Osun election: Take responsibility, end impunity for vote buying now, SERAP tells INEC

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “take responsibility and end impunity for vote-buying and undue influence in Nigeria’s elections by promptly ensuring the arrest and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of these criminal acts in the Osun State governorship election.”

There are reports of a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units particularly by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Osun Governorship election conducted on Saturday 16 July 2022. Vote trading was witnessed in several polling units.

In the letter dated 16 July 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “INEC seems to have furthered a general policy of impunity for vote buying and undue influence in elections by refusing to prosecute suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.”

SERAP said, “INEC has quite an impressive portfolio of powers of its own to curb and punish vote buying, and need not wait for other agencies before meting out its own effective means of prevention and prosecution.”

According to SERAP, “Nigerians rely on INEC to curb vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence in elections but nothing will ever change if INEC won’t pursue charges against suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.”

SERAP also said, “The acts of vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence are clearly contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and international standards.”

The letter, read in part: “If INEC fails to act, vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence would remain a permanent feature of Nigeria’s elections because corrupt politicians and their sponsors would continue to engage in these criminal acts with impunity.”

“This would encourage others to follow suit, and the long-term consequences of such a culture of impunity for the 2023 general elections cannot be underestimated.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Impunity for vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence will continue unless INEC can show leadership by satisfactorily carrying out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to wipe out the stain of electoral bribery which now attaches to Nigeria’s elections.”

“If INEC is to live up to its aspiration as an independent body that is committed to free, fair and transparent elections in the country, now is the time to end impunity for vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence in elections.”

“By immediately taking responsibility to ensure the arrest and prosecution of vote buyers and their sponsors, INEC would be sending a powerful signal to politicians across the country that it will not tolerate the practice of vote buying, electoral bribery and widespread serial criminality in the country’s elections.”

“The consistent practice and widespread serial reports of vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence in elections suggest the failure of INEC to wake up to its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to prosecute suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.”

“SERAP also urges you to ensure the prompt, thorough and effective investigation of the roles played by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the reports of vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence, identify those involved, and ensure that they are brought to justice.”

“Vote buying, electoral bribery, and undue influence undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.”

“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’”

“Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.” Under section 2(b), the commission “shall have power to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.’”

“Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote. These human rights treaties also require states parties including Nigeria to promote the establishment of the necessary conditions to foster citizen participation.”

“When political candidates and their sponsors decide to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidates will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.”

“Vote buying encourages poor governance and weakens citizens’ capacity to hold their ‘elected officials’ accountable for their actions.”

“SERAP is concerned that the failure of INEC to rein in vote buying, electoral bribery and intimidation is illustrated by the fact that the body has not seriously addressed similar incidents in previous elections.”

“Any failure to prosecute perpetrators of vote-buying, electoral bribery and undue influence during the Osun state governorship election would be entirely inconsistent with constitutional and international standards, and the Electoral Act.”

“According to our information, there are reports of a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units during the Osun Governorship election conducted on Saturday 16 July 2022.”

“The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said codes and coupons were used to extract commitments from voters in the election, as opposed to the blatant money exchanging hands in the Ekiti election of last month. Vote trading was witnessed in several polling units.”

“Voting cubicles in many of the polling units were not positioned to ensure secrecy of the ballots, making it possible for voters to flash their votes to other people. There was open negotiation of buying and selling of votes well-coordinated by the polling agents in many of the polling units.”

“Politicians and political parties had before the election reportedly devised new strategies of inducing voters to avoid being caught by security and anti-graft agents.”

Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
17/7/2022
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

PRESIDENT BUHARI WISHES VP OSINBAJO SPEEDY RECOVERY, AFTER SURGICAL PROCEDURE
President Muhammadu Buhari wishes Vice President ‘Yemi Osinbajo speedy and full recovery, after the latter went through a surgical procedure Saturday to treat recurrent pain caused by a fracture in his leg.
The President gives glory to God for a successful surgery, and prays for “speedy and full recovery,” commending the medical team at the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, for “their competence, and a job well done.”
President Buhari assures VP Osinbajo of the prayers of Nigerians, and that of his family.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 16, 2022

Osun 2022: Obaseki congratulates Sen. Adeleke on guber victory*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory in the Osun State Governorship election.

