Bridging The Digital Divide Through Telecoms: Postal Service Role

 

By Ayo Alanamu

COVID -19 placed the world in crises, it rampaged across countries, and made our globalised world feel vulnerable, and at times, almost defenceless. Post and their partners in other economies had all faced impossible impacts with the declaration of a global pandemic; the business world took a new dimension.

The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) established on the 7^th December 1977, celebrates every year its founding day to reflect and demonstrate the key role Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays in the social and economic developments of Africa.

This year’s theme ‘’POST COVID 19: Role of Telecoms/ICT in the Resumption of socio-Economic Activities’’ is imperative because of the reality of the new normal.

Taking the whole gamut of communications including the postal service into consideration, it will be apt to conclude that telecommunication/digital advancement goes a long way to help situate and observe the social distancing protocols as the pandemic raged. The Post has played a critical role in uniting the people, providing essential services not only mails but also delivering other important services. This helped the citizens of the world to possibly curb the transmission of the virus.

Telecommunications has completely transformed how people communicate and navigate their personal and professional lives. With an ever- present need for humans to connect and communicate, this industry is slated to continue its upward growth.

Surfing the internet, placing phone calls, e-mailing and text messaging, plus ordering goods online,  and the delivery to the last man via courier services, either of private courier or government owned courier companies, are all added as part of the complete communication chain.

As a result of this, Telecommunication becomes one of the most crucial infrastructures for protection. From natural disasters to military needs, there is a wide spectrum of institutions that depend on telecoms to provide safety.

Postal Service has continued to evolve and with steady expansion of products and services, has found its place in the socio- economy space of communication. In later years after its creation, the Post has stepped into many frontiers that keep adding up its relevance to the mechanism of National and Economic development.

Communication is key to national development and it is largely premised on citizens fundamental right, economic buoyancy, rise in per capita income, rule of law, and above all, conflict resolution and security. By these templates and several other parameters, the Postal Service role has been noble.

When the scrupulous element took to the Post in the 90s to perpetuate Advance Fee Fraud, otherwise known as ‘’419’’, using it as conduit to send tonnes of documents aimed at defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians, it raised alarm, intercepted a large portion of such documents to the  credit of the country.

Telecommunications plays a critical role in communities, particularly remote regions where modern banking has not been able to reach. A recent study undertaken by Universal Postal Union, the specialised agency of the United Nations, revealed that despite the financial inclusion and deepening of teledensity efforts of various governments in integrating their citizens into the global financial networking, there are still well over half a million locations in Africa that should offer financial services using telecommunication to the teeming world population, no matter how remotely located. This is where the postal service comes in offering its vast spaces at the Post Offices to accommodate this service.

In the projection of any developing postal service, it ought to rely so much on telecommunication and information technology to make a Post Office modern, becoming a one stop- shop, where it can reintroduce mini banking services, e-government services, where citizen can access a number government services such as applying and collection of drivers’ licences, international passports, national ID cards etc. This will no doubt boost the economy.

Information Technology and the ability to connect and communicate is a fundamental part of how a society operates today's digital ecosystem, to transform the business world, and foster operational efficiency that stimulates steady growth.

In today’s business world, many organisations employ cross functional teams to tackle new products, corporate initiatives, marketing campaigns etc. With telecom service, these teams are equipped with the technology necessary to collaborate from any location, allowing for optimal productivity, enhanced connectivity and increased teamwork.

Driven by competition and customers demand, postal operators use advanced technology for different purposes, above all to improve operational efficiency and to offer new products and services. In particular, consumer demand for faster handling of orders and more convenient delivery is driving change in the post and technological innovations are enabling e-retailers and postal operators to respond to these requirements.

In the parcel and other e-commerce item delivery business, Last-mile delivery has improved with technology such as Parcel Dimensional Scanner for signatures scanning, which have added additional security for consumers.

Educational institutions now leverage telecommunication to deliver long distance or remote education. Equally certificates are being requested online, are centre quest by West African Examination Council (WAEC) on Nigerian Postal Service to help it deliver certificates to recipients who would have requested for their certificates without having to travel long distances.

Telecommunication has become the foundation for businesses, government communities and families to seamlessly connect and share information. Therefore technology has played an overall positive role for postal services and acts as an enabler and a drive for better services for consumers. Looking ahead, technology has become and more important for postal services, and further positive benefits are expected.  

