Fashola, Mrs Jonathan Fault IGP On “Vote And Go Home Directives”

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

From Ignatius Okpara (Enugu) and Ayo Balogun (Lagos) – Fashola said the IGP and others clamouring for such move and asking the electorate to stay 300 metres away from the polling unit were simply election riggers, as the electoral act did not forbid electorate from waiting after the election until the votes were counted.

The governor, while speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial rally held at Shomolu area of Lagos, Nigeria urged Lagosians to discard the IGP’s directive and be ready to wait and ensure their votes were counted.

“Cast your vote and stay where you can see how the voting process is going on. It is not only the political parties that have interest in the election process. Citizens who aren’t affiliated to any of the political parties also have interest in the outcome of the polls. Asking electorate to stay 300 metres away from the polling units is like asking one to stay away from the polling units three times the length of a football field. And one cannot see whatever is happening. Those who said that planned to rig the election.

“The electoral act says that once the voting is completed in each of the polling units, the electoral officer must count the vote and announce the result to the residents. And that is how it is stated in the electoral law. If the residents are not there, who will the electoral officers announce the result of the election to? Stay close to the polling units and don’t make disrupt the election process,” he stated.

Governorship candidate of the APC in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode his government would solve the problem of unemployment in the state by creating Entrepreneur Credit Guarantee Scheme such that such that people would have access to funds for small scale businesses.

“We don’t want graduate who are unemployed to roam the street and that was why we have decided that we will create Entrepreneur Credit Guarantee Scheme so that you can have access to fund rather than approaching the bank where you are asked to bring collaterals that you cannot afford.

“With this, you will be able to employ others, and through this millions of unemployed youths will be off the streets. Since the last 16 years, our party has been fulfilling all its promises. And all I have come to do is to continue in that direction,” he said.

Also, Nigeria’s first Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has faulted the “vote and go home” directive by the Inspector General of police Suleiman Abba during the forthcoming general elections.

Rather, the First Lady advised the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) voters to stay behind in their various polling units after casting their votes, so as to avoid any possible electoral manipulation by opposition parties.

Speaking on Monday at a scanty PDP women presidential rally in Enugu, Mrs Jonathan, who entertained the audience with assorted gossip songs, posited that “vote and go” will do more harm than good to the PDP and her husband.

Mama peace, as she is fondly called by her admirers, had rained courses and abuses on the All progressive Congresses APC presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, throughout her marathon speech.

The President’s wife who could not hide her hatred for Buhari, urged the Nigerian electorate not to vote APC and its candidates at all levels.

She described Buhari as an old analogue politician, who has nothing to offer Nigeria, if elected.

According to her, if given a second chance, President Jonathan, would take the nation to the next level, by consolidating on his administration’s 1st term achievement.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola says the Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abba does not have the power to order Nigerians to stay away from polling units after casting their votes.