Nigeria Decides 2019
#NigeriaDecides2019: Africa’s largest democracy goes to the polls, all the details
YPP rejects results of presidential election, accuses APC, PDP of electoral malpractice
While President Muhammadu Buhari has received Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue as Nigeria’s President for another four-year term, opposition parties continue to challenge and protest over the results.
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) on Wednesday, joined the league of parties who have rejected the results of the just-concluded Presidential Election. They have however, accused the ruling party of electoral malpractices.
The YPP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Wale Egbeola, said the decision to reject the results of the election was reached after careful assessment of available facts and proper consultations with stakeholders.
He said, “The YPP after careful assessment of available facts upon proper consultation with relevant stakeholders unequivocally reject the results of the Presidential election, declaring President Muhammadu Buhari as winner.
“Neither APC nor PDP would have deserved to win the Presidential election as both participated in massive rigging that led to the outrageous figures churned out in their perceived strongholds. Our party would not have had any problem accepting the results if it emanated from a transparent process.”
Egbeola disclosed that the YPP also condemned calls for civil disobedience and berated those urging the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to run a parallel government.
According to him, this call is ill-conceived and capable of disrupting the fragile peace in the nation, while he enjoined all Nigerians to remain calm, eschew violence and go about their legitimate businesses, especially because the blood of a single Nigerian was not worth the ambition of any politician.
“While the PDP continue to battle with karma for their mis-governance of 16 years due to their deliberate refusal to build strong institutions and strengthen the electoral system when they had the opportunity, we urge the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to shun the advice of unpatriotic elements and approach the tribunal in hope that the judiciary will deliver justice.”
The YPP spokesperson said the just concluded elections which ought to have been an improvement on that of 2015, may end up lacking in credibility on account of the widespread irregularities and violence recorded in many parts of Nigeria.
He said, “The intimidation, maiming and killings of about forty citizens in some states of the Federation such as Rivers, Lagos, Kaduna and Bayelsa, where we can confirm that there was massive rigging by both the APC and PDP will make the 2019 elections one of the most violent in our recent history.
“The Prof. Yakubu Mahmood-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, obviously never learnt anything from the sudden postponement, as the shabbily conducted 2019 general elections saw the flouting of the electoral guidelines on the use of card readers to authenticate voters in many parts of the country especially in states like Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Gombe and Borno, thereby, giving room for unprecedented manipulations.
“We observed that the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill cost him the opportunity to deepen our democracy and his deliberate refusal borne out of his ambition to profit from a flawed electoral system is responsible for the many irregularities and violence that characterized the just concluded elections.
“It is indeed a big shame on the government, on the other hand that failed to reciprocate the patriotic zeal of Nigerians by providing adequate security and a level playing ground for a transparent electoral process that would have reflected the expectations of the people; and just like posterity is currently judging the PDP, it will certainly judge the APC in no distant time.”
The party, he said, also commended all peace-loving Nigerians for their resilience and for exercising their franchise in a peaceful manner in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“The leadership of the YPP also congratulate our Presidential candidate, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, for his undeniable capacity in disrupting the system and redefining politics in Nigeria; the Senator-elect for Anambra South on the platform of our great party, Mr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, for his doggedness that led to his overwhelming victory; and all our members both at home and in the diaspora for their unrelenting support despite the daunting challenges.”
INEC declared results while elections were ongoing, C/River APC say as they reject results
Few hours after the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency of Cross River State rejected the announcement of the result by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the party has in a fresh statement rejected the results of both the presidential and national assembly results in the state.
The Cross River Chapter of the APC in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary Mr Bassey Ita on Wednesday in Calabar said “The rejection is justified by the gross discrepancies which trailed the conduct of the poll by INEC.”
The party accused INEC of manipulating the process in favour of the PDP, adding that the commission was hasty in announcing and declaring results in most areas whereas election was still being held.
Ita said some Local Government Areas (LGAs) where irregularities were noticed include- Ikom, Boki, Obubra, Biase, Bakassi, Yala and Bekwarra.
“For instance, INEC declared results for the senate seat in Cross River South leaving out Biase which result was not ready as at the time of the announcement.
“Calabar South LGA recorded some crises during voting and Bakassi LGA was to have a rerun because INEC officials were stranded ashore for hours.
“In spite of that, INEC went ahead to announce results for the constituency in favour of the PDP,’’ Ita said. He said that the APC was rigged out by INEC officials in the state.
“The APC won massively but was rigged out by the commission in collaboration with PDP, hence the hasty declaration of results,’’ Ita said.
He called on the INEC headquarters in Abuja to verify the results from the state with a view to addressing the alleged fraud.
ELECTION: ‘Our doors are open’; Buhari extends olive branch to Atiku, others
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday called for support from contestants in the 2019 presidential elections.
The president, after receiving the certificate of return from the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), Prof Yakubu Mahmood, in Abuja, said he was ready to run an inclusive government.
He urged his supporters to be magnanimous in victory and never mock losers of the elections.
“I wish, Mr Chairman, to congratulate all the Presidential candidates and their teams on a hard-fought campaign.
“We may have had different views during the campaign, but the one thing most of us have in common is love of our country and our desire to improve conditions for Nigerians.
“Now that the elections are over, and a winner declared, we must all see it as a victory for Nigeria, our dear country.
“That was why I encouraged my teeming supporters, in a speech I read earlier today, not to gloat.
“Our God-given victory is enough cause for joy, without deriding those who were in the opposition.
“All Nigerians, going forward, must stand in brotherhood, for a bright and fulfilling future. I therefore want to assure that we will continue to engage all parties that have the best interest of Nigerians at heart.
“Our Government will remain inclusive and our doors will remain open.
“That is the way to build the country of our dream; safe, secure, prosperous, and free of impunity and primitive accumulation by those entrusted with public offices.