In a statement, the governor said the people have chosen PDP’s values of equity, unity and progress over retrogressive policies that have had them in dire straits for years.

According to him, “I congratulate the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the Osun 2022 governorship election.

“The people of Osun State have made their choices through the ballot, choosing the PDP and our ideals of equity, unity and progress over the retrogressive policies that have had them in dire straits these past years.”

He continued: “We stand with the people of Osun in sending a clear message to Nigerians that we are prepared and ready to rescue them from the hardship and woes that they have been thrown into.

“We thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for sustaining the electoral reforms which started in the September 19, 2020 Edo State governorship election. These reforms have ensured a peaceful, fair and credible conduct of the election, which gave the people the freedom to elect their preferred candidate.

“As a party, we remain steadfast in our commitment to rescue Nigeria and are, by this victory, fired up to go into the 2023 general elections to win.”

Osun 2022: Obaseki congratulates Adeleke on guber victory*

I congratulate the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the Osun 2022 governorship election.

The people of Osun State have made their choices through the ballot, choosing the PDP and our ideals of equity, unity and progress over the retrogressive policies that have had them in dire straits these past years.

We stand with the people of Osun in sending a clear message to Nigerians that we are prepared and ready to rescue them from the hardship and woes that they have been thrown into.

We thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for sustaining the electoral reforms which started in the September 19, 2020 Edo State governorship election. These reforms have ensured a peaceful, fair and credible conduct of the election, which gave the people the freedom to elect their preferred candidate.

As a party, we remain steadfast in our commitment to rescue Nigeria and are, by this victory, fired up to go into the 2023 general elections to win.

*His Excellency,*

*Godwin Obaseki*

*_Governor, Edo State_*
Osun 2022: Okowa congratulates Adeleke on his election

Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun.

Adeleke, the candidate of the PDP was announced winner of the gubernatorial contest in the state by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 403,371 votes to defeat the incumbent, governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027 votes.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, on Sunday, Okowa described the election of Adeleke as “the affirmation of Osun people’s will” and called on Nigerians to always stand for good leaders with the interest of the people at heart as Osun people just did for Adeleke.

He stated that the electorate across the 30 local government areas of the state spoke loudly and very clearly in their affirmation of their choice of Adeleke as next governor.

He lauded former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Olu Alabi and other party leaders in the state for working together in the interest of PDP and Osun people.

Okowa noted that the election of Adeleke had signposted the reality of PDP’s determination to rescue Nigeria, saying “the mission has just begun”.

“Let me congratulate my brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the July 16 governorship election in Osun.

“It is heart-warming to see you emerge as Governor-elect of Osun against all odds and I am grateful to the electorate in Osun for shunning entreaties of retrogressive forces who were ostensibly resolved on subverting the wishes of the people through vote-buying and other rigging strategies.

“Let me also thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for demonstrating true independence as required by the laws of our land and for improving on the logistics and conduct of the election.

“The most significant aspect of this victory is the peaceful outcome of the election as Osun people conducted themselves responsibly by ensuring that the election was devoid of violence,” he said.

The gôvernor also congratulated the PDP and the Chairman of the its National Campaign Council for Osun Governorship Election and Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri and other members of the campaign council for their efforts which culminated to the victory.

He said the brotherhood displayed by PDP governors and other party members towards the election of Adeleke was what the country needed currently to take the nation to greater heights in 2023.

“Let me also congratulate our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri and other members of the campaign Council for their efforts which led to the victory of the party in Osun.

“I must also thank my principal and Presidential Candidate of our great party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, Namadi Sambo and former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, for their attendance at the rally in Osun, an action that contributed immensely to the outcome of the election.

“Going forward as a nation, we can only develop further if the people are allowed to chose their leaders at all levels without any hindrance as has been exemplified in Osun.

