Nigeria Decides 2019
#NigeriaDecides: Who gets dumped at the governorship election?
RIVERS POLLS: INEC apologises to NAF, says men in military uniforms were imposters
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has retracted its earlier claim at the weekend that military personnel took over its premises and hijacked the collation of results.
The commission has apologized to the Nigerian Air Force for wrongfully accusing it of using its personnel to invade its premises in Rivers State and disrupt the collation of results in the protracted governorship and House of Assembly polls.
A statement was issued to this effect on Tuesday, entitled: “Inadvertent Involvement of the Nigerian Air Force in the Disruption of the March 9 2019 Collation Process.”
INEC revealed in the statement which was signed by the Head of Voter Education in Rivers State, Mr. Edwin Enabor for the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obo Effanga, that it also discovered that the men in military uniforms were not from the NAF.
It will be recalled that the Spokesman for the INEC in Rivers State had accused the NAF and other security agencies of invading its collation centre and disrupting the exercise thereby forcing it to discontinue the declaration of results, a development that is currently generating tension across the country and beyond.
The statement said: “Further to our investigation and clarification from the NAF Command in Rivers State on the invasion of our offices/disruption of collation process by armed men in military uniforms, the commission wishes to state that the persons purported to have worn the Air Force uniforms were neither personnel of the service nor authorized by the service to be at INEC office.
“The commission therefore wishes to express its regret at the embarrassment this might have caused the NAF,” INEC said.
The apology by INEC notwithstanding, has gone viral and attracted global attention, forcing some countries to issue threats against Nigeria.
INCONCLUSIVE POLLS: INEC Fixes March 23 for supplementary elections
Supplementary governorship elections for the six states where polls were declared inconclusive have been scheduled to hold on March 23.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, announced that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) took the decision on Tuesday after a meeting to review the 29 governorship and 991 state constituency elections of March 9.
The six states where INEC’s returning officers declared the election inconclusive are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto.
Okoye said ,”Consequently, the Commission will conduct supplementary elections on Saturday, 23rd March, 2019 to conclude the process.”
“Supplementary elections will also hold in polling units in all states where State Assembly elections were declared inconclusive and winners could not be declared. Details of the constituencies including number of polling units and registered voters will be published on our website tomorrow, Wednesday, 13th March, 2019.”
ADAMAWA: PDP faults INEC, says Fintiri should be declared governor-elect
Following the declaration of the governorship poll in Adamawa State as inconclusive, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declare its candidate, Umaru Fintiri as winner.
INEC had declared the election inconclusive after announcing results from all the 21 local government areas based on the fact that the margin of lead of 32,476 was lower than 40,998 registered voters in polling units where election was cancelled.
Fintiri had polled 367, 471 votes in the inconclusive election, while the governor, Mohammed Bindow polled 334, 995 votes.
During a press briefing addressed by a former governor of the state, Boni Haruna, in Yola on Tuesday, the PDP argued that INEC should have considered the number of voters who collected their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) which is lower than the margin of lead rather than the total number of registered voters in the affected polling units.
“We’ve been able to establish that the number of PVCs collected by voters in the 44 PUs is 31,027. So, 31,027 are the only eligible voters in those units. If there is going to be a rerun, the 31,027 people who collected their PVCs are less than PDP’s margin of win. How then would the re-run affect the leading position of the PDP? So, there was no basis in declaring the Adamawa State governorship election inconclusive,” he said.
The party therefore rejected the declaration of the election as inconclusive, calling on INEC to rescind its decision and declare the PDP candidate, Umaru Fintiri, as the winner.
GUBER POLL: ‘We’re not afraid of a rerun’- Plateau APC
The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the circumstances that led to the inconclusive gubernatorial election in the state.
The party said that, though it is not afraid of a rerun, “fraudulent practices during election should not be rewarded with a rerun.”
The State Chairman of the Party, Latep Dabang, who spoke for the party at a press briefing in Jos, questions the failure of the State Collation Officer, Professor Richard Kimbir to identify areas where elections were cancelled due to either failure of smart card reader or violence before calling for a rerun.
However, Dabang expressed confidence of widening the winning margin of 44,000 as the affected areas for rerun are “our strongholds” and appealed that the voice of Plateau people in the election be respected.
According to him, “The PDP is trying to present a scenario as if the God given mandate of Lalong and House of Assembly members was a stolen mandate. The election was free, fair and just even though some areas where the APC won conveniently were cancelled. Our agents were on ground.
“Though we disagreed with the decision of the Collation Officer, but for peace to reign, our agent had to give in. Fraudulent practices during election should not be rewarded, the Collation Officer should have identified the areas where election was disrupted by violence and over voting but all cases were lumped together and we were told that we have to go for a rerun.
“APC is not afraid of a rerun because the affected areas are our strongholds where the opposition is labouring to ensure that the votes do not count. We will go and come out victorious, I can assure that the 44,000 gap will be doubled. Plateau people have spoken, their will should be respected.”
Speaking on the impending bye-election due to the demise of the APC Pengana State constituency candidate who had won the election but died shortly after winning, Latep stated though the incident is a sad one as he had spoken with him 10 minutes before his demise, the Party will decide on the steps to take in line with the approved guidelines before the bye-election.
KANO: PDP guber candidate laments INEC’s declaration of election ‘inconclusive’
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed displeasure over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Saturday’s election in the state as inconclusive.
The Commission had on Monday night declared the election inconclusive after the number of cancelled votes exceeded the margin between the winner and the first runner up, incumbent governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
A statement made available on Tuesday by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the PDP blamed the violence that led to the cancellation of results on top government officials in the state, including the deputy governor.
He called on supporters of the party to remain calm as they await that conduct of supplementary elections in some parts of the State.
The statement read: “Kano people have seen glaringly, that the enemies of democracy who are high-ranking officials of the state government including serving the deputy governor, a commissioner in the state and Nassarawa local government chairman who vandalised an election collation centre with the sole aim of truncating the declaration process to deny PDP victory.
“We pray all election offenders would be charged to court at the earliest possible time to serve as a deterrent to all anti-democracy forces and persons.
“We call on all supporters to remain calm; we are known to be peace lovers and so we shall remain as we are very sure of victory during the rerun.
“Our supporters should not forget that PDP is already leading in the last count of the election and interestingly, the election would take place in the strongest areas of our party.”
INEC declares Ishaku winner of Taraba governorship polls
Darius Ishaku, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared winner of the 2019 Governorship and National Assembly polls held on Saturday in Taraba State.
According to results released by the Mr Shehu Iya, a professor at the Modibo Adama University, who also doubles as the Returning Officer for the election in the state, the PDP scored a total vote of 520,433 while the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded 362,735 across the 16 LGAs.
Speaking during the announcement of the results at the INEC office in Jalingo, Mr. Iya said the incumbent governor satisfied the requirement of the law and has been returned re-elected as such.
In final breakdown of the results from the 16 LGAs, the PDP won 12 LGAs while the APC candidate, Sani Danladi claimed victory in the four other LGAs.
OGUN: Woman killed in crossfire as security agents, hoodlums clash during election
Tragedy struck at Ogere-Remo area of Ikene Local Government Area, Ogun State during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections on Saturday.
A stray bullet hit and killed a mother of six, Oluwakemi Adeoye, during a shootout between suspected political thugs and security agents.
It was gathered that the hoodlums attempted to snatch ballot boxes from the Town Hall Collation Centre in Ward 6, Ogere-Remo before the Police operatives and soldiers stationed at the area exchanged gunfire with them.
It was during the shootout that Oluwakemi was allegedly hit by a stray bullet.
While speaking to journalists about the incident, an eyewitness, who refused to give names said:
“There had been issues between the Lemo group and the Luku group; so, on the election day, both groups accused each other of misconduct and attacked each other.
“The woman was on a motorcycle and immediately she and the motorcyclist passed the Methodist Church, the mobile police officers stationed in the area ordered the motorcyclist to stop and out of fear, he quickly turned. All of a sudden, a bullet hit the woman and she died on the spot.”
The deceased’s husband simply identified as Matti, said:
“I was at home when I got a call that I should quickly come down to Oja-Ale because something had happened to my wife. When I got there, I saw my wife’s dead body. She had left home to buy what the family wanted to eat for the night, but had not even got to her destination when the stray bullet hit her.
“I was told that when the motorcyclist saw the policemen fighting the hoodlums, he turned back and it was at that point that the bullet hit her. I carried her corpse to the Ogere Police Station and wrote a statement.
“My wife’s family members have come around and we have buried her according to Islamic rites. She was the one taking care of the family because I am old; I am really worried as to how to take care of our six children.”
When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi who confirmed the incident said:
“The death of that woman had nothing to do with the security agents. What happened was that, in Ogere, there are two rival cult groups; one is headed by a man simply known as Luku Number One, while the other group is led by a guy known simply as Lemo.
“So, after the elections were concluded and the electoral materials were moved to the collation centre, the two groups clashed in the town and started firing at each other. It was in the process that the woman was killed by a stray bullet.
“It was even the husband who came to the police station to report the incident and immediately, the police and the soldiers moved in and were able to arrest eight suspects. The soldiers also arrested Luku, who happens to be the leader of one of the groups, and they took him away.
“The vehicle that he (Luku) was using that day was impounded. The police and soldiers were not at the scene as of the time the stray bullet killed the woman. The police asked the husband to bring the corpse so that a post-mortem examination could be performed on her remains, but he refused and went ahead to bury her.”
The deceased’s eldest child, Wasiu, 24, said he was still in shock over his mother’s death, adding that his siblings needed help to survive in the absence of their mother, who had been fending for them.
Commissioner, LG chair nabbed for attempting to snatch result sheets
The long arm of the law has caught up with Kano State Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Sule, and the Chairman, Nassarawa Local Government Area, Lamin Sani, after they were both arrested for attempting to snatch election result sheets.
According to DSP Haruna Abdullahi, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sule and Sani were arrested at Nassarawa Local Government Area Collation Centre after they both attempted to destroy election result sheets.
The PPRO who noted that investigation into the alleged attempt to snatch election result sheets had commenced said; “The command is putting it clear to all and sundry that INEC should be allowed to finish collating the results and declare authentic winners before any celebrations.
“This is to maintain peace and harmony and do away with any incident of accident and breach of peace.
“Any person or persons that engage in such celebrations leading to breach of peace will be arrested and prosecuted as provided by the law,” he added.
ELECTIONS: What happened in Rivers shows Buratai wants to return Nigeria to military rule —CUPP
Opposition political parties under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have accused the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, of plots to return Nigeria to military rule.
The group stated this on Monday in response to the alleged activities of soldiers during the Saturday governorship and state assembly elections in Rivers.
Videos and photos circulating on social media showed soldiers directly involved in all forms of electoral offences, harassing electorate, electoral officials, observers and aiding thugs to snatch ballot boxes among others.
The Army has however claimed that those soldiers seen in the videos indulging in electoral irregularities were impostors masquerading as Nigerian soldiers.
But CUPP in a statement through its first national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, insisted that the Nigerian Army was responsible for those electoral offences in Rivers.
He argued that the action of the military was tantamount to treasonable felony and called on all lovers of democracy to resist it.
“The Coalition of United Political Parties has reviewed the performance of the Nigerian military in the just -concluded governorship election in some parts of the country and has come to the conclusion that the Chief of Army Staff , Tukur Buratai, is nursing a secret agenda to return the country to a military rule .
“We make bold to say that Buratai’s brazen use of armed soldiers to attack officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and upturn electoral process were testing grounds for his plot to truncate Nigeria ’s democracy.
“We hereby raise the alarm loud enough for all lovers of democracy to hear that an electoral war is looming in states like Rivers over the desperate moves by the Nigerian Army and the All Progresives Congress to announce fake governorship election results in Army Barracks in favour of an unknown and non – existence party called AAC.
“We condemn in unequivocal terms President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chief of Army Staff over this reckless overthrow of electoral process in Rivers State with the APC thugs and security agents .
“We hereby say without mincing words that the undemocratic activities of the military and other security agencies in Rivers State are tantamount to treasonable felony and should be viewed and treated that way.
“This is an assault on democratic institutions in the country and should be resisted and condemned by all lovers of democracy within and outside the country,” the statement read.
Observers had expected that Rivers election will be peaceful expecially as the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), following court rulings, was barred from participating in the election in the state.
However the state governor, Nyesom Wike, had before the Electiin Day accused a former governor of the state and a serving minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Nigerian Army of plots to cause confusion and ensure that elections in the state were disrupted.
Kidnappers set three INEC ad hoc workers free in Katsina
Three kidnapped ad hoc workers at the Katsina office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been released by their abductors on Sunday.
This was made known in a statement on Monday by the spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah.
He said: “On Sunday, March 10, 2019, around 9pm, the three abducted INEC ad hoc workers were released by their abductors.
“They have been taken to the Danmusa Hospital for medical check-up and later rejoined their respective families. Investigation is in top gear with a view to arresting the hoodlums.”
The three ad hoc workers whose names are withheld were abducted during Saturday’s governorship and the state House of Assembly elections.
A policeman along with an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the Danmusa and Kankara local government area were also killed by the gunmen.
KANO: INEC resumes collation of results as dep gov regains freedom
The collation of results at the only remaining local government area in Kano State has commenced after the process was postponed due to disruption.
According to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Riskuwa Shehu, the electoral body is determined to conclude the process of collation using primary and secondary results from polling units and wards.
Recall that results from 43 out of the 44 local government areas had already been released when the process was stopped after the state deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna and the State Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Sule Garo were involved in an altercation at the collation centre.
With results from Nasarawa local government, the only remaining local government left to declare, Gawuna and Garo were both involved in a heavy exchange forcing security operatives to step in as they allegedly disrupted the collation of results forcing INEC to delay in announcing the final results of the election.
Meanwhile, the pair of Gawuna and Garo who were both arrested after the altercation have both been released according to Kano commissioner of Police, Mohammed Wakil.
Observers say election in Yobe was Peaceful
As Yobe rounds up the electoral process which saw the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Alhaji Mai Mala Buni Governor-elect, Election observers, under the auspices of Coalition of INEC Accredited Election Observers in the state, have commended the people and security agencies for their peaceful conduct during Saturday’s election.
The coalition made the commendation in a statement jointly signed by the leaders of the team, Mrs. Tina Okoi of the Youth Initiative Empowerment, Ijewa Zeb Obioma of the Global Development Center for Research Mission in Nigeria and Danjuma Umaru of the Global Advocacy Leadership.
The group said the peaceful atmosphere and great sense of hospitality provided to them helped them to carry out their duty diligently.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the security agencies and operatives for their tireless efforts at maintaining law and order in the state during the election.
“We make bold to say that not less than was expected from them in this gubernatorial voting
“Our background findings revealed that Yobe State is predominantly an APC state, the state is deeply rooted in APC and has never been governed by another political party outside the party line up of APP, ANPP through APC”.
Nasarawa guber: APGA’s Labaran Maku discredits polls, alleges irregularities
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Engr. Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Nasarawa State, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has rejected the result of the poll.
APGA’s Labaran Maku, discredited the polls on the basis of alleged fraud. He made the allegation in Nasarawa Eggon area of the state on Monday.
He said: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) led government colluded with INEC and the security agencies to announce a pre-allocated election results and placed APGA in third position in order to shut us up to create an impression that the people are not with us”.
Maku, who is also a former Minister of Communication, said that the preliminary reaction of his party was that the result was not the true reflection of the votes cast by the people of the state adding that “we reject it in totality.”
However, incumbent Governor, Umaru Al-Makura, earlier advised aggrieved opposition party members in the state to go to court and seek redress instead of breaching the peace in the state.
Al-Makura warned that the government will bring the full weight of the law on trouble markers.
While speaking in Lafia, Almakura said there were reports that some politicians in the state were planning to disrupt the peace in the state if the elections did not go their way.
He said: “Evidence before us has indicated that some disgruntled elements have concluded their evil plans to break the peace of the state. Government would not fold its hands and watch the peaceful atmosphere elude the people.”
AKWA IBOM GUBER: APC’s Nsima Ekere vows to reclaim mandate
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere on Monday vowed to reclaim the mandate voters in the state gave him.
Ekere was reacting to the declaration of Governor Emmanuel Udom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday in the state.
Ekere stated this while speaking to journalists at his residence in Uyo, adding that Akwa Ibom people voted for the APC in spite of plots by the PDP to woo them with money.
According to him, he and his party rejected the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under the leadership of Mr Mike Igini, because the results did not correspond with the results declared at the polling units.
He said: “Akwa Ibom people shunned those monies, came out in their hundreds of thousands to vote for me and other APC candidates In the governorship and House of Assembly election held on 09 March.
“And we were speaking to all our agents in the 2,980 polling units in Akwa Ibom state and the results we got as election was going on and at the end of counting in each of the polling units across the state showed clearly that Akwa Ibom people had embraced change; they showed clearly that they wanted APC.
“And the results showed that APC won in the 26 Local government areas of the state. We have the results of the polling units already to confirm this”
The APC candidate also explained that his party do not understand how Mr. Igini the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the staff of INEC managed to come out with the results that were now coming out from the collation centers because they were different from the results from polling units
Continuing, Ekere said APC was dismayed that against the provisions of the electoral act and guidelines released by INEC, that there were no collations at the ward centres in the state.
“I will like Mr. Mile Igini to explain to Akwa Ibom people and to the whole country why he chose to make his own guidelines for the elections different from the guidelines that was released by the INEC.
“The resutls from the collations according to Mike Igini were totally different from the results that were obtained from the polling units across the state.
“We did not know how they did their collation, maybe they had a different model for collation different from what is known and acceptable for electioneering all over the world.
“But generally I want to thank the people of Akwa Ibom people for the massive support which they had given to the APC and the way they had voted overwhelmingly for APC and for myself in the last election and to assure them that by the grace of God we shall recover the mandate which they freely gave to the APC using the appropriate channels that are available and known to Law” .
The candidate, who said that though the REC was expected to be neutral, insisted that “but his conduct and the things he had done both in the presidential and national assembly election and the gunernatorial and state House of Assembly election has confirmed our fears.
“And we actually find it so difficult to understand why it was so difficult for them to make that change. From 1999 every election year, Resident Electoral Commissioner’s and staff of INEC who had been resident in a particular state for a long time were always moved around.
“That way you are sure that they will not come and allow their alliances and friendship developed in that state over the period they had stayed there to influence their conduct. But surprisingly INEC refused to do this and this is the first time this is happening.
”They allowed Mr. Igini to frustrate the wishes of Akwa Ibom people. And this is most unfortunate. And I can tell you just like my party did during a press conference in the morning, we will not accept this the results.”
APC secures total victory in Edo assembly elections, clears all 24 seats
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has cleared all the 24 seats available for grabs at the Edo State House of Assembly in Saturday’s state assembly election in the state.
APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, is a former governor in the state.
The clearing of the 24 seats is the first time in history the state assembly will be dominated by a single party right from the days of old Midwest Region.
The feat has consequently positioned the State Governor in pole position for a second term ticket, as chieftains of the party in the state believe it is a testimony to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s quality leadership in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie said: “We saw Obaseki’s capacity for annihilating the opposition during the last local government election in which all the 18 candidates of the All Progressives Congress triumphed in the state.
“With all the 24 House of Assembly seats in our kitty, we are determined as a party, to put our best foot forward in the gubernatorial election, come 2020. The rising profile of our party under Obaseki is phenomenal, and Edo people have spoken that they appreciate his people-focused policies and programmes.”
Obaseki, in his Thank You Message to Edo people, said he was grateful to the voters for coming out en masse to vote for candidates of the APC in the House of Assembly election.
He said: “My dear good people of Edo State, I thank you immensely for the massive votes you gave to candidates of my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday March 9, House of Assembly election in the state.”
The governor noted that he was particularly delighted at the enthusiasm and maturity exhibited by voters across the state while casting their ballots.
“With this overwhelming endorsement of my party and my administration, my government is now turbocharged and fired up to exceed the expectations of the millions of Edo people and residents who reaffirmed their faith in our developmental programmes and policies at the polls on Saturday.
“We campaigned vigorously and impressed it on our people that a vote for the APC House of Assembly candidates, is a vote for me to continue and complete all ongoing projects in every sector of the state.
“Thankfully, this message resonated well with our people and you have charged us to continue with all our ongoing reforms in Edo State”, Obaseki said.
The governor also pledged that his administration would “continue to create more jobs, construct more roads, renew our education and healthcare system, invest more in the security of life and property, and industrialise Edo State, in our collective quest to actualise the Edo of our dreams.
“I assure you that we will not take for granted this loud vote of confidence in my administration. I will continue to put you, our people first, in all our development plans.”
IMO GUBER: PDP’s Ihedioha breaks Okorocha’s grip, triumphs
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Imo State governorship election, Emeka Ihedioha, has emerged governor-elect of the state.
Ihedioha, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, secured 273,404 votes to defeat Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA) and Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwosu, a son-in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha and his anointed candidate, finished second with 190,364 votes.
APC’s candidate, Senator Uzodinma, polled 96,458 votes.
Ihedioha was declared the winner by the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta, at 11:57 pm on Monday night, bringing to an end a controversy-plagued election.
Situation Room says 2019 polls recorded 58 deaths, calls for independent inquiry
Election observer group, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, while giving its evaluation of the 2019 general elections has said 58 persons were killed during the polls.
The situation, which has been criticizing the conduct of the elections, also claimed vote-buying characterised the polls in Adamawa, Sokoto, Lagos, Delta, Enugu, Ekiti, Bauchi, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, Kano and Osun states.
The Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener (NCSSR), Clement Nwankwo, in a statement on Sunday demanded an independent inquiry into the exercise
While condemning the violence which resulted in bloodshed, especially in Rivers State, the situation recommends that the independent inquiry should address the role played by the military in the alleged abuse of the electoral process.
