Anambra confirms apprehension over Army free medical outreach

ITREALMS:

The Anambra State government has confirmed the apprehension over the Army free medical outreach in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state, and requested immediate support of any army medical outreach within its domain, reports ITRealms.

The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, decried the apprehension but acknowledged that their attention has been drawn to an ongoing medical outreach being undertaken by the Nigerian Army in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, as  part of Army social responsibility to members of the public.

“However, strong apprehension among the populace has followed the exercise leading to withdrawal of students from schools by parents, misconception of the actual motive behind the exercise by stakeholders, community leaders and a general reservation by the public for whom the outreach is intended,” he lamented.

To ensure no further escalation of the situation, he quoted the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, as having contacted the Army authorities with advice for immediate stoppage of the medical outreach until wide sensitization is conducted to reassure people of its intentions and benefits.

“The exercise has therefore been put on hold,” he assured, advising parents and guardians to stop withdrawing wards from schools as the situation has been handled.

“All schools within the State will remain open as there is no cause for alarm! Community leaders, Presidents General and all Stakeholders are hereby reassured of the commitment of the Governor and the State Government to the wellbeing of Ndi Anambra,” he said.

The State Government, he also said, strongly condemns observed rhetorics on social media completely misrepresenting the situation with insinuations of spread of diseases and death of students in schools arising from the exercise.

“The State categorically refutes these rhetorics and confirms that there is no death of any student anywhere in the State. Mischief makers are warned to desist from spreading falsehood. Anambra remains calm and peaceful” he declared.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Mushin apprehension worries TMG

ITRealms:

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has expressed concern over the tension building around the elections for the Local governments and the Local Council Development Authorities (LCDAs) in Lagos State, this Saturday, reports ITRealms.

The TMG, through its Chairperson, TMG – Abuja, AbiolaAkiyode – Afolabi  and South West Coordinator, TMG, Lagos, SulaimonArigbagbu, told ITRealms they were particularly worried about the incessant violence in some areas of Lagos, especially in Mushin due to issues surrounding the nomination of candidates and the tension building up in some quarters due to undemocratic activities of some of the major political parties in the run up to the election and the impact of such tension for the coming elections. 

“We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos State House of Assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos Electoral Law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the substitution of a party candidate before the elections,” TMG lamented.

The new bill, they noted, allows a political party to withdraw and substitute candidate not later than three (3) days to LASIEC verification. Just as it also statesd that any candidate could withdraw from contesting not later than three (3) days to the election by personally taking a letter of withdrawal to the State Secretary of the party involved who must also personally take same to LASIEC not later than 12noon, three (3) days to the election.

TMG is worried about the implications and dangers such amendment portends on the credibility of the Saturday, 22^nd Lagos State Local Government Area (LGA) Council elections as scheduled by LAISEC. Conduct of credible, free, fair and legitimate elections cannot be achieved in this kind of arrangement with an amendment taken place just three days to election. 

Furthermore, we are also apprehensive of the implications of the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures giving the fact that the election is just three days away. Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the credibility and legitimacy of the elections.

“We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer's deployment for the Saturday Local Government Election in Lagos State,” TMG said.

Our concern is further heightened by the refusal by LASIEC to deploy Card Reader for the conduct of this coming elections. This is an anti-climax to the widely acknowledged improvement to our Electoral System during the 2015 General Elections.

 As a flagship organization on election and governance monitoring in Nigeria, TMG is seriously concerned about plethora of allegations trailing the preparations for the election and the lopsided observer’s deployment plan adopted by LAISEC. TMG urges the commission to reconsider its decision on these issues. 

TMG further called on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear or favour.

“We hope that LASIEC is committed to an open, genuine, free and appropriate process that is devoid of any suspicion misgiving in the process leading to the election,” they urged.

Ayo Midele/GEE 

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