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INEC ad hoc staff protest in Imo

Published

6 years ago

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Scores of ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commissione, INEC, who did not know their fate Saturday, protested in front of the Owerri office of the establishment.

The protesters, which included Collation and Returning Officers, told Vanguard at the scene that although they received proper training for the exercise, but were yet to be deployed by INEC.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the protest, the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Michael Echetama, said they were surprised that INEC have failed to determine their fate and roles in the ongoing polls.

“Although we are from varying Federal Government owned institutions, feelers getting to us, has it that INEC is planning to settle for only the staff of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, for the current exercise”, Echetama said. When contacted on her mobile line for comments, the INEC Public Relations Officer of INEC in Imo state, Mrs. Emmanuella Opara, said the protest was unnecessary. “The protest is not necessary. Honestly, they have not need to cluster in front of our office. The shortlisted ad hoc staff have since, been notified appropriately through text messages”, Opara explained. On the allegation that the Commission only settled for FUTO staff, Mrs. Opara said it was not true. “It is not true that the Commission settled for only FUTO staff. The ad hoc staff the Commission recruited, cut across all institutions”, Opara explained. Meanwhile, a startling discovery was recorded at Naze polling booth 2, Owerri North local government area. Vanguard was told that no fewer than 290 sheets of the Senatorial Ballot Paper was missing and the INEC staff could not account for it, as the materials arrived more than two hours late. A top civil servant, who did not want her name in print, expressed shock over the alleged loss of 290 ballot papers. “What do you call this? Who removed it? Will it eventually count when returned? This is not good for our democracy”, the lady lamented. At Osu Owerri Ward, where the former Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, was supposed to vote, materials were yet to arrive as at 1pm when Vanguard left the voting centre. Reports coming from Ogboko, the country home of Governor Rochas Okorocha, had it that a Premium Is reporter was attacked at one of the polling centres, and at the Divisional Police Officer’s,as at the time of going to press. The situation at Mbaitoli local government area was not particularly rosy in most polling centres visited, as less than two and a half hours to the end of voting, the exercise did not commence. Professor C. B. C. Ohanuzuo, who spoke to Vanguard at the polling unit 7 in Amauzari Ward, Isiala Mbano local government area, lamented that as at 12 noon, there was no sign of INEC there or in any of the polling units in the Ward. “I honestly, don’t know what INEC has up the sleeves. I will not go away from this polling centre. I’ll sit it out here, no matter the pain and frustration”, Professor Ohanuzuo said. Voters at the Modonna Model Secondary School, Works Layout, Owerri, the voters sensed foul play. Speaking to Vanguard on phone,a senior citizen, Chief Donald Ekenta said that although INEC adhoc staff arrived booth 003 at 1.05 pm, he announced to the bewildered voters that he came with incomplete ballot boxes and ballot papers. “The adhoc staff claimed that they were waylaid between Government Secondary School, Owerri, and our voting centre. There is serious tension here, especially as a Toyota Sienna vehicle, with police branding, drove into this arena and the young man away”, Ekenta recounted. Continuing, Chief Ekenta said that nobody was sure if the armed people were real police personnel or fakes. “For now, no voting has taken place at this polling centre. It is only hoped that nobody will turn in any result, purporting it to have come from here”, Chief Ekenta pleaded.

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Zenith Bank Assures Customers on Seamless Transactions, Apologizes for Disruptions During Infrastructure Upgrade

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11 mins ago

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October 3, 2024

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Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Zenith Bank, has reassured its customers of improved services following recent infrastructure upgrades.

 

In a message posted on Thursday, the bank apologised for the service disruptions experienced across its e-channels during the upgrade period.

 

The bank clarified that the glitches were a result of routine information and technology maintenance, which is essential for optimizing service delivery.

 

Zenith Bank emphasized its commitment to ensuring 100% uptime, stating that it takes this responsibility “very personally” and continuously allocates resources to maintain uninterrupted service availability.

 

In the statement, the bank expressed its sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to customers during the upgrade process, highlighting that the information technology enhancements are designed to improve the quality of service for its esteemed clientele.

 

The message reads in part:

 

Dear Valued Customer,

 

We sincerely apologise for the service disruptions you experienced recently on our banking channels. This was due to an information Technology upgrade aimed at improving the quality of service we provide.

 

We have made significant progress with the upgrade and you can now perform transactions conveniently with the following Zenith bank Channels:

 

Your Zenith Bank Debit Card

The Zenith Bank Mobile App

The Zenith bank Internet Banking Platform

Zenith Agents nationwide (Agent Banking)

 

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News and Report

Just In: Tinubu Set To Embark on  Two-weeks Annual Leave.

Published

20 hours ago

on

October 2, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a two-week annual leave

 

According to Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.

 

He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

 

He will return to the country after the leave expires.

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Alleged Corruption : El-Rufai denies allegations, vow to swear on Quran….

Published

1 day ago

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October 2, 2024

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A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asserted that his entry into politics was driven solely by a desire to serve the people, not to amass wealth or siphon public funds.

 

El-Rufai made this declaration on Tuesday during a Hausa program aired on Freedom Radio, Kaduna.

 

Speaking candidly, the former governor dismissed allegations of financial misconduct during his administration, maintaining that he was already financially content before assuming office.

 

The Kaduna State House of Assembly had earlier indicted El-Rufai’s administration for the misappropriation of over N423 billion during his eight-year tenure.

 

 

However, El-Rufai and his associates have categorically denied the accusations, labeling them as politically motivated.

 

“I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” El-Rufai stated, adding that he is ready to swear on the Quran to prove his innocence if other former governors and current leaders do the same.

 

 

“I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I strive not to betray the trust of the people. Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Quran that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them. I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people,” he said.

 

 

The former governor expressed dismay over the allegations, saying his administration has been accused without any clear evidence of where the money went missing or who took it.

 

He further claimed that his allies were being targeted and invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of a smear campaign against him.

 

“I have left everything to God’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue. I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing my name, but for now, I’m focused on my activities like reading and writing,” he said.

 

 

El-Rufai emphasised that service to the people continues even after leaving office, stating, “You don’t need to hold a position in government to serve. We are still working with like-minded individuals who genuinely want to serve the people, not those seeking to enrich themselves.”

 

Looking ahead, El-Rufai revealed that he intends to return to politics in 2027 after completing his studies, remarking, “There is no retirement in politics. God willing, we will return and continue serving the people.”

 

 

 

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