There were indications that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party were already commencing tactics aimed at frustrating the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to make use of card readers for the 2015 elections.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, indicated that the ruling party and the Presidency were already looking at the possibility of mobilising Nigerians to demand that the use of card readers for the election be stopped.

This is coming as a former National Chairman of the ruling party, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said there were signs that the PDP was not interested in holding the elections.

Rather, Ogbeh said, the party was still hell-bent on foisting interim government on Nigeria.

A source in the Presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity with our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, said that both the Presidency and some members of the National Working Committee of the party had been asked to continue to either condemn the use of the card readers for the elections or also that the commission be told to allow Nigerians to use the Temporary Voter Card instead of the Permanent Voter Card for the election.

He said, “We are not comfortable with the card readers. For example, we have not seen any and we don’t know how it works.

“What will happen if the card readers fail to work? We have not even been told that they would not fail. And if they fail, what would happen. I think the issue of card readers must be re-examined.”

The commission had said that it would introduce card readers for voters’ accreditation in order to verify the rightful owners of PVCs.

It said that the device would eliminate impersonation and voting by proxy during the elections.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Amadi Ali, on Monday criticised the electoral commission for the postponed elections.

He said the electoral body was not fully ready for the polls.

Ali, who spoke at a press conference which was also attended by the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, also criticised the use of card readers for the elections.

He said, “There are also reports that the PVC readers are not fully distributed and tested. How can INEC handle cases of faulty card readers?

“Do they have a credible plan B in situation where voters line up and the card readers refuse to work? Ballot boxes are reportedly inadequate. Adequate training of INEC’s members of staff for the election had not been concluded and other problems facing INEC.

“Quite clearly the shift in election date is meant to save INEC from monumental embarrassment. I would like to reiterate that the PDP is ready for the election any day.”

But Ogbeh in a statement, insisted that the PDP was not ready for the elections and advised Nigerians to reject any call for the installation of ING by the government.

He said that the letter sent to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, by the National Security Adviser, Col. Dansuki Sambo (retd.), in which he asked for elections postponement by six weeks must be properly digested by Nigerians.

Ogbeh said, “Does this not suggest that we should expect high level theatric manipulation as the six weeks get closer to convince us that another six weeks will be necessary?

“Isn’t this a ploy to ensure we enter May 29 without an election on the grounds of a nationwide instability? Doesn’t this then give credence to the rumours, and indeed, the declaration in a rowdy press conference four days ago by Dr. Doyin Okupe that they have no intention of handing over to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)?

“Isn’t this leading to the strongly rumoured Interim National Government? It is time for all Nigerians to take heed that there is a stormy and dark clouds ahead.”

He said that Nigeria had been reduced to children’s playground where individuals and groups presumed that they could name on their own without recourse to the constitution and the slightest respect for the 170 million Nigerians.

Ballot boxes are reportedly inadequate. Adequate training of INEC’s members of staff for the election had not been concluded and other problems facing INEC.

RoyalPriesthuud:

How did PDP get to know that ballot boxes aint enough? Or are they having moles in there? INEC ought to be independent of personal/party feelings of fear/anxiety.

Why are they complaining about card readers again? 21st century scenarios must look like one. And this is coming from GEJ's party who shouts around saying he fights corruption with 'technology'. This is infusion of technology and they want it to be the usual paper and eyes thing. Una be Carlos Slim


Anybody ever ask GEJ what technology he used to talk about in his fight against corruption

owobokiri:
Very good development. What is the essence of a card reader that will certify a Jega registered 4 year voter from miaduguri?? Isn't it sinister that Jega is more worried about unregistered voters voting down south while turning a blind eye when infants were being registered up north?? Under-aged voting is as dangerous to the outcome of any election as double voting or direct result inflation! So why is underaged voting, a northern pastime, geting no serious mention in Jegas jaga-jaga war against rigging?

RoyalPriesthuud:

How did PDP get to know that ballot boxes aint enough? Or are they having moles in there? INEC ought to be independent of personal/party feelings of fear/anxiety.

Why are they complaining about card readers again? 21st century scenarios must look like one. And this is coming from GEJ's party who shouts around saying he fights corruption with 'technology'. This is infusion of technology and they want it to be the usual paper and eyes thing. Una be Carlos Slim


Anybody ever ask GEJ what technology he used to talk about in his fight against corruption


I don't want to imagine how Nigeria will be 2ru d next four years if GEJ wins. So disgusting to ave a president that pronounces lies...

J12:


So all the activities of the INEC should be shrouded in secrecy because they are "independent"?

The PDP is a stakeholder in the elections, they have every right to know about every election process, activity, device, technology etc. This is a democracy!