Written by Ayo Alanamu of the Corporate Communication, NIPOST Headquarters Abuja  

 

#EndSARS Protest Was Politically Motivated And Funded; Coalition Alleges

The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, a coalition with over sixty-two Civil Society and Non Governmental, Nonprofit Organizations has said that the EndSARS protest was politically motivated and funded both internationally and locally.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, 3^rd November, 2020, the convener of the coalition, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel also said that Lekki Massacre was aimed at presenting the Nigerian Military as murderous and by so doing, spurs sentiments from citizen and the International community against the Military and Government with the ultimate goal of destabilizing the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a press briefing tagged “Reading between the Lines; Truth, Facts and Fantasies,” Dr. Nwambu Gabriel appealed to the very articulate and hard working Nigerian youths to dissuade all attempts by some clandestine groups to make them return to the streets a second time while urging them to embrace dialogue with Government for a long lasting peace in Nigeria.

Excerpt is the full text of the press briefing:

The ENDSARS Protest; Reading between the Lines. Truth, Facts and Fantasies.

Welcome gentlemen of the fourth realm, heads of various Civil Society Organizations here present, Ladies and gentlemen.

The Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness in coalition with over sixty-two (62) Civil Society and Non Governmental, Nonprofit Organizations, as Nigerian Citizens have decided to conduct an inquest on the ENDSARS demonstration and the climax of the protest in Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos state on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. This incidence in Lekki no doubt is still dominating the media space for which some media outfits and bloggers classify as “Lekki Massacre”. There has been a heated debate on the role of the Nigerian Army in the enforcement of the curfew as announced by the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo Olu, the number of those injured and the number of deaths if any with substantial evidence to proof beyond reasonable doubts.

We would want to reemphasize that our coalition believes in the sanctity of the human life and the fact that every life is equal before our creator. But for the purpose of this fact finding and reality, we have chosen to be as objective and as practical as possible.

Now, the word Lekki “MASSACRE” according to the dictionary is synonymous with holocaust, carnage, bloodbath, death, slaughter, butchery. It also refers to large scale cold blooded murder of human beings. Several reports on both foreign and local media says that this was the case in Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

The protest was seemingly well organized, disciplined and focused in their pursuit of the disbandment of the police Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS). In a twinkle of an eye, the Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu joined the protesters, addressed them and ran the Aso Rock Villa to see Mr. President and presenting a five point demand. The President acceded to their request in principle. SARS was disbanded and modalities put in place to implement other demands. But the protesters were defiant; they remained on the streets and introduced other new demands.

Some questions readily come to mind; why was Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu so quick to join the protesters? How did he come to identify their leaders as to be so certain on what their demands were? And why did he run to the President to submit their demand?

The protesters continued. The longer the protesters stayed on the street, the more extraneous forces come in as protesters and systematically hijacked on alarming scale. Police stations were burnt, policemen murdered in most gruesome manner, armories looted as criminals made away with arms and ammunitions and there was general brake down of law and order tending towards an anarchy situation. The Governor at this time introduced the curfew and requested the help of the military in enforcing the curfew.

Why then did the protesters not disperse in line with their peaceful and law abiding stance knowing that the red line between legality and illegality had been crossed?

A national newspaper claimed 49 persons were murdered. Amnesty International claimed that 12 persons died. There were purported eyewitnesses who gave account on how soldiers short directly on the protesters with unprecedented casualties with AK47. The video that went viral showed men in military uniform, corking AK47 riffles from the left hand side and firing into the air. In this social media age and with the sophistication that captured the men in military uniform firing, we expected to see at least someone who captured the killings, the dead bodies as evidenced. Or at least, we expect some families to come forward laying claims of their loved ones who participated in the protest but still missing. No family has done this as at the time of this briefing. Again, a lady protester who gave a narrative about the different types of bullets for the police and the military also claimed she with the aid of some persons carried at least 17 dead bodies into the military truck. We believe she must have been invisible to achieve that narrative since according to her; it was a heavy and continuous firing. How come the alleged soldiers spared her life?

There is this claim that the CCTV camera was removed. Our quest is that the camera which captured men in military uniform firing into the air ought to have also captured the alleged direct shooting of protesters at close range and the evacuation of dead bodies as claimed by some reports.

The PRNigeria is a forensic expert company with Mamood Abdulsalam as the assistant editor has collected over 100 samples of footages showing dead bodies and those wounded. According to him, “when we subjected them to our reverse imagery testing tools, it indicated they were not recent while others are manipulated images and doctored videos. We also observed circulation of old pictures of victims injured and killed during violent skirmishes, unrelated to the ENDSARS demonstration across the country”.

