A coalition of over 400 human rights organisation, under the aegis of Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has raised fears that the economic hardship in Nigeria could be a recipe for vote trading in the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21.
The organisation which said it had trained 100 observers for the election called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deploy enough personnel to monitor vote buying and selling in polling units.
The chairman of TMG, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, at a press conference in Abuja, said with the experiences of the 2023 general elections and the off-cycle elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa still fresh in the minds of citizens, there is still skepticism regarding the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
According to him, unfortunately, the skepticism bothers the conduct of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), political parties and their candidates as well as the security agencies and party supporters.
He said, “Although there were report of vote trading with money and other materials things during the 2023 general elections, we are concerned that the current economic situations in the country might push citizens to sell their votes to the highest bidder. We call on the Economic Finance and Crime Commission (EFCC) to deploy adequate monitors/personnel ahead and during the election to deter, arrest and prosecute perpetuators of vote buying and selling.
“The TMG urges the voters in Edo to desist from selling their votes as it only enables to entrenchment of bad leaders who have no desire to better the welfare of the people but only to amass wealth from public funds.”
The TMG also raised concern over the danger of voter apathy, advising citizens to understand that democracy is about citizens participation and elections present the best opportunity for citizens to express their will and power.
Rafsanjani said, “Citizen’s participation especially in large numbers also reduces manipulation opportunities for the political actors. Voter apathy is not the right way to go, do not allow a few people to decide who governs the state in the next four years. TMG calls on the citizens of the state go out in their large numbers to exercise their franchise to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. Nonetheless, citizens should desist from aiding and abetting malpractices, shun vote trading and keep an eagle eye on their votes.”
Non-election Related Violence
“According to reports, there have equally been pockets of non-election related violence arising from activities such as cult group clashes and communal crises. These situations can impact the peaceful process of the election and should be dealt with by the security agencies.
TMG Observation Deployment Plan
“While the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) is already monitoring and observing the pre-election environment in Edo State, it will also be observing and documenting the election day activities. As usual, TMG has recruited and trained (100) election day observers to be deployed across all the Local government areas of the states.
“The observers will be retrained close to the election day to and will be deployed to observe and report through a digital on-the-spot reporting tool which has been developed by TMG’s ICT team. Also, TMG will establish a Central Data Centre located in Abuja managed by trained Data Clerks to interface with field observers, collate and analyze reports from the field.
Recommendation
‘Election is not war or a do-or-die affair. It is simply a civic matter. Political parties should play by the rules of the game and shun violence including inciting statements and utterances capable of leading to violence. This is critical as TMG will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and their supporters now, during and after the election.
“INEC staff and other electoral officials must conduct and hold themselves to the highest order. Logistic preparation must be top-notch to eliminate scepticism about the credibility of the election.
“The Nigeria police, other security agencies, law enforcement agencies should not stand aloof while unruly people commit crimes or take laws into their hands before, during and after the elections. At the same time, security agents must desist from being used as enablers of malpractices and mayhem during the election.
“Faith-based organizations, civil society organizations, and traditional and religious leaders should foster peace in their relationships with candidates and political parties in the build of to the September 21, 2024, elections in Edo state.
“Candidates are encouraged to speak to the issues, convey their messages to the citizens and supporters focusing on their manifesto without resorting to personal attack. By now, all the candidates are expected to have documented their manifestos to serve as reference material to the public which the citizen can use as bases to track their performance in office.
“We urge Edo people to participate fully in the governorship election to cast their votes for their preferred parties and candidates. Citizens must conduct themselves peacefully and serve as agents of protection of the credibility of the election by ensuring observance of the process. Voters must desist and reject any attempt to buy their votes as that has not been seen to bring about good governance anywhere in Nigeria. The TMG wishes Edo state a free, fair, transparent, violent free and credible election.”
Friday Olokor
Follow us on:
President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that his purpose for seeking the nation's number one…
Kano state government is partnering Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to attract $23.5 million…
Nigeria's federal government has said it is currently reviewing the nation’s legal frameworks, among other…
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Port Harcourt International Airport have been recognised…
https://cdn.veri.app/13646108-d5ec-478b-a54c-b01f60dbca29.mp4 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu On Thursday directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s…
The United Sates (US) Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her willingness to use her…
View Comments
<<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the
Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp O8O__6739__9O9O.
RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
MamaGold=29,500
Royal umbrella=29,500
Mama Gold=29,500
Rising sun=29,500
Mama Africa=29,500
Elephant Gold=29,500
Caprice =29,500
NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#4000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
*These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
*These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
Call the officer
O8O__6739__9O9O
•Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
•Toyota Prado N1.2m
•Toyota Corolla
–N600,000
•Toyota Camry –N650,000
•Toyota Avensis –N800k
•Toyota sienna –550,000
TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
•Toyota Yaris – N900,000
•Toyota picnic _ N450,000
•Toyota Venza– N1.7m
•Toyota Matrix –700,000
Spider 1m800k
Muscle 1m900k
• Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
•Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
•Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
•Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
tundra 2.670,000
tacoma 2.5Million
•Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
•Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
•Toyota Big daddy-800k
Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
Honda City= ₦750,000
Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
Honda CR-V= ₦950k
Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
Honda Pilot= ₦1Million
*Prices of some Volswagen cars:
Golf 1-250,000
Golf 2-N300,000
Golf3-350,000
Golf 5 -N550,000
Jetta-N350,000
Passat-N450,000
LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLIONLexus GX460=₦6.6M
Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M. BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.
Range rover vogue 6mill
Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
Land rover 3.3m
MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000
👉KEKE MARUWA.
Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
Price of Daylong #450,000----
Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.
👉 CONTACT 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O Bags of cement #3,500
Delivery cost is #1,000
EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER O8O__6739__9O9O THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.!!!〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.