BRIEFSA NON-GOVERNMENTAL organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting free, fair and credible presidential poll. Executive Director of the organization, Malam Yunusa Yau who spoke at a press briefing on the outcome of the election recently in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, said the poll was peaceful and orderly. Yau revealed that CITAD deployed observers to monitor the election in five states in the north including Jigawa. He said that adequate and early arrival of election materials at polling units was worthy of commendation. The voting was very orderly, and accreditation of voters started in good time as it was scheduled. We followed the collation process from the polling units to the wards, then to the local governments and to the state collation centres. The process was transparent and credible, he said. Yau commended voters for the peaceful conduct of the election but decried the low turn out of eligible voters in the state. He urged INEC to decongest some of the polling centers that were crowded as promised by its Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega to reduce polling units to 300 voters. He said some polling units had as many as 1,000 eligible voters and urged INEC to improve on security at polling units in the subsequent elections. Yau said it is imperative and pertinent for INEC to ensure it tightens the noose around the processes of movement and control of ballot papers to dispel all suspicions that they may have been diverted. Youths Urged To Shun Violence From Ayoyinka Olagoke, Uyo NIGERIAN youths have been urged not to allow themselves to be used by politicians who do not have the interest and welfare of the people at heart during governorship elections. Federal House of Representatives member-elect representing Abak Federal constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Ekon gave this advice in an interview with The Guardian in Uyo, the state capital. Ekon also implored politicians whose sole aim is to use youths for thuggery and dump them, to desist. His words: Youths should desist from violence. This is very important because we have seen where it has landed us in the past. This is the time for youths to redirect their energies towards positive ideas that would be beneficial to society. The era of political thuggery should be over and done with. My advice to the youths is that they would not achieve success or occupy any position of leadership if they do not conduct themselves properly. They have been used over the years. Let them not be used again, he said. Violence: Group Indicts CPC From John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja A GROUP, Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ) has called on the federal government to hold the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) responsible for the post election violence that engulfed parts some northern states after last Saturdays presidential election. In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Donald Ugwu, MDJ accused CPC of inciting its supporters to violence even before the commencement of polls. The group said that violence was precipitated by the utterances of the CPC leadership before and after the polls. It is deliberate that the leadership of the CPC took so long to call its supporters to order. The presidential flag bearer of the CPC was adamant and refused to call his supporters to order even when he watched innocent Nigerians killed, and homes, places of worship and businesses razed, he said. MDJ noted that while the leadership of the CPC and its supporters reserve the right to air their grievances and be heard by the relevant authorities, there was no justification for the arson and mayhem. The group said the killing of fellow Nigerians on suspicion that they were responsible for their electoral woes was, to say the least, primitive. According to the statement, the violence was pre-mediated as people and places of worship were marked out for destruction, adding: while condemning this uncivilized act, we urge all Nigerians not to be deterred by this cowardly and dastardly act by this enemies of democracy. Survey Tips PDP, APGA In Imo Polls By Olamide Olayiwola RULING Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have been identified as the leading contenders in the governorship contest in Imo State . Management Studies Institute (MSI), an Enugu-based research body, revealed this on Thursday following a survey it conducted recently. The findings seem to lend a scientific basis to the outcome of the last two polls in the locality, offering a prognosis on the chances of the parties in the third phase of the general elections. In the April 9 polls, APGA won one senatorial seat and two House of Representatives seats while PDP cleared the rest. In the governorship contest scheduled for Tuesday, Governor Ikedi Ohakim is PDPs flag-bearer while Chief Rochas Okorocha is APGAs candidate. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos , MSIs Project Director, Dr. Sylvester Amadi said the aim of the exercise was to ensure better understanding of voters behaviour. Ogun Group Carpets Obasanjo By Ibukunoluwa Kayode A GROUP, Ogun State Integrity Forum (OGSIF) has carpeted attempts by former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to impose General Adetunji Olurin as successor to departing Governor Olugbenga Daniel of Ogun state. This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the forums quarterly meeting. Its President, Olusola Olomodosi and Secretary, Gbenga Ogunnusi, jointly signed the communiqué. According to OGSIF, Obasanjo remains the last person who can appoint a successor for Governor Gbenga Daniel. It added: Obasanjo cannot sell General Olurin as the man to correct the ills in Ogun State because he was the one that introduced Daniel to us in 2003 as the best man for the job. Many of us glibly accepted his decision to change Aremo Olusegun Osoba and replace him with Daniel. But the same Obasanjo came back to apologize about eight years later that he was sorry that Daniel performed poorly during his eight years on the seat. Foundation Hosts Senior Citizens At Easter SUNSHINE Foundation, a charity organisation, will tomorrow at Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin, Lagos fete the elderly in the spirit of the celebration of the Risen Christ (Easter). The party, which starts at noon, will cater for about 120 participants. The Lagos based foundation was established about 15 years ago by the late Mee Mofe-Damijo to let the sun to shine on the twilight days of the aged when they need the more care. Foundation For Launch Tomorrow THE official launch of Oza-Nogogo Elite Foundation holds tomorrow by 1.00p.m at Uvbe Community main hall, Delta State. While Mr. Victor Eka would chair the occasion, Chief S. Ogbomo will be the chief launcher.
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