Four major deaths were either refuted but the acclaimed deceased persons or discovered by several independent fact finders as false and unrealistic. The PRNigeria also discovered that a Nollywood movie star, Eniola Badmus, who was allegedly shot in the stomach and died at the Lekki Toll Gate, had denied the social media reports. This was evident on her Instagram page where she wrote that “Against all speculations about me being shot dead at the unspeakable event that happened at the Toll Gate a few hours ago, I would like to inform you guys that I Eniola Badmus is hale and hearty. I couldn’t make it there today to lend my voice on the ENDSARS Movement”.

Secondly, one Iraoye Godwin, a native of Otu- Auchi in Edo State was also posted by the ENDSARS narrative as one of the persons allegedly killed by the soldiers. On twitter, Godwin posted via a video denying this report, saying that he was hail and hearty.

The photo of a man carrying a dead lady wrapped in the Nigerian flag as posted by Yemi Alade was an image from a Nigerian movie acted with the theme “Heal Our Land, OH LORD”.

Lucia Adu was the lady with an open skull posted in the social media while dancing and was said to have been allegedly struck on the head by the bullets of the Nigerian Army an hour later. Her martyrdom was being celebrated all over the Social media as one the deaths in Lekki Toll Gate. Investigations shows that Luci Adu died from an accident with a stationary truck on the 20th of October, 2020. This is also confirmed by a new fact checking twitter handle on endsarshttp:/twitter.com/endSARSfctchek”

The fiction and lies perpetrated by Amnesty International was unprecedented. Osai Ojigho claimed 12 deaths were recorded but relied on circumstantial evidences in her reports. She also claimed she needed the permission of the deceased families to make the names public. What an irony! 

Nigerians, how did we get here?

From the above over whelming facts, it becomes evident that the ENDSARS protest was politically motivated and funded both Internationally and locally with the sole aim of presenting the Nigerian Military as murderous and by so doing, spur sentiments from citizen and the International community against the Military and Government with the ultimate goal of destabilizing the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu who by media reports initially said there was no deaths in Lagos, later claimed to have visited several hospitals with a few injured and 2 deaths is seen as someone who speaks from both sides of his mouth. He lacks the public confidence as far as this matter is concerned.

Therefore, the setting up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry by the Governor of Lagos state is a kangaroo one. It is only a mockery.

Finally, by this medium, we want to appeal to the very articulate and hard working Nigerian youths to dissuade all attempts by some clandestine groups to make them return to the streets a second time. We urge them to embrace dialogue with Government for a long lasting peace in Nigeria.

Thank you

Signed: Dr. Nwambu Gabriel,

For the coalition.

 

Nigeria Civil Society Desk Extol Pres. Buhari For Re-Appointing Prof. Yakubu As INEC Chairman

 The Nigeria Civil Society Desk, a coalition of 30 Independent Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the Six geo-political Zones of Nigeria has applauded President Buhari for his listening ears and attaining to the yeaning of Nigerians even at this challenging and critical periods in the history of Nigeria.

In a press release jointly signed by Nigeria Civil Society Desk National Coordinator, Engr. M. A. E. Hashidu and National Secretary, Dr. Isaac E.O. Iduma, they said that Technology played the critical role of a third force, especially, the electronic transmission of results from polling units to collation Centres which had significantly enhanced transparency should be allowed to take root and the effective domestication of these technologies can only become part and parcel of our electoral system if the man who has set the machinery on motion but has demonstrated a very high standards, with clear determination and desire to leave a legacy of free , fair and credible elections in Nigeria be reconsidered for a seconds term in office.

Excerpt is the text of the press briefing:

"Our shared vision and mission is gear towards deepening democracy and good governance within the frame work of the rule of law while articulating norms ethics that can help further strengthening the democratic values and practices in our beloved country Nigeria.

"Arising from our Press Briefing a couple of weeks ago, we called on the Federal Government stating the need and reasons for the re-appointment of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the second term. Our calls did not fall on deaf ears as the president and commander – in – chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari GCFR in his wisdom approved the re- appointment of the incumbent Chairman last week to oversee (once more) the electoral umpire for another 5- years tenure, so as to continue with the good job he has started 5 years ago.