Similarly, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) delivered a damning report on the 2019 elections.
Speaking specifically on the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections in the country, the EU EOM said the elections were marred by cases of violence that were targeted at election officials and voters.
The NCSSR said it was worried about the alleged involvement of soldiers in electoral fraud, particularly in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states.
The statement said, “Situation Room states unequivocally that elections are for citizens to democratically exercise their right to choose their government and as such, no election should cost lives. Situation Room notes with profound sadness the election-related violence that led to the death of 58 Nigerians, including Temitope Olatoye (aka Sugar) of Oyo State and Sunday Oroh in Enugu State on Saturday.
“Situation Room notes that in Rivers, Plateau and Edo states there were reports of denial of access to polling units by thugs. In the Ahoada LGA in Rivers State and Shendam LGA in Plateau State, journalists were kidnapped and later released.
“We are also concerned with the harassment and attacks on INEC officials. In Benue State, four polling officials and in Kogi State six polling officials were kidnapped.
“In Isoko North, Delta State, there were reports that corps members were beaten by hoodlums. In addition, election materials were burnt in different places like in the Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State and Gwer East LGA in Benue State.
“Since 2011, elections in Rivers State have been a major theatre for violence and further escalated after the 2015 elections. From the February 23 presidential election till date, 28 Nigerians have died. The rivalry between the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress has been the source of this violence and attacks on the electoral process since 2015.”
The organisation also called on INEC to push for reforms in the electoral process.
It added, “Reports from across several states and some RECs point to an intimidating presence of military personnel who are unwilling to assist in providing security and safe delivery of electoral materials in locations and INEC completely helpless.”
ABIA: APC accuses INEC, PDP of manipulation, rejects result
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has accused officials the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig result of Saturday’s governorship election in the State.
The party also accused security operatives of compromise which led to the defeat of the party’s candidate, Uche Ogah.
Speaking on behalf of the party, the campaign manager of the APC governorship candidate, Mr Kelechi Ugwuaja, said the party rejects the outcome of the election.
He said, “INEC and security agents moved against our party. Our candidate was winning everywhere until INEC and security agents moved in and took away electoral materials to rewrite the result of the election.
“We cannot accept what is going on in the state. If nothing is done to stop the process, we will make this state ungovernable.”
INEC had declared PDP’s Okezie Ikpeazu as the winner of the election.
INEC declares much-awaited Kano guber election outcome inconclusive
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Saturday’s governorship election in Kano State as inconclusive.
This announcement was made Monday night by the Returning Officer in the State, Prof. Shehu Bello
Giving reason for the decision, Mr Shehu explained that the number of cancelled votes is higher than the difference in votes scored between the two leading candidates: Abba Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent governor Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He added that PDP polled 1,014,474 votes, while APC scored 987,819 votes, leaving a difference of 26,655 votes.
According to him, 141,694 votes were cancelled across 22 local government areas of the State.
Other States where election had been declared inconclusive include Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi and Sokoto states.
EU observer mission delivers damning verdict on 2019 elections, calls for urgent electoral reform
The European Union Election Observation Mission, EU EOM, has delivered a damning report on the 2019 elections.
On the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections in the country, the EU EOM said the elections were marred by cases of violence that were targeted at election officials and voters.
Admitting that there were operational improvements in the elections, the mission said these were overshadowed by systemic failings, which included a lack of transparency, incumbency advantage and a troubling electoral security environment.
Maria Arena, the EU Chief Observer, stated this during the presentation of the mission’s preliminary statement in Abuja on Monday.
Arena also said the identified problems have made the need for an inclusive national discussion on electoral reform necessary.
The EU chief observer also disclosed that the mission deployed 73 observers to monitor voting, counting and the collation of results in 22 states, in all the geopolitical zones.
Ms Arena condemned the violence and intimidation against election officials and voters, and also referred to the obstruction of citizen observers by the military and security agents on election day – observers, including EU observers, were denied access to collation centres in Rivers.
“Overall, the elections were competitive with freedom to campaign. However, there was misuse of incumbency, including on state-owned state media, which prevented a level playing field. In the two weeks leading up to the state elections, EU observers saw some misuse of state offices, as well as institutional websites being used for campaigning by both APC and PDP incumbent governors.
“State-level media broadcast political debates in 21 states, giving voters the opportunity to directly compare candidates. However, in 12 states, incumbents or their main challengers refused to participate.
“All nine state-owned radio stations monitored by the EU Election Observation Mission served the interests of incumbent governors. The mission also noted pressure on local media outlets and journalists before and on election day.
“The systemic problems evident in the 2019 electoral process show the need for an inclusive national discussion on reform for greater electoral integrity and participation.
“We echo the view of leading civil society organisations that say that there is an urgent need to restore faith in the electoral process. We encourage a national conversation on electoral reform and strongly believe that it would meaningfully contribute to Nigeria’s democratic development,” she added.
On the collation process for the presidential election, the EU EOM concluded that inconsistent numbers, lack of clear checks and explanations, and insufficient public information undermined confidence in the integrity of the process.
The mission also emphasised the need for better training of collation staff, improved data management and, in particular, more information and explanation from INEC on such an important phase of the election process.
“The systemic failing and electoral security problems of the last few weeks and months show that there is a real need for serious reform in Nigeria. We echo the view of leading civil society organisations that say there is an urgent need to restore faith in the electoral process.
“While there can be many reasons for a low turnout, and it is not for me to speculate, it is surely disappointing that, overall, only a relatively small portion of what is by far and away Africa’s largest electorate actually cast a vote on both election days.
“As the 2019 elections in Nigeria have demonstrated, there are important improvements to be made. Elections can always be better. The systemic problems evident in the 2019 electoral process show the need for an inclusive national discussion on reform for greater electoral integrity and participation.”
GOMBE: After winning guber poll, APC beats PDP to majority seats in state legislature
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Gombe state has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of 19 out of 24 seats in the state House of Assembly poll held on Saturday.
This is contained in the results made available by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state on Monday.
The REC, Umar Ibrahim, announced the results on Monday in the state.
READ ALSO: IMO: INEC delists Okorocha as senator-elect, citing ‘declaration made under duress’
There were 253 candidates from 34 political parties contesting for the 24-legislative seats in the state. Out of the 253 candidates, 18 or were female. However only two Women emerged victorious.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which presently holds the majority seats in the house with 16 members as against APC’s eight clinched the five remaining seats.
The APC won in eight local government areas including parts of Shongom Local Government Area while the PDP netted Billiri, Nafada and parts of Shongom.
The LGAs won by APC included Akko, Gombe, Yamaltu-Deba, Funakaye, Balanga, Dukku, Kaltungo and Kwami.
IMO: INEC delists Okorocha as senator-elect, citing ‘declaration made under duress’
The name of Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, is missing on the list of newly elected senators published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its website.
INEC published the list of elected federal lawmakers ahead of the presentation of the Certificates of Return on Thursday.
Of the three Imo Senatorial districts, only Senator-elect Onyewuchi Ezenwa Francis (Imo East), who won on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, was listed.
For Imo West Senatorial district, whose seat Governor Okorocha contested, it was blank except for an INEC remark, which read, “Declaration made under duress.”
Imo North’s slot was also empty with“Supplementary” as remark.
Okorocha had contested the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. He was declared winner by the Returning Officer for the Senatorial District, Innocent Ibeawuchi who later said that he was made to announce Okorocha as winner under duress.
‘I’ll surely win’, Gov Ortom says after INEC declared Benue governorship poll inconclusive
Reacting to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of Saturday’s governorship election in Benue as inconclusive, the state Governor has said he is unbothered.
Gov. Samuel Ortom made his stand known on Monday in Makurdi while interacting with newsmen. He said that he was not disturbed by the declaration because he is certain he will still lead during the supplementary election.
“I am comfortable because my party has the majority in the State. I am not contemplating of winning because I know I will surely win.
“APC cannot come overnight and get more votes than me.
“My party won all the three senatorial seats, six out of 11 House of Reps seats and 18 House of Assembly seats out of 30, but some assembly seats are declared inconclusive too,” he said.
He said he had a lead of 81,554 votes, stressing that he polled 401,576, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Emmanuel Jime polled 329,022 in the results so far released by INEC.
He said that although the election was declared inconclusive, he was optimistic that he would emerge victorious at the end of the day.
The governor, who said that it was in PDP strongholds that the elections were cancelled, called on security agencies to provide adequate security to ensure the safety of lives during the supplementary election to enable the electorate exercise their franchise and to prevent the snatching of electoral materials.
He said that what the people of the state wanted were free, fair and transparent elections.
He commended Benue people for voting massively on March 9, and urged them to take INEC’s declaration in good faith and remain calm.
BORNO GUBER: APC’s Prof Zulum scores 1,175, 440 to defeat PDP’s Imam who polled 66, 115
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Babagana Zulum, has been declared winner of the March 9 elections in Borno state.
The Returning Officer, Alhassan Gani, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, on Monday declared the candidate winner of the governorship election.
Gani announced that Zulum polled 1,175, 440 votes to beat his closest opponent, Muhammad Imam, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 66, 115 votes.
The returning officer stated that INEC had registered 2,316,218 voters in the state, out of which 1,292,138 voters were accredited for the election.
He disclosed that a total of 1,289,027 votes were cast, out of which the APC polled 1,175,440 votes and PDP scored 66,115 votes.
Furthermore, he said that a total of 1,266,967 valid votes and 22,060 rejected votes were recorded in the election contested by 32 candidates.
He said, “Babagana Zulum, the governorship candidate of the APC, having scored the highest number of votes and fulfilled the requirements of the law, is hereby returned elected,” he said.
Gani commended the electorate, stakeholders, party agents, observers and security personnel for the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Muhammad Makintami, the agent of the APC and other agents of political parties accepted the results and signed the document on behalf of their parties.
However, the agent of the PDP refused to sign the result document on behalf of the party after the collation exercise.
The PDP governorship candidate, Muhammad Imam, had earlier petitioned INEC over alleged irregularities in the election.
SOKOTO GUBER: INEC replies Tambuwal, defends ‘inconclusive’ election decision
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Sokoto state, Sadiq Musa has defended the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the governorship election in the state inconclusive.
In the results announced so far, Gov Aminu Tambuwal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won his closest rival, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by a margin of 3,413 votes while 75, 403 votes were cancelled.
According to the REC, the decision was constitutional.
“Elections in the 136 polling units were cancelled because there were violence, willful destruction of voting materials and manhandling of our staff.
”The total number of votes cancelled are much higher than the winning margin. It can significantly change the result.
“So it is not concocted by INEC. INEC is empowered by the constitution to provide guidelines for elections and there is procedure for declaring election inconclusive,” he said.
Governor Tambuwal had earlier questioned the decision to declare the election inconclusive, claiming he had won it and should be declared the winner.
BAUCHI: PDM to approach tribunal over ‘omission’ of party candidates from ballot papers
Governorship candidate of the People Democratic Movement (PDM) in Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Illiyasu, has rejected the results of the March 9 elections declared in the state.
While addressing newsmen on Monday in Bauchi, Iliyasu stated that his party was duly registered and made necessary arrangements to participate in the 2019 general election but all candidates for the party were omitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission on ballot papers.
Iliyasu said: “To our dismay, disbelief and bewilderment, names of all our candidates who won the primaries were missing in the Independent Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) records.
“That is why we are rejecting the result of the last Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly election.”
The Bauchi governorship candidate explained that the party made necessary arrangements to participate in the 2019 general elections by complying with INEC’s time table, and the party fielded candidates by conducting free, fair and credible primary elections.
He added that the logo of the party with the sign of ‘touch light’ was not captured on the ballot papers for the National Assembly election during the Presidential elections.
He also pointed out that the logo was again not captured on the ballot papers for the Governorship election, only to appear on the ballot papers for the State Assembly election.
The Gubernatorial candidate described the omission, as a clear manifestation of inefficiency and incompetence on the side of INEC, stressing that it was in contravention of Section 138 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
Iliyasu told reporters that the party would approach the Election Appeal Tribunal for justice as the flag bearer of PDM in the state.
He, however, appealed to supporters and the electorate in the state, who went out to vote for PDM, to remain calm
CUPP rejects declaration of El-Rufai as winner of Kaduna guber poll
Opposition parties under the Coalition Of United Political Parties (CUPP), Kaduna State branch, has rejected the declaration of Nasir El-Rufai as the winner of the governorship election in Kaduna State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday declared El-Rufai the winner of the election after polling 1,045, 427 votes, beating his closest opponent Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 814,168 votes.
But Chairman of CUPP in the State, Hon. Umar Farouk Mairaqumi expressed disappointment that INEC went ahead to announce APC as the winner of the election despite different issues that marred the election.
The opposition parties comprising of 37 political parties and 18 governorship candidates, therefore, rejected the result.
“The Smart Card Readers (SCR) were not used in some parts of the state namely: Igabi, Kaduna South, Kaduna North. Giwa, Lere, Birnin Gwari and Soba local government areas respectively.”
“Over 650 polling units with over 400,000 votes were cancelled and our agents reported at various collation centres but INEC decided to ignore our complains and went ahead to announce the results,”
“It is in the light of the above that we the 37 political parties and 18 governorship candidates that participated in the gubernatorial election in Kaduna State hereby reject the result in its totality and we shall pursue all lawful means to ensure justice is done to the people of Kaduna State and their stolen mandate restored,” Mairaqumi said.
RIVERS GUBER: AAC candidate, Awara, claims lead, says INEC trying to ‘frustrate my victory’
The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, Biokpomabo Awara, says he is leading Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party in the results of the governorship election in the state.
Awara’s claim comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended the collation of results Sunday evening.
Awara is being backed in the elections by the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is led in the state by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
The APC adopted the AAC after it was disqualified from participating in the elections.
INEC cited reports of widespread disruptions of the elections for its suspension of the results collation process.
Reacting on Monday afternoon through a statement, Awara said the suspension of the collation process was a move to help Wike gain some “respite” and “frustrate my victory.”
Rejecting the suspension, he said the collation exercise had ended in seven local government areas and that he secured 289,773 votes against Wike’s 76,633 votes in those areas. According to him, the areas are Ahoada West, Eleme, Asari Toru, Akuku Toru, Ikwerre and Oyigbo.
Awara added that the collation exercise was still ongoing in 16 LGAs, including Wike’s Obio Akpor, before the suspension was announced.
He said: “The INEC pleaded insecurity, violence, seizure of electoral materials by hoodlums etc. as the reasons for suspending the remaining stages of the Election. I reject the reason given by INEC. This because in the Local Government Areas that were affected, voting had concluded, results declared at the polling units and collation had begun before the abrupt suspension of the process. The Commission does not have the power under our Electoral Act to suspend elections that has already been concluded.”
Awara accused INEC in the state of being compromised by the state government.
According to him, “The suspension of the elections by INEC was done to give respite to candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was trailing behind, frustrate my victory. My party went into these elections against an umpire dangerously skewed in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The Resident Electoral Commission, all the Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, Heads of Department in the Rivers Offices of The Commission were all working for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. No wonder when they saw that I was leading and would eventually win the election, they raised a false alarm to the Headquarter of the Commission and misinformed them that there was widespread violence and seizure of electoral materials.
“We have on good authority the following facts:
“i. Every Local Government Council Chairman in Rivers State pays the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) the Electoral Officer assigned to his Local Government and other sums of money to other electoral personnel;
“ii. The Resident Electoral Commissioner was bought a house for in Maitama Area of Abuja by the Governor of Rivers State, who incidentally is the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and
“iii. The Administrative Secretary of the Rivers State office of the Commission, Elder Etim John was paid the sum of Three Hundred Million (N300,000,000) Naira by Governor Wike as inducement to secure 100 per cent posting of the Ad-hoc staff list in favour of the PDP.
“To justify the financial inducement given to him by the Governor, the said Administrative Secretary Elder Etim John did not only ensure that the posting of the Ad-hoc staff overtly favoured the PDP but he also got carried away to the extent that he even included the names of well-known relatives of some PDP candidates and chieftains in the list.
“On his part, the State Resident Electoral Commisioner (REC) Mr Oboe Efaga on the eve of the election replaced most of the ad-hoc workers which were already published on the Commission’s notice boards with the names of card carrying members of the PDP. For instance, in the following Local Government Areas the under listed persons were suddenly deployed as Local Government Collation Officers:”
RIVERS GUBER: Protesters storm Port Harcourt, demand release of results
Some protesters believed to be supporters of the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of civil society on Monday protested against the suspension of Saturday’s governorship election in Rivers State, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias.
The protesters, who were mainly youths, took over the GRA junction axis of Aba Road in Port Harcourt, chanting songs of solidarity in the presence of military personnel blocking off the section of Aba Road.
The protesters also demanded the prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Obo Effanga, for being partisan and failing to release the results of the exercise.
Speaking for the group of protesters, Dr Omenazu Jackson, Chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, stated that the failure of the Rivers REC to declare the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections, was a flagrant abuse of the electoral act and the constitution of Nigeria.
Omenazu further explained that the spate of violence in the state in recent times was alarming and should be discouraged, adding that there was need for peace to reign in the area.
He said: “We are demanding that INEC should as a matter of urgency and for the sake of peace in the state, release the results of the elections.
“We have seen and observed that the present INEC leadership in Rivers State is partisan and when an umpire becomes partisan, then it sends a dangerous signal to the entire society.
“We call on INEC’s National Chairman (Professor Mahmood Yakubu), as a matter of urgency to order the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Obo Effanga, to release the results of the governorship and House of Assembly elections.”
GUBER ELECTION: Taraba govt imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew
A dusk-to-dawn curfew of 6pm to 6am has been imposed in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital from Monday March 11 2019 till further notice.
Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, made the announcement in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa. The governor however did not make known the reason for the action.
The statement in part reads “The Taraba state Government has imposed dusk to dawn curfew on Jalingo, the state Capital from today, monday 11th of March 2019 until further notice “The Curfew will run from 6pm to 6am daily.
However some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, key agents of political parties and observers involved in collation of elections results are exempted.
“Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku enjoined the people of the state to continue to be law abiding and urge security agencies to ensure strict compliance.”
Meanwhile, the governor Darius Ishaku has won in eight of the eleven local government areas declared in the state. His closest rival, Sani Danladi of the All Progressive Congress won in three local government areas.
Aisha Alhassan of the United Democratic Party, UDP, is trailing behind governorship candidate of the APC with no local government won. Collation is ongoing at the headquarters of the INEC and headquarters in Jalingo.
Army warns UK to back off, denies allegation of interference in election
The Nigerian Army has denied the allegation made against it by the United Kingdom of interference of the military in the electoral process in Rivers State.
It also warned the UK to desist from interfering in the internal affairs of Nigeria.
The British High Commission in Nigeria had in a series of tweets on Monday raised worries over the report of military interference in the election in Rivers State.
The Army gave this warning on Monday through a statement by acting Director of Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa.
The statement titled, ‘Re: UK expresses concern over military involvement in Rivers poll’, describes the allegations by the British government as ”baseless.”
“Foreign interests are enjoined to be mindful of interfering in our national internal affairs especially when there is no credible evidence. Any allegation against the NA must be confirmed from appropriate quarters before jumping to conclusions,” the army said.
The statement added, “The NA wishes to state that the statement is totally baseless, untrue and therefore capable of misleading unsuspected members of the public, especially when there is no credible record of such involvement anywhere in Nigeria before, during and after the 2019 elections.
“The NA, as a responsible organisation, wishes to debunk such misrepresentation in order to set the record straight. Similarly, it is on record that the NA has been globally applauded by many individuals, foreign and local elections observers for its sacrifices/roles in creating an enabling environment for a secure, transparent and peaceful conduct of the elections.
”It said it would continue to remain neutral during and after the polls, adding that it was only providing assistance to civilian security agencies.”
LAGOS GUBER: AD candidate who scored 3,370 votes, rejects result, to approach tribunal
The governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State in the March 9 election, Owolabi Salis, has expressed surprise that he lost the election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
While speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Monday, Owolabi insisted he would challenge the result at the election tribunal.
He maintained that the election was marred with ”multiple voting, intimidation, and collation fraud.”
Sanwo-Olu was declared winner of the election by the Returning Officer of INEC in the state, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.
He polled a total of 739,445 votes, while his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, got 206,141 votes.
Salis polled a total of 3,370 votes in the election.
Owolabi said, “I am not accepting the result of the governorship election. It is complete fraud.
“This is not an election and I totally reject it. A lot of miscounting was done against AD; they even tried to relegate us by putting us in the sixth position.
“I do not believe Sanwo-Olu won a clear contest,” Salis said.
“I am going to court. I have overwhelming evidence and will get lawyers that handle election matters to look into these irregularities committed against my party in the just-concluded election.
“It is very easy to win the case when you have enough evidence,” he said.
Gunshots cause panic at INEC Hq in Kano after meeting of CP, state REC
There is palpable fear and panic at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Kano after gunshots were heard.
Reports say the gunfire erupted when policemen providing security for the INEC headquarters fired several shots into the air causing disarray in the area.
The gunshots were reportedly fired after a closed-door meeting between the State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Risikuwa Shehu and the State Police Commissioner, Wakili.
As at the time of filing in this report, the real reason for the gunshots fired in the premises of the INEC headquarters had not yet been ascertained.
Ortom’s lead not enough as INEC declares Benue gov poll inconclusive
The Benue State Returning Officer, Prof. Sabastine Maimaiko on Monday declared the Benue State governorship election inconclusive.
According to INEC, its decision was because 121,011 electorates were disenfranchised or the election did not hold in their areas, a margin greater than the difference between the two main contenders.
Results declared so far showed that Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP scored the highest number of votes with 410,576 against his opponent Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressive Congress, who polled 329,022 votes.
