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POLITICS

INEC decries low rate of PVC collection in Lagos

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worries over the low rate of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection in Lagos State.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, made this known at the Eighth Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting held on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting is organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly on the importance of PVC ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The meeting holds simultaneously in the 40 constituencies of the state.

Agbaje was represented by an INEC official, Mr Emmanuel Adegboyega, during the meeting held at the Eti-Osa II Constituency.

Agbaje said, ”The low rate of PVC collection in Lagos State is worrisome as only 6,382 PVCs out of 34,242 received from the commission’s headquarters for the first and second quarters CVR had been collected by their owners.

“This is just 18.6 per cent; similarly, for the old PVCs, a total of 1,091,157 are still uncollected by their owners.”

He urged stakeholders to properly educate and mobilise voters in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and 1999 Constitution as amended.

According to him, such is a significant area where the commission needs the positive input of all stakeholders to complement its ongoing efforts towards improving the level of awareness.

“This will no doubt increase the PVC collection rate.

“Also, avoid voter apathy that have characterised past elections in the state where only 1,156,590 out of 6,570,291 registered voters, that is, 17.6 per cent participated in the 2019 general election in the state, “ Agbaje said.

Earlier, a lawmaker representing Eti-Osa State Constituency II, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, said the essence of the programme was like a town hall meeting for sharing ideas.

Yishawu said, “Town hall means rubbing minds with your constituents and the theme is the priority of the 2023 general elections, importance of PVC

“We are trying to sensitise our people to ensure that they go and get registered and not just registered but to collect their voters’ card.

“You saw me carry out an exercise trying to see how many people have actually registered and have got PVC.

“You cannot vote with your slip; you must get your PVC, that is the essence, “ he said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Hon Adewale Receives INEC Certificate Of Return

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The winner of the Lagos State House of Assembly election, Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, Hon Adewale Temitope Adedeji (ATA), on Thursday, received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Hon Adewale received his certificate from the Lagos State INEC chairman, Segun Agbaje and thereafter took pictures with the APC State party Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi and the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu who also received his certificate of return with his deputy Dr Obafemi Kadri Hamzat.

With the historic issuance of the certificates to the legislators, the stage is set for the 10th assembly to begin the business of law-making that would promote good governance, social welfare and infrastructural development of the state.

Hon Adewale, who is also the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, will be going for a second term in office following an outstanding first term of a long list of achievements.

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METRO

Lagos Archbishop Condemns Ethnic Profiling During Guber Poll

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The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has condemned all forms of ethnic profiling, utterances, and violence witnessed in some parts of Lagos State, before, during and after the recent elections.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the prelate urged the state government as a matter of urgency to call all parties to order and to put in place a machinery for the quick restoration of peace and normalcy.

Martins said that if the trend was not urgently checkmated, it could truncate the peaceful co-existence of residents of the state.

He described as unfortunate and unacceptable, the tension, hate speech and violence, especially before, during and after the recent Governorship and House of Assembly elections in some parts of the state.

He implored the law enforcement agencies to safeguard the lives and property of all residents irrespective of tribe, religion, or ethnic groups.

The clergy also urged the residents of Lagos to remain calm and not allow themselves to be divided against their neighbours.

According to him, the ethnic and discriminatory comments making the rounds, particularly on social media, are not a reflection of the true nature of Lagosians, who are known to be peace-loving, accommodating and cosmopolitan, including by promoting inter-tribal marriages for many decades.

“I call on everyone to put a stop to the spread of hate speech and fake news and to shun all forms of rancor.

“The divisive comments and behaviours, particularly along ethnic or tribal line is not conducive to good neigbourliness and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Martins advised the people of Lagos State not to allow the political class to whip up such divisive sentiments to disrupt their lives and livelihood.

He said that we are equal before God and the only man-made distinction among people was between the poor and the rich, the privileged and the underprivileged.

“We are all equal before God, we are Nigerians and have lived and interacted together as one people for decades in Lagos and other parts of our country.

“With the elections over, we hope that all those who have been fanning the embers of ethnic division will be more circumspect and desist from further heating up the polity.

“We must be law-abiding citizens and not take the law into our hands in any guise,” he said.

Martins commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones and whose property were destroyed in the violence in the state and across the country.

He also called on law enforcement agencies to do the needful where offences have been committed, as part of efforts to facilitate a national healing process.

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NATIONAL

United States Condemn Violence, Intimidation Of Voters During Lagos Guber Poll

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The United States says it is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.

In a statement by the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, which was seen by IfakoIjaiyeNews, the government said the use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning.

The statement read: “Nigeria carried out the second round of its electoral process with gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18.  The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states.  Members of the U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.  The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning.  We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.

“We call on Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.  The United States likewise will consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria.

“Following the February 25 national elections, the United States joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round.  The March 18 elections appear to have had significant operational improvements, as polling stations generally opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner.

“The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.  We further call for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy.”

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