“The hard work to deliver a better Nigeria continues, building on the foundations of peace, rule of law and opportunities for all. We will roll up our sleeves afresh, and give it our all.
“We have no other motive than to serve Nigeria with our hearts and might, and build a nation which we and generations to come can be proud of.
“I am very grateful to the over 15 million citizens who voted for me, those who contributed in many ways in the running of our successful campaign, and those at home and abroad who expressed confidence in me and the APC Government. I thank you all.
“I can assure that you will see a country moving to the Next Level, as we consolidate on our fundamental areas of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption. Many other focal areas, as stated in our campaign manual, will be added, to the good things we plan for our country.
“Let me pay tribute here to those who lost their lives either through accidents or mindless violence during the course of these elections. My heart and thoughts are with the families of the victims.
“May God comfort and give them the fortitude to bear the loss. Election is not war, and should never be seen as a do or die affair. I pray that we all accept this democratic approach to elections, however contentious. Thank you all and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Timi Frank backs Atiku, Says presidential election, ‘rape of democracy’
More supporters back Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has described the just concluded presidential elections a grand theft of the will of Nigerians and a plot to emasculate democracy in Nigeria
Timi Frank, a chieftain of the PDP, has commended Atiku for outrightly rejecting the conduct of the presidential elections.
Atiku has vowed to challenge in court the result of the presidential elections which declared President Muhammadu Buhari winner.
Frank, Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the outright disregard for the rule of law and the brazen impunity unleashed on the electorates by its own government using the military and top politicians of the ruling party is an aberration which ought to prick the conscience of all well-meaning Nigerians, and an exercise not worthy of any commendation.
Frank in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, said the disrespect for the constitution and the rape of democracy in the wake of the elections have further “strengthened the bastardization of critical state institution, which were hitherto sane and revered for services to the Nigerian people, but sadly, it is been used to maim and disenfranchise citizens in the guise of maintaining the peace, whilst working assiduously to impose the President on Nigerians.
“Indeed the results as announced by INEC can as best be described as a sham or scam to say the least, as the electoral body is aware that it has been deeply compromised as evident by its obvious numerous gaffe as captured from its various state collation centres as well as complicity in its final election results.”
While berating the INEC chairman for what he described as “woeful and disgraceful performance” under his leadership, he said “Prof Mahmoud Yakubu must bury his head in shame for allowing himself to be used as the pawn in disenfranchising the Nigerian people whilst acting ignorant to glaring irregularities as witnessed by all Nigerians.”
He called on international observers, the European Union (EU) United State (US) and United Kingdom (UK) “must make their findings of the general elections public as it was done in Congo, instead of playing to the gallery and the intelligence of the Nigerian people. Pictorial and video evidence from all over the country has gravely discredited the elections and as such we await the final reports from these international observers.
“We are aware that they have in their possessions the true results and may have seen the pattern adopted by INEC and the ruling party, APC. Their resolve in Congo DRC must be in resonance with any other erring electoral body with the same punitive measures meted out adequately on all collaborators of this fraud and to further serve as a deterrent to future electoral umpires.
“Whilst we await the victory of the stolen mandate of the Nigerian people, I’d like to Congratulate our Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his victory as the legitimate winner of the February 23rd Presidential elections and urge him to remain strong and resolute in his quest to seek for justice at the temple of justice. Victory can only be delayed, but can never be subverted nor denied. Nigerians are with you and stand solidly behind you as you stand tall, steering the ship of the progressive in reclaiming the stolen mandate of the oppressed in Nigeria.”
Plateau PDP cries out over non-release of NASS election results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has demanded the release of results of National Assembly elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in the state.
The party chairman in the state, Hon. Damishi Sango accused the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Husseini Halilu Pai of being under pressure to announce the result in favour of APC.
While addressing a press conference at the party’s Secretariat in Jos, Sango said residents of the state would resist any manipulation in the result.
“Surprisingly, INEC summoned the Returning Officers under heavy military intimidation and ordered them to announce the result of the election in favour of APC.
“However, we are saddened to note that four days after the conduct of the elections, INEC is yet to turn in the final results and declare the winners.
“We are therefore alerting the nation and the world to hold the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Husseini Halilu Pai responsible for any breakdown of law and order.”
He explained, “INEC picked Tudun Wada-Kabong ward, a stronghold of the PDP in Jos North LGA and has withheld the results of all the 65 units with a total voter population of about 92 thousand people.
“It is therefore evident that the wholesome cancellation of units across the state was deliberately targeted at disenfranchising the people and weakening PDP bases. The party however appeal to REC to douse the rising tension by immediately releasing the results, saying the know where the pressure is coming, stressing, ” Governor Lalong wants a second tenure at the expense of the blood and peace of Plateau.
“The governor has been blackmailed by some elements in the state who want him to give them certain elective positions in exchange for their support for his re-election,” he submitted.
Accept defeat, you can still contest in future, Bauchi governor advises Atiku
Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has urged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to accept the outcome of the 2019 presidential election where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari, as winner.
The governor said the party and its candidate should wait for future opportunity to take another shot at the Presidency.
The governor on Wednesday, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Al-Sadique, said the Atiku and his party to accept the outcome of the presidential election in good faith.
He encouraged Atiku to work with president for the benefit of the country.
“I, therefore, urge the opposition to accept defeat and support the newly re-elected President since there is another chance to contest in future.
“We thank the Almighty Allah for the peaceful way in which the elections were conducted.
“President Buhari means well for this nation and this year’s presidential election is a vote of confidence in the change agenda of the All Progressives Congress.”
Presidential election ‘grand theft of people’s will,’ Atiku insists
Former vice-president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has again condemned the results of the just concluded presidential election, describing it as a grand theft of the will of Nigerians.
Atiku who has threatened to take legal action, stated that there were clear manifestation of premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.