"As Independent, and nonprofit Organizations Internationally and Locally known as Domestic Election Observer Groups that have been observing and monitoring elections processes in Nigeria since inception of the 4th Republic which ushered in new Democratic Order since 1999 to date, want to emphatically state here without fear or favour that we have been working and monitoring the Commission very closely right from that time till this present dispensation, but had never recommended or moved to advocate for Re-appointment of any INEC Chairman. But haven reviewed and analyzed the past and the present Commission, essentially, with the conceptual ideologies, technological innovations, and the professionalism of the present Commission lead by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, we discovered that there is absolute need for continuity to enable him consolidate and accomplish the novel and robust innovations, particularly with the newly introduced Technologies into our electoral system, would no doubt deepens electioneering process and build more confidence between the electorate, other relevant stakeholders and electoral architecture in particular.

"Importantly, we noticed with joy a paradigm shift during the just concluded Edo and Ondo State Governorship Elections. Undoubtedly, Technology played the critical role of a third force, especially, the electronic transmission of results from polling units to collation Centres which had significantly enhanced transparency should be allowed to take root and the effective domestication of these technologies can only become part and parcel of our electoral system if the man who has set the machinery on motion but has demonstrated a very high standards, with clear determination and desire to leave a legacy of free , fair and credible elections in Nigeria be reconsidered for a seconds term in office.

"However, one major factor that stands out is the technology that was deployed in the electioneering process in Edo and Ondo Governorship elections by the Commission was the Zpad, and we are aware that there are more innovations in INEC Blue Prints under his leadership that may further advanced the course of democracy and good governance in the country which will gradually lead to electronic voting as many Nigerians are already yenning for it to reduce the burdens of voters standing on the queue for a whole day.

"Therefore, we want to use this medium to make this passionate appeal to the two Arms of National Assembly to support and confirm Mr. President Re-appointment of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu by asking him to simply give a bow.

Finally, we wish to once more use this opportunity to make a Clarian call on all our teaming youths across the Country, especially the EndSARS Protesters to sheath their swords and approach the culture of peace, dialogue and give the Federal Government chance to look into their grievances with a view to addressing the issues raised. Also we are appealing to those who have hijacked the process to stop taken the laws their hands by vandalizing and destruction of lives and public properties.

"Once more, we wish to thank our able an" amiable President Muhammadu Buhari for taken the Bull by the horns to re-nominate Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the substantive Chairman of INEC for another 5 years term.

We also want to seize this opportunity to congratulate Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for a well-deserved re-appointment, and we want to urge him not to relent on his Oars but redouble his efforts and ensure that the card reader technology as well as z pad electronic transmission of results, to which he has demonstrated absolute resolve, is made part and parcel of electoral system .

"We wish to reassure him as a coalition and partners in the quest for true and fundamental reforms. We shall continue to support his well-intended innovations and do wish him and his team a very best in his onerous tasks of taking our electoral efforts to a higher pedestal.

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

LIST OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR SIGNATURE

S/N NAME OF ORGANIZATION Names

1. National Committee of Patriots

Engr. M. A. E. Hashidu

2. Centre For Strategic Conflict Management

Dr. Isaac E.O. Iduma

3. Centre Foe Sustenance of Civil Rule In Africa. Chief Gilbert Oloksusi

4. Global Development Centre For Rescue Mission In Nigeria. Emeh Friday Eleojo

5. Citizens Rights & Leadership Awakes Initiative. Peter Nwokolo

Niger Delta Group Cautions Purported APC Ex-Agitators Against Blackmailing Buhari, PAP

The Niger Delta Agitators for Good Governance has cautioned a group which called itself Coalition of APC Youth Leaders and Beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme against blackmailing the President and the leadership of the Amnesty Office for selfish motives.

The National Coordinator of the Group, Chief Moses Bebenimibo said in a statement on Thursday that the Niger Delta agitators who embraced amnesty are not divided along party lines.

He cautioned against using the platform of agitators to blackmail authorities with intent to score needless political goals and targeted pecuniary benefits.

He described statement credited to the amorphous group as a brazen and unconscionable attempt to cause avoidable division in the rank of Niger Delta people involved in the agitation for fairness in resource allocation and good governance in the country.

Bebenimibo said that true agitators who are motivated by patriotism and the genuine interest of the Niger Delta would not draw a line between APC Niger Deltans and PDP Niger Deltans.

He also called on the Federal Government to discountenance the call by some ‘merchants of mischief’ to sack the Amnesty Boss for allegedly engaging non APC members in the office.

He said that the crude sentiments expressed by the group of self styled Coalition òf APC ex-agitators, which called on the Federal Government to make APC membership as a condition for engagement in the Amnesty Office, is condemnable and indeed a recipe for division and avoidable unrest.

