ELECTION 2015 - APC to Nigerians :Don’t leave polling booth after voting

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told Nigerian voters to ignore the order by the Inspector- GENERAL of police ahead of the fourth coming general election.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Lagos on Friday, the party said the electorate should rather listen to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who said the electoral law does not state anywhere that voters cannot or should not wait to watch and ensure that their votes are counted.

It, therefore, urged the electorate to make sure that they stayed behind to protect their votes after casting their ballots, as was the case in 2011.

APC said that contrary to the suspicious directive by the IGP, INEC encourages voters to stay behind and watch their votes counted, saying that the law expects such voters to stay behind but to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

‘’According to Jega, who appeared on Channels TV on Friday morning, the electoral law says anyone that has no business with the electoral process at the polling booths but desires to monitor events should stay at least some metres away from the polling agents and completely away from the ballot box after casting their votes.

‘’The INEC Chairman further clarified that all registered voters have business with the process and can, therefore, not be classified as people that don’t have business at polling units.

‘’Therefore, the IGP has no constitutional right or powers under the constitution or Police Act to rewrite the electoral law. The role of the police is to maintain law and order or such other assistance as may be sought from the police by INEC,’’ the party said.

It also called on Nigerians to ignore the so-called public service announcement concerning the show of force by government security agencies, saying it is part of efforts to intimidate the electorate and pave the way for the PDP to rig the elections.

APC also asked Nigerians to ignore the SMS being sent around asking them to send their names and the last five digits of their VIN (Voter Identification Number) to certain numbers.

The IGP, Abba, had advised those planning to cause trouble or any form of confusion during the forthcoming elections to have a change of heart as the police would not spare anyone caught causing confusion during the elections, no matter how highly placed he may be.
He, however, reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria Police Force to prepare a safe and secure ground for hitch-free polls on March 28 and April 11, 2015.

He said that the Force was determined to strictly enforce all relevant laws towards guaranteeing peace and security in the nation.

In a statement, the IGP warned those who have concluded or are making plans to foment trouble or cause confusion on Election Day or after the general elections to desist from such in their own interest or be ready to face the full wrath of the law, as Police intervention teams would be on hand to contain any untoward situation, and bring trouble makers to justice.

The Police High Command also re-emphasizes that the Nigeria Police Force would remain non-partisan and impartial, advising the political stakeholders not to embark on any act that may impact negatively on the public peace.

He enjoined members of the public to collaborate with the police by fishing out criminals in their midst and further report any suspicious movement in their area to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC over the running of an alleged illegal radio station, Radio Chanji, continued on Friday as the PDP insisted that the opposition party floated the radio to cause disaffection after the presidential election.

The PDP presidential campaign spokesman Mr. Femi Fani Kayode said the fear raised by the PDP over the existence of the controversial radio station were confirmed when the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) confirmed the existence of the radio station.

Fani-Kayode, at a press conference also raised other damning accusations against Buhari whom he asked 35 questions as a test of his (Buhari) integrity.

Failure to provide answer to any of the questions, he said, will be taken as an admittance of guilt by Buhari.