Speaking during a World Press Conference at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, on Wednesday, he noted that democracy was a government of the people, by the people, only when the people’s choice prevailed.
He argued thus, “That did not happen on Saturday, February 23, 2019. On election day, we saw the implementation of grand theft of the people’s will.
“In Akwa Ibom, for instance, the results showed a statistical impossibility of a 62 per cent drop in voter numbers from the 2015 elections, even where voter registration and PVC collection rates were much higher than in 2015. This is where voter suppression took place.
“Our party made these observations and complaints before the elections that there were plans to implement voter suppression on PDP or opposition strongholds and voter increase in APC strongholds.”
Atiku had earlier, on Wednesday morning, released a statement stating emphatically that “Democracy Will Not Be Emasculated in Nigeria.
It reads in part: “With regards to the Presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.”
“One obvious red flag is the statistical impossibility of states ravaged by the war on terror generating much higher voter turnouts than peaceful states. The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?
He explained in the statement that “If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.”
The former vice president stated that in his democratic struggles for the past three decades, he has have never seen Nigeria’s democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Consequently, he said, “I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court. I want to assure my supporters and the entire Nigerian people that together, we will not allow democracy to be emasculated.”
Shehu Sani blows hot again, says elections “a charade and fraud”
Embattled Senator Shehu Sani is blowing hot again, this time, the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) candidate who lost out in the race to retain his Kaduna Central Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly, described the presidential and National Assembly polls held in the state as “a charade and a fraud.”
In a statement issued by Sani in Kaduna, the Senator said the polls were “characterised by ballot stuffing, thumb-printing, over-voting, outright falsification of result and vote allocation.”
Sani said, “In over 85 per cent of the polling units, the card readers failed and there was no due process in the use of the permanent voter cards. Bandits also ravaged Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and other rural locations. Figures were simply added to result sheets.
“Public resources were also used to massively buy votes. In fact, the National Assembly elections in Kaduna State were an industrial scale fraud. It was not a triumph of people’s will but a triumph of ‘scampish’ vote buying and manipulation.”
He also called for an outright cancellation of the election results, “When an election is free, fair and credible, it’s morally right for those who lost to humbly congratulate those who won but when an election is rigged, those who won should only expect calls from the Courts and not from the candidate.”
Sani further added that, “As for now, No phone call and no congratulations to the fraudulent polls in Kaduna Central. Those who dope don’t deserve sportsmanship. The spirit of sportsmanship cannot be exhibited in an arena built with bricks of fraud.
“The Presidential election in Kaduna State was free, fair and credible but the National Assembly elections were deliberately manipulated to favour unpopular candidates of the ruling party.
“There was prompt and adequate supply of voting materials for the presidential election but that of the National Assembly was systematically undermined to achieve a predetermined result.”
This is the second time in as many days that Senator Sani would be criticising the outcome the polls staged last Saturday which he rejected after it became clear that he lost in the elections.
Speaking to newsmen at his residence in Kaduna after results were announced, Sani alleged that the elections was full of irregularities and massive rigging.
The result presented by the Returning Officers Messrs Bashir Abubakar, Lawal Ahmad, and Abdulfatai Imrana revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Uba Sani, defeated Sani to emerge victorious at the polls.
Police apprehend 120 electoral offenders nationwide
The Nigeria Police Force have arrested one hundred and twenty persons for various crimes across the country during the presidential and national assembly elections.
This was disclosed during a live radio program on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mbah.
According to Mbah, 38 Improvised Explosive Device IED-making materials were recovered during the polls which helped police monitor security across the country and also prevented explosions from occurring in the South-West, South-South, South-East and North Central parts of Nigeria.
“That massive interception by Delta State Police Command actually help us to nip in the bud, various dangerous things that could have occurred, probably we would have had a lot of problems on our hands during the elections; but thankfully that interception was made,” he said.
“What I want to assure Nigerians this time around is that they will see clear cases of diligent prosecution of electoral offenders. We need to begin to take measures and take actions that will send a strong message out there that election offences are serious offences and that when you commit electoral offences you will not go scot-free. That is the only way we can begin to stamp out impunity gradually.
“We had cases where very senior police officers were attacked amounting to serious assault and we also want to send a very strong message out there that you cannot attack a police officer or any other law enforcement agent for that matter and go free.
“Nigerians need to support us in this regard if we must continue to defend Nigeria. Nigerians owe us a duty to also defend us and everyone that participated in that condemnable act involving the attack on a very senior police officer in Bayelsa State will be held to account.
“We didn’t record any situation where law enforcement agents turn their guns on the people, we didn’t record incidences of accidental discharge, we didn’t record incidences of excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies. I think these are areas we must be given kudos to, we were able to protect all election observers,” Mbah disclosed.
He further assured that efforts would be made by the police to ensure that the individuals who violated the electoral act, will be charged and prosecuted after they have resolved circumstances behind the incident.
ELECTION RESULTS: Forget the Tribunal, be a statesman, Agbakoba counsels Atiku
A former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Olisa Agbakoba has called on presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal to contest the results of the presidential election held last Saturday.
He counseled Atiku to not “lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him”, adding, that the Adamawa born politician “is in a strong position to take up the mantle of a statesman”.
Atiku, in the final results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lost to the incumbent president and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding to the subsequent developments wherein Atiku refused to accept the results and vowed to approach the courts, Agbakoba In a statement on Wednesday by Niyi Odunmorayo,
his Media Assistant, said “the voting pattern for the 2019 Presidential Election shows ethnicity played a significant role in the Election.
“President MuhammaduBuhari kept his base in the North while former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar largely held his base in the South. Both All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) benefited from primordial voting. The excepted zone is the South-west where voting occurred on the basis of issues.
