Buying votes: Buhari, Malami and Ortom snub CENI warning and violate ballot secrecy
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, on Saturday ignored warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the display of thumbprinted ballot papers.
The election arbiter bans the use of cell phones and other cameras at polling stations to prevent the threat of vote-buying that has blighted Nigeria's election.
Hours after INEC's National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, warned that "no one will be allowed to bring their phone into the voting booth", MM. Buhari and Malami were seen posting a ballot paper. after voting for the APC.
Mr. Okoye, who said the law prohibits the display of ballots by voters, added that "officials from the ICPC, EFCC and security agencies will be on hand to monitor and ensure that the law in this respect is not violated".< /p>
But Garba Shehu, spokesman for Mr Buhari, described the president's conduct as a "rare show of loyalty", posting "his ballot paper, with the thumbprint for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu". Saturday in Daura, Katsina State.
The president who voted in Ward A, Sarkin Yara Voting Unit, 003, reportedly reiterated his support for Mr. Tinubu.
He boasted that the APC would win from Daura, Katsina State, to Lagos.
Like Mr. Buhari, Mr. Malami was seen posting ballot papers showing how he had voted for various APC candidates at his Shiryar Fada, Garkar Na Gambo, Nasarawa ward voting unit 1 in Birnin-Kebbi on Saturday.
Umar Gwandu, the minister's spokesman, quoted Malami as describing the election as "peaceful and in line with the dictates and guidelines put in place by INEC and in compliance with the provisions of the electoral laws... and international best practices associated with the election."
Similarly, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was seen at his Guma Local Government polling station showing his ballot for Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi .
Last week, Mr. Ortom openly declared his support for Mr. Obi's presidential bid in Makurdi, the state capital, snubbing People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.
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President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, on Saturday ignored warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the display of thumbprinted ballot papers.
The election arbiter bans the use of cell phones and other cameras at polling stations to prevent the threat of vote-buying that has blighted Nigeria's election.
Hours after INEC's National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, warned that "no one will be allowed to bring their phone into the voting booth", MM. Buhari and Malami were seen posting a ballot paper. after voting for the APC.
Mr. Okoye, who said the law prohibits the display of ballots by voters, added that "officials from the ICPC, EFCC and security agencies will be on hand to monitor and ensure that the law in this respect is not violated".< /p>
But Garba Shehu, spokesman for Mr Buhari, described the president's conduct as a "rare show of loyalty", posting "his ballot paper, with the thumbprint for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu". Saturday in Daura, Katsina State.
The president who voted in Ward A, Sarkin Yara Voting Unit, 003, reportedly reiterated his support for Mr. Tinubu.
He boasted that the APC would win from Daura, Katsina State, to Lagos.
Like Mr. Buhari, Mr. Malami was seen posting ballot papers showing how he had voted for various APC candidates at his Shiryar Fada, Garkar Na Gambo, Nasarawa ward voting unit 1 in Birnin-Kebbi on Saturday.
Umar Gwandu, the minister's spokesman, quoted Malami as describing the election as "peaceful and in line with the dictates and guidelines put in place by INEC and in compliance with the provisions of the electoral laws... and international best practices associated with the election."
Similarly, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was seen at his Guma Local Government polling station showing his ballot for Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi .
Last week, Mr. Ortom openly declared his support for Mr. Obi's presidential bid in Makurdi, the state capital, snubbing People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.
Donate
TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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