Unending drama in Imo as INEC orders Electoral, Collation Officers arrested
The drama surrounding collation of Imo State governorship election results moved a notch higher on Monday as the Election Collation officer for Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Kelechi Ezirim, was ordered arrested by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The order was sequel to alleged acts of electoral malpractice.
Also ordered arrested was the Electoral Officer in charge of Ohaji Egbema, Chris Ogbuadu.
Ezirim and Ogbuadu reportedly admitted to collating results from polling units where elections did not take place.
The arrest of both suspects was ordered by the Returning Officer, Francis Otunta, and the police have since taken the men into custody.
APC’s Mukhtar Idris wins Zamfara governorship election
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Zamfara, Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu, has been declared winner of Saturday’s polls.
Results revealed by INEC showed that Shehu polled 534,541 votes to defeat his closest challenger Bello Muhammad Mutawalle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who garnered 189,452 votes.
Recall that the acronym of the APC had been omitted on the results sheet for Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in Zamfara.
In a statement signed by the INEC’s national secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the electoral umpire expressed regrets over the omission.
GOV POLL: Tension in Imo as gunshots ring out around INEC office
Tension in Imo State following last Saturday’s governorship election has continued to heighten by the hour.
This is expecially as indiscriminate gunshots rented the air around the state Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) office in Owerri, the state capital.
The development is said to have created fears at the collation centre.
What at the moment is not certain is the people shooting, as it was not yet clear as at the time this report was filed, whether it was security operatives firing the gunshots or hoodlums.
Meanwhile INEC’s returning officer for the state, Francis Otunta, has ordered the arrest of Kelechi Thankgod, the collation officer of Ohaji Egbema local government area.
He gave the order over claims that Mr. Thankgod was altering the results of the LGA.
Otuana, who said he had the results from the field, announced that the figures Thankgod presented were doctored.
Okowa thrashes Ogboru in Delta, wins with over 700,000 votes
Incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for last Saturday’s governorship election in Delta State has grabbed a landslide victory.
Okowa polled a total vote of 925,274 votes to defeat Chief Great Ogboru of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who came a distant second with 215,938 votes.
The result was announced on Tuesday by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s’ (INEC’s) Returning Officer for the state, Professor Seth Accra-Jaja , Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
“ I hereby certify that I was the state Returning Officer for March governorship election.
“The election was keenly contested by different candidates and Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of the PDP polled a total number of 925,274 votes to defeat his first runner up, Chief Great Ogboru of the All Progressive Congress who polled a total of 215,938 votes,’’ Jaja said.
The commission had on Monday suspended the collation of the state’s results till Monday.
When collation was concluded, Okowa won in 23 out of the 25 local government areas of the state.
With over 1m votes, INEC declares Aminu Masari winner in Katsina
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has been declared the winner of the governorship election staged in the state on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to results released by INEC, the governor polled 1,178,864 votes to defeat his closest rival Yakubu Lado of the PDP who scored 488,621 votes.
While announcing the poll results, the Returning Officer, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, said that “the APC candidate, Aminu Masari, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored highest number of votes is hereby declared winner and returned elected.”
Masari is the incumbent governor of his state and this is his re-election for a second term in office.
Kano REC calls for patience as tension mounts over announcement of poll results
Prof. Riskuwa Arabu, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kano State has called on residents and the electorate to exercise patience over the delay in announcing results of Saturday’s Governorship and State National Assembly polls.
The Kano REC who made the appeal after the collation process was disrupted at the Nasarawa Local Government Area Centre, in the early hours of Monday said the electoral body will follow the process and procedures in collating the results before they are announced later today.
He said; “The results from 10 wards out of the 11 wards were collated in Nasarawa Local Government before the disruption.
“We have invited the representatives of all the political parties to witness the regeneration of the results as we enter it into the necessary forms since they also have copies of these results from the polling units up to the wards.
“I can assure you of our commitment to do what is right and we will be fair to all. We appeal to the political class to support us and cooperate with us.”
Recall earlier that the state deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna and the State Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Sule Garo were arrested over alleged threat to public peace following an altercation between the two of them at a collation centre in Kano.
Gawuna and Garo were both involved in a heavy exchange forcing security operatives to step in as they allegedly disrupted the collation of results of the Governorship Elections at the Nasarawa Local Government area Collation Centre.
El-Rufai wins, gets another term as Kaduna gov
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, winner of Saturday’s Governorship elections in Kaduna State, earning him a second term in office.
According to results released by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Bello, Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, El-Rufai polled 1,045,427 to defeat his closest rival who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Isa Ashiru, who scored 814,168.
The result released by INEC which returns El-Rufai as governor of the state has already been outrightly rejected by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to the outcome of the election at the State Collation Centre, the party’s agent, Mr. Jerry Ishaya, said the results announced by INEC does not reflect the wish of the people.
Ishaya said he wondered how INEC came about the numbers they announced when they have it on good authority that card readers were not used in Kabau, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Soba and Lere Local Government Areas of the state.
With APC losing, elections declared inconclusive to activate ‘Osun formula’, Fani-Kayode alleges
Former Aviation Minister has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of declaring elections in some state inconclusive as well as suspending polls in some other states to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the former minister and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) INEC’s reason for declaring elections inconclusive in some state is to once again repeat what the commission allegedly did in Osun State governorship election in 2018.
The PDP candidate had more votes before INEC declared Osun election inconclusive. During the rerun-election in some areas to decide a clear winner, the APC won the poll.
International and local election observers had claimed there were electoral irregularities allegedly perpetrated by thugs and security officers in favour of the APC during that rerun poll.
INEC had declared the Saturday governorship elections in Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto states inconclusive. It also suspended announcement of results in Rivers and Delta states.
Reacting in a post on his Twitter handle Fani-Kayode said:
“Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto declared inconclusive. Rivers and Delta results suspended.
“INEC has declared elections inconclusive in 5 states where APC is losing and suspended announcement of results in 3 states where PDP is winning.
“Osun State formula ACTIVATED.”
KANO: INEC declares 43 of 44 LGAs with PDP leading
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abba Yusuf is leading the incumbent governor of Kano Dr Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressive Congress (APC) after 43 out of 44 Local Government Areas’ results were revealed.
PDP which is leading with a margin of 16,080 votes scored 951,531 votes while APC gained 935,451 votes so far.
Meanwhile, collation of Kano governorship and state assembly election results has been adjourned by INEC for a short while due to the alleged attack at Nasarawa local government area in the early hours of Monday around 1.30am.
This was announced by Presiding Officer Prof. B.B. Shehu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Riskuwa Shehu who said that the decision was made after a report came in that the state Deputy Governor, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, Commissioner for Local Government, Sule Garo and Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government, Lamin Sani, allegedly attacked the venue of the results with suspected thugs who attempted to destroy the results.
Soldiers involved in electoral offences are fake, political thugs -Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army has claimed that several men captured in videos wearing its uniform and involved in electoral offences during last Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections were political thugs.
Video evidences circulating on social media platforms had shown armed men in army uniform, either directly involved in electoral offences or aiding forms of irregularities in elections in Rivers State and others.
But in its response, the Army said in a statement on Sunday that intelligence available to it revealed that political thugs wore military uniform to perpetrate crimes during the elections.
In the statement released by acting director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, it claimed that some of the thugs been arrested and were giving useful information to the military.
According to Musa, many of the civilians caught in the crossfire could not differentiate between genuine soldiers and impersonators.
“Credible intelligence available to the army confirmed the kitting of political thugs with military uniform and arming of same to impersonate soldiers and perpetrate various crimes in the furtherance of the activities of their political bosses .
“These thugs were wrongly viewed as real military personnel on various social media channels. The army understands that most civilians caught in the callous onslaught of these murderous thugs might not be able to distinguish between a genuine soldier from an impersonator, especially when they are armed with military – type weapons.
“However , several arrested impostors have given useful information that has led to unravelling the level of criminal involvement of some politicians in arming thugs for their depraved selfish gains,” he said.
IMO GOV POLL: Collation ends abruptly as party agents destroy result sheets
Collation of results from the Imo State governorship election has ended abruptly following the destruction of result sheets by party agents at the state Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) centre in Owerri.
Election results were being collated and announced until it got to the turn of Ideato South Local Government Area (LGA), where the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, hails from.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, was said to have protested that the election from the LGA should not be announced on the claims that thugs loyal to Okorocha chased away party agents and wrote the result for their preferred candidate.
The PDP agent’s position was opposed by some other party agents who cited that same thing he was alleging also happened at Mbaise LGA.
Consequently, the returning officer, Professor Francis Otunta, after consultation asked that the result in contention be announced.
Not comfortable with the decision of the returning officer, PDP agents were said to have grabbed, seized and tore the result sheet.
Reacting, an opposing party agent quickly rushed to the high table grabbed and tore result sheets of other LGAs already collated.
What then ensued was a free for all fight with people scampering for safety.
Policemen later arrested the two contending agents.
INEC declares Plateau guber election race inconclusive
The governorship election in Plateau State has been declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Returning Officer in Plateau State, Prof Richard Kimbir, who spoke at the state INEC headquarters on Monday said that the election was inconclusive based on the leading margin of 44,929 votes and total number of 49,377 votes that were cancelled.
Kimbir said:
“Going by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I am constrained to say that the election to governorship position is inconclusive. In 21 days, supplementary elections will be conducted.”
According to the results presented between Sunday and early Monday morning, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Simon Lalong, garnered 583,255 votes in 11 local governments with a margin of 44,929 while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jeremiah Useni, gained 538,326 votes.
2,480,455, voters registered while 1,147,025 voters were accredited.
Kimbir added that 1,138,987 votes were valid while 16,691 votes were rejected leading to 1,154,678 total votes cast.
Adamawa guber election is also inconclusive
The Adamawa governorship election has been declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission while a new date is to be announced.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Andrew Haruna, made this known at the governorship election collation centre in Yola on Monday morning.
According to him, the number of cancelled votes were higher against the margin of leading votes between the two main contestants and therefore, a new date for another election would be fixed.
Haruna also disclosed that about 44 polling units were affected across the state.
INEC declares Sokoto governorship election inconclusive
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship election in Sokoto State inconclusive.
The commission based its decision on the huge number of cancelled votes.
INEC’s Returning Officer for the state, Professor Fatima Batulu Muktar, who put the total number of accredited voters at 1,033,081, said the number of valid votes were 987, 942, rejected votes 30,082 while the total vote cast was 1,019,024.
Prof. Muktar, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Dutse, said the margin in contrast with the numbers of votes cancelled, forced the electoral body to declare the election inconclusive.
“Due to cancellation in 22 local government areas across 136 polling units with a total number of 75,403 cancelled votes, I cannot conclude this exercise and INEC will have to take a decision on this,” she stated.
According to reports, Governor Tambuwal, with a total vote of 489,558 was ahead of his arch-challenger, Aliyu Ahmed, who polled 486,145 votes, with a margin of 3,413 votes before the election was declared inconclusive.
KANO GUBER: Police arrests dep Gov, Commissioner
The deputy governor of Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna and the state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Sule Garo are both cooling their heels in police custody after they were both nabbed at a collation centre in Kano.
Reports say the pair who were whisked away by men of the Kano State Police Command were arrested over alleged threat to public peace following an altercation between the two of them.
Gawuna and Garo were both involved in a heavy exchange forcing security operatives to step in as they allegedly disrupted the collation of results of the Governorship Elections at the Nasarawa Local Government area Collation Centre.
Reports say both men were saved from being manhandled by supporters of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, at the Centre, with their vicious exchange reported to have delayed the final tally of Kano State governorship race
INEC postpones poll announcement in Delta as Okowa leads
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the announcement of the election results in Delta State till Monday.
Meanwhile, results of elections in 18 local government areas have been announced with seven remaining.
Incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leading in 17 out of the 18 LGAs that have been announced.
His closest rival, Great Ogboru, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is leading only in only one of the LGs.
INEC ad hoc staff lament mistreatment in Ogun
Serving members of the National Youth Service Corps who worked as ad hoc staff during the 2019 governorsip elections in Ogun State, have condemned INEC for maltreating them.
According to them, their food allowance along with training allowance which was due for payment five weeks ago had not been paid.
It was gathered that the ad hoc workers spread mats and wrappers on the bare floor and grasses to sleep at the INEC office in Ipokia Local Government Area around midnight on Saturday, while some of them slept inside buses used to convey them to their various polling units.
An ad hoc worker, Stephanie Marcus, said:
“INEC never planned for us, because we were not treated like humans. Right from the day the elections were postponed, we were never shown love and care as the electoral body abandoned us.
“Even when we got to the INEC office in Ipokia, there was no adequate provision for accommodation and we had to sleep on old tables that were used in past elections. Some of us had to spread our wrappers on the grass to sleep and those who did not have wrappers slept on the bare floor.
“Some even slept on the road because everywhere was filled up; we were over 100 at the INEC office. I can never take part in a similar exercise again even if they are going to pay me more; the sacrifice is not worth it.”
Another ad hoc worker, James Omon, who expressed disappointment over INEC’s poor transportation procedure said:
“My experience has been very bad; I had to fight to get my training allowance and some of my colleagues have not been paid. I have not got any reward that is commensurate with the amount of dedication and commitment I have put into this work for INEC.
“The transport arrangement was extremely poor; we were asked to report at our local government secretariat around 8pm, but we left around 9pm and we got to Ipokia around 11pm. In fact, some corps members had no chance to go with the bus. I have a friend, who was supposed to be in my polling unit, but was later replaced with someone else because there was no chance for her to go with the bus.
“The INEC officials promised to provide a bus to pick all those who were left behind due to lack of space, but they never went back to pick them up; some used their personal money to come here. This experience is not worth the sacrifice and time, and I am not looking forward to another election, because I regret serving as an ad hoc worker for INEC.”
The Resident Electoral Officer, Prof Abdulganiyu Raji, who was contacted about the issue refused to respond as he was busy working on the governorship results at the collation centre in Abeokuta.
Ayade re-elected as Cross River gov
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared incumbent Governor Ben Ayade as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Cross River State.
Ayade, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, polled a total vote of 381,484 votes to defeat his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator John Owan- Enoh, who got 131,161 votes.
Announcing the result, the returning officer for the governorship election in Cross River State , Professor Akii Ibhadode said, “Ben Ayade, having scored the required number of lawful votes is hereby declared winner of the election.”
APC’s Mai Mala Buni wins Yobe guber election
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Alhaji Mai Mala Buni has been declared winner of the 2019 governorship election in the state.
The Returning Officer, Professor Abubakar Musa Gundiri of the Federal University Wukari who made the announcement on Sunday at the INEC headquarters in Damaturu said that election was successfully concluded in all the 17 Local Government councils of the state.
According to him, Mai Mala of APC gained the highest vote with a total number of 444,013 to beat his opponent Alhaji Bello Iliya of the Peoples Democratic party who gained 95, 703 votes.
NIGER STATE: APC’s Abubakar Bello wins re-election
Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has emerged winner of the March 9 governorship election held in the state.
Sani Bello of the All Progressive Congress (APC) defeated his main contender in the race, Umar Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 228,347 votes to win his reelection bid.
The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Returning Officer for Niger state, Professor Angela Freeman Miri, declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate polled 526,412 votes while PDP got 298,065 votes.
“Having polled the highest votes, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is declared the winner of the election and so returned elected,” she declared.
See details of the final result below.
Total number Registered Voters in the state is 2,377,034. 925,518 were accredited for voting while the state recorded a total Valid Votes of 900,871.
19,609 were Rejected Votes from the 920,480 Vote Cast.
ENUGU: PDP’s Ugwuanyi re-elected
The incumbent governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has been declared the winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.
According to the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, who announced the result in Enugu on Sunday, Ugwuanyi won in the 17 local government areas of the state.
Ahaneku further said that the governor polled 449,935 votes against his closest rival, who polled 10,423 votes.
Mr Emmanuel Nwankpa of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Mr Ekene Uzodinma of the United Peoples Party (UPP) polled 2,547 and 1,476, respectively.
Ahaneku, who is the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said that there were 1,944,016 registered voters in the state, adding that 478,241 voters were accredited, with 470,927 valid votes recorded and 7,314 votes declared invalid.
OYO: PDP’s Seyi Makinde wins governorship election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Seyi Makinde, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of Saturday’s Governorship Elections in Oyo State.
According to poll results announced by the Returning Officer, the PDP candidate won 28 out of the 33 local governments in the state amassing a total of 515,621 votes to defeat his closest rival from the APC, Bayo Adelabu, who polled 357,982 votes.
Despite quitting the race to endorse the PDP candidate, the African Democratic Congress’ candidate (ADC) Olufemi Lanlehin came third with 12,375.
The Action Democratic Party candidate and former governor Adebayo Akala came a distant fourth after receiving votes totaling 8,664.
OGUN: APC’s Dapo Abiodun wins guber election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dapo Abiodun, as the winner of the governorship election in Ogun State.
The Returning Officer, Idowu Olayinka who announced the result late Sunday night said Abiodun scored a total of 241, 670 votes to egde out his closes rival, Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) who scored 222,153.
African Democratic Party (ADC) scored 110, 422 while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 70, 290.
Akinlade is the preferred candidate of the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun.
Meanwhile, APM has rejection the outcome of the election over irregularities.
The Director-General of the Party, Sarafa Ishola who spoke to journalists at the party’s Secretariat in Abeokuta said the election witnessed voters’ intimidation while some party agents were made to sign result sheets under duress.
He maintained that the party would challenge the outcome of the election.
He said, “The APM wishes to put INEC on notice that we shall explore all possible means within the provision of the constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to challenge this miscarriage of justice.”
Ortom maintains lead in Benue guber race with results from 19 out of 23 LGAs
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom is close to victory as he is in a clear lead after the announcement of election results in 19 Local Government Areas of the state.
Ortom who is seeking reelection as governor under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leading his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart by a margin of 49,288.
With the declaration of results still ongoing at the Benue state head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Governor Ortom has so far polled 317,908 votes while the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Mr. Emmanuel Jime garnered 268,620 votes.
Out of the results from 19 local government areas so far declared by INEC, the PDP candidate won in nine while the APC candidate won in 10.
Results from four more local government areas are still being anticipated, though these areas are known PDP strongholds which includes Okpokwu, Vandeikya, Kwande and Konshisha.
AKWA IBOM: PDP’s Udom Emmanuel wins re-election by a landslide
The incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Udom Emmanuel, has been declared winner of the governorship election in the state.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Emmanuel won the governorship election in 30 out of the 31 local government areas.
His closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Nsima Ekere, won only in Essien Udim LGA, which is the base of the former minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
KEBBI: APC’s Bagudu wins with wide margin to return as governor
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has been re-elected as the governor of the state.
While declaring the results of Saturday’s governorship election on Sunday, the collation Officer, Prof. Hamisu Bichi, said Gov.
Bagudu who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 673,717 votes to defeat Senator Isah Galaudu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 106,633 votes.
“Atiku Bagudu of APC, having certified the requirement of the law and scored the highest votes is hereby returned elected and declared the winner of the March 9, Saturday governorship election in the state,” he said.
Bauchi guber election declared inconclusive by INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the governorship election in Bauchi State inconclusive.
Returning Officer for the elections in the state, Kyari Mohammed, declared the election inconclusive after it was observed that the margin between the two leading candidates was less than the number of cancelled votes.
Results collated showed that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, Bala Mohammed, got 469,512 votes, 4,059 votes more than the incumbent governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who secured 465,453 votes.
KWARA: Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed congratulates Kwara Governor-elect Abdulrazaq
Kwara State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdulfatah Ahmed has congratulated the Governor-elect, Abdulrasak Abdulrahman on his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, Ahmed felicitated with Kwarans saying “Abdulrazaq’s emergence is a manifestation of Kwarans’ resolve to give democracy a chance and allow another leadership to serve them.”
Senate President, Bukola Saraki had also has congratulated him.
He said, “I thank all Kwarans, particularly PDP supporters, who worked for the party in the just concluded elections. My congratulations go to Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and all those who emerged at all levels. I wish them all the best,” Saraki said in a social media post.
Governor Ahmed also congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the new mandate and advised the party to justify the confidence reposed in it by the electorate.
The Governor, who urged Kwarans to cooperate with the in-coming administration, promised to ensure a seamless transition to enhance smooth take-off of the new government to fast track deliverance of democratic dividends to Kwarans.
Dr Ahmed thanked Kwarans and the PDP members for their hard work during the elections and the opportunity given to him to serve his fatherland as Governor.
Taraba REC adjourns announcement of results till Monday
Announcement of the March 9 election results in Taraba state has been postponed till Monday at 12 noon.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for the governorship election in Taraba state, Professor Adamu Iya postponed the process without giving reasons.
The REC announced the postponement at the INEC state headquarters in Jalingo at about 8.40pm on Sunday.
It was observed that results from five local government areas had been brought in.
Recall that pro-democracy group, Coalition for Clean Polls (CCP) had earlier discredited the governorship and house of assembly election in the southern parts of Taraba state and called for the cancellation of the results.
The group claimed the elections were marred by what it described as ‘massive irregularities and intimidation of voters.’
CCP recounted widespread cases of ballot box snatching and stuffing which characterized the elections in Donga, Wukari, Takum and Ussa Local Governments, adding that large-scale violence was unleashed on voters and INEC officials.
RIVERS: APC admits backing AAC, says INEC’s suspension of elections ‘illegal’
The Director, Strategic Communications of the All Progressives Congress APC Campaign Council in Rivers state, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill has described the suspension of the governorship and state assembly elections in the state as an illegality.
Princewill, who berated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for suspending all processes relating to the election, said the decision would not save Governor Nyesom Wike from losing the elections.
He also challenged INEC to declare results of areas where elections already took place.