“The significance and consequence of the 2019 Presidential Election is huge unless we are able to reverse it. 2023 will follow the pattern of 2019 unless we do something about it. I understand the PDP is aggrieved about the outcome of the Election and alleged massive irregularities. But I urge former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal.
“He might have moved backwards by his loss but he should not lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him.Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is in a strong position to take up the mantle of a statesman. He can build a new Nigeria movement from the motley of small parties, third force actors, change actors and millions who are desperate for a strong, united Nigeria. There is also a lot of work to be done in both political and electoral reforms. I request former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to step into the shoes.
“This is not to say I do not recognize the massive irregularities in the 2019 Presidential Election. I can see how tempting it is to take the option of the Election Petition Tribunal but that in my view is not the right decision. We look forward to a new Nigeria, strong and united; a new Nigeria that will not vote on the basis of ethnic and primordial sentiments.
“As I said, I was shocked at the strength of the two parties in holding their respective bases. But the problem was that the basis was simply primordial and not driven by issues. Nigerian politics must appeal to issues and not ethnic or primordial consideration. This is the biggest danger in the 2019 Presidential Election and we as Nigerians must stand up to redress it”.
Buhari, Osinbajo receive Certificate of Return
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday afternoon received Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue as Nigeria’s President for another four-year term.
INEC had early hours earlier declared Buhari winner of Nigeria’s presidential election, held last Saturday, announcing that he scored 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Atiku Abubakar, who polled 11,262,978 votes.
INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, presented the certificates to President Buhari and his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the National Collation Centre Abuja, few minutes after 2pm.
IMO: Women protest Army’s alleged role in declaring Gov Okorocha senator-elect
A strong march reportedly led by women from the 12 local government is ongoing in Imo State over the alleged involvement of the Army in the controversial declaration of governor Rochas Okorocha, as senator-elect for Imo west at last Saturday’s polls.
Reports say the women who are marching in their numbers are now heading to 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, to protest the outcome of the election which witnessed the emergence of Okorocha as the Imo west senator-elect, under dubious circumstances.
Recall that days after the polls, the Returning Officer claimed that he announced incumbent Imo State governor, Okorocha, winner of the senatorial election in the zone under duress.
In a similar situation, Professor Meshach Umenweke, who served as Returning Officer in last Saturday’s elections in Anambra South senatorial district, claimed that he only declared the candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Ifeanyi Ubah, winner to save his life.
In a letter he wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Umenweke recanted the earlier declaration and said that the election was inconclusive.
The letter dated February 25 and addressed to the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner read in part, “That there were skirmishes within the compound of the Nnewi North Local Government Area (headquarters) where the results were being collated between the police and some thugs who sought to gain entrance to the area of collation. The situation was volatile, intense and charged.
AKWA IBOM: Int’l observers condemn ballot box snatching
The incidence of wide-spread ballot snatching recorded in Akwa Ibom State at the last presidential and National Assembly polls has been condemned by international observers who monitored the election in the state.
Reacting to the occurrence, Pan African Women Projects, an International Election Observer group, in a statement through its Publicity Secretary, Ms Mphoentie Keitseng, alleged that they witnessed thump printing at the opposition party office in the state.
“There were lots of ballot box snatching in lots of polling units and thump printing was ongoing at the opposition party office in the state.
“Our observers reported ballot boxes being snatched and carted away by hoodlums after interaction with various party agents at the unit 12 ward 2 in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
“The result sheets were missing in Ewang in Mbo LGA of the state,’’ she said.
The Election Observer group also decried the late arrival of election materials at Udung Uko LGA ward 4, Convent primary school, and insufficient security personnel in some polling units during the polls.
“Violence almost led to loss of lives as there were no security agents present at Unit 12 ward 6, Obio Offot, Uyo and Ibesikpo area.
“The collation of materials at some collation centres was characterised by thuggery and intimidation of Electoral Officers, ad hoc staff and corps members by security personnel.
“In Essien Udom, accredited observers were stopped by the thugs and violently barred from accessing collation centres,” she said.
“There was late arrival of materials during the elections in Uyo and some LGAs in the state.
“Many returning officers were attacked by thugs at various collation centres in Akwa Ibom, because officers refuse to adjust result sheets in favour of a certain candidate that truly lost the election,’’ Keitseng said.
Provide clarification for 1m cancelled votes, Situation Room tells INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been called upon by Nigeria Civil Society, Situation Room, to offer clarification on the reason over one million votes cast at the last presidential and National Assembly elections were cancelled.
In its fourth interim statement on the election, the Situation Room said: “There is a lack of clarity in the rationale for cancellation of polls. We have recorded 1,084,358 cancelled votes across 1175 polling units in 18 States. The pattern of this cancellation requires some close interrogation to show fairness and objectivity.”
Reacting to reports that the the votes were cancelled due to over-voting, card reader malfunction and pockets of violence, the Civil Society demanded that INEC should provide clarification on rationale and compliance with its guidelines regarding cancellation of polls.
Recall days ago that Situation Room criticised INEC over the poor management of the presidential and National Assembly elections staged last Saturday across the country.
The Civil Society also demanded an immediate independent inquiry into the poor performance of INEC during the polls.
According to Clement Nwankwo, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener, NCSSR, “the election has been a step back from the 2015 general elections.”
Mr Nwankwo also called on the electoral body and security agencies to ensure accountability for acts inimical to the integrity and credibility of the polls.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Atiku Abubakar rejects results, heads for court
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially reacted to the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2019 presidential election.
Atiku in his reaction rejected the result of the election on the argument that it was manipulated and the exercise “heavily militarised”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had announcing the election said incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari polled a total of 15,191,847 to defeat Atiku, who scored 11,262,978 votes.
But responding in a statement personally issued on Wednesday morning, Atiku aligned with his party, which had while the result was still being collated rejected it.