“It’s therefore, a clarion call on INEC to strive to do the right thing as an unbiased umpire.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you my dear brother and friend, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on your successful election as Governor-elect of Osun.

“It is my prayer that God will grant you wisdom, knowledge and the needed resources to attend to your campaign promises of taking away the darkness that pervades your state, Osun,” he added.

DELTA PDP CONGRATULATES SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE ON HIS VICTORY AS THE ELECTED GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has warmly congratulated Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, on his well-deserved triumph and emergence as the duly elected Governor of Osun State.

The congratulatory message was contained in a press statement, signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Delta PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, which described the victory as the solid foundation on which the PDP Rescue Mission for Nigeria in the 2023 general elections, will be anchored.

The statement reads: “Delta PDP warmly and heartily congratulates Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, on your brave, courageous, and hard-fought victory to emerge triumphant, as the duly elected Governor of Osun State.

“His Excellency and our leader, Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State and the Vice Presidential candidate of our great Party, PDP, has already captured the huge importance of the Osun State election during the grand finale rally at Osogbo, where he said: ‘Osun election is very critical and important to the PDP. This election is very important to us because if we win in Osun, it will send a strong signal that we are ready to rescue the nation.

‘The foundation of what is to come is that we have to deliver Osun State to be able to inspire hope and change the narrative in the Country for positive development. We cannot allow this nation to continue to suffer, we cannot allow a situation where our children will continue to be at home instead of being in school.

‘People are pained because of insecurity, devaluation of the naira, and other challenges, but if we are to turn around this nation for good, we must work together to form the government at the national level. With PDP, there is great hope for the future. It is for us to collectively work together for the success of the party starting with the Osun election,” Our incoming Vice President declared.

“We want to state with great pride that this is the very first political assignment of our dear Ekwueme as the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP and he has of course delivered success in flying colours, as he has always done and will continue to do.

“As we rejoice with Senator Ademola Adeleke, the PDP family in the South West and indeed the great people of Osun State, who have now reclaimed their mandate, which was brazenly stolen in 2018, with this resounding and authoritative triumph, let us state categorically that the PDP has delivered a forceful and definitive statement with this result that it is going for total victory in 2023 and there is no stopping the Rescue Nigeria mission from now on.

“Once again, Congratulations your Excellency in-waiting, the duly elected Governor of Osun State, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke.

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Delta State.

Skill Trade Acquisition to enhance personal future at St. Micheal Skill Trade College

•LASG tasks youths on technical knowledge

…as trade college matriculates 31 students at Ajido Badagry LG.

The Lagos State Government has urged youths in the state to lay more emphasis on vocational training schools to acquire skills.
Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olajide, a Director, in the office of Special Adviser on Education Lagos gave the advice during the 1st Scholarship Induction and Matriculation Ceremony of St. Michael Skill Trade College in Ajido, Badagry LG, Lagos State.

Olajide who is also the Head of Department, Dispersion and Monitoring Department, Lagos State Ministry of Education said one will still come back to the vocational school to learn and relearn. According to the THEMES Agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Director said the college was unique due to the quality of facilities with practical hands-on training equipment, the environment, and their lecturers.

“I have gone to Epe, Ikorodu and many areas in Lagos and I have not seen a college like St. Michael Skill Trade College, Ajido in Badagry”.

“With the facilities on ground the owner of the College should be collecting between N300,000 to N400,000 to train a student but the tuition is too small”
“If we have this opportunity and we are not able to use it, it is like a wasted knowledge and efforts”
“I am imploring the people of Badagry LG, Lagos State and Nigerians at large not to allow this opportunity to go untapped,” she said.
Olajide said that the college was registered with the Lagos State Ministry of Education as a Polytechnic, adding that it would be producing Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in future, and currently accredited to conduct Federal Ministry of Labour’s Trade Tests Grade 3, 2 & 1.

“The college has given us challenge by taking our youths out of the streets, so I want to thank the President and Chief Executive Officer for partnering with LASG in efforts to bring out the best in our youths by taking them off the streets into the college for skills trade acquisition to enhance their future”.

