Ahead of 2019 Elections- EFCC Warns Against Vote-Buying And Fake Dollar Notes Circulation!

Ahead of Nigeria's General elections, the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), recently alerted Bureau de Change and BDC operators, on 'fake-Dollar' notes, reportedly in circulation. 

During the "Sensitization" exercise, on Thursday, 21st February, 2019, at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja,  the Commission's Creative Commissions Boss, ADC Aisha Larai Musa, said: ....."as the electioneering period peaks, you are now a soft target for money laundering and circulation of fake dollar notes”.

Operators were asked to report suspected cases of 'fake-Dollar' notes, or vote-buying'' incidents.

The much anticipated Presidential and National Assembly elections was re-scheduled to hold on Saturday, 23rd February 2019; while the Governorship, State House of Assembly, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area Council elections, was re-scheduled to hold on Saturday, 9th March, 2019.

For Reportedly Filling Fake Police Report, Smollett Has Been Charged!

American Actor and singer, Justin Smollett, otherwise known as Jussie Smollett, has been charged with felony for reportedly filling a false Police report.

Justin Smollett

The Actor filled a Police report, after he was reportedly attacked on Tuesday, 29^th, January, 2019, by two men, who according to reports, shouted “racial and homophobic slogans”, while they carried out the attack.

The Police was able to track down Smollett's attackers, who happened to be two Nigerian brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo.

Footage also emerged, which showed the brothers buying items, including ski masks, like the ones worn by the attackers.

Ola and Able reportedly left the United States after the attack, but were arrested on their return penultimate week. Both brothers have worked on Empire, while one of the brothers was Smollet's trainer.

Lagos Logjam!

It was 11 am, Wednesday, 20th February, 2019, and the gridlock on major roads in Lagos, is unbelievable. Stretching all the way from Stadium interchange, into Costain, on the fly-over bridge above, and express-way beneath, was a no-go-area. 

20/02/2019: Costian, Lagos

20/02/2019: Costain Round About, Lagos

20/02/2019: Costain, Lagos

20/02/2019: Costain, Lagos

Demoralized commuters disembarked from commercial vehicles to walk instead.  What is going on?.

Flood Stalls Business Activities In Idumagbo, Lagos Island!

Parts of Idumagbo community, Lagos Island area of Lagos state; famously known for its population density and the extensive business activities it accommodates on a daily basis, battles with flood each time it rains.

16/02/2019: Idumagbo, Lagos Island

16/02/2019: Idumagbo, Lagos Island

16/02/2019: Idumagbo, Lagos Island

Like most areas in Lagos State, flood remains a major challenge, that needs to be tackled, and which is achievable through the construction of new drainage systems, and clearing of existing channels across the state.

16/03/2018: Idumagbo, Lagos Island

16/03/2018: Idumagbo, Lagos Island

There have been clamours for drainage re-structuring, in most parts of Lagos state, however, the pleas remain unattended to.

Link to an old Publication on relative issues: 

https://rovinginformant.blogspot.com/2018/03/thursday-march-1st-sanitation-exercise.html

Proceeding With 16th February And March 2nd Elections, No Longer Feasible- INEC!

After a meeting on what was supposed to be the eve of Nigeria's 2019 general elections, Friday, 15th February, 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the elections slated to hold on Saturday, February 16, and on March 2nd, 2019.

The electoral body sited "logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduction free, fair and credible elections", the Commission concluded that going-ahead with the elections as initially scheduled, was not attainable

The new date scheduled for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be on Saturday, 23rd February 2019; while the Governorship, State House of Assembly, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area Council elections, was re-scheduled to hold on Saturday, 9th March, 2019.

The Commission said it will meet with "key stake-holders", at the International Conference Center, Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, by 2 pm, on Saturday, 16th February, to update them in the development.

INEC Restores Materials Razed In Fire Out-Breaks!

Following the destruction of electoral materials in two containers, believed to be INEC's major storage facilities in Awka, Anambra state capital, south-east Nigeria; "replacement Card Readers, for the 14 local government areas", was recently arranged and delivered. 

INEC's major storage facilities in Awka, razed by fire

INEC said it is working hard to configure and deliver "replacement Card Readers for the outstanding 7 local government areas, namely: Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Idemili North, Idemili South, Aguata, Awka North and Oyi". 

Replacement of Card Readers in Anambra state
Photo: INEC

Confirming that elections will hold in Qu'an Pan local government area of Plateau state, middle-belt, Nigeria, INEC replaced "ballot boxes and voting cubicles", destroyed in a recent blaze. According to the Electoral body, "reprinting of voters' register for all polling units have been completed, and office relocated to a new building".

Replacement of ballot boxes and voting cubicles in Qu'an Pan, Plateau state 
Photo: INEC

                                    

INEC also promised to re-print and deliver Permanent Voters' Card to individuals affected in the Isiala-Ngwa South local government area, office in Abia state, south-east Nigeria.

INEC Discredits Rumour On 'Only' Index Finger Vote!

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked the rumour currently circulating, which states that the electoral body- "has changed pattern of voting without majority of (Nigerian) citizens being aware of". 

Photo source: INEC 

The rumour further states:"you don't vote with your thumb anymore, you vote with your index finger (warning finger). Any vote caste with the thumb is void (cancelled).....

Photo source: INEC 

Discrediting the rumour, INEC responded: "INEC's attention has been drawn to a fake News, making rounds, that the index finger, is the only finger approved for marking a ballot paper, this is false. At the point of registration, all ten fingers was captured, so any finger can be used for marking a ballot paper. Make sure that your mark is inside the box of your Party of choice, and does not stray into another box".