Atiku’s statement on the election reads in full:
“Democracy Will Not Be Emasculated in Nigeria
I thank the Nigerian people who trooped out in their millions to perform their civic duty this past Saturday. The patriotism of Nigerians is heartwarming and affirms my oft-repeated statement that we are brothers and sisters born from the womb of one mother Nigeria.
With regards to the Presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.
One obvious red flag is the statistical impossibility of states ravaged by the war on terror generating much higher voter turnouts than peaceful states. The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?
Another glaring anomaly is the disruption of voting in strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and diverse other states, with the authorities doing little or nothing and in some cases facilitating these unfortunate situations. (See attached links to documentary evidences).
The militarization of the electoral process is a disservice to our democracy and a throwback to the jackboot era of military dictatorship. In some areas of the country, such as, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states, troops deployed for the elections turned their guns on the very citizens they were meant to protect. This is condemnable and should not be associated with our electoral process in the future.
I am a democrat and there are democratic avenues available to present the truth to the nation and the watching world. Already, many international observers have given their verdicts, which corroborate our observations. I am sure more will come in the coming hours and days.
If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.
However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019. 2007 was a challenge, but President Yar’Adua was remorseful. In 2019, it is sad to see those who trampled on democracy thumping their noses down on the Nigerian people.
Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court.
I want to assure my supporters and the entire Nigerian people that together, we will not allow democracy to be emasculated.
I hope and pray Nigerians will someday summon the courage to defend democracy. That is the only way we can move away from being the world headquarters for extreme poverty.”
PRESIDENTIAL POLL: PDP refuses to sign result sheet, gives 3 reasons
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday declined to endorse the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) result sheet declaring President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2019 presidential election.
INEC had pronounced incumbent President Buhari of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the last Saturday election, after the conclusion of collation of results at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, early morning Wednesday.
Buhari in the result declared by INEC scored 15,191,847 votes to defeat Atiku, a former Vice President, who polled 11,262,978 votes.
But the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose candidate, Atiku Abubakar, came second in the election, refused to assent to the poll result and vowed to explore every option, including the legal process to air out its objection of the outcome of the exercise.
The party, whose agent, Osita Chidoka, declined to sign the result, gave three reasons for the action, insisting that the results declared did not represent the valid votes of Nigerians.
Chidoka said, “The PDP does not accept the result as representing the valid votes of Nigerians. We have made three issues: first, after all the investment in technology, we expected that INEC, after spending N27 billion in this year’s budget alone for technology, would have for the purpose of transparency, not just for law, projected to us the result of what the card reader that they used displayed about the people that went through the card reader verification. That singular act has put a dent on the image of the election.
“The second one is the issue we raised about the number of registered voters vis-à-vis what the chairman now calls collated voters, which means that 1.6 million people are missing in the voter register. We think that issue is substantial enough to require a resolution.
“We also believed that the difference between the accredited voters and the votes cast which came to about 750,000 is an issue to be looked at.
“Finally, we believed that the cancellations that took place in the election impacting 2.7 million voters required to be looked into seriously.
“So, in our view, this election required to be reviewed, looked at again and possibly, we have a rerun. More importantly, we think that INEC should have looked consciously to the use of the card reader, the absence of card reader is a major violation in the elections, it renders that election null and void, that’s what the chairman promised us.
“So, for us in the PDP, we believe that this is a new low in Nigeria’s electoral history. Since 2015, we believe that Nigeria would have been making progress in the election, but for the violence. The issues that have arisen in this election, and lack of transparency that we saw in the election did not increase, neither did it improve the belief of Nigerians in the electoral process.
“However, the PDP remains a very lawful party, we believe in the law, we believe in the constitution of Nigeria, we are committed democrats. The PDP is a party that entrenched democracy in Nigeria, the PDP is the party that made it possible for Nigeria to enjoy the fruit and dividends of democracy.
“We will continue to support democracy in Nigeria, we will continue to promote democracy in Nigeria. But we have a good message for Nigerians, we want them to remain peaceful, we will explore all our options, including the belief that the legal process in Nigeria is one of the ways to resolve issues.”
PDP’s position came despite of the explanation by INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu that the difference in the valid votes and cancellation were insignificant to impact on the general outcome of the election.
OGUN ELECTIONS: Amosun, APC disagree over party’s performance
The governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) seem not to be on the same page as they both disagree over the party’s performance at last Saturday’s election.
According to Amosun, the victory recorded by President Mohammadu Buhari in the state was as a result of a coalition facilitated by his loyalists both in the APC and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Amosun, who emerged the winner of the senatorial election for Ogun Central on the platform of the APC said; “I am happy for the result of the election. People have benefited from it. That is the way life is, people know who they were voting for in the APC.
“Clearly, when the result was out, check Mr President’s result and check mine, you will see that there are little differences.”
The governor who accused some party members and leaders of ganging up against his ambition added that, “Those that want us are between 80 and 90 per cent and those that don’t want us are about 10 per cent; that is life.
“I don’t hate anybody. Truly, I wasn’t taking them seriously that they wanted to gang up against me. But if you see the result of the election, you will know that truly they ganged up against me.
“But that God in me is far greater than the one that is in all of them.”
However, the party in a statement by Tunde Oladunjoye, the Publicity Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee in the state, thinks otherwise, as it said Amosu would have lost the Ogun Central senatorial election, but for the APC.
Oladunjoye who thanked party members for not disgracing Amosun at the polls, also revealed that APM members cast 10,038 votes against Amosun who was the combined candidate of the APC and the APM.
The statement read, “We have cause to thank the good people of Ogun State for voting massively for President Buhari and other APC candidates as shown in the final results.
“We must also thank the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District, who, as good party loyalists, listened to the call of our foremost leader, Aremo Segun Osoba, who pleaded with the people not to disgrace Amosun.