RoyalPriesthuud:
Why shud the other party agents in the unit allow underaged registration

Hearsays won't take us an inch! Just spewing out anything scandalous that comes to mind. Is this not the Jega every1 including PDP are hailing even a few weeks back?
PDP finished using all their trump cards in a hurry on Buhari, now they wanna drag Jega down, maybe because they think he is muslim and from arewa? Bt it ought to be no problem since Arch. Sambo claimed PDP is filled with Muslims na

wetin they pain me be say my brothers from north no dey reply d ignorant fellows here. Underaged kọ, still births ni

J12:


So all the activities of the INEC should be shrouded in secrecy because they are "independent"?

The PDP is a stakeholder in the elections, they have every right to know about every election process, activity, device, technology etc. This is a democracy!

Bizinton:
There were indications that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party were already commencing tactics aimed at frustrating the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to make use of card readers for the 2015 elections.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, indicated that the ruling party and the Presidency were already looking at the possibility of mobilising Nigerians to demand that the use of card readers for the election be stopped.

This is coming as a former National Chairman of the ruling party, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said there were signs that the PDP was not interested in holding the elections.

Rather, Ogbeh said, the party was still hell-bent on foisting interim government on Nigeria.

A source in the Presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity with our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, said that both the Presidency and some members of the National Working Committee of the party had been asked to continue to either condemn the use of the card readers for the elections or also that the commission be told to allow Nigerians to use the Temporary Voter Card instead of the Permanent Voter Card for the election.

He said, “We are not comfortable with the card readers. For example, we have not seen any and we don’t know how it works.

“What will happen if the card readers fail to work? We have not even been told that they would not fail. And if they fail, what would happen. I think the issue of card readers must be re-examined.”

The commission had said that it would introduce card readers for voters’ accreditation in order to verify the rightful owners of PVCs.

It said that the device would eliminate impersonation and voting by proxy during the elections.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Amadi Ali, on Monday criticised the electoral commission for the postponed elections.

He said the electoral body was not fully ready for the polls.

Ali, who spoke at a press conference which was also attended by the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, also criticised the use of card readers for the elections.

He said, “There are also reports that the PVC readers are not fully distributed and tested. How can INEC handle cases of faulty card readers?

“Do they have a credible plan B in situation where voters line up and the card readers refuse to work? Ballot boxes are reportedly inadequate. Adequate training of INEC’s members of staff for the election had not been concluded and other problems facing INEC.

“Quite clearly the shift in election date is meant to save INEC from monumental embarrassment. I would like to reiterate that the PDP is ready for the election any day.”

But Ogbeh in a statement, insisted that the PDP was not ready for the elections and advised Nigerians to reject any call for the installation of ING by the government.

He said that the letter sent to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, by the National Security Adviser, Col. Dansuki Sambo (retd.), in which he asked for elections postponement by six weeks must be properly digested by Nigerians.

Ogbeh said, “Does this not suggest that we should expect high level theatric manipulation as the six weeks get closer to convince us that another six weeks will be necessary?

“Isn’t this a ploy to ensure we enter May 29 without an election on the grounds of a nationwide instability? Doesn’t this then give credence to the rumours, and indeed, the declaration in a rowdy press conference four days ago by Dr. Doyin Okupe that they have no intention of handing over to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)?

“Isn’t this leading to the strongly rumoured Interim National Government? It is time for all Nigerians to take heed that there is a stormy and dark clouds ahead.”

He said that Nigeria had been reduced to children’s playground where individuals and groups presumed that they could name on their own without recourse to the constitution and the slightest respect for the 170 million Nigerians.

http://www.punchng.com/news/presidency-pdp-reject-card-reader-for-election/

pacesetter939:
Any means by GEJ and his ally to truncate our nascent democracy shall be greeted with revolution.

GEJ, be warned!

chukwudi44:

Revolution ko revolver ni.Whether you like it or not come March 30 2015,GEJ would surely be returned as winner. After that you can start your cocoa and groundnut revolution while the Niger delta militants starts their oil revolution

lacasa:




Your username says it all.


The sycophants from that corner of the country


#SaiBuhari
#AcceptorEatredSoil

chukwudi44:


Aboki you think we are scared of your useless "revolution"? Bring it on and let's see if you have monopoly over violence. Whether you like it or not come May 29 2015 GEJ would be sworn in for another four years

udemzyudex:
Yes,he is correct. Inec should tell us their plan B if the card readers fail to work,we have been reading stories how most of these card readers are not working,some staff are just recieving training now. What have they been doing since? There are lots of educated illiterated here on Nairaland.