The statement reads: “INEC’s decision is illegal because it is not supported by law. Section 26 of the Electoral Act cited in the INEC Press Release is not even applicable because that section deals with a situation where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, then the commission may postpone the election.
“You can see that this provision does not apply to a situation where an election has already been conducted or held, which is the present position in Rivers State.
“Since the elections in Rivers State have been held Saturday, INEC is bound by virtue of section 27 of the Electoral Act to announce the results.
“Having admitted in paragraph one of the Press Release that it has conducted elections on the 9th of March in Rivers State, INEC must by virtue of section 27 of the Electoral Act, announce the results.
“INEC’s decision to postpone the already held elections is ultra vires, illegal and unconstitutional. Such an unlawful decision can now be challenged in court by virtue of section 26 subsection 5 of the Electoral Act.
“The challenge can be launched by any of the many contestants at a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction and on such a legal challenge, the decision of INEC shall also be suspended until the matter is determined.
“Our concerns about INEC and our lack of faith in the REC are continually validated. This was same way they suspended a by election we held a few months ago when it was clear we were winning.
“Now, the AAC candidate and several House of Assembly candidates supported by APC are cruising to victory and they do it again. Can they not just step out of the way and let the will of Rivers’ people prevail?
“Rivers state was largely peaceful. Why not deal with areas where you say you have violence and leave the other results to go through? It’s common sense.
“Why suspend a whole state? Wike will go. It is only a matter of time. We always knew this. Now the world knows it too. Not even INEC can save him”.
ABIA GUBER: PDP’s Ikpeazu wins re-election
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has been declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof. Benjamin Ozurumba, on Sunday said that Ikpeazu scored 261,127 votes to defeat his closest rival, Uchechukwu Ogah of the All Progressives Congress who polled 99,574 votes.
Coming third in the election is Alex Otti, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who scored 64,366 votes.
Ikpeazu won in 11 out of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, while Ogah won in four local government areas, and Otti won in two.
JIGAWA GUBER: APC’s Badaru wins re-election
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced
Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Jigawa State.
INEC’s Returning Officer for the election and Provost, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Prof. Azubike Sunny Nwanko, who declared the results on Sunday, said Badaru got 810, 933 votes.
Coming behind the governor is Aminu Ibrahim Ringim of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 288,356 votes.
Social Democratic Party, SDP, Bashir Adamu Jumbo scored 32894 votes.
KWARA: Saraki congratulates APC’s Abdulrasaq on guber victory
Following the declaration the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, as winner of the Kwara governorship polls, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has congratulated him.
While Saraki’s preferred candidate, Razaq Atunwa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), recorded only 114,754, Abdulrasaq won the March 9 elections with 331,546 votes out of a total of 453, 433 votes.
Saraki said, “I thank all Kwarans, particularly PDP supporters, who worked for the party in the just concluded elections. My congratulations go to Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and all those who emerged at all levels. I wish them all the best,” Saraki said in a social media post.
The APC recorded an all round victory as they defeated the PDP in all contested positions in the state. They won all 24 House of Assembly seats in the state, similar to the February 23 elections where they carted all National Assembly seats.
Saraki had lost his bid to represent the Kwara Central Senatorial district to Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the APC in what many considered the end of the stranglehold of the Saraki family on the political affairs of the North Central state.
Abdulrazaq is now expected to succeed Abdulfattah Ahmed as the governor of the state on May 29.
ADAMAWA: PDP leads as INEC announces governorship results of 17 LGAs
With just four local government area results yet to be announced, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umaru Fintiri appears to be heading for victory in Adamawa State.
The results of 17 out of 21 LGAs of the state as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows the PDP is leading incumbent Governor Mohammed Bindow of the All Progressive Congress.
PDP’s Fintiri is leading with 308,356 votes, while Bindow has 288,443 votes.
The results announced at the Governorship Collation Centre in Yola before the Returning Officer, Prof. Andrew Haruna, indicated that Fintiri won in Mayo-Belwa, Yola North, Song, Michika, Numan, Guyuk, Jada, Lamurde and Demsa Local Government Areas.
Bindow clinched Shelleng, Yola South, Girei, Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha, Fufore and Ganye Local Government Areas.
The results from the remaining four local government areas of the state are being awaited.
‘Treasonable!’ PDP reacts to alleged confiscation of results by soldiers in Rivers
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to reports of confiscation of results of Saturday’s governorship election in Rivers State, describing it as “treasonable”.
The party also demanded the immediate release of the result to avert serious crisis in the state.
Flaying what it called a subversive act by soldiers, “who seized and diverted the results to an army barrack in Port Harcourt, the PDP called on all lovers of democracy to unite against this brazen attack on our democracy by the Presidency and All Progressives Congress, APC.
“Such barefaced assault is only akin to a coup d’état and should not be allowed to stand”.
The opposition party stated this in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, saying “Nigerians watched in bewilderment as soldiers, in the company of APC thugs invaded polling units in Rivers state, unleashed violence on voters, disrupted polling processes and hauled away electoral materials, just because the APC is not in the ballot, following its self-inflicted exclusion from the election.
“The use of soldiers to ambush the electoral process and confiscate results is an extreme scheme by the APC and the Presidency to enmesh the Rivers state governorship election in controversy, seeing that there is no way they can take away victory from the PDP.
“Soldiers, allegedly under the directive of the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, invaded the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC offices, waylaid INEC officials and forcefully took away collated results to the army barracks, where APC agents have been stationed to alter figures and destroy evidences of PDP’s victory.
“We want Nigerians to note that the APC is frustrated that it is not in the ballot in the Rivers state election and for that, it has resorted to violence, killings and heavy militarization of the area, in the attempt to disrupt the electoral process, seeing that the PDP had already won.
“What the APC and its compromised soldiers fail to note is that the PDP already has valid documents of all the results as delivered from all the polling units where elections held across the state and that the figures are with all the stakeholders.
“Therefore, deploying soldiers to confiscate the results will not change the victory already recorded by our party in Rivers state.”
Lagos: Sanwo-Olu declared governor-elect
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been declared winner of the Lagos State gubernatorial election.
Sanwo-Olu polled 739,445 voted while his closest rival Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 206,141.
Meanwhile, the APC has won all the 20 house of Assembly seats in the State.
LAGOS: PDP clinches Ojo House of Reps seat
The winner of the House of Representatives election in Ojo Federal Constituency, Lagos State, has emerged according to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
According to poll results revealed by the electoral body, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s candidate, Adekunle Obasa, was declared winner of the House of Representatives election in Ojo Federal Constituency.
After the supplementary elections held at polling units in Okokomaiko, Ijanikin, Ilogbo and Ojo, INEC’s returning officer, Dr. Taibat Lawson, announced the results to party officials on Sunday.
Final results revealed that the PDP candidate polled 148 additional votes to defeat his closest rival, Durosinmi, who added 259 votes.
According to Lawson, Obasa polled 28,839 while the APC candidate had 25, 804 votes after the exercise. She said: “Adekunle Obasa of the PDP; having satisfied the requirements of the law, has scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
UK ‘extremely concerned’ by alleged military interference in Rivers elections
The United Kingdom has asked that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, be allowed to do it’s job, in reaction to alleged military interference in the governorship and state assembly elections in Rivers State.
The UK High Commission in Nigeria, through its verified Twitter handle @UKinNIGERIA, also expressed concern over reports of the interference.
The UK High Commission also noted that reports by its independent observers collaborated media reports of military interference in the electoral exercise.
While noting that it was monitoring the situation very closely, the UK High Commission called on relevant stakeholders to allow staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, do their job without harassment.
“We are extremely concerned by reports, including from @UKinnigeria observers, of military interference in the election process in Rivers State. Monitoring the situation closely. @inecng staff must be allowed to do their job in safety, without intimidation,” the UK High Commission wrote.
NIGER GUBER: Gov Abubakar in early lead, wins 14 LGAs
Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has so far won in 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The results were announced at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation Centre in Minna. It was presided over by Prof. Angela Freeman Miro, INEC’s Chief Collection Officer for the governorship election in the state.
NAN reports that Miro had earlier received results from Gurara, Tafa and Munya Local Government Areas (LGA) at the collation centre in Minna on Sunday.
In Suleja LGA, Prof. Tanko Kua of the Federal University of Technology Minna, also announced that Bello had polled 19,105 votes while Umar Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 14,975 votes.
While Prof. UK. Akpan of the Federal University of Technology Minna, who announced the results in Kacha LGA said APC scored 20,171 votes PDP polled 9,800 votes.
In Bosso LGA, the collation officer, Prof. Gana Cicila of the Federal University of Technology Minna, announced that APC had polled 19,601 votes, as against 11,470 votes scored by PDP.
Dr JIbril Alhassan, of the Federal University of Technology Minna, and collation officer for Paikoro LGA, said APC scored 21,571 votes while PDP polled 13,600 votes.
Similarly, Dr Yahaya Taiyo of the Federal University of Technology Minna and also the collation officer in Wushishi LGA, said APC scored 13,199 votes while PDP scored 8,309 votes.
Prof. Solomon Bankole of the Federal University of Technology Minna, who is also the collation officer in Rafi LGA, announced that APC had scored 28,289 votes as against 13,372 votes polled by the PDP.
Prof. Sadiq Suleiman of the Federal University of Technology Minna, who is also the collation officer in Edati LGA, said APC had scored 19,200 votes as against 10,152 votes scored by PDP.
Dr Mustapha Alhaji of the Federal University and Technology Minna, who is also the collation officer in Rijau LGA announced that APC had polled 22,111 votes as against 9,566 votes scored by PDP.
Prof. Ayo Aremu of the Federal University of Technology Minna, and collation officer in Lavun LGA announced that APC had scored 27,345 votes while PDP polled 15,335 votes.
Prof. A. Amadi of the Federal University of Technology Minna, who is also the collation officer in Chanchaga LGA announced that APC had scored 27,764 votes while PDP polled 21,779 votes.
Dr Samaila Idris of Federal University of Technology Minna, and the collation officer in Gbako LGA announced that APC had scored 24,836 votes while PDP polled 10, 623 votes.
INEC cancels governorship election in 3 Cross River LGAs
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cancelled Saturday’s governorship election in 23 polling units in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
According to the electoral body, the election in the polling units were cancelled because of violence and snatching of electoral materials.
The collation officer for Abi LG, Prof. Simon Odey Ering, announced this while presenting the result for the governorship election in the LG.
“16,170 registered voters could not vote because of ballot box and ballot paper snatching and other violence in 23 polling units.
“Some of the affected polling units are in Imabana, Ekureku, Itigidi, Ediba, Ebom and Igoligoli”, Ering said.
Also in Odukpani local government area, election was cancelled in 11 polling units owing to violence.
The returning officer for the local government area, Mr. Ashiru Emmanuel, disclosed this while presenting the result for the local government area.
Similarly, election was cancelled in 16 polling units in Yakurr local government area due to violence, the collation officer, Dr. David Imbua said.
CCP reports ‘massive irregularities’ in Southern Taraba, calls for cancellation of results
A pro-democracy group, Coalition for Clean Polls (CCP) has discredited the governorship and house of assembly election in the southern parts of Taraba state and has therefore called for the cancellation of the results.
The group says the elections were marred by what it described as ‘massive irregularities and intimidation of voters.’
CCP reports that there were widespread cases of ballot box snatching and stuffing which characterized the elections in Donga, Wukari, Takum and Ussa Local Governments, adding that large-scale violence was unleashed on voters and INEC officials.
In a statement, CPP State Coordinator, Daniel Onche, stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must remain unbiased by cancelling elections in all the polling units where Card Readers were not used.
“The INEC Electoral Officer for Takum Local Government was seen and captured moving from polling units to polling units dropping already thumb printed ballot papers and hundreds of PVCs to Presiding Officers during the election.
“Also INEC ad-hoc staff in Sale Vyenku PU008, Hospital Ward in Wukari Local Government were beaten and molested by thugs loyal to the PDP who forced them to hand over election materials to identified PDP chieftains.
“The group added that a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly representing also led thugs to polling units in Dogo, Tongov, and Anannun in Asibiti Ward to seize ballot boxes and load them with already thumb printed ballot papers.
“There was massive multiple accreditation in connivance with Presiding Officers who accredited hundreds of PVC by proxy and issued ballot papers to thugs who thumb printed for the PDP in PU 007 Tikari Ward, Takum Local Government, also some PDP thugs instigated the capsizing of a boat conveying election results from Dampar Ward in Ibi local government.
“One of the ingredients of democracy is popular participation but yesterday, we saw the tyranny of the PDP as it unleashed terror on majority of voters in the Southern Zone of Taraba State, thereby scaring them away from the voting points and denying them the rights to exercise their franchise.
“More examples abounds in Ussa, Takum Local Governments among others, where ballot box snatching and stuffing with already thumb-printed fake ballots were the order of the day. These cases must not go unchecked and we call on the concerned authorities to ensure justice is done to all and sundry.
“We therefore call on INEC to cancel the irregularities-marred exercises in the Southern Zone and reschedule another ones for the law abiding people of the affected areas. This, we believe is justice and fairness to all,” Onche added.
Kaduna: PDP frowns at El-Rufai’s early lead, alleges irregularities
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has alleged frauds as upcoming results revealed that the State governor and Candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) Nasir El-Rufai was maintaining an early lead in Saturday’s governorship election in the State.
El-Rufai has reportedly won seven out of the 11 local government areas released already while the PDP’s Candidate, Isa Ashiru won four as results from other places were still being expected.
But the the Chairman of PDP in the Syate Felix Hassan Hyet on Sunday said the party would reject the results as there were massive rigging across the state by government officials.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna, Hyet said, “I want to commend the voters for conducting themselves in civil manner despite unnecessary interference by security agencies.
“There was public vote buying in Zaria local government by government officials, snatching of ballot boxes in Chikun local government area.
“The worst case was in Birnin Gwari where there was no voting. Ballot boxes were snatched and returned the next day stuffed with results.
“Kagarko and Sanga local government areas are currently under siege by security agencies in an effort to change the results in favour of the ruling party.
“Results were forcibly changed in Rigasa, Igabi local government area. The EO (Electoral Officers) were summoned to government house to present the results to the Governor for him to see and approve before authorising it. We have our results with our agents.
“Based on all these irregularities, we would not accept any doctored results announced by INEC because we have the original results from our agents on ground.
“INEC should be the umpire that everybody expects them to be. The will of the people have been pushed to the background by the activities of security agencies.
OYO: APC demands arrest of PDP’s Mankinde over alleged breach of Electoral Law
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde for alleged breach of electoral laws.
APC on Sunday said Makinde, in a footage released on Sunday morning, had declared himself winner of the election.
The APC petition accused Makinde of what it described as “breach of electoral laws” and thereby demanded for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
The petition addressed to the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner and entitled“Petition Against Engr. Seyi Makinde on Electoral offences committed in breach of electoral laws “, was submitted to the Agodi office of the commission on Sunday.
The petition said Makinde “pointedly proclaimed himself winner of the governorship election in Oyo state when INEC, the authorised umpire has not concluded same nor declared any such results.”
The APC state secretary in the State, Mr. Mojeed Olaoya, who signed the petition said Makinde’s action was inciting the citizenry against an eventual credible outcome of the elections.
After clinching governorship, APC wins all 24 assembly seats in Kwara
The All Progressives Congress has claimed all the 24 seats in Kwara State House of Assembly.
The results which were read by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Garba Madami on Sunday, revealed that APC won all the seats contested in the state House of Assembly, while the PDP claimed no seat.
The APC had earlier been declared winner in the governorship election.
OGUN GUBER: ADC’s Isiaka alleges compromise as APM rejects election results
Ad-hoc officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC have been accused of involving in various levels of compromise which has affected the outcome of the electoral process in Ogun State.
The accusations were leveled against the electoral body by the governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka who noted that the outcome of polls did not reflect the will of the electorate in the state.
Speaking through his media aide, Bolaji Adeniji, the governorship candidate said; “This 2019 election is a further drawback on our political revolution in Nigeria, where the will of the people is not really counting, but the will of money and power. They are using money to buy people’s vote so that their political will would not count.
“In fact, the electoral process had compromised against itself because votes are being bought openly as if people were in the open market, INEC officials are involved in the various levels of compromise, and so the election cannot be termed a fair process.
“Even the masses themselves no longer have confidence in the electoral process; they have lost faith in their leaders and therefore, want to take what they can get from whoever is contesting and wouldn’t bother whether the person who wins would govern well or not.”
In the same vein, the ongoing election results being announced by INEC in Ogun State has been rejected by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Speaking through Sarafa Ishola, the APM’s Campaign Director General, at the party’s secretariat at Leme, Abeokuta, the party said the election was largely peaceful in the state but was allegedly hijacked by hoodlums and “unidentified uniformed men” during the collation stage.
“The people of Ogun state have been raped,” Akinlade declared, saying hey will seek all legal means to “undo the injustice.”
KATSINA: APC’s Masari takes early lead, clinches 3 LGA’s announced by INEC
The incumbent governor of Katsina State, Mr Aminu Masari has taken an early lead in the race to occupy the state government house following results so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The poll outcome released thus far by INEC reveals that Governor Masari a candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has won in all three local government areas in the state.
According to results announced by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof Abdullahi Zuru, the APC candidate who is seeking re-election for another term of four years, scored 22,482 votes in Dutsi Local Government Area, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate Senator Yakubu Lado-Danmarke came second with 10,564 votes.
Other results announced by INEC shows that Masari got 28,253 votes while Lado-Danmarke scored 10,327 votes in Matazu LGA, with the APC also winning in Sandamu LG with 32,193 votes and the PDP, 11,912 votes.
KWARA: Final blow for Saraki as APC’s Abdulrazaq clinches governorship seat
Senate president Bukola Saraki of the Peoples Democratic Party has been dealt a final blow in Kwara State as his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has once again lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC), this time in the governorship election held on Saturday.
According to results on Sunday, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of the APC scored 331,546 votes to emerge as the winner of the long awaited election while his runner-up, Mr. Abdulrazaq Atunwa of the PDP polled 114,754 votes to emerge as the runner-up in the election.
Recall that Saraki had earlier lost his bid to return to the senate alongside other senatorial candidates of the PDP, two weeks ago, with the PDP also losing in the presidential election in the state.
Both Saraki and Atunwa have congratulated Abdulrazaq on his victory.
INEC suspends elections in Rivers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the electoral process in River State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday announced the suspension of the electoral process in River State.
The commission took the decision following reports of myriad of electoral irregularities that it said took place during and after the Saturday March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the oil rich state.
There have been reports of soldiers, police and other security officers deployed to the state as well as political thugs involving in ballot box snatching, stuffing and other electoral wrongdoings.
INEC position was contained in a statement released by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, of the electoral body.
The statement said, “Based on reports from our officials in the field, the INEC has determined that there has been widespread disruption of elections conducted on the March 9, 2019 in River State.
“This initial report suggest that violence occurred in a substantial number of polling units and collation centres, staff have been taken hostage and materials including results sheets have either been ceased or destroyed by unauthorised persons.
“In addition, safety of our staff appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the commission is concerned about the credibility of the process.
“Consequently, at a meeting held today March 10, 2019, the commission has decided to suspend all electoral process in the state until further notice.
“This is in line with section 26 of the electoral act, 2010 (as amended) and clause 47 (e) of the regulations and guidelines of the commission.
“The commission has also established a fact finding committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours. We appeal to the people of Rivers State, particularly the voters, for their understanding as we look into the circumstances of these disruptions and what further action needs to be taken,” the statement read.
GOV POLL: PDP cruising to victory in Enugu, wins in 10 LGAs so far announced
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is cruising to victory in Enugu State as results of Saturday’s governorship election are being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
So far, elections in 10 local government areas have been declared at the INEC State Headquarters, Enugu and PDP won in all of them.
Election results are being expected from the remaining 7 local government areas of the state.
Council areas so far declared are Enugu North, Udi, Nsukka, Oji River, Udenu, Aninri, Agwu, Ezeagu, Nkanu West and Igbo Etitie.
Imo INEC office on fire
The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State is presently on fire.
Persons suspected to be political thugs have set on fire office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo state.
The hoodlums were said to have broken into the place on Sunday afternoon and set the office ablaze while electoral officials were collating results of the governorship and state assembly elections.
According to an eyewitnesses report, the thugs overpowered the local security guard mounted in the place before setting the place on fire.
It was learnt that policemen quickly intervened and were able to secure the electoral materials in the place.
INEC officials from the place have been taken to the commission’s head office in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where the results are currently being collated.
LAGOS: APC clinches 11 seats in House of Assembly polls
No less than 11 candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been declared winners of the Lagos State House of Assembly polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral body declared APC candidate, Mr Ajani Owolabi winner Mainland 1, after he polled 17, 239 to defeat his closest rival from the PDP, Mr Shakiru Agunbiade who scored 3, 568 votes.
The Lagos Mainland House of Assembly Constituency II was also clinched by the APC candidate Mr Moshun Oshun as winner with 8,896 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Kehinde Oyenuga who got 3, 259 votes.
In the same vein, INEC declared, Mr Abiodun Tobun and Mr Oluwadahunsi Ogunkelu, candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of Epe I and II state constituency election in Lagos State respectively.
At the INEC Collation Centre in Ibereko, the Returning Officer for Badagry Constituency 1, Mrs Bosede Abiodun, announced David Setonji, the incumbent APC legislator, winner of the Badagry Constituency 2, after he polled 14,533 votes to beat PDP’s Alani Ajose who scored 5,209 votes.
Elsewhere, Prof. Adebayo Otitoloju, the Returning Officer, has declared Mr Rotimi Olowo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of Somolu 1, Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Also, at the Somolu II Constituency, Mr Abiru Rotimi of APC emerged the winner with 23,444 votes beating Mr Babatunde Aleshinloye-Williams of the PDP who had 7,221 votes, while Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was also declared winner of the Surulere 1 state Constituency election.