“In fact, APM made the poorest outing despite the billions of Ogun taxpayers’ money expensed by Amosun on the moribund project, as the party scored just about seven per cent of the total votes in Amosun’s senatorial district and less than five per cent across the state.”
He also said that contrary to Amosun’s claim, members of the APM especially in Ogun East Senatorial District voted against Buhari.
Oladunjoye added, “They were openly telling voters that they were not concerned about Buhari’s re-election, but we thank God for the voters who stood their ground and voted for Buhari and the APC.
“Our findings also revealed the use of serving commissioners and other appointees of Amosun to harass voters and intimidate the electoral officers.”
Obi blames INEC for disenfranchising 8m voters in South-East
The dust has been raised by the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Peter Obi, who has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of depriving over eight million eligible Nigerians the right to vote in the South-East during the February 23 presidential election.
In a statement on Tuesday at a press conference held in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi who claimed the election was intentionally staged to ensure that the zone did not participate fully, added that only about 20 per cent of the 10 million registered voters were able to exercise their voting rights.
“You will recall that on election day, I said the process was clumsy and we also had a major problem with malfunctioning card readers. Most people couldn’t vote as a result.
“When over 4,000 card readers got burnt, it became clear that something was wrong somewhere and the Independent National Electoral Commission could neither save the situation nor allow people to vote manually.
“But in some other parts of the country, people were allowed to vote manually and it was accepted by the electoral body.
“How can you tell me that states like Yobe and Borno produced more voters than Anambra and Ebonyi states put together?
“The two states have been at war. I wonder how they got card readers that were working so well, despite the war situation in which they found themselves” He said.
Obi also added that Nigeria had failed in its capacity to building on the accomplishments of the 2015 general election.
Army parades 8 election offenders
The Nigerian Army has paraded no less than eight suspects who allegedly disrupted the just concluded presidential and National Assembly polls staged in Rivers State last Saturday.
Parading the suspects at the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday before journalists, army spokesman, Sagir Musa, said the suspects were nabbed at various polling units in the state.
Musa also informed that the suspects had posed as staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and tampered with electoral materials.
However, some of the suspects during the parade, insisted that it was wrong for the army to parade them as criminals and also maintained that the army lied against them.
Like Okorocha’s case, Returning Officer claims he declared Ifeanyi Ubah winner to save his life
Professor Meshach Umenweke, who served as Returning Officer in last Saturday’s elections in Anambra South senatorial district, has claimed that he only declared the candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Ifeanyi Ubah, winner to save his life.
In a letter he wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Umenweke recanted the earlier declaration and said that the election was inconclusive.
The letter dated February 25 and addressed to the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner read in part, “That there were skirmishes within the compound of the Nnewi North Local Government Area (headquarters) where the results were being collated between the police and some thugs who sought to gain entrance to the area of collation. The situation was volatile, intense and charged.
“The police had to spray tear gas to disperse the thugs and supporters, most of who waited nearby. There was inadequate security in the collation arena. There was the imminent danger to my person given the situation at hand to delve into the merits of the petition at the material time.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby declare the result of the elections into Anambra South Senatorial seat which I pronounced yesterday (Monday) inconclusive.”
Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP had in the earlier announced result, defeated two brothers, a serving senator, Andy Ubah and his younger sibling, Chris Ubah.
The development in Anambra South appears similar to what happened in Imo West senatorial district, where the returning Office claimed he announced incumbent Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, winner of the senatorial election in the zone under duress.
However, while the Returning Officer for Anambra South, has recanted his earlier pronouncement, and said the election was inconclusive, in the case of Imo, Okorocha has remained winner as declared.
DELTA: PDP candidate, Oboro, seeks cancellation of senatorial result
Another Delta state senatorial candidate has expressed disapproval of the results of the National Assembly election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Delta Central senatorial district, Evelyn Oboro, called for the cancellation of the results for the district.
The Returning Officer in charge of the election, Prof. Godfrey Ariavie at the Ughelli INEC collation Center, had declared incumbent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as winner of the election having scored a total of 111,100 to beat Oboro who scored 99,422.
Former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan also rejected the result of the Delta South senatorial election which produced Senator James Manager of PDP as winner.
Oboro while reacting to the results, alleged instances of rigging, adding that the collation process was “manipulated” in favour of the APC candidate.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of her campaign organisation, Sunday Apah, Oboro who is the member representing Uvwie, Okpe and Sapele constituency in the House of Representatives, alleged that the election was massively rigged in Ughelli North, Udu, Ethiope East, Ughelli South and Ethiope West Local Government Areas in favour of the APC lawmaker.
She cited instances of results manipulation at Agbarho, Orogun, Afiesere, ward 2/6 in Ughelli North council area, Mosogar and Jesse in Ethiope West council, Okpe-Olomu and Ewu in Ughelli South council against the wish of the people. She said:
“At a point, our agents and collation officers were intimidated and denied entry into INEC office at Ughelli just to ensure that the manipulated figures were announced in favour of Omo-Agege who was still losing after the collation of six local government areas”, she said.
INEC declares Buhari winner of 2019 presidential election
President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won re-election after national vote tallies by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Buhari was officially declared President-Elect by INEC in the early hours of Wednesday.
From collated results of the 36 states of the federation plus the FCT, the president secured a total of 15,191,847 representing 55.6 per cent of total votes cast across the country, while also meeting the mandatory constitutional requirement of scoring at 25% of votes cast in at least two-thirds of the states of the federation.
Buhari’s closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 11,262,978 votes, while also meeting the mandatory constitutional minimum of at least 25% in two-thirds of the states.
The other political parties which presented candidates for the presidential election, about 71 in number, collectively scored 869,758, making up 3.2 per cent of votes cast.
While Buhari won a total of 19 states, Abubakar won 17 states plus the FCT.
Certificate of return for the president-elect would be presented to Buhari by 2pm on Wednesday.