Bebenimibo commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of an Ijaw son as the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The activist who also thanked the National Security Adviser, Major Gen Babagana Monguno, for recommending Col Dikio, urged the President to give him the free hand to take the requisite steps to reposition the PAP.

According to him, the culture of impunity and diversion of the objectives of the PAP would continue unless Dikio embarks on tough, deliberate and decisive steps to enthrone sanity in the agency.

Bebenimibo advised the Amnesty Boss to be focused and strong to be able to ward off the traditional blackmail responsible largely for the sorry story of impunity, waste, corruption in the Amnesty Offuce.

He advised ex agitators and stakeholders to exhibit maturity and patience with the new Amnesty Boss as he embarks in the calculated steps to reposition the office to make it effectively responsive to the beneficiaries, the region and the country.

 

Ignore Mischief Makers Attempting To Politicize Amnesty Office, Evah Tells President Buhari

...Commends President for Appointing a Competent Ijaw son to oversee Programme

Foremost Ijaw activist and Coordinator,  Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to discountenance   calls by mischief makers to politicize the Presidential Amnesty Office

Evah a former National Publicity Secretary òf the Ijaw National Congress  stressed that any society that is keen on making progress would give priority attention to available first class brains with superlative record of performance and competence to occupy sensitive offices in the interest of the society.

He stated that President Buhari retained the services of the Governor òf Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, and backed Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for the leadership òf the Africa Development Bank, and recently Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for the position of the Director General òf the World Trade Organization even though they served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, in appreciation of the pertinence òf engaging first class brains for national development irrespective of party affiliation.

He also called on the Interim Administrator of the PAP to take a cue from President Buhari by making it a policy to go for first class brains with proven capacity to do the job in the interest of the region and Nigeria.

The former Publicity Secretary òf the Ijaw National Congress said that those who call for the engagement of only APC members do not mean well for the region and the country.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the appointment of Col Milland Dikio, (retd), as the Interim Administrator òf the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The prominent activist also thanked the National Security Adviser, Maj Gen Babagana Monguno, for recommending Col Dikio to the President for the sensitive Amnesty job.

Comrade Evah advised the President to ignore those he described as mischief makers and political jobbers who are desperately struggling to taint the image of the new Amnesty boss with unacceptable political sentiments inimical to peace in the region.

He said that it was a good development the President and the NSA who appointed Col Dikio are aware of the systemic rot in the Amnesty Office and the web of corruption existing between operatives of the office and some persons outside the office over the years.

Evah noted that the President was right to have appointed Dikio, a disciplined retired military officer, reputed for his integrity and high level of competence and attention for details.

He urged the President and the Office òf the NSA to give free hand to the new Amnesty Boss to select his team of competent and trusted Nigerians with the right contact to assist him in wresting the office from the talons òf greed and corruption.

He explained that a reformer no matter how gifted, dedicated and strong will not be able to achieve much if he does have the freedom to do the right thing.

The IMG President therefore urged the President to ensure that Dikio is allowed to engage the services of all competent Ijaw sons, Niger Deltans and Nigerians to fit into appropriate roles irrespective of political leanings in the Amnesty Office.

He also called on Col Dikio be focused and be prepared to take the tough decision in the mission to rewrite the story of rot in the Amnesty Office in the interest of peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

He said, “I must commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno for appointing Col Milland Dikio, a Niger Delta don, as the Head of the Amnesty Office.

“While I will urge the President and the Office of the NSA which oversees the Amnesty Office to give him the freehand to change the sad story of Office, I advise Col Dikio to be wary of political jobbers and their mischievous antics.

“The Amnesty Office is not a party office; it is a Federal Government office where any competent Niger Delta person whose services are needed should work.

“I urge him to make the Ijaw nation proud by doing the right things in accordance with expectations no matter what happens.  We are watching.” He said

Remain Focus; Don’t Be Distracted; Group Tells DCP Kolo Yusuf

The Integrity Youth Alliance has called on Nigerians to ignore the video on BBC Africa Eye been re-circulated accusing one DCP Kolo Yusuf of murder of one Hassan Alfa in 2014.

In a press release on Wednesday, 21^st October, 2020 signed by the National Coordinator of the Alliance, Kelvin Adegbenga reitraited that for the fact that the Courts said Hassan died as a result of the beating he received in police detention doesn’t mean DCP Kolo Yusuf torture him.