ADAMAWA: Results of gov election trickle out
Collation of results from the Adamawa governorship election has commenced at the Governorship Collation Centre in Yola.
Results from Shelleng, Yola South, Mayo-Belwa, Girei, Mubi North, Yola North and Song local governments had been presented by the collation officers from the local governments.
The Collation Officer of Shelleng Local Government Mr Abdulkadir Mohammed has disclosed that APC scored 15, 880, while PDP got 11,135.
The Collation Officer for Yola South LG, Dr Abdulhamid Mohammed said that APC got 21,941 votes, while PDP scored 17,432 votes.
Prof. Joseph Tanko, Collation Officer for Mayo-Belwa LG has revealed that APC scored 14,198, while PDP got 19,895 votes.
From Girei LG, the Collation Officer, Dr Ahmed Umar announced that APC scored 14,976 votes, while PDP got 14,115 votes.
Also in Mubi North LG, the collation officer, Prof. Mohammed Baba-Ahmed announced that APC scored 31,794 votes, while PDP got 16,667 votes.
The collation officer for Yola North LG, Prof. Baba Bukar said APC 20,979 votes, while PDP got 24,383 votes.
From Song LG, the collation officer, Mr Exxon Noel said APC scored 17,439 votes, while PDP got 24,764 votes.
However, 14 local governments are awaiting results and will be announced any time soon.
APC missing as APGA wins 24, PDP 6 of Anambra House of Assembly election
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed to secure any seat in the Anambra State House of Assembly as results from 30 constituencies of the state have been announced.
In the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won 24 seats, while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) grabbed six.
The speaker of the House, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, following the outcome of results, will not return as she lost her Nnewi South 11 constituency.
Kogi Speaker reclaims seat for Kabba/Bunu Constituency
The Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Mr. Matthew Kolawole of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was on Sunday declared winner in the state House of assembly election to represent Kabba/Bunu state Constituency for another four years.
Kolawole gained 17,248 votes against his rival, Mr. Alfred Bello of PDP, who scored 9,337 votes followed by Mr. Aiyenale Fred of ADC, who gained 2,172 votes.
Dr Kizito Sunday, the Returning Officer who declared the results at the INEC Collation Centre in Kabba on Sunday said:
“Mathew Kolawole is therefore returned as duly elected, having scored the highest votes in the election.’’
DELTA: Fears as boat conveying 12 INEC officials, results, others capsizes in river
There are fears over what may have become of 12 ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Security Operatives, who went missing after a speed boat they were travelling in capsized along the Ebrohimi Creek in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
They were returning with electoral materials after the election from Ebrohimi Community along the Benin River to Koko, Headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of the state.
The incident was said to have happened late Saturday night after the governorship and state assembly elections in the state.
The driver it was learnt, was on high speed when he lost control sequel to torrential waves that hit the boat.
Following the accident, 12 persons went missing from the 20 persons who were initially in the boat.
NASARAWA: Woman attempts ballot paper snatching, caught by soldiers
Pandemonium broke out on Saturday at the Polling Unit 026, Gayam Ward, Lafia in Nasarawa state after a woman suspected to be a political thug was caught by soldiers for snatching and running away with ballot papers.
The woman who arrived at about 1pm with thugs claimed to be followers of some parties took hold of the ballot papers from National Youth Service Corps members at the unit and fled.
It was gathered that the woman was chased by soldiers along Makurdi Road after which some of the ballot papers were retrieved from her.
The incident occurred 30 minutes after Salamatu, wife of Governor Tanko Al-Makura, cast her vote at the unit.
Mr Peter Bitrus, a domestic election observer, disclosed that the hoodlums who were with the woman aided her escape while policemen were making attempts to arrest her.
He said, “It was a conspiracy. The governor’s wife voted in this polling unit and we expected that security would be tight here.
“The exercise had been largely peaceful before this woman came and caused pandemonium. She was dressed in a long black gown and she hid the papers under the gown.”
However, election officials lamented about inadequate ballot papers and stamps at most polling units monitored in Lafia,
The results of the governorship election were revealed in which the All Progressives Congress won with 214 votes while the All Progressive Grand Alliance got 174 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party came third at the unit with 101 votes.
AKWA IBOM: Gov Emmanuel in early lead as APC kicks
Incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom is in an early lead as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins collation of results from Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Udom, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has so far won in all five local government areas announced by INEC.
The local government areas are Esit Eket, Ibeno, Nsit Ubium, Okobo and Urueoffong/Oruko.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has rejected results from all the areas announced.
APC candidate, Kuye wins Somolu House of Reps poll in Lagos
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday announced candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ademorin Kuye as winner of Saturday’s House of Representatives election in Somolu Federal Constituency.
The result was announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Ola Aluko of the Urban and Regional Planning Department, University of Lagos.
Aluko had after the election of February 23, announced on 25 February that there was no clear winner yet in the election.
Announcing the result at the INEC collation centre in Somolu on Sunday, Aluko said Kuye got a total vote of 28,722 to defeat his closest rival, Mr Oluwaseyi Olowu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who gathered 25,202.
Kuye said the APC candidate having satisfied the requirements of law and scored the highest number of votes, “is the winner and he is returned elected.”
GOMBE: APC candidate claims seat in Yamaltu West
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Sadik Ibrahim has been declared winner of Yamaltu West constituency into Gombe State House of Assembly by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
This was announced by the INEC Returning Officer Mr Mohammed Kirfi on Saturday who said 10 political parties contested for the seat.
”Abubakar Sadik Ibrahim of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and having the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” he said.
According to Kirfi, the election was conducted peacefully before the result was announced in the presence of security personnel while party agents present signed the result sheet.
EDO: INEC declares APC winner of Etsako West, Central
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Saturday, March 9, House of Assembly election in Etsako West 1, and Central constituencies of Edo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared the results this Sunday.
In Etsako Central, Mr Ahmed Waziri was announced winner by the returning officer, Professor Daniel Olarenwaju.
Waziri polled 12,688 votes to defeat Mr Boi Donald of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 5 ,431 votes.
According to Olarenwaju, 49,297 were registered voters in the area but only 19,293 cast their votes while 212 votes were voided.
In Etsako West Constituency 1, Mr Gani Audu of the APC polled 9,804 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dada Abubakar of the PDP, who scored 8,395 votes.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Auchi , the Returning Officer, Professor Augustine Dokpesi said the constituency had a total of 84,980 registered voters with 19,293 votes cast and 822 voided votes.
Party supporter, not election observer killed in my locality – Ayogu Eze
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Ayogu Eze, on Sunday attempted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the killing of one Osondu Ogoh in his locality.
In a statement distributed by his media aide, Clinton Umeh, Eze claimed that the man who was killed close to his residence was a party supporter and not an election observer.
“No observer was killed in our principal’s house or anywhere near it. What is circulating in the social media is pure fake news, obviously fabricated by those who sent the team to the house of the governorship candidate.”
The police had earlier described the victim as a local observer before clarifying he was not.
Eze had urged his supporters to boycott the Enugu State governorship election claiming that he had been unfairly treated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having been delisted from the umpire’s list because of unresolved court issues two days to the poll.
Reports had said that Eze’s supporters had thronged his home seeking a postponement of the poll to their candidate prepare better for the gubernatorial election.
OYO: APC governorship candidate, Adelabu, loses local govt to PDP
This is not the best of times for Adebayo Adebalu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), judging by results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Adelabu will be licking his wounds by now after results released by the electoral body revealed that he lost his local government to his closest rival, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The outcome of results showed that Mr Adelabu who voted at his Ward 009, PU 010, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, polled a total a total of 13,277 votes in the local government.
The collation officer of the local government, who noted that there was cancellation in six polling units as a result of either over-voting or ballot box snatching said Mr Makinde had 24,556 votes in the local government to beat Adelabu.
OGUN: INEC declares APC candidate winner of Ijebu-Ode constituency
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Kemi Oduwole as the winner of the Ijebu-Ode State Constituency seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly election.
According to INEC’s Returning Officer, Dr Oluseye Onabanjo, the candidate of the APC satisfied all requirements of the law during the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
“Oduwole Kemi Olaitan of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scoring the highest votes is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Onabanjo said.
To emerge the winner, Oduwole amassed 10,180 votes, to defeat his closest rival from the People’s Democratic Party, Azeez Ogedengbe who polled 8,152 votes, while Tola Banjo of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) came third with 4,283 votes.
KANO: Supporters of PDP’s Yusuf celebrate early lead against APC’s Ganduje
Celebration is in the air as supporters of Abba Yusuf, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kano State governorship elections, are jubilating his early lead in the polls.
Reports say supporters of Yusuf took to the streets in celebration when news began to filter in that the party’s candidate had recorded symbolic victories against Governor Abdulahi Ganduje’s All Progressives Congress (APc) in constituencies of his close allies.
Recall that there were apprehensions expressed by voters in the state early on Saturday when sensitive materials required for the election were delivered late to distribution areas.
Reports say as at at 7:41am, on Saturday sensitive materials for areas in Fagge and Nasarawa Local Goverment Areas of Kano State, stacked in boxes were waiting to be distributed as Corps members were seen collecting ballot boxes, papers and INEC branded plastic tables.
The same situation played out during the last presidential and National Assembly polls that a good number of eligible voters at Magwan polling centre within the Giginyu Ward in the Nasarawa local government area of Kano State were delayed in casting their votes due to the lateness in the arrival of election materials.
Yobe: APC governorship candidate, Buni, wins polling unit
Gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, has won his polling unit in the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
The collation officer of Buni Lawanti’s ward at Phase One, Damaturu, Anthony Okeke, announced that the APC candidate got 162 votes against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Umar Iliya Damagum that polled 22 votes.
According to reports, there were cases of violence orchestrated by political thugs in some parts of Fune local government area of Yobe State during the conduct of the governorship and state assembly election.
It was alleged that the thugs who were hired from the neighbouring Gombe state, were said to have been arrested by police personnel for prosecution.
Idi Barde Gubana, the Yobe State APC governorship candidate’s running mate has confirmed the incident, saying the thuggery was the only challenge so far experienced in the area.
He claimed that the hired thugs came only to disrupt the conduct of the exercise.
“There are some challenges in some polling units where thugs were brought from outside the state to destabilise the elections but were arrested by the security operatives in the area,” he stated.
Gubana added that apart from the incident, elections were peaceful in the area.
ABUJA: PDP Leads in Gwarinpa polling units
Reports show that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is taking the lead in some polling units in Gwarinpa Estate in the Local Council elections in Abuja on Saturday. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is however following closely behind.
The presiding officers announced the results in the various polling units in the estate.
At the Gwarinpa Model City gate polling unit 013B, Presiding Officer Nwankwo Bede announced that for Chairmanship, Princess Vivian Anazodo of the PDP got 119 votes while APC’s Abdullahi Candido got 55 votes. For the seat of Councillor, the PDP scored 112 votes while the APC scored 54 votes.
The Gwarinpa Model Primary school polling unit 024, Presiding officer Sebastine Ebuka announced that for the seat of Chairman, the PDP got 143 votes while the APC got 130 votes. APC, however, took the lead in the councillorship seat with 140 votes while the PDP scored 134 votes.
At the Gwarinpa Polling Unit 024A, the APC also took the lead for both the chairmanship and councillorship seats.
Presiding Officer Ruben Njoku announced the APC scoring 65 votes for the seat of Chairman while the PDP scored 41 votes while for the councillorship position, the APC got 65 votes while the PDP got 37 votes.
It was a hitch-free and orderly polls in the Gwarinpa District as accreditation and voting ended before 2 p.m., with collation and counting commencing immediately.
Pleased with the outcome of the election process, voters attributed the success to early arrival of ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and early commencement of voting.
Group raises alarm over possible post-election violence in Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement has sais there is the possibility of post-election violence in the state.
Though the just concluded governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state has been adjudged generally peaceful, the group, at a press briefing addressed by its leader, Prince Emmanuel Sam on Saturday evening, said intelligence gathered by the movement shows that agents of a certain political party were planning to foment trouble.
Prince Sam said: “The Governorship and State Assembly elections have been so peaceful in the state, except some few spots where there are crises.
“In the whole, we can conclude that elections in Akwa Ibom State have been peaceful. We commend the security agents for providing necessary protection for citizens of the state to cast their votes
“Reports from our field workers show that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has won in almost all the local government areas, but as an impartial body, our concern is not who is leading in the elections, but the pending crisis that is about to envelop the state.
“We have gathered from our field workers that some elements from the All Progressives Congress, APC in connivance with some security agents, have moved into various local government collation centres across the state to disrupt collation of results from all the units and wards.
“Let it be known to security agents currently in Akwa Ibom State, that the people have spoken through their votes, as such, they should not assist individual or group of individuals to subvert the will of the masses.”
The group also appealed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of in the state, Mr. Mike Igini, to keep to his words by announcing only the results published in various polling units of the state, while also
calling on the international community, European Union Observer group to follow activities at all the collation centres in the local governments.
“We urge them to withdraw VISAs of all those who want to incite violence in the state and that of their children. “Akwa Ibom State people have spoken through the sanctity of ballot and must be respected”, the group said.
RIVERS: INEC insists it will not accept results signed under duress
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Rivers State has said it would not accept any result signed and collected under duress.
INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Rivers State, Mr Edwin Enabor, stated this while speaking with newsmen in reaction to alleged snatching of results in Port Harcourt.
“If any result emanates or comes in as result of duress, INEC will not accept it.
“Definitely the commission will know what to do but the report has to be documented,” he said.
Enabor also disclosed that INEC is yet to verify the alleged snatching of results from collation officers by some men in military uniform.
“We are yet to verify if the security people alleged of snatching of results were actually real security men or persons putting on their uniform.
“We have to be sure first because it is only the authorities that can authenticate whether they are actually their men or not,” he said.
EBONYI: INEC confirms no election held in 3 wards where election materials were set ablaze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State has confirmed that no election held in the three Registration Areas (wards) hit by violence in the governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state on Saturday.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Prof Godswill Obioma, made the confirmation while addressing newsmen in Abakaliki on Saturday in the conduct of the elections in the state.
It would be recalled that some heavily-armed suspected political thugs were reported to have invaded three registration area camps, RACs, in some parts of Ezza North local government and set ablaze the commission’s sensitive materials in the early hours of Saturday.
Obioma listed the affected wards and polling units to include Ekka with code number 02, having 16 voting points with 137 polling units and Oriuzor with code number 09 with 32 voting points.
According to him, 15,452 registered voters in the ward did not participate in the elections. The registration area is in Ezza North East state Constituency.
He said that Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North West constituency was also listed as one of the RACs where sensitive election materials were set ablaze by the suspected hoodlums.
“The total voting points are 75 and the total number of registered voters affected is 36,392.
“There were no elections in the three Wards because all materials were burnt by armed thugs.
”No life was lost. All INEC ad-hoc staff in the areas were rescued to safety by security agents and have since returned to their residences.”
Obioma added that he had given the necessary details to the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja and was awaiting further instructions.
Vote selling and buying rampant during polls– CDD
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has spoken on the March 9 Governorship and house of assembly polls, pointing out the high rate of vote selling and buying.
CDD while addressing journalists in Abuja, says that voters were scrambling to sell their votes to the highest bidder during the polls, despite of the warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the anti-corruption agencies
The Chair, CDD Election Analysis Centre (EAC), Adele Jinadu, speaking for the group, stated that the centre sent out observers to monitor the elections in the states and came out with its findings.
“On the ground, our observers reported seeing EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arresting people involved in vote buying. For example, the EFCC arrested some prominent party stalwarts in Benue and Kwara States.
“However, reports from our observers indicated significant role played by voters and politicians in the vote trading market.
“The trend as we observed, is that voters are bargaining for a higher amount and sold their votes to the party with the higher ability to meet their demand,” he said.
In Polling Unit (PU) 011, Madobi Ward, Madobi LGA, Kano State, he said the vote traded for between N3, 000 and N4, 000.
In PU 02, ward 4 Oke Balogun Epe local government area, Lagos State, he said party agents were seen writing down the names of voters who were expected to collect a paltry amount of N1, 500 each.’
Jinadu said CDD’s observers reported cases in which politicians offered ad-hoc officials’ money at the Registration Area Centres (RACs).
“For example, in a RAC in Ikosi Senior High School, Ikosi-Ketu, Kosofe-Lagos, a presiding officer alleged that politicians offered them N5, 000 each which they refused.
“The ad-hoc staff turned down the offer but instead demanded that they should be paid N40, 000, while some of them requested N20, 000,’’ he said
Another worrying trend observed, Jinadu said, was that supporters of mainstream party were disguising as members of smaller parties to buy votes for their parties.
He said CDD gathered agents of smaller parties were influenced to purchase votes on behalf of the dominant parties.
Jinadu said before the commencement of voting, a number of incidents were observed that were capable of disrupting the election were reported by the observers.
In Benue, he said armed hoodlums razed a school in Aya containing electoral materials meant for Mbalom ward in Gwer East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Other cases involved the abduction of a corps member, election materials destruction and attack on INEC officials, thereby, disenfranchising many voters.
Jinadu said in spite promises to improve the safety and welfare of corps members in this election, the day witnessed protests by ad-hoc staff who threatened not to carry out their duties until INEC cleared pending allowances.
Besides, he said there were also cases of killings in Ahoada West Local Government area of Rivers, Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Rivers and abduction of a youth corper in Etinan Ward in Akwa Ibom state.
‘This is extremely disturbing,” he said, calling on “security agencies to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to prevent further incidents of violence likely to negatively impact the outcome of the elections.”
KOGI: Abductors release 6 INEC staff unharmed
Six officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were kidnapped during the governorship and state assembly elections in Kogi State have been released by their abductors.
The officials were said to have been kidnapped by armed thugs in fake police and army uniforms at the polling unit inside the Crowther Memorial College in Lokoja who also carted away some elections materials.
Although the INEC staff were released unharmed, it is not certain if the stolen materials were returned.
After their abduction, witnesses said they were taken away in a van by the armed abductors to an unknown destination.
The Director of Publicity in Lokoja office of the INEC, Ahmed Bimabo, said the victims, who were released few hours later, were undergoing medical examination at the Lokoja office of the Commission.
Bimabo did not say whether the workers returned with the sensitive election materials and ballot boxes confiscated by the hoodlums as they were taken away.
The Kogi state governorship and state Assembly election was generally marred with violence as two people are feared dead while several others are said to have been injured.
Several houses and cars are said to have been razed including the home of a former Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Anthony Kpuke; the house was said to have been touched in Ganaja village via Lokoja.
Government officials were seen with armed police men and suspected thugs who wore police uniforms terrorising the electorate and snatching ballot boxes all over the state.
Places where elections were disrupted included Kabba, Dekina, Yagba West and Yagba East, Lokoja metropolis, Ibaji, Idah Olamaboro and Omala, all believed to be PDP strongholds.
Eye witness says voting took place in only in one of the five polling units in Ward D area of Lokoja.
Ondo community shut down over election violence
Ondo State government has ordered the proscription of all human and vehicular movement in the Oba Akoko in Akoko West Local Government Area of the state.
This is coming after there were reported cases of shootings, ballot box snatching and destruction of homes and property in the community during the house of assembly election.
A statement released on Saturday by the Chief of Staff, Gbenga Ale and obtained by Ripples Nigeria, instructed residents of the town to remain indoor as security agents restore sanity to the area.
The statement reads, ”In view of the massive disruption of the electoral process in Oba Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government , leading to indiscriminate and criminal shooting, wanton destruction of ballot boxes, properties, vehicles, homes and the general peace of citizens and Oba Akoko, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has ordered a total proscription of all human and vehicular movement in the town.’
”All citizens and commuters through Oba Akoko are to stay indoor. All roads within the town are closed down with immediate effect, all commercial activities are are shut down with immediate effect. All human beings are to remain indoors until further notice.
”Law enforcement agencies have been ordered to arrest anybody seen on the streets and other unauthorised areas.
Any attempt to test the will of security agencies will be dealt with decisively.”
BAUCHI: Gov Abubakar loses polling unit to PDP
Bauchi State Governor, Muhammad Abubakar, who is seeking reelection under the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been defeated in his polling unit by his main contender, Bala Mohammed, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presiding officer at the centre, Gindin Durumi polling unit of Bauchi Metropolis, Chinedu Onora, announced that the APC candidate polled 288 votes while his PDP counterpart garnered 358 votes.
The New Nigeria Peoples party (NNPP) had 20 votes while Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) 11 votes. 55 votes were also recorded invalid.
Oyo lawmaker feared dead after being shot in the eye
A serving lawmaker representing Akinyele/ Lagelu federal constituency, Hon. Temitope Olatoye has been reportedly shot dead by political thugs.
He was said to have been shot in the eye after casting his votes in Ward 13 Lagelu local government area of the State.
Unconfirmed reports say the lawmaker who lost the National Assembly election bid to return to the Senate two weeks ago might have died as a result of the injury.
He reportedly gave up the ghost at the University College Hospital (UCH) where he was rushed to after the gunshot.
Olatoye decamped to from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Action Democratic Party (ADP) where he ran in the election held on Saturday 23rd February. He later lost to Senator Teslim Folarin of APC
DELTA: Omo-Agege alleges ballot box, result sheets snatched in 4 LGAs
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has alleged that ballot boxes and result sheets were snatched in four local government areas of Delta State in Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.
The Senator, who recently won his reelection back to the Senate, also said that President Muhammadu Buhari is not against having the Card Readers embedded in law.
Omo-Agege stated this while speaking with newsmen in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta on Saturday, adding that lawmakers would addressed the card readers issue in the 9th Assembly.