“On behalf of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Special Adviser on Education in Lagos State, Barrister Philip Tokunbo Wahab, we thank the CEO for a job well done,” she said.

Mrs Sewede Pot-Balogun, the Supervisor for Education, Badagry Local Government said the college was an opportunity for parents looking for admission in skill acquisition for their children.

According to Pot-Balogun, instead of roaming about the streets, constituting nuisance to the society, this is an opportunity for them to acquire skills in order to be independent in future.

She urged the management of the college to reach out to people in Badagry LG and its environs to make use of the opportunity to acquire useful skills in the College.
“The college is a great opportunity for our youths and students at home to acquire technical skills”.

“We need to encourage our youths to come and acquire more technical knowledge here because it will help the stranded youths to pick up a carrier in future,” she said.

Mr Samson Apata, the Chairman, Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) said the college was additional strength to Ajido community in Badagry LG.

Apata said that the institution was the beginning of new things to come to the community.

He said that he had made arrangement with the CEO of the college to make tourism part of their course.
The Royal father of the day, Aholu Saheed Adamson, the Aholu of Ajido community, urged the students of the institution to make use of the opportunity provided to their advantages.

HRM Saheed Adamson commended Chief Engr. Michael Sonayon Kunnuji (The Gagbo Menu Toyon of Ajido Kingdom) for establishing the college in his domain.

Lawyer A.O.S. Hodonu, a renounced Barrister, who is also a son of Ajido Badagry LG, also admonished the youths to take seriously skill trade acquisitions as the opportunity is right at their doorstep.
He sighted many examples of university graduates who after graduation find it difficult to secure a white-collar job, and therefore went back to Technical College to acquire skills and today are CEOs of their own companies.

Mr. Young Amie (A Chemical Engineer), a childhood friend of the CEO of the college, urged Nigerians to emulate the founder of the college.
According to him, if Nigerians could behave like Chief Engr. Michael Sonayon Kunnuji, The Gagbo Menu Toyon of Ajido Kingdom, the country will be a better place for each one to live. “This is just giving back to the society the way he can.

“To the students at the institute, it is not the certificate that is important, it is the skills they acquire here,” he said.
Mr. Success Jome, an electrical engineering student in the college urged students who are currently at home due to ASUU strike to take the advantage of strike to come and learn a skill in the college.
According to him, knowledge acquired in the college will be of great assistance when they are back in school.
He said within two months that he gained admission to the college, he can handle domestic wiring perfectly.
In his address, Chief Engr. Michael Sonayon Kunnuji, the President and CEO, said the college was a vision birthed from the dream of giving back to his community.
According to Chief Engr. Michael Sonayon Kunnuji, this is for the development of our youths and young adults in Ajido, Badagry LG, Lagos State, and the entire country Nigeria.

Chief Engr. Michael Sonayon Kunnuji, was represented at the occasion by Mrs Senami Theodora Oke, the daughter of the soil, Gbenovi Aiko dynasty in Ajido Kingdom.

“It is our mission and vision to see that the basic skills trade that guarantees the future and the development of our youths and young adults are made available to them.

“We hope that our community and its environs experience modern development as experienced all over the world.

“The College Program has been designed to give exposure to students through her well-rounded curriculum which includes both classroom and practical (hands-on) sessions.
“We are operating in a safe and effective learning environment that enables every trainee to reach his or her greatest potential through ample opportunities and entrepreneurial skills needed to excel,” he said

The CEO appreciated the Aholu of Ajido kingdom, Aholu Saheed Adamson, Oba Abraham Ogabi, the Ajagun of Imeke kingdom and Aholu Dale Whedakoh of Idale kingdom for their unflinching support and presence during the matriculation ceremony.
He commended the representative of Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olajide, and the entire Ajido community.

“Our appreciation also goes to every other personality here present at this eventful ceremony.

We also acknowledge the international affiliations from both USA and Canada to the college.
“Long live Gagbo Menu Toyon of Ajido Kingdom, Long live Ajido Kingdom, Long live Badagry Local Govt Long live Lagos State, Long live Nigeria, Long live Canada and Long live United State of America,” he said.

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