We’ll not use electronic transmission for Kogi, Bayelsa election results – INEC

By Mumini Abdulkareem

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last night said it will not transmit the result of the Kogi and Bayelsa States election electronically.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voters Committee, Festus Okoye made this know last night while appearing in a Channels Television Programme, Politics Today.
Okoye said the commission will carry out all the processes relating to the polls in accordance with the provision of the electoral act.
“We are a law abiding commission and we are going to carry out all the processes as it relate to the elections in accordance with the law.
“INEC as a body is not going to abandon anything as regards that election. We are only going to do  that based on the law and as it is today, the law has not guaranteed us to use electric transmission of the results for the elections.
“Today, we have not tried out new innovation and new technology in relation to the election and we have not made any decision on that. But I will like to assure you that when they are going to be made, it will be within the ambit and confines of the law.
He said the commission has taken cognizance of all the recommendation and corrections by both local and foreign organisations as it concerns the last elections and they are ready to implement them to conduct an election that Nigerians will be proud of in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
Meanwhile, a top member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olaboe George has said he hope for the best for the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government as it announced its team of ministers.
George speaking on Politics Today last night, a Channels Television Programme said “I wish this government well and the newly appointed ministers a lot of good luck. For now, we all have to join hands together to make things work. It is towards the tail end of the government that we will now go back to the people for politicking to canvass for their votes.
“I am happy the President himself said that people are hungry and the issue is what those that will work with him are going to do to help solve the problem in the country.
Speaking further on the new cabinet, the PDP leader said “As a Nigerian, I want them to succeed but as one of the leaders of the PDP, we are still in court and they are still in court and we have hope that we will be declared winner.  We can’t be making any subjective analysis now; we must allow them to work. Now that they have been given the mandate to do what is right, we are hoping that from tomorrow we will see their work.

… don’t rely on party leaders for PDP ticket – Secondus tells aspirants

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has advised its members seeking the party’s nod to contest the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections against relying on the party’s leaders for the ticket.
The National Chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus, gave the advice on Tuesday in Abuja, at the presentation of clearance certificates to the aspirants.
“Work on the delegates; don’t rely on any party leader. Even members of the National Working Committee (NWC), cannot help you,” he said.
He assured the aspirants of level playing ground, adding that the party had no preferred aspirant.
Also read: Breaking: Deal ruthlessly with bandits, kidnappers, Buhari orders security chiefs
“Go and work on the delegates. They are the ones that will elect you as a candidate; no one else, not even members of the NWC, can help you.
“All I can assure you is that we are going to conduct free, fair and transparent primaries in Kogi and Bayelsa States,” he said.
Certificates were issued to the cleared aspirants from the two states.
Among them were former Governor of Kogi, Idris Wada, Sen. Dino Melaye, Abubakar Ibrahim, a son of former Governor Ibrahim Idris, and 10 others.
Those cleared for Bayelsa included the deputy governor, John Jona; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kemela Okara, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe.
Also on the Bayelsa list were Ambassador Godknows, Sen. Douye Diri, and 16 others.