed us and said we should get out,” said Hamzat.

He added that “security operatives cannot trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens because they are carrying laptops or iPhones. It is wrong for any officer to expressly pronounce someone, irrespective of age, guilty because they have locks or ride luxury vehicles”.

Taking the same stand on SARS reform, Nigerian senators on Friday lamented the varieties of misconduct perpetrated by the operatives.

During the plenary, George Sekibo representing Rivers East senatorial district said ‘SARS members are agents of corruption. They extort money from innocent people and lock people up arbitrarily. They are not VIOs; they will go ahead to ask for a driving license. That is not their function. They must face their functions.

He added that the special squad has turned their back against the nation saying that it is the right time to do something about them.

Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna central in the 8th Assembly while lending his voice to the call for disbandment of the FSARS also faulted the activities of the operatives.

“A state-funded agency should not be allowed to notoriously and cruelly breach fundamental rights and unleash violence against the people it’s constitutionally mandated to serve. Law enforcement means enforcement of the law according to the law,” said Sani.

Vote-buying prominent in Ondo West but party agents are discreet

Seun DUROJAIYE
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Vote-buying prominent in Ondo West but party agents are discreet

Seun DUROJAIYE reporting from Ondo State

VOTERS in a number of polling units in Ondo West LGA, under Ondo Central constituency, have reported being offered money in exchange for their votes.

While casting his vote, Olusegun Mimiko, former Ondo State governor disclosed that he has heard of cases of vote-buying but refused to confirm the locations where these were occurring.

Speaking to The ICIR, Segun Lawan, a voter in polling unit 27, ward 7, Ondo West LGA accuses the APC of paying voters N5,000 in exchange for their votes.

“If I’m lying let my life become ruined, APC is giving voters N5,000 here’.

Dotun Makinde, ZLP party agent, seeing speaking with other voters. CREDIT: The ICIR

However, the party agent representing the ward, who didn’t give his name denied the allegation, saying it’s a complete falsehood.

At the polling unit 009, ward 7, Ondo West, LGA, voters were heard discussing getting ‘alerts’. One of the voters who quickly walked away upon sighting this reporter said: “If I don’t get the alert, I won’t vote.”

A ZLP party agent who identified himself as Makinde Doyin has been seen making suspicious moves, including speaking to voters and standing close to the ballot box as voters exercise their rights.

According to another voter who refused to give his name,  N5,000 was given to voters by an APC agent at Odoti. He however said he moved to Yaba in hopes to get more money being shared by agents of other parties.
APC is offering N5,000, while ZLP is offering 3,000 but right now the ZLP has told the party agents to increase the money to N6,000, according to a source.

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