The final outcome of the presidential election closely mirrors Ripples Nigeria’s electoral projection map and its national poll.
By his victory, President Buhari is set for another 4-year term lapsing in 2023.
Buhari in unassailable lead as INEC concludes collation of presidential results
President Muhammadu Buhari is only official-declaration away from winning reelection after national vote tallies by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
From collated results of the 36 states of the federation plus the FCT, the president has secured an estimated 56 percent of the votes, while also meeting the mandatory constitutional requirement of scoring at 25% of votes cast in two-thirds of the states of the federation.
Buhari’s closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, is estimated to have scored about 42 per cent of the votes while also meeting the mandatory constitutional minimum of 25% in two-thirds of the states.
While Buhari won a total of 19 states, Abubakar won 18 states.
Official declaration of the winner is pending as INEC has adjourned the process by a few hours.
International observers say Kano elections free, fair and peaceful
The declaration of Saturday’s presidential election results in Kano has been received with mixed reactions, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejecting the results compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
International Election Observer Group, The Pan African Women Project, has however described the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in Kano state as free, fair and peaceful.
The leader of the Group, Belinda Maduna, made the remark at a post-election press conference held in Kano on Tuesday.
She said the election in Kano state was not only free and fair, but also peaceful, while eligible voters were allowed to exercise their franchise.
“We want to use this opportunity to tell you that the election in Kano was peaceful, free and without intimidation because everybody was calm on the day of the election,” Maduna said.
She said that there was adequate security at all the polling units, adding that there was no reports of violence or ballot box snatching during the election.
“The security personnel did a great job during the election because there was no violence or ballot box snatching. Kano is a model despite its large population.”
She commended the Independent National Electoral Commission staff for their dedication and commitment to duty during the exercise.
Maduna also noted that there were adequate election materials, only that voting was delayed due to late arrival of election materials and officials.
“In spite of the challenges there was very high voter inclusion as no voter was disenfranchised.
“The observation made by our group was that 67 per cent of the polling units in Kano began accreditation of voters between between 8:30am and 9:00am,” she said.
Situation Room raises concern over 1,084,358 cancelled votes in 18 States
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR) has raised concerns over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel 1,084,358 votes across 1175 polling units in 18 States.
While demanding further explanation on why the votes were cancelled, the organisation said INEC needs to provide clarification on its decision before the close of tabulation.
NCSSR Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo, raises the observation in Abuja on Thursday night.
He said INEC should provide more convincing reasons for the cancellation beyond over voting, card reader malfunction and violence.
Nwankwo said, “As at 6:47pm on Tuesday, February 26, the discrepancy was a total of 513,214, in 27 States including Nasarawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Edo States and the FCT. Situation Room calls on INEC to transparently address this confusion before the completion of result tabulation.
“There is a lack of clarity in the rationale for cancellation of polls. We have recorded 1,084,358 cancelled votes across 1,175 polling units in 18 States. The pattern of this cancellation requires some close interrogation to show fairness and objectivity. The reasons provided for the cancelled votes include over voting, card reader malfunction and violence.
“Situation Room demands that INEC provide clarification on rationale and compliance with its guidelines regarding the cancellation of polls. Accusations that these cancellations may have been contrived to suppress votes need to be taken seriously and addressed before the close of tabulation.
“Situation Room calls on INEC to address the discrepancies in the vote tally and provide cogent explanations for the rejected votes and clearly clarify what amounts to cancelled votes.”
Among other issues raised by the organisation was the case of an official of INEC who alleged he was forced to announc inaccurate results in Imo State
RIVERS: PDP says arrest of its members by Army diversionary
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said the Army was only trying to divert attention with the arrest and parade of its members in Port Harcourt by men of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
According to the Spokesman of the party, Hon. Darlington Orji, the Army used arrest of its members to divert attention from the genocide it committed in parts of the state during the Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Orji said: “What the military did is diversionary and laughable. They have left their duties and have taken up those of police. PDP does not need rigging to win election in Rivers State, so we are shocked at their allegation.
“Why is Army so keen in the matter of election? They want to divert attention on what they did at Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. It is unfortunate for them to come up with such big lies.
“I inform the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police that Rivers State is under military siege. They should allow due process to be followed in the matter they are claiming.
“Military should stop being used by politicians. We need their attention at the Sambisa forest.”
PDP asks INEC to stop collation of presidential election results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately stop the ongoing collation of the results of the presidential election held on Saturday.
The party spoke through the Deputy Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Taminu Turaki, at a press briefing on Tuesday.
The PDP also called for the outright cancellation of results from Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Mr. Turaki also called for the immediate restoration of the party’s over 157,000 votes declared invalid in Nasarawa State.
Victor Umeh calls for cancellation of Anambra Central senatorial election
The incumbent senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, Victor Umeh has called for the cancellation of Saturday’s National Assembly election in the district.
Umeh, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, made the call on Tuesday at a press briefing in Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, alleged that the election was fraught with irregularities, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, lost control of the election due to its inability to declare a winner three days after the conduct of the poll.
According to him, it was obvious that the card readers did not work in majority of the places in the senatorial district.
“In Awka North Local Government Area for example, the card readers did not work in more than four or five polling units.
“They had to resort to a manual form of accreditation through which the umpire lost control of the voters.
“It was the same thing in many parts of Awka South Local Government Area.
“Anaocha Local Government Area, Agulu and Nri communities particularly, did not use card reader to accredit voters.”
Umeh also alleged that in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, both violence and non-use of card readers for accreditation marred the exercise.
“The results being turned out from this will show you that card readers were not used for accreditation because of the high volume of voters. In Awka South, there were over 40,000 voters said to have taken part in the election,” he said.
The senator said that in his Aguluzigbo area where card readers worked it took an average of three minutes or more for one person to complete the process.
“If you look at it, you will discover that it was impossible for the large figures that were posted in many areas.