“The challenge the president had at that time was the ECOWAS Protocol, it came very late.
“You cannot make fundamental change in your electoral law six months to the election, otherwise Mr president was not against the spirit of the letters in that amendment,” he said.
Speaking on Saturday’s election, Omo-Agege said there are feelers of ballot box and results sheet snatching in Bomadi, Patani, Warri South-West and some parts Udu LGA.
He, however, expressed hope that relevant authorities would do justice on that.
“It will be difficult to give a comprehensive evaluation of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Delta.
“The information I am getting from other LGAs is not very good. It is all about ballot box and results sheet snatching.
” I do not think that it is good for our democracy.
“I expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the right thing at the collation level.
“INEC made it clear that Card Readers must be used in every polling units not withstanding that the court says card reader is not part of the law.
“Since INEC insist Card Readers must be used, it will be unfair for some to use it and others not to use it.I am hopeful that Great Ogboru will win and some APC candidates in the state House of Assembly,” he said.
He however commended security agencies for doing a good job noting that the election was purely a grassroots thing.
ADAMAWA: PDP defeats Gov Bindow in government house polling unit
Adamawa State Governor, Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, has lost the state Government House polling units 012 and 09 to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Umaru Fintiri.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Presiding Officer, Sumayya Aliyu, who announced the result of polling unit 09 on Saturday in Yola said Fintiri scored 167 votes against Bindow’s 108 votes.
Presiding Officer at polling unit 012, Yemi Adetiba, also announced that Fintiri secured 136 votes against Bindow’s 81.
PDP Presidential candidate in February 23, Atiku Abubakar also secures his polling unit, Ajiya 02, in Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government of Adamawa for the party.
Governorship election result announced by the Returning Officer, Dorathy Inaku indicated that PDP scored 161 votes, while APC got 99 votes.
Election observer reportedly shot dead in Enugu
There are reports that a local election observer was killed by stray bullet on Saturday Enugu State.
“The man was a local observer monitoring the gubernatorial and house of assembly election,” a police officer said.
“He was hit by stray bullet fired by a policeman to disperse a group of protesters,” he added.
According to the police officer, the protesters were pushing for the postponement of the gubernatorial poll to give more time for Ayogu Eze, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to campaign.
It would be recalled that Eze was only cleared on Thursday to contest today’s governorship, after his nomination was challenged in the courts.
His supporters had insisted the election should be delayed so that he would have enough time to canvass for votes.
Eze, in a last minute move decided to boycott the election.
BENUE: Ortom wins government house polling unit
Benue State Governor and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Ortom, has won the government house polling unit.
Ortom polled 127 votes to defeat All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Emmanuel Jime, who recorded 112 votes.
It is reportedly the first time a government in power would be winning the polling unit.
In the House of Assembly election, PDP polled 127 votes to win the in the polling unit with APC scoring 85 votes.
However, as with many other states, voter turnout was slightly lower than that of the Presidential and National Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier arrested an agent in the State with millions of naira claiming to be the agent of the Benue State governorship candidate of the, Emmanuel Jimeh.
The EFCC, which posted a picture of the seizure, said in a Facebook post that the suspect was arrested in Makurdi.
‘Only enemies of democracy’ are opposed to military involvement in elections- Oshiomhole
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has advocated for greater roles for the Nigerian military in election monitoring.
Oshiomhole also described those campaigning against the role of the military in elections as enemies of democracy.
The APC chairman, who spoke shortly after voting at his polling unit in Iyamoh, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, also raised concern over alleged invasion of some polling units in the state by suspected thugs.
The polling units, according to him are at Uluoke and Ogbido both in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
Oshiomhole alleged that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) brought thugs to disrupt the voting process in the area, adding that security officers had to restore normalcy before voting could continue.
“We have some few reported incidents. you know last week it was clear that the whole of this area was 99 percent APC.
“So I believe PDP leaders sent thugs to cause disruption in the next village where we got 99 per cent during last elections.
“They brought thugs and they started shooting to disrupt the process, unfortunately, the people are determined to vote, and I understand that voting has resumed.
“PDP leaders led the thugs to disrupt election at Uluoke and Ogbido with the same pattern trying to cart away election materials again.
“But the youths in the area stopped them, I understand that the situation is under control in those locations.
“That is why when some people are talking against or disputing the idea of deploying the military for elections, only enemies of democracy and enemies of peace will support that kind of campaign.
“Imagine when just two police men not armed in a polling unit, what can they do when thugs invade the polling centres with sophisticated weapons, they will watch helplessly.
“If not that we have the army that are on patrol, things would have gotten out of hands”, he said.
APC wins FCT Council polls in Aso Rock polling units
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all polling units for both chairman and councillorship elections at the presidential villa, Abuja.
However, Unlike the February 23 presidential election, voter turnout was low in many polling units in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during Saturday’s elections.
Despite the low turnout at the two polling units PU) 021 and 022 at the State House, the APC candidate for the chairmanship election scored 290 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who polled 132 votes.
Also, APC polled 162 votes in PU 021 and 128 votes in PU 022 while the PDP scored 70 votes in PU 021 and 62 votes in PU 022 respectively. For the councillorship election, the APC polled a total of 273 votes to defeat PDP which scored 151 votes from the two polling units at the villa.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived the two PUs located in the villa as early as 7:45am and had to wait for the arrival of voters. The units were scanty with adhoc staff relaxing.
Voting commenced at exactly 8:00am and ended at about 2:06pm. Accreditation and voting was done simultaneously in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari Abba Kyari was among some of the voters who cast their votes in the presidential villa.
Same was the case at the Abacha Barracks Polling Unit, a few kilometers to the presidential villa, the issue of voter apathy was not different as the station was empty with very few voters. Election materials however arrived at the Abacha Barracks polling station as early as 7:39am. The INEC official prepared and waited for voters who came bit by bit to cast their votes.
ADAMAWA: Atiku wins own polling unit he lost during presidential election
Victory at last for former Vice President and Presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar as he secures his polling unit, Ajiya 02, in Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government of Adamawa for his party.
Atiku had during the February 3 presidential elections lost the unit to President Buhari, scoring 167 to Buhari’s 186.
However, result of today’s Governorship election announced by the Returning Officer, Dorathy Inaku indicated that PDP scored 161 votes, while APC got 99 votes.
For the House of Assembly election at the unit, PDP got 207 votes, while APC scored 76 votes. Election: We cannot rate the exercise yet – Former Minister, Ogunkelu Atiku and PDP supporters who trooped to the unit went wild in celebration after the announcement shouting “Atikulation! Atikulation!”
“Last time it was APC and today is our turn,” said a happy PDP supporter who identified himself as Bello Abubakar. In another development, the gubernatorial candidate of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. Abdul-Aziz Nyako has lost in his unit 014 of Gwadabawa Ward where he got 78 votes as against PDP’s 123 and APC’s 63 votes.
DELTA: One killed, several others injured as gunmen open fire on polling units
Today’s governorship and state assembly elections in Delta State turned bloody after gunmen opened fire on some polling units.
According to reports, the incidence occurred while results were being collated in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, leading to the death of at least one person, with several others sustaining injuries.
The dead person was said to have been shot at Iwhrekan community while others whom were equally attacked, were ambushed at Oviri-Olomu and Ovwookpokpo communities.
A source at the Ughelli Central hospital, who confirmed the incidence, said a gunshot victim was rushed to the hospital alongside several others who received cuts on their bodies.
Speaking on the incident, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the area, said all those attacked are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
KADUNA: INEC postpones election in Chikun LGA over lack of security
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of the governorship and State House of Assembly election in Chikun Ward, Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna State due to lack of security.
This was disclosed in Kaduna on Saturday by the commission’s Head of Election Operations Support Centre in the state, Mr. Murtala Dalhat.
Dalhat explained that the commission would announce a new date after complaints of inaccessibility by election officials due to security challenges.
The Ward which has 6,213 registered voters and 18 polling units was being monitored by INEC’s Situation Room in Kaduna.
He added that voting had been concluded in more than 70 per cent of the polling units in the state.
“So far, over 40 per cent of Electoral Officers across the state have returned to their various registration areas to submit results of the ballot,” he added.
BAYELSA: Observer group says election did not hold in 7 units in Nembe-Bassambiri
Women Arise Group, an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited observer for the House of Assembly election in Bayelsa State, has said that voting did not take place in the seven wards of Nembe-Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
The observer group, while speaking to journalists in Nembe Saturday afternoon, after monitoring the House of Assembly elections in the state, said they moved around various wards and discovered that there were no elections in seven wards under Constituency 2 and 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 all in Nembe- Bassambiri.
The group also stated that the polling units in the aforementioned wards were all deserted and there was no presence of INEC officials nor party agents.
“Our findings revealed that the materials meant for the affected units were diverted to an unknown destination.
“It was also learnt that members of one of the political parties, including their candidates, were prevented by thugs from entering the community.
The group appealed to INEC to take a critical look into the situation in the area, especially the acts of thuggery and violation of the Electoral Act, adding that most voters in the area were disenfranchised as a result of the violence unleashed by some political thugs.
VOTER APATHY: People feel their votes won’t count- Dogara
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has attributed low turnout of voters for the governorship and House of Assembly elections to lack of trust in the electoral system.
While speaking after he cast his vote in his polling unit in Gwarangah, Bogoro Local Government Area, Bauchi State, the speaker said the apathy was not unconnected to the manipulations that marred the transmission of results from the unit to the collation center during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The speaker who expressed disappointment over the low turn out of voters said the the credibility of the electoral process had been called to question.
He said, “What I have seen is that there is no mammoth crowd like last election. Some of you were here, you saw the crowd and how many lines were here, it was even a battle to even get to the front, I can’t see that kind of crowd and I don’t know what is responsible for it, maybe voter apathy.
“Because we saw that in the last election, the problem wasn’t the voting, people came out and voted.
”The problem started at the collation level, especially at the ward level. Collation at the polling level was almost done peacefully and concluded in a very transparent manner but at the ward level to the local government level to the constituency level, things started changing.
“So I guess one of the reasons why we have this apathy is that people think their votes do not count and as such, what is the point?
”So they go to the market, they go to the farm, for those who do dry season farming, rather than coming to the polling units to vote because they feel that their votes do not count.
”At the polling units in the last elections, at the polling units, elections were credible but the problem started at the collation and we hope that this does not repeat itself in this election.”
INEC confirms hijack of electoral materials in 4 C’River LGs
Electoral materials for Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections were hijacked in four local government areas of Cross River State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed.
According to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Frankland Briyai, the affected LBs are Abi, Bakassi, Obubra and Etung.
Dr. Briyai, confirmed the development shortly after monitoring the voting process at some polling units in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South.
Briyai said that report of hijack at Yakurr Local Government Area of the state had yet to be confirmed, noting that the Commission would record zero scores in all areas where materials were hijacked.
“We have had cases of hijack of materials today. I got a call on hijack of materials in Abi, Bakassi, Obubra and Etung local government areas.
“In Yakurr Local Government Area, I got a call concerning hijack of materials but I am yet to confirm that.
“I have said it before, if they deliberately refuse to make use of the card reader by hijacking electoral materials, the affected areas will score zero.
“Every Crossriverian and politician is aware of this.’’
The REC however expressed satisfaction with high turnout of voters in some areas and applauded voters for their peaceful conduct during accreditation and voting.
“The security agents were doing their work accordingly in all the areas we visited and I must commend them for that,’’ he added.
‘Excessive’ military presence responsible for poor voter turnout- CSOs
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has spoken on likely reason for low voter turnout in this Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.
The CSOs blamed the low turnout of voters in the Federal Capital Territory on excessive deployment of military and security personnel by the Federal Government.
It also explained that the voter apathy experienced in various parts of the country reflected the disappointment of citizens over the “poor conduct of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections”.
On the other hand, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku, had blamed the low turnout on alleged rigging during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections. He said, “There is low voter turnout and I believe it’s because of the last election which was marred by a lot of irregularities.”
The Situation Room which is a coalition of over 70 CSOs working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria, in an interim statement it issued in Abuja on Saturday, expressed believe that the heavy deployment of soldiers for the elections created fear in the citizenry, including concerns over the neutrality of the security agencies and the integrity of the electoral process.
“Situation Room continues to be concerned about the excessive and intimidating deployment of military and security personnel throughout the 2019 Nigeria General Elections. Under section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, security personnel can only be involved in electoral duty as requested by INEC.
“The Situation Room continues to voice its concern with the level of deployment of the military in the elections. The level of deployment of military arsenal including fighter jets and attack helicopters remains a serious concern for us.
“Indications from the field on the low voter turn-out points to concerns from citizens on the military deployment. There are reports of observers and poll officials being arrested across Oruk Anam LGA of Akwa Ibom State by Military and police personnel with phones and other personnel effects being confiscated.
“There are reports of the military arresting poll officials and carting away materials in Ini LGA of Akwa IbomState. In Okrika LGA there are reports of military interference in the process.
“The situation room is concerned that despite this high deployment we are still having pockets of violence. In Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State suspected thugs were reported to have set fire to election materials at the RAC. In Etinan LG in Akwa Ibom State Youth Corp members were attacked by suspected thugs while voting materials were snatched and a police officer shot in Odukpan LG of Cross River state.
“Six (6) Journalists were kidnapped in Ahaoda West LGA of Rivers State. We had seven (7) deaths so far today.
Two (2) in Egbe Yagba in Kogi and the others in RiversStates including Emilia Gilbert a former Chairperson of Andoni LGA.
“The Situation Room continues to reiterate its earlier position that no election should cost the life of anyNigerian
and calls on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute all election offenders irrespective of their party affiliation. It is also calling on political actors to call their supporters to exercise restraint.
“There are reported widespread incidences of vote buying across the country by our observers and the Situation Room is concerned this could undermine the credibility of the outcome of the election. Sokoto, Zamfara, Ekiti, Kebbi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ondo and Borno States among others have reported cases of vote buying.
“As voting sets to close, Situation Room implores Nigerians to continue to exercise their right to vote and prepare to observe the collation process. Situation Room also calls on INEC to ensure that the electoral process delivers on credible election, including ensuring that the collation of results at the ward, Local Government and State levels are in line its own guidelines and the law.”
Tension in Imo as thugs kill party agent
The governorship and state assembly elections in Imo State has thrown a community in Nkwerre Local Government Area into tensed mood after suspected political thugs killed a party agent.
According to reports, the killing of the party agent made voters who had yet to cast their votes to flee the polling unit.
The murdered party agent, yet to be identified, was said to have engaged some other party agents in a fierce argument in one of the polling units.
He was however ambushed and shot several times after leaving the polling unit by suspected political thugs until he died.
The killing was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, who said the police command is already investigating the murder.
Ikeokwu said: “I can confirm that a party agent was shot dead at Nkwerre. We have swiftly responded and taken over the investigation process.
“Outside some pockets of violence, the security architecture of the state is wonderful. The security agencies are on top of the situation. We have made a couple of arrest including the arrest of fake policemen at Umuobom in the Ideato South LGA.”
PDP wins polling unit of Kano Deputy Gov
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abba Kabir Yusuf, has defeated governor Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Magwan polling where the state’s deputy governor voted.
Ganduje’s PDP was defeated by 210 to 197 votes in the three polling units located at the Magwan polling station.
At the first polling unit where the deputy governor voted, APC had 73 votes against 76 polled by the PDP.
Other results revealed that PDP won by 76 to 73, 63 to 48 and 71 to 76 for PDP and APC respectively.
Again, Ajimobi loses polling unit to PDP
After losing his senatorial ambition to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has again lost his polling unit to the PDP in the governorship election.
At his unit at Oluyole Community Grammar School, Oluyole, Ibadan where he voted, Ajimobi’s APC polled 112 votes against PDP’s 149 votes to win the unit.
The outcome of the election was still yet unknown as collation was still ongoing across the state as at the time of this report.
Elections suspended in parts of Benue over violence
Governorship and House of Assembly elections in parts of Benue State have been rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as as a result of electoral violence.
Some armed thugs burnt all electoral materials for Mbalon ward in Gwer East area of Benue, north-central Nigeria, in the early hours of Saturday, ahead of the March 9 governorship and legislative elections.
It was gathered that the hoodlums on arrival fired shots in the air before setting on fire the RCM Primary School in Aya. The materials were yet to be distributed to polling units in the ward when the attack occurred.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Benue state, Yilwatda Nentawe who announced postponement of the polls on Saturday in Makurdi, listed the affected areas to include Mbalon ward in Gwer East, Yandev North ward in Gboko and Manger ll ward in Tarka local government areas of the state.
According to the REC, “the election in Mbalon is rescheduled because of the burning of electoral materials by thugs while in Yandev North and Manger II wards the elections will be rescheduled because our electoral officers were held hostage.”
Nentawe explained that elections would be held in the affected wards on a date to be announced by the umpire body. Vanguard gathered that unknown armed thugs had at the late hours of Friday attacked Mbalon INEC office destroying various electoral materials intended for use in the governorship and state assembly elections.
OGUN: APC guber candidate wins polling unit he lost during presidential election
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dapo Abiodun has polled a total vote of 240 to win his Ward 3 Unit 2, Ita Osanyin, Iperu, Ikenne.
Abiodun who lost the unit to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the presidential election, beat his closest rival, Adekunle Akinlade, of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) who polled 71 votes.
Buruji Kashamu of the PDP got just five votes in the result was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission Presiding Officer, Timothy Olajimi.
APC also won the unit’s House of Assembly election with 215 votes while APM had 72 votes and PDP 8 votes.
OYO GUBER: Ballot box snatching reported in Ogbomoso
There are reports of ballot box snatching in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State by heavily armed thugs suspected to be sponsored by some politicians.
The thugs who reportedly came in their numbers snatched already thumb-printed ballot papers when they invaded Ogbomoso polling unit at Oke Ola Farm Settlement, Unit Four of Ogbomoso South Local Government Area of the state.
The development comes after the Zenith Labour Party leader and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Adewolu Ladoja, earlier lamented the incidence of ballot snatching in the state.
Speaking after casting his vote at Ward 10, Unit 013 on Ondo Street, Bodija Estate, Ibadan, Ladoja said ballot snatchers are having a field day in some polling units across the state.
Ladoja who blamed the development as a result of lack of concerned security operatives said he had received reports of ballot-snatching at some polling booths on Iwo Road, Aperin, and Oja Igbo.
Amaechi accuses INEC of bias, claims Rivers REC working to deliver Wike
The Minister of Transportation and the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South-South, Chibuike Amaechi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of bias.
Amaechi, who voted at his unit 14, ward 8, Ubima Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State described the process as peaceful.
He however claimed that the Residence Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state is working to deliver the governor of the state.
He commended the security agencies for adequate mobilisation, noting that this is the first time people of the state are voting without fear or intimidation.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has expressed optimism that he was going to win this Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
He also accused the military of being responsible for the low turn-out of electorate in the oil rich state.
He stated this in a tweet on his Twitter handle.
“The way the military acted discouraged people from turning up. The role of the military is to provide security. But it is unfortunate that they directly participate. Police have role in the elections. The military appears to have taken over police duties.
“For now, we are satisfied and confident that we will win this election very well. We are not afraid. We don’t know how many Local Government Areas they can manipulate.
“But with reports we are getting, even though they are trying to be funny, we shall win.
“We are hoping that it will continue to be like this. Sometimes, the voting goes on smoothly, but the main thing is at the Collation Centres,” Wike wote.
ENUGU: APC Gov candidate Eze boycotts election
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Ayogu Eze has refused to vote and has ordered his supporters to do the same.
He is asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the election in order to give him more time to campaign.
Eze, who spoke with newsmen at his country home in Umuozzi, Enugu-Ezike, Igboeze North council of the state said that he was angry that his name was not included among governorship candidates contesting in the state.
According to him, his name is missing in the final list of governorship candidates published by INEC, despite the Appeal Court order reinstating him as the APC governorship candidate.
He said, “INEC claims to have party logos on the ballot paper so why didn’t they publish only the logos of all the political parties and leave the candidates?’’ Eze complained.
He also stated that his decision not to vote was influenced by his supporters, who insisted that INEC must do the right thing before he, or them, would take part in the election.
OYO: 2 feared dead following clash between APC & PDP party members
Two persons have been confirmed dead at Ibadan South West, ward 6, unit 4 in Oyo State during the ongoing Governorship and State National Assembly polls.
Reports say the pair were killed after an altercation that ensued between the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over sharing of money to their voters.
An eyewitness who declined to be named said she witnessed sporadic gunshots in the area as soon as people assembled to vote.
The witness said; “As the voters have assembled to vote, all of sudden we just heard gun shots from different locations, as people began to scamper for safety.”
“There was no armed security men at hand to douse the tension as the ones available are not armed. After then, we just heard people talking in groups that they have killed two people,” she narrated.
As at the time of filing in this report, the incident had not been confirmed by DSP Olugbenga, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) of the state.
IMO: Ex-Dep Speaker Ihedioha counsels those keen on perpetrating violence
Governor candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has called on those keen on perpetrating violence to have a rethink.
He spoke with newsmen after voting at polling unit 010, Town School, Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state.
He frowned at reports of violence in some parts of the state but expressed hope that the security agents would handle the situation.
He said, “We are aware there were some issues of violence at Ngor-Okpalla, and Nwangele. But we believe the security agents and electoral officers will take appropriate steps. I believe the full weight of the law should be brought to bear on the persons who have masterminded these acts to hoodwink the people and jeopardise the electoral process.
“Specifically, we all saw what happened two weeks ago in Imo West and the position INEC took on electoral violence. So I believe that people should advise themselves”.
He also expressed hope that election in the state will count at the end of the election.
While expressing satisfaction with the ongoing governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state, Ihedioha claimed that he has learnt from report that Imo people have been voting for him and his party.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who voted alongside his wife, Ebere also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agents for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere in the state.