"From our investigation, DCP Kolo Yusuf is a gentle officer with outstanding records of arresting many high profile criminals, kidnappers and armed robbers across Nigeria. He ensured that members of his team were well trained in modern techniques of handling crimes. Adegbenga said.

He reiterated that his clean records are in the Nigeria media and many honours has comes his ways due to nipping in the bud activities of criminals especially along Abuja-Kaduna Road; Niger; Kogi, Rivers and Katsina State just to mention a few.

"To set the record straight, DCP Kolo has never head SARS office at the national headquarters in Abuja as documented by BBC Africa Eye. We advise those re-circulating the biased video to stop it as BBC did not hear the other side of the story which is unprofessional of any media credible organisation.

We called on DCP Kolo Yusuf not to be distracted but remained focus in bursting the activities of criminals, kidnappers and fraudsters across the country as we know that he will face criticism from criminals elements, the statement concluded.

It will be recalled that BBC Africa Eye did an unprofessional report on the death of Hassan Alfa who died in 2014 in Kano State.

Ondo Guber Election; Election Observer Coalition Hail INEC For A Credible Election

The coalition of INEC accredited Observer Groups for the Ondo Governorship Election has commended INEC for conducting a transparent, free, fair and credible.

In a joint press release on Sunday, 11^th October 2020 signed by the Coalition’s Convener, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel of Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness and Coalition Secretary, Amb. Manukwem Chinyere of Centre for Positive Change & Civic Responsibility, they encouraged the PDP and the ZLP candidates to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the winner and APC candidate as politics is not a do or die affair and again shun the idea of challenging his victory in tribunal or any court of law.

Excerpt is the full text of the press release:

“All over the world, it is necessary to ensure that elections comply with International Best Practice and Globally Accepted Standard in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended, the Electoral Act of 2010 as Amended and the INEC regulations and guide lines. Hence, the essence of accrediting reputable Civil Society Organizations to observe any election is to assess the degree of compliance of the electoral management body (INEC), the Political Parties as well as their supporters, the law enforcement agencies to the relevant electoral laws as provided by the constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria and the rule of engagement. This essentially is to serve as a parameter for measurement and a term of reference for improvement in future elections. Thus, election observation increases the level of credibility of a well ordered process of power transition in any defined democratic state of the world.

Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as an electoral body saddled with the constitutional responsibility of conducting credible elections across Nigeria, after a thorough scrutiny accredited 53 reputable Civil Society/Non Governmental Organizations to serve as domestic and 6 International Organizations to serve as foreign election observers for the Ondo State Governorship Election held on the 10th of October, 2020.

OBSERVATIONS.

We hereby state our observations as follows:

1. That the Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled by INEC for 10th of October, 2020 actually held across the 3009 polling units of Ondo state.

2. That the election commenced in good time contrary to our observation in Edo state where election commenced relatively late due to the delays in the distribution of election materials.

3. That we observed pockets of violence in Oke Ijebi Ward 4, unit 11, Ijomu Junction area, very close to St. Stephen’s Anglican Primary School Ijomu. But the swift response of the Nigerian police who intervened and took full control of the area restored public confidence on the electorates who were determined to exercise their franchise.

4. The introduction of the Zee Park by INEC has increased the credibility and transparency of the process of election since results from the unit level (Form EC8A) is uploaded for all Nigerians to see. Thus, it becomes difficult to alter, change or mutilate results as previously observed.

5. The Card Reader performed optimally. However, we observed some cases of malfunctioned Card Readers but the backup and support serviced as provided by INEC were quick to restore normalcy by providing alternative machines.

6. The issue of vote buying continues to resurface and has remained malignant in our electoral system. This largely could be attributed to the myopic understanding (Psych) of the average electorate, poverty, etc. In Ondo state, all the participating political parties are equally guilty. It boils down to the case of which party bought more than the other. This reoccurring decimal requires our collective effort as Nigerians the right the wrong.

7. That the increase number of the brail ballot guard increased the participation of the visually impaired voter. This is significant in the Ondo state Governorship election.

From the ongoing, it becomes evident that the Ondo state Governorship election which held on the 10th of October, 2020 complied significantly with the provisions of the relevant electoral laws of Nigeria.

We, as INEC Accredited Observer Organizations hereby state categorically clear that this election was transparent, free, fair and credible.

By this medium we would like to encourage the PDP and the ZLP candidates to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the winner and APC candidate as politics is not a do or die affair and again shun the idea of challenging his victory in tribunal or any court of law. Every election should not end in the tribunal. They should therefore emulate Prince Ize Iyamu of Edo state.