Ahead of the February 25th Presidential election, chairman of the Independent national electoral commission Professor Mahmood Yakubu has met with the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele to discuss cooperation and support between the two institutions to enhance the success of the elections.
Chairman of the electoral commission says the meeting was necessitated by the need to assuage service providers and vendors on the availability of cash to pay for their services.
Professor Yakubu Mahmood told Godwin Emefiele of the CBN that most of the service providers are paid using electronic transfer but immediate cash payment will also be needed for logistics and other miscellaneous matters as most of the vendors and service providers are unbanked.
The Governor of the Apex Bank who has been under intense pressure lately following his insistence on the cash swap deadline assured the electoral commission that the cash needed to prosecute the election will be made available.
Godwin Emefiele said CBN and INEC have always worked together and the relationship between the two institutions is based on trust and confidence.
He says the general election is an urgent national assignment that should be allowed to fail and the apex bank will not frustrate a positive project.
Immediately after meeting with the Governor of thebcentral Bank of Nigeria, chairman of the electoral commission proceeded to the office of the national security adviser to also hold talks on election security and safety.
The Chairman of INEC and the National Security adviser were joined by the chief of defence staff and other service chiefs in a closed door meeting where the security situation in thebcountry will be appraised and the level of preparedness of security operatives for the election will also be discussed.
The national security adviser Major General Babagana Monguno has always reiterated the federal government’s commitment to providing INEC with all the support and peaceful atmosphere that will guarantee the conduct of a hitch-free election.
INEC has been worried about the spate of targeted attacks of INEC facilities in some parts of the country that has led to the death of personnel, destruction of INEC infrastructure and voting materials.
The electoral commission had also held several meetings with the inter-agency consultative Committee on election security to seek solutions to factors that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the polls.
2023 Elections: Zamfara LP Guber Candidate, 3 Senatorial, 7 Reps, 14 State Assembly Candidates Joins APC
Zamfara State Deputy Governorship Candidate, Two Senatorial Candidates, Seven House of Representatives Candidates and fourteen State House of Assembly Candidates of the Labour Party in Zamfara defects to the ruling All Progressive Congress
This is coming less than a week after the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate and other party bigwigs visited Gusau the state Capital to canvas for votes ahead of February and March elections
With about seventeen days to the General election, the Ruling APC has Continued to re-strategize to win in all elective positions
One of it is the Support the party is gathering from different groups
In Zamfara, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Labour party, 2 Senatorial Candidates, 7 House of Representatives and fourteen House of Assembly Candidates dumps the party and join the ruling APC
This was announced by the Candidates at a brief ceremony to recieve the Defectors at the residence of former Governor Abdulazeez Yari, in Talata Mafara
They promise to join the APC Train in it’s quest for in the forthcoming polls
The principal defectors includes the Labour party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate, Sule Yusuf Dansadau, three Senatorial candidates, Yahaya Audu Mafara for Zamfara West, Sani Yusuf Danmasani for Zamfara Central, and Engr Adamu Yakubu for Zamfara North
Others are Seven Candidates for House of Representatives and Fourteen state House of Assembly Candidates
Speaking on behalf of the Defectors, the former Labour party Governorship Candidate Sule Yusuf Dansadau and Sani Dan-Masani, former the Zamfara Central Senatorial Candidate promise to use their wealth of experience to deliver more votes to the APC in their locations
They commend the fatherly role of ex – Governor Abdulazeez Yari who they described as their Political mentor and vow to give their best for the party in all available ways
On his part, the state chairman of APC, Tukur Umar Danfulani, represented by his deputy, Hassan Marafa Damri expressed delight over the decision of the key labour party flag bearers to join the ruling APC, which he described as a big plus to the party
He adds that, all right thinking indigenes of Zamfara state most be passionate about peace and stability of the state under the present administration of Governor Bello Matawalle
Receiving the Defectors, Fmr. Governor Abdulazeez Yari who is also the Chairman of the Zamfara state Governorship Campaign Council described the move by the LP Candidates to join the APC as a wise decision
The Zamfara West hopeful Senator assures the Defectors of equal right with other party members, especially as elections draws closer
” We will ensure you are treated equally with other party members” Yari said.
“We will talk to the APC Officials in your Local Government to include you in all Committees we have in ensuring victory at the coming poll” Ex- Governor Yari Assures the Defectors.
The All Progressive Congress in Zamfara had in recent times recieved defectors from other Political parties ahead of it’s Continuous effort to win the 2023 elections.
Those present at the event includes Leader of Abdulazeez Yari political Movement, Lawal M. Liman, Commissioner, National Population Commission in Zamfara Muhammad Muttaka Rini, former Majority leader, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Isah Abdulmumin, APC Candidate for Talata Mafara North state Assembly, Aliyu Ango Kagara, Umar Mohammed Bakura among other top Politicians.