“Across the state, the report I am getting is that Imolites have been voting for the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship and House of Assembly candidates across the different constituencies,” he said.
“The reports say that I am the popular choice of the people and it does appear to me that the people’s vote will count by the grace of God,’ the candidate said.
“I am very well impressed with the level of security provided up till this moment. It has been very reasonable and I hope they sustain it till the wee hours on Sunday,” he said.
“INEC has done a credible job. I commend such heroes like Prof. Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, the electoral commissioner in the state. He has been wonderful. I haven’t gotten bad reports about them and I hope they will be able to sustain this till the end.”
CROSS RIVER: APC accuses PDP of rigging, as police snatch election materials
The main opposition party in Cross River State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of engaging in election rigging.
In a tweet on its Twitter handle the APC said, “PDP Thugs destroying electoral materials in Ababene in Obubura LGA of Cross River State. Same thing happening across the entire state. We call on @inecnigeria & @PoliceNG to prevail.
“Rigging ongoing in Eunyia & Okubuchi wards in Boki LG of Cross River State, as PDP thugs hijacked materials,stabbed APC member. Affected PUs: 004, 005, 013, 016, 017, 018, & 019.
”Massive rigging ongoing in favor of the PDP in units 003, 004, 007, 008, ward 4 & almost every other ward in Calabar South LGA of Cross River State. The attention of the @PoliceNG & @inecnigeria needed urgently.”
There is also a report from the state that election materials for Inyima Ward were allegedly snatched by armed police officers.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Ben Ayade and his wife peacefully casted their vote during the election at Ipong polling unit, Kakum ward in Cross River State.
KADUNA: Police nab APC agent allegedly in possession of voters registers
The long arm of the law has caught up with a party agent, allegedly of the All Progressives Congress (APC), after he was caught carrying a Voters’ Register.
Reports say the APC party agent was arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force at a polling unit in Manchok Registration Area Centre (RAC), Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, on Saturday.
When questioned, the party agent, identified as Mr Samuel Semion, said the document was distributed to all party agents in the area by a senior member of the party.
According to reports, the arrest of the party agent was effected after the attention of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and security agents were drawn to the development.
Reacting to the matter, INEC Supervisor in the RAC, Mr Cletus Joseph, claimed the action by the arrested APC party agent contravened the Electoral Act.
“We have received similar information from our officials in various polling units that APC agents have in their possession INEC Voters’ Register.
“I want to categorically say that no agent is entitled to (hold) the Voters’ Register for any reason and anyone caught with it should be arrested,” he said.
The arrest of the party agent was confirmed by the Divisional Police Officer in the Local Government, CSP Daniel Mbwale, who ordered security agents to seize the documents from all APC agents in all polling units around the area.
Atiku feels incidences during presidential poll have affected turn out in guber election
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has blamed supposed low turn-out of voters in this Saturday governorship and state assembly elections to alleged rigging during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections.
He said, “There is low voter turnout and I believe it’s because of the last election which was marred by a lot of irregularities.”
Atiku made this claim after he voted at the Ajiya polling unit 02, Gwadabawa ward of Yola North Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State.
The PDP candidate who was defeated by incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential election, condemned the use of military in the elections.
Though he described it as unconstitutional, he however urged the electorate to be law-abiding and shun violence.
On his loss, he said he was not going back in his decision to challenge the result of the election in court.
Buhari had earlier on Thursday said he expected Atiku to challenge the outcome of the presidential election in court.
LAGOS: PDP protests disappearance of nine ballot booklets
There is palpable tension and fear in the Kosofe area of Lagos State as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested the disappearance of nine ballot booklets.
The party members claim that nine ballot booklets went missing at the Ogudu collation centre for Ward 4 voting centre in the Kosofe area of Lagos State, but were later found.
According to a PDP agent identified as Kunle Aladiyan, the missing booklets were later discovered this morning while INEC officials were distributing election materials to each ward.
Aladiyan noted that the same issue occurred in the 2015 elections and warned that the party was not going to participate in the election without the missing booklets.
He said; “That is how we lost 2015 election. We participated in the exercise thinking it would favour us, only for the missing booklets to find their ways to the ballot. We don’t want to be fooled again.”
IMO: APC gov candidate, Uzodinma votes as thugs fight over money he gave them (Photo)
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has voted along with his wife.
They voted at PU010 Ozuh Hall, Oru-East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Soon after voting thugs were seen fighting over alleged money he gave them to share among themselves.
Meanwhile, report claims that ballot papers in Uzodinma’s polling unit were pre-thumb-printed and are being signed and distributed to voters by the presiding officer.
Armed hoodlums engage in shoot out, attempt snatching ballot boxes in Kogi
Armed thugs in fake Police and Army uniforms on Saturday reportedly fired shots at the polling units opposite Bishop Delisle Catholic Cathedral in Lokoja, the State capital while trying to snatch ballot boxes.
This occurred moments after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the state House of Assembly election across Mopamuro Local Government Area.
A staff of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Mr. Sunday Adwjoh, disclosed that many people from Karaworo polling station fled to the church for safety.
Also, a man was reportedly shot on the leg after unknown persons invaded the polling unit at Oke Egbe Unit 01 in Yagba West Local Government Area to snatch ballot box and other materials.
The victim, identified as Mr. Tunde Oladipo, was said to have joined others at the polling unit to prevent the armed thugs from snatching the ballot box before he was shot.
It was gathered that the invaders were subsequently prevented from running of with the ballot box.
Hope Uzodinma, APC governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, along with his wife, voted at PU010 Ozuh Hall, Oru-East LGA.
GOV ELECTION: Okowa unmoved by FG’s determination, says I will emerge victoriously
Governor of Delta, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed optimism he will emerge victorious in the governorship election in the state.
The governor stated this when he voted at Ward Unit 3, Owa-Oyibo in Ika North East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, saying that he had worked for the people and was sure they will re-elect him as the state governor.
“By the grace of God, I will emerge victoriously; I have partnered with Deltans, I have worked with them, and by God’s grace, a lot of them will vote for me.
“The only thing we are doing is to ensure that those who planned to use thugs to disrupt the elections will be handled by the security agencies because, aside from plans to disrupt the elections, it would be a no contest situation,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of elections in the state and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done.
“So far, the electoral process is peaceful, and we pray to God that it remains peaceful; people are coming out in their large numbers to cast their votes.
“A lot of votes have been cast already despite the fact that it is still very early in the day; we hope that the voting process remains peaceful across the state,” he said.
Okowa wants to continue as the governor of the state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His seeming confidence is inspite of a determination by the Federal government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure its candidate, Great Ogboru emerges victorious in the election.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had recently assured supporters of the party at a parley in Warri, Delta State that government will provide adequate security in the state to forestall any planned rigging, or violence in today’s election.
BENUE: Like Kwara, EFCC tackles politician with bag of cash
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday reportedly caught a governorship candidate with a bag full of cash.
They were however said to have been obstructed by youths in the area from arresting the politician, or taking him away.
The politician said to be of the leading political parties in the state was caught within a polling unit in the North Bank area of Markurdi, the state capital, with the bag of cash suspected to have been brought for vote buying.
However, suspected thugs purportedly loyal to the governorship hopeful attacked vehicles belonging to the EFCC operatives in order to stop them.
Earlier in the day, agents of the anti-graft body also arrested a man, Mr. Abdulkareem Abdulsalem for distibuting money to voters at unit 7, Kwara State College of Education in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
OYO GUBER: Former Governor Ladoja laments scenes of ballot snatching
The Zenith Labour Party leader and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Adewolu Ladoja, has lamented the incidence of ballot snatching in the state.
Speaking after casting his vote at Ward 10, Unit 013 on Ondo Street, Bodija Estate, Ibadan, Ladoja said ballot snatchers are having a field day in some polling units across the state.
Ladoja who blamed the development on the lack of concerned security operatives said he had received reports of ballot-snatching at some polling booths on Iwo Road, Aperin, and Oja Igbo.
The party leader said, “Compared to two weeks ago, most of the electoral officials got to their stations on time.
“But it is regrettable that in some areas like Oja Igbo, Aperin, and Iwo Road, ballot boxes were being snatched. It was a field day for the snatchers. I only hope that something will be done about it.
“Whoever emerges should thank God and serve the people to the best of his ability.”
OGUN GUBER: APM candidate decries intimidation of voters by unauthorised security officials
The intimidation of voters by unauthorised security officials has been decried by Adekunle Akinlade, the governorship aspirant of the Allied Peoples Movement in Ogun State.
Akinlade who said unauthorised security officials were patrolling the Ipokia Local Government area to intimidate voters from exercising their rights to vote, made the submission after casting his vote at his polling unit in Ward 003, Unit 022.
Akinlade said, “If I’m to go by what I heard this morning that unauthorised soldiers and men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, who had not been deployed to work in Ipokia Local Government, took the personal vehicle of someone we all know in the local government and started moving around to intimidate voters, then I should be concerned.
“But, I immediately called the commanding officer in Owode and the Brigadier General at Alamala, to intimate them of that development and they assured me that they would look into it immediately.
“The action of unauthorized security personnel roaming around is scary for our democracy.
“If this is happening, we should be concerned and if this can happen in my own local government, then imagine what is happening in the other 19 local government in the state. But I have called those I need to call and they have assured me that it would be looked into,” he added.
DELTA: Tension as youths set up bonfire over hijack of voting materials, ward chair stabbed
Like in many other states across the federation, there is heightened tension in Delta State following the ugly happenings in this Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
At the home town of a former governor of the state, James Ibori, the youths are protesting and making bonfire over alleged hijack of voting materials in the town.
While voting held in parts of the town, the protesting youths claimed that voting materials meant for some polling units in Oghara town, was diverted by chieftains of a political party in the area.
Meanwhile, ward chairman of one of the rival political parties in Oleh Ward 1, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, Vincent Egbogbo, is said to have been stabbed by suspected political thugs.
He was allegedly stabbed at Oleh Ward 1, Unit 7 in Egide Street, Oleh.
It was learnt that a group of thugs were driving from one polling unit to another threatening voters that those that will not vote for their party should leave the polling center.
The chairman was said to have angered the thugs and got stabbed by them when he asked them to stop intimidating voters.
Egbogbo is said to be receiving treatment in a hospital in the area.
High turnout of women recorded at polling units in Kano
A record high turn out of women has been recorded at polliing units across the city of Kano as many thronged polling units to cast their votes in the ongoing Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
Reports say many women were seen trooping out for accreditation and eventual voting at polling centres in Tudun Wazirchi, Dandago, Sharada, Gandun Albasa and Kofar Kudu parts of the state.
Hajiya Amina Jibril told newsmen that governorship election was very important to her because it directly affected her more than the Presidential election.
“This is like a sacrifice to us to secure a good future for generations to come because we need a credible leader,” she said.
Batula Adamu, a housewife, also said she came out to vote as her nephew who was contesting for the State House of Assembly.
A civil servant, Malama Amina Mu’azu, said she would endure every hardship to vote for a candidate of her choice.
“My outing today is a sacrifice to my state because no matter the choice we make at the federal level, we must ensure credibility at the state level,” she said.
OSUN: Voting disrupted by suspected cultists
Pandemonium has reportedly broken out at a polling centre in Ilaje, a neighborhood within Ilesha metropolis of Osun State, as armed men suspected to be cultists stormed the area.
The attack by the cultists disrupted the voting process which had just begun as scores of eligible voters were seen scampering for their lives in different directions for safety.
Sources say the suspects came with 10 motorcycles and attacked Unit 9, Ward 7, Methodist High School, Ilaje.
“The incident disrupted voting as many that were in the queue left for fear of being attacked by the hoodlums started beating Oyeyemi inside the polling booth. Those that came are cultists. We know them in this area,” a source said.
“After leaving Ilaje, the hoodlums also went to polling booths around Isale General and Ogbedengbe Area,” the source said.
AKWA IBOM: Gov Emmanuel, wife cast their votes
Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, and wife have voted in the ongoing governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, report from polling units 1 and 2, ward 6, Ini Local Government Area (LGA) of the state claim that gunmen in police and military uniforms have carted away electoral materials in the area.
RIVERS: Gov Wike votes
Governor Nyesome Wike of RIvers State has cast his vote at ward 7, unit 9, Obio Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The polling unit which is located near the governor’s residence has large number of voters.
One of the voters at the polling unit claimed that “the governor dropped money so they can cook for people in the area.”
Unlike APC’s Sanwo-Olu, PDP’s Agbaje casts his vote without hassles
Jimi Agbaje, the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has cast his vote without any malfunctioning card reader issues, as experienced elsewhere.
Reports say Agbaje, who has contested for the Lagos governorship position for about three times, cast his vote at his PU 004 Ward A.
The same cannot be said of his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as voting in his polling unit was delayed due to a malfunctioning card reader.
Scores of eligible voters at Lateef Jakande/Femi Okunnu polling unit in Ikoyi, where Sanwo-Olu was expected to cast his vote, experienced a delay and an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission had said that voting would not start at the polling unit until the two card readers assigned to the polling unit function.
OGUN: Low voter turn out as Obasanjo casts his vote in Abeokuta
Bespectacled former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has fulfilled his civic responsibility by casting his vote in the ongoing Governorship and State Assembly polls.
Reports say the leader cast his vote at about 10:04am in Ward 11, Unit 22, Abeokuta North LG, in Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State, before a group of camera-clicking journalists and other waiting voters.
INEC officials, have, however, are complaining about the low voter turnout in the state as 41 candidates contest for the seat of the governor with the battle set to be keenly contested between Adedapo Abiodun (APC), Buruji Kashamu (PDP) and Adekunle Akinlade of the APM.
Ogun state has found itself in a political crisis as incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who became senator-elect on the APC platform, has been openly soliciting votes for Adekunle Akinlade of the APM.
Recall that Amosun was also suspended days ago by National Working Committee of APC alongside Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, for anti-party activities.
#NigeriaDecides2019: Abuja witnesses poor turn out of voters in Council poll
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reportedly witnessed a poor turn out of voters as only very few people were seen at polling units for the area council chairmanship and councillorship polls.
It was gathered that as at 8:00 a.m, the turnout of voters was very low in Garki area 2, area 1, area 10, area 3 and area 8 while only three voters were seen on ground and ready to vote.
It was also revealed that less than 50 voters were available at the area 1 Primary school in contrast to over 2000 voters who were present during the Presidential election.
Some voters at the polling units who spoke to journalists said that the poor turnout was related to the February 23 elections, while expressing disappointment that their chosen candidate failed to win the presidential election.
A party agent at the Ward 005, Area 2 recreational park, related the low turnout to lack of interest in local elections.
“You know in Nigeria we pick interest in national elections more than local elections, what is going on today is a local election and that is why the parties engage more canvassers to get people to come and vote.
“Many of the residents of the FCT do not even know what the chairmen or councillors do. Many people just complain about tenement rates and ground rent. “I believe the time between the national election and local election is too short so there was not enough time to canvass,” he said
Man arrested by EFCC for vote buying in Kwara
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday arrested a man, Mr. Abdulkareem Abdulsalem for distibuting money to voters at unit 7, Kwara State College of Education in Ilorin.
This is as the commission has vowed to work with other security agencies to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
IMO: Nwosu, AA gov candidate votes, optimistic he’ll succeed his father-in-law
Action Alliance governorship candidate in Imo state, Uche Nwosu, has said he was sure to win this Saturday governorship election and succeed his father-in-law, Governor Rocha Okorocha.
Nwosu, who served as Okorocha’s Chief of Staff till he became a governorship candidate stated this when he voted alongside his wife at 09:30 a.m.
He voted at polling unit 004 in Eziama Obire in the Nkwerre LGA of the state.
He told reporters about the exercise; “I am satisfied with the voting process. You can see I voted with my wife. So far, the card readers are working well. I will win. Action Alliance will form the next government in Imo.”
Absentee INEC ad-hoc officials stall voting process at Osinbajo’s polling unit
The voting process at polling unit-Code 33, Victoria Garden City (VGC), where Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo was expected to cast his vote has experienced a delay due to the absence of ad-hoc officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reports say as at 9.05 a.m, INEC ad hoc staff were yet to arrive the polling unit as accreditation of voters was also yet to start for the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly Elections.
However, the residents of VGC led by their Chairman, Mr Adetokunbo Ladega, were seen making arrangements toward registering the few voters who had turned out to exercise their civic responsibilities.
Recall that voting did not start at the same polling unit during the Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly Elections until about 9.45a.m to the dismay of scores of eligible voters in the area.
Malfunctioning card reader delays voting at Sanwo-Olu polling unit
Eligible voters at Lateef Jakande/Femi Okunnu polling unit in Ikoyi experienced a delay in their quest to exercise their civic responsibilities following a delay in the voting process due to a malfunctioning card reader.
The situation left voters at the polling unit where the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was expected to vote, stranded in anticipation.
An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission officials at the polling unit noted that voting would not start at the polling unit until the two card readers assigned to the polling unit function.
“The two card readers have to work; we cannot start until the two are functioning,” the official said.
Similar instances occurred in parts of the country during the last presidential and National Assembly polls staged on Saturday, 23rd February, 2019.
Recall that scores of prospective voters waiting to cast their votes at Unit 024 Ungwar Sariki ward where Governor Nasir El-Rufai eventually cast his vote were delayed after three card readers broke down.
INEC postpones state assembly elections in Kogi LG
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Saturday, postponed the state House of Assembly election across Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi state.
Mr Opanachi Ojodale, the Electoral Officer for Mopamuro LGA, made this known to Journalists on Saturday at the INEC office in Mopa.
He said the election was postponed to Sunday, March 10, as a result of wrong ballot papers that were taken to the area.
According to Ojodale, the ballot papers belonging to Akpa LGA in Kogi East, were taken to Mopamuro LGA, development before it was discovered on election day.
Meanwhile, some youths of Orokere community had earlier organized a peaceful protest on Saturday at the palace of their traditional ruler, to object to the alleged importation of thugs to their community by suspected members of opposition parties.
The youth leader Mr Segun Peter, invited the monarch to call the politicians to order in order to avoid a breakdown of law and order during the elections.
“The thugs threatened to disrupt the electoral process in the community, and unleash terror on members of opposition parties.
“The thugs also threatened that voters, who have decided not to vote for their candidates should not bother to come out to vote.
“We are peace-loving people, our youths are ready to stand firm and resist any form of intimidation to protect our votes,” Peter said.
AKWA IBOM: PDP worried over unknown materials offloaded by military aircraft
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over unknown materials offloaded by the Nigeria Army at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
The party was more worried that the army refused to allow the airport authorities access to inspect the said materials.
According to the PDP, available information indicate that the plane came from Owerri, the Imo State capital and will be heading to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital from Uyo.
“At about 5:05 Am today, @HQNigerianArmy aircraft landed at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo. Military trucks which were already waiting drove close to the craft and offloaded unknown materials from the aircraft.
The @HQNigerianArmy personnel refused the Airport authorities access to inspect the said materials. Available information indicates that the plane came from Owerri and will be heading to Ilorin. @inecnigeria, take note of this,” the party wrote on its Twitter handle.
Gunmen set electoral materials ablaze in Benue
Reports have emerged that armed hoodlums have burnt all electoral materials for Mbalom ward in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue, in the early hours of Saturday.
According to a witness, the hoodlums fired shots in the air before setting RCM Primary School Aya and housing the materials ablaze.
The Electoral Officer for the local government area, Mrs Ngunan Yongo, who confirmed the incident told journalists that the materials had not been distributed to polling units in the ward when the attack occurred.
A senior staff of the commission, Mr Thaddeus Ujah also confirmed the attack.
“Right now I can’t say anything, I am overwhelmed; we were not expecting anything of that nature. I am short of words. I can’t see some of my people, they ran into the bush, some of them got injured. For me, the most important thing to me now is to get those people and take them back.”
Ujah who was recently posted to the area said he could not determine the exact number of ad hoc staff that were missing until a roll call was taken.
ENUGU: Gov Ugwuanyi casts his vote
Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has cast his vote in the ongoing governorship and State House of Assembly Election.
The governor voted at 9:35am, with any hitches recorded.
ABIA: Materials arrive early
Some parts of Abia State witnessed Early distribution of electoral materials, especially Aba south and Aba north.
There were early distribution of electoral materials in various polling units in Aba south and Aba north LGAs. This was unlike what was obtainable during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections which saw late distribution of electoral materials.
Voting has already started in various polling units across the LGAs as there is heavy presence of military men at Ariaria junction to Abayi.
However, there have been low turn out of voters, as at the time of filing in this report.
INEC Registration Centre set ablaze in Ebonyi
An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Registration Centre in Ezza North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, was set ablaze on Saturday morning.
The Election Day fire incident was said to have been carried out by political thugs, who also allegedly attacked staff at the Registration Centre.
The attack occurred at Okposi Umuoghara Community Secondary School at about 2:15am, and the thugs were reported to have made away with some sensitive materials before setting the building ablaze.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, promised she was going to give more details about the incident soon.
AKWA IBOM: Youths arrest, beat up thugs allegedly sent by Buhari’s minister (Photos)
Suspected thugs who allegedly came to snatch ballot boxes in this Saturday’s governorship and state House of Assembly elections have been arrested by youths in Akwa Ibom State.
The thugs, who were allegedly sponsored by an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, were arrested at Rack Centre in Ward 2, Ibiono Ibom LGA.
These claims were made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which displayed pictures of the said thugs on its Twitter handle.
“#AkwaIbomDecides2019 Thugs sponsored by Senator Ita Enang, aide of President @MBuhari, were arrested by youths at Rack Centre in Ward 2, Ibiono Ibom LGA.
“Ita Enang sent his Oshiomole batch of thugs to hijack election materials but luck ran out of them as they were apprehended,” the PDP wrote.
INEC ad hoc staff protest over unpaid allowances
A group of disgruntled Ad-hoc Staff of Independent National Election Commission (INEC) in Isolo area of Lagos State are currently protesting over unpaid allowances owed them from the last presidential and National Assembly polls.
Reports say the protesting workers were gathered at Ansarrudeen Primary School, Isolo Local Government Area in demonstration threatening to boycott any work in the governorship election if the outstanding allowances are not paid.
According to Busola Ishola, one of the Ad-hoc Staff who spoke with journalists, “they have not been paid in Isolo and so every one of them have decided to boycott any work in the governorship election”.
Ishola explained that their counterpart in Oshodi and other local governments have been paid before today.(Saturday), March 9.
It was learnt that the security agencies were present while the Ad-hoc Staff were protesting peacefully.
Buhari, Aisha cast votes in Daura
An entourage of waiting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, who have both cast their ballots in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
Within a few moments of arriving Sarkin Yara A Ward Polling Unit 003 in Daura, Katsina State at 8:00 am, President Buhari and his wife did accreditation and cast their votes in four minutes.
Recall during the last presidential and National Assembly polls, social media platform Twitter went into a meltdown after pictures and clips of President Buhari seemingly double-checking to see if his wife, Aisha voted for him at the same polling unit in Daura surfaced online.
Many were miffed by the overbearing act of Mr President with some criticising his move saying it is against electoral laws, while a Twitter user said Buhari’s action could pass for voter intimidation.
Another Twitter user said Buhari’s action of peeping into Aisha’s ballot paper shows he has trust issues with his wife who has in the past been sending innuendos about her husband’s administration.
Enugu APC gov candidate, Eze suspects INEC of working for his opponent
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Senator Ayogu Eze, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include his name in today (Saturday’s) governorship elections as directed by an Abuja Appeal Court.
Eze, who made the plea when he briefed newsmen in Enugu on Friday, claimed that the electoral body was yet to include his name as candidate in the race few hours to the election.
Further claiming that the removal of his name by INEC a few days before the Election Day was a clear move to punish him and create room for INEC’s preferred candidate and party, Eze expressed worries that “even after the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the Federal High Court which formed the basis for INEC’s action, the commission has bluntly refused to return my name to the final list on the INEC official portal 24 hours after they were served the order of the court,’’.
“INEC is colluding with unknown forces to rob me of my victory on the Saturday March 9 election,” he said.
A Federal High Court ruling had sacked Eze as the governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu State and ordered that INEC replace his name with his challenge, George Ogara.
But on Thursday, two days before governorship election, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja and led by Justice Abdul Aboki, ruled that Eze remains the true governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu State.
ELECTION: Rivers of blood as 3 feared dead
Reports from Rivers State claims that three people were killed in the early hours of today (Saturday) over the governorship and state House Assembly elections.
One of the victims identified as Michael Abednego, was reportedly killed in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA).
The two other victims were said to be a former APC woman leader, whose name was yet to be ascertained and another male. Thee were both were killed in Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
Abednego was allegedly shot dead by a uniformed man said to be a Mobile Police Officer attached to a high profile politician in the state.
The incident was said to have happened at about 02:55am at the office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akinnima community in Ahoada West.
Unknown gunmen, it was learnt, shot and killed the ex-APC woman leader and the male victim in front of the LGA Secretariat at Ndoni.
KANO: Apprehension as Electoral materials yet to leave RAC centres
There is palpable apprehension in Kano State with reports confirming that sensitive materials required for the governorship and State Assembly polls were yet to leave for distribution areas.
Reports say as at 7:41am, sensitive materials for areas in Fagge and Nasarawa Local Goverment Areas of Kano State, stacked in boxes were waiting to be distributed as Corps members were seen collecting ballot boxes, papers and INEC branded plastic tables.
Recall during the last presidential and National Assembly polls that a good number of eligible voters at Magwan polling centre within the Giginyu Ward in the Nasarawa local government area of Kano State were delayed in casting their votes due to the lateness in the arrival of election materials.
Many voters arrived at the polling centres as early as 7:00 a.m while security personnel trooped in moments later but INEC officials failed to show up with the election materials.
Similarly, security agents and voters were seen apprehensively awaiting the arrival of materials and INEC officials at Tarauni Asibiti polling centre.
Many expressed disappointment with the late arrival of materials and officials at the polling units, and they urged INEC to address the challenge.
US lawmaker bemoans Nigeria’s electoral process
United States Congressman, Gerald Connolly, has lamented over the manipulation of elections in Nigeria during an interactive session with constituents from Virginia who paid him a visit on Capitol Hill on Friday.
He also reacted to killings in Syria and the situation in Venezuela which he said were not getting adequate media attention.
While responding to a question raised by international human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe who asked about the role played by the US government on ISIS relocation to Nigeria where Leah Sharibu was abducted and the poor turn out of the presidential elections, Congressman Connolly said that many observers agree that the Nigerian elections were not credible.
“There were a lot of observers who would agree with you that the recent presidential/National Assembly elections were a sham and were not honest and did not produce legitimate results. Are there enough people who care about that to speak out? …We have to do a better job of paying much more attention to Africa… Africa is going to be the continent of the future.”
Connolly lamented over the activities of Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that have crept deep into the African continent. He expressed concerns about the US government’s lack of adequate attention on Africa.
He also raised concerns on growing influence of the Chinese in the region. In response to another question, he said Somali-American politician Ilhan Omar’s remarks were not news priority.
‘’People are dying in Syria, there’s malnutrition in Venezuela and elections are being stolen in Nigeria” he decried.
Gerald Edward Connolly is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia’s 11th congressional district. He was first elected in 2008.
‘INEC result sheets in circulation, before election’
Hon. Dachung Bagos of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Member-Elect for Jos South/Jos East federal Constituency, Plateau state has raised the alarm that results sheets for the Governorship position were already in circulation in the hands of unauthorized persons.
While speaking at a press conference in Jos on Friday, Hon. Bagos, called on the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Security Agencies to investigate the matter and ensure that only authentic materials will be supplied for the Saturday Elections.
“We are worried that the APC is trying to portray that there are impending threats of crises and anarchy in the State during the elections. We received credible information that the State government has asked for a deployment of more security to Plateau State.
“We want the federal government to disregard such request because Plateau is peaceful, and when you hear the heartbeat of a Plateau man you know that they want to vote for PDP. That’s why the governor is trying to portray that the State is under threat. When people were being killed in large numbers on daily basis why was adequate security not deployed to the state to protect lives and property?
“It is all over on social media that, Lalong has sneaked in result sheets of Governorship elections, and we don’t want to take such issues lightly. We want to warn the State government not to try what it did during the local government election, where results were being collated in various local government but they went ahead to announced winners” Bagos said.
However, the INEC Head, Voter’s Education and Publicity, Osaretin Imahiereobo debunked claims of results sheets in circulation.
“We just started the distribution of materials on Wednesday, I’m not sure if they are referring to what we distributed or something else” he added.
Hon. Dachung further urged citizens to be protective of their votes.
Channel election grievances to tribunal, IPCR urges politicians
A clarion call has been made urging aggrieved politicians to channel their misgivings concerning the 2019 elections through constituted Election Petition Tribunals.
The call was made by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) through Mr Bakut Tswah, the Ag. Director General of the institute.
Mr. Tswah made the call in Dutse, during a news conference for a peaceful Governorship/State Assembly elections on Friday.
He said; “Reactions following the outcome of the elections must remain constructive. If contestants are aggrieved over the aftermaths of elections, there are generally accepted norms in seeking redress.
“We therefore urge politicians in the country to learn to tread on the path of honour in expressing their pleasures or displeasure.
“We encourage all Nigerians to shun violence and avoid utterances, actions or reactions that could disrupt the peaceful processes of the 2019 general elections.
“Election situations call for patriotism and sportsmanship; there are no losers in the actual sense of it. This is because an election is a process through which we select the individuals to bear the responsibility of handling the affairs of our polity for the next four years,” he advised.
STATE ELECTIONS: REC, Police Commissioner read riot act to Kaduna residents
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Kaduna State, Alhaji Kauguma Abdulahi, has warned residents of the state that there would be no election in any polling unit without card readers.
Also, the State Police Commissioner, Ahmad Abdulrahman warned those who do not any business with voting to stay away from the streets during today’s Governorship and state assembly elections.
The REC and the Police Commissioner stated these at a joint press conference they addressed at the INEC headquarters in Kaduna on Friday.
Abdullahi said all INEC ad-hoc staff are drawn from higher institutions and that they are men of integrity who are equally capable of handling the election processes, assuring that the issue of late arrival of election materials to some polling units and wards have been taken care of.
He also disclosed that 8,012 card readers have been dispatched for the elections.
The REC said: “The card reader is election itself, no card reader, no voting.
“This is just to let you know that card reader operators were given refresher training.
“We have 34, 000 Ad-hoc staff to conduct the elections and out of this figure, 10,000 staff are members of the NYSC, while the rest number are from other higher institutions.
“Our staff are people of high integrity who capable to conduct the election process.
“We sourced them from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, so they are capable for the election jobs.”
The state police boss, in his own comments, said: “We have finished our deployment, we have banned food vendor from poll unit areas in order to stop them from the likelihood of accommodating vote-buyers.
“We have ordered for good number of helicopters to hover around the State during the election.
“We will pick anybody wandering about without PVC and keep him or her where necessary until the election is over.
“We have equally banned members of the vigilante from coming out with dangerous weapons during the election.
“In fact, we have arrested 34 of them so far, they look deadly”.
APC accuses Ortom of recruiting thugs, militia for election
The Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Abba Yaro, has accused Governor Samuel Ortom of recruiting thugs and militia men from the Niger Delta to wreck havoc on the state in today’s Governorship and state assembly elections.
Yaro who spoke on Friday to reporters in Markurdi, the state capital, said the aim of the governor is to rig the election, adding that Ortom contracted one of his security aides to recruit the militants and thugs.
However, in a swift reaction, Ortom’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, denied the allegation, saying APC members were the ones relying on militia and thugs for political strength.
Agerzua said: “Governor Ortom won 2015 election without resort to thugs and doesn’t need them in 2019. Check their (APC) antecedents and what they did in Tarka, Kwande and Gwer and you will conclude that they rely on militia.
“Remember that Governor Ortom did an amnesty programme, seized and destroyed over 700 illegal weapons and thousands of ammunition. If he wanted thugs he wouldn’t have done that.
RIVERS: ‘If Wike gets a second term, more people will die’– Amaechi
Former River state Governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has accused incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, of sponsoring violence in the state, an indication that he (Wike) does not care about the security of lives.
Amaechi therefore called on the people of Rivers not to cast their vote for Governor Nyesom Wike, claiming that more people will die if Wike gets a second term
Amaechi who leads the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state made the statement at a meeting he had with the delegation of the British High Commission to Nigeria during their visit to him in his Port Harcourt residence on Friday.
He said, “If Wike gets a second term, more people will die….he wants to kill us because of his second term ambition for the simple reason of milking the treasury of the State dry without considering what happens to the ordinary Rivers people. Stealing is in his blood.”
Amaechi wondered why Governor Wike would be crying foul about the presence of Military men in the State instead of joining forces to encourage them to beef up security apparatus in the State.
He stated that the elections of 2015 could not in any way be compared to the 2019 general elections in terms of security situation in the State.
“Would Governor Wike and his PDP party prefer the election of 2015 where thugs overwhelmed the State and unleashed terror on innocent Rivers people that resulted in the loss of so many lives on the streets of Port Harcourt? Even my cousin was also killed in front of Wike’s father’s house.”
Amaechi affirmed that with the presence of the Military in the State for the Saturday’s elections, everybody, including the APC and PDP members are protected. He said, Wike’s plan is to see the total withdrawal of the Military and then have a free hand to start attacking APC members as they did in the previous elections.
“You are aware that they killed four APC members in the LGA of the PDP National Chairman and beheaded them and took away their corpses.”
He added “when I was the Governor of the State, I gave people assurances that my life is as important as their own lives.”
On his choice of endorsing the Governorship candidate of African Action Congress in Saturday’s election, Amaechi said, “My party is not on the ballot for tomorrow’s election and you know I have the right to vote, that is why I will vote for the candidate of the AAC.
EFCC arrests Imo, Kwara officials over N2bn withdrawals for vote buying
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the arrest of the Acting Accountant General of Imo State and over 10 officials of the Kwara State government over separate withdrawals totalling about N2bn billion between Tuesday and Friday.
The Imo State Acting Accountant General, Uzoho Casmir, was arrested yesterday over withdrawal of N1.050 billion between Tuesday and Friday, while the Kwara State government officials where picked up by the EFCC over cash withdrawal of N1.020 billion.
The anti-graft agency alleged that monies were intended for vote-buying to ensure the victory of their preferred candidates.
Vanguard reports that a top EFCC official revealed that Uzoho’s arrest followed intelligence report that a top official in the state had intended to use the huge cash to ensure that his preferred candidate emerges victorious in the contentious poll.
The EFCC source said: “Intelligence further revealed that Casmir withdrew the amount in three tranches between Tuesday and Thursday this week in the following order: N200 million on Tuesday, N500 million on Wednesday and N350 million on Thursday.
“We have in the meanwhile blocked the traced accounts, while the arrested Accountant General has been providing useful information to the Commission,” the anti-graft agency said.
The anti-graft agency recalled that the said official was before his appointment, a director of finance in Imo State and was in 2016 fingered in N2 billion bailout fund scam, which was given to the state by the Federal Government for the payment of salary arrears of civil servants.
In a similar operation, the EFCC on Thursday, March 7, 2019 uncovered about N1billion cash withdrawal by the Kwara State Government, a week before the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Those arrested and currently being interrogated in respect of the suspicious withdrawal, include, Commissioner for Finance, Nurudeen Banu; Accountant General, Sulaiman Ishola; Commissioner for Water Resources, Yusuf Abdulkadir; Head of Service, Susan Modupe Oluwole; Special Adviser, Commissioner for Energy, Eleja Taiwo Banu; Chief of Staff, Abdulwahab Yusuf; officials of the Secretary to the State Government, and those of the Government House.
Investigations by EFCC operatives revealed that the said money was withdrawn from the state’s account domiciled with Sterling Bank.
An official of the State Government, Hafees Yusuf, confirmed to the operatives that he got instructions from his “boss” to withdraw some monies sometimes in February 2019.
He said: “My Controller of Finance told me that the sum of N350 million was paid into the account of Kwara State Government, and I was instructed by my boss to raise cheques of various sums of monies, which I did and were duly signed by the Controller of Finance; I withdrew the monies as I was instructed by my supervisor.”
It was gathered that a senior staff of Sterling Bank, who is currently being interrogated by operatives, revealed that the Accountant General, Commissioner for Finance and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, are signatories to the account where N720 million cash were withdrawn from the Kwara State Government Account domiciled in the branch of the bank near Ilorin Post Office between February 7 and 11, 2019.
INEC assures elections will hold in A’Ibom as it replaces 198 card readers, voter register
Less than 24 hours after one of its offices in Akwa Ibom was razed with fire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) has announced that it has replaced the 198 smart card readers, voter register and other items destroyed in the fire.
INEC doused fears that the fire incident at its office in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Friday morning would cause postponement of polls.
The commission has promised to go ahead with Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly Elections in Akwa Ibom state.
This was revealed in a statement issued Friday night in Abuja and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voted Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
The statement reads in part, “While we do not at this point know the cause of the fire, a report has been made to the law enforcement agencies and the Fire Service. We are liaising closely with both agencies to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire and if found to be a deliberate act, we will ensure diligent and vigorous prosecution of those responsible.
“Several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for tomorrow’s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including 198 Smart Card Readers, the printed Register of Voters, 13 Generators as well as several Voting Cubicles and office equipment.
“Fortunately, the ballot papers and result sheets for the elections were not affected and are intact. Acting timeously, the Commission has been able to replace and reconfigure all the destroyed Smart Card Readers and reprinted the Register of Voters. With the replacement and the salvage of other items, we are pleased to announce that the election will proceed as scheduled. All registered voters in the Local Government Area are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow”.
PDP alleges deployment of 11 police commissioners to Benue a plot to aid APC rigging
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the news of the deployment of 11 police commissioners to some select local government areas in Benue ahead of the governorship polls.
Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of Elections in the North Central Geo-Political Zone, Godwin Nwobodo had disclosed that a total of 11 Police Commissioners were been drafted to Benue state to conduct the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
PDP, had alleged that the heavy deployment which was targeted at the party’s strongholds was intended to aid the rigging of the polls by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwobodo however debunked the claims by the PDP insisting that the deployment was to ensure peaceful conduct of the polls.
Speaking on Friday in Makurdi, Nwobodo said elections would be supervised by the Police commissioners in selected local government areas including Agatu, Logo, Gwer-West, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, Okpokwu, Ukum and Guma.
He said the number comprised of 5 Commissioners, 4 Deputy Commissioners and 2 Assistant Commissioners of Police, who by law are all Police Commissioners. He added that they would oversee elections in the three senatorial districts of the state and specific local government areas identified as flashpoints.
According to him, “I do not know and cannot fathom how any group or any political party can convince themselves that those who voted for them in a particular election will not vote against them in another one. It does not follow.
“I am not saying they will vote against them, what I’m saying in essence is that we cannot rely on guesswork that this is my area they use to vote for me that is why they are deploying security to that area.
“Supposing those people are deployed to protect their votes, to ensure that their votes are adequately protected, have they also imagined that as well?
“There is always two sides to a coin, if you think that security is being deployed to rig against you, why don’t you also think that security is being deployed so that my votes will be protected. Does it not follow, is it not logical?”
Continuing, DIG Nwobodo said, “credible election enthrones good governance and good governance serves the greater good for the citizens. Election should therefore not be a do or die affair.
“As security agencies, we have a responsibility to police the rules and regulations set out by the election managers-Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. These set of rules/regulations are provided for in the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, INEC Guidelines / Regulations and all other extant laws.
“All stakeholders are therefore advised to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations governing the conduct of tomorrow’s election so as to avoid infractions with the law.
Election uncertain in Akwa Ibom as fire guts INEC office hours to polls
There are indications that the governorship and House of Assembly elections may not hold in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday March 9, as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This followed the fire incident that gutted the office of the electoral body in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Friday morning.
Reports from the area on how the office was gutted by fire a day to the elections said the incident happened around 2:am following an explosion that erupted inside the building.
Efforts by people to put off the fire was not enough to stop it from damaging some election materials like card readers, which are meant to be used for the election.
Already, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, has visited the scene to ascertain the extent of the damage.
There has been heightened tension in Akwa Ibom during and after the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections, which saw the state former governor and ex-Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, lose his bid to return to the Senate on All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
The Saturday governorship election in the state is being fiercely contested between incumbent governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nsima Ekere of the APC.
Governors down with election fever! Who gets rejected at the polls?
The governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, slated for Saturday, 9th March, are around the corner. The Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC – has expressed their readiness for the elections while stressing that polling units nationwide would be opened by 8am. Meanwhile, governorship candidates and their political parties across states are already dotting their I’s and crossing their T’s in preparation for victory at the polls. It is pertinent to take a periscopic look into hot-spot states that will be the cynosure of all eyes come Saturday.
The Wike and APC Tussle in Rivers State
The All Progressives Congress – APC – are not finding it rosy in their bid to win the governorship election in Rivers State. According to the final list of governorship candidates released by INEC, the party does not have a governorship candidate for the Saturday polls. It could be recalled that Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order on INEC from recognizing the factional candidates of the APC in the state. As it stands now, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and leader of the APC in Rivers State and South-South zone, has pitched tent with Awara Biokpomabo, the governorship candidate of African Action Congress – AAC. Following this development, Governor Nyemso Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party – PDP – who is contesting for a second term in office appears to stand a high chance of being re-elected.
The Yoruba-Igbo Voting Problem in Lagos State
During the, February 23, Presidential and Legislative elections in the Lagos State, there were pockets of electoral violence in different areas of the State coupled with the reports of thugs who were on rampage forcing Igbo voters to vote APC candidates. This singular act has spiraled into ethnic clashes, online feud and protests asking the Igbos to leave Lagos State. It is believed that Igbos are glued to voting candidates of the PDP and this is against the standing of Lagos State as an APC State. The struggle for the soul of the State is majorly between Babjide Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Jimi Agbaje of the PDP. Reports that the Lagos State chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo endorsed Sanwo-Olu filtered the air, a few days ago. A group of concerned citizens of Ndigbo in Lagos has described the endorsement as scam. However,
CITIZEN DANIEL: How many more have to die to get democracy right in Nigeria?
Violence and rigging during elections in Nigeria have continued to discourage voters from exercising their civic responsibility. Daniel Usman paid the supreme price for wanting to vote, and be part of a democratic system.
Ripples Nigeria’s Patrick Egwu visited late Daniel’s family, and community to capture their pains over the demise of the young man who dreamt of a better Nigeria
When Daniel Usman left his home in Anyigba, Kogi state to go and vote during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 23, he had thought he would return back to his family.
He never did – he was killed by stray bullets when unknown gunmen suspected to be political thugs invaded his polling unit and opened fire. It was his first time voting in an election and obviously his last. He was 19 and had just gotten admission to study at the university.
At 7:25 a.m on a sweltering morning, Daniel, had left home for his polling unit where he was meant to vote. Ad-hoc staff from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived late and started arranging their stuff to get voters accredited before voting.
The INEC ad-hoc staff asked the voters to queue up for accreditation and voting. Daniel joined in. After waiting for more than 20 minutes in the queue with the electoral staff yet to start, he decided to find a shade nearby and wait because the early morning sun had just began to rise.
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