“Generally speaking, the election faced a lot of challenges; few days before the election, the card readers in the state were destroyed,” he added.
Continuing, Umeh claimed that the promise by INEC to replace the card readers did not materialise because what was brought at the end could not function at the polling units across the district.
“Results were also cancelled in a number of places like in Oba where the INEC cancelled results in 15 polling units in Oba ward 2, and INEC has not said anything about those places.”
Umeh said for the credibility of the exercise, the commission should cancel the exercise in Anambra Central Senatorial District and do a repeat of the poll.
“It is better to do so than to go ahead and make people go to Tribunal; it doesn’t make sense.
“INEC is in a position to do an audit of the election and come to the admission that they did not use card reader in conducting the election.
“For the fact that INEC did not keep to its provisions in the guidelines, the election should be repeated.
“The emphasis made by the commission that they will not accept manual accreditation for the election that turned to be the general situation is an indictment of the process.
“When I called the Resident Electoral Commissioner to complain about the anomalies, he said they were looking at the cost of repeating the election.
“Nothing will be more important than getting something credibly done; the important thing is to get it right,” he stressed.
INEC had declared Mrs Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the winner of the election.
DELTA SOUTH SENATORIAL ELECTION: Uduaghan kicks, calls for cancellation
Former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has rejected the result of the Delta South senatorial election which produced Senator James Manager of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner.
Uduaghan, who is the immediate past governor o Delta State, was the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Saturday’s National Assembly election.
Uduaghan, the election was fraught with massive irregularities, ballot stuffing, intimidation and electoral violence by supporters of the PDP.
Uduaghan, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Assistant, Monoyo Edon, said he had already petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, about “the electoral malpractices” following the official release of the result which declared his opponent winner.
It would be recalled that INEC had declared Senator Manager as the winner of the Delta South election, having polled 258,812 votes to defeat Uduaghan, who scored 125,776 votes.
The former governor however thanked the people of the district for their support, urging to remain calm while reviewing the development.
Earn Nigerians’ respect, concede defeat and congratulate Buhari as Jonathan did, BMO advises Atiku
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has counselled the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to quickly concede defeat by putting a call through to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), President Muhammadu Buhari, to congratulate him.
BMO said this move would earn the former Vice-President respect from Nigerians.
According to a statement issued by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, on Tuesday in Abuja, the group advised Atiku to toe the path of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the man he loves to quote, and congratulate Buhari even before being declared by the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC).
“We at BMO believe that this is the ideal time for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to take a cue from the man he loved to quote – former President Goodluck Jonathan, who called the then candidate Buhari when it became apparent that Buhari had won the election.
“We are convinced that he would earn the respect of more Nigerians without having to pay for it by making that call to the President as early as possible,” it said.
Akinsiju in the statement, noted that President Buhari took hold of states believed to be strongholds of opposition PDP.
It stressed that the President’s goodwill bought him victory in such states.
“The truth is that even though President Buhari secured a large chunk of votes from his traditional strongholds in Northern Nigeria, he did far better this time than in 2015 in areas that were considered as PDP’s power base in Southern Nigeria.
“So he clearly got a pan-Nigerian mandate in a free, fair and credible election that had two distinguished politicians from the same Fulani ethnic stock as the major candidates,” it said.
He warned the PDP to “stop their supporters from painting President Buhari’s impending landslide victory in tribal colours in social media posts.”
Former governor Akume loses third Benue senate seat to PDP
A former governor of Benue State has lost the third senatorial district in Benue State to the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP).
Akume who polled 115, 422 votes struggled behind the winner, Orker Jev who got 157,726 votes for Benue Zone B.
The results were announced on Wednesday by the Returning Officer for the election, Prof Nicodemus Ochani.
This means the PDP has won the three senatorial districts in the state.
Extra tight security at Rivers INEC office
After a violent election on Saturday, security in and around the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was on Tuesday beefed up by armed personnel from the state police command.
The reason for the extra tight security around the commission’s premises on Aba Road is however yet to be confirmed.
The Nigerian Army had said it lost an officer to the election violence in Rivers State and six other persons were shot dead during an ambush of troops by alleged assailants in Abonema, Akuku Toru LGA.
The State Governor, Ezenwo Wike, had said that the Government will pursue justice for all those killed in cold blood by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Abonnema and other towns during Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
Wike had alleged that the soldiers were used by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to unleash mayhem on PDP members in the state.
It’s official! Senator Godswill Akpabio loses bid to return to Senate
Senator Godswill Akpabio has lost in his bid to return to the Senate chambers to represent Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District.
Akpabio who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost to Christopher Ekpenyong of the PDP.
The lawmaker was also the Senate Minority leader, before his defection, lost in virtually all the local government areas making up the senatorial district.
The Returning Officer, Professor Peter Ogban who announced the result, said Ekpenyong polled a total of 118,215 votes to beat Akpabio of who scored 83,158 votes.
Gov Shettima wins Borno Senatorial election
The governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been announced as the winner of the Borno Central Senatorial District election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Prof. Yusuf Yusuf, Returning Officer, who made the declaration on Tuesday in Maiduguri said that Shettima scored 342,898 votes while his opponent Abba Aji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gained 75,506 votes.
Meanwhile, Abdulkadir Rahis of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and Caretaker Chairman of Maiduguri Metropolitan council has become the winner in the Maiduguri Federal Constituency election.
Prof. Aminu Ayuba, the Returning Officer declared that Rahis gained 93, 497 votes to overthrow Abdulsalam Kachalla of PDP, who polled 60, 132 votes.
Borno Central Senatorial District consist of eight local government areas, including Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga, Bama, Mafa, Dikwa, Ngala and Kala Balge.
Shettima will be replacing Senator Babakaka Bashir also of the APC.
IMO: INEC declares Senatorial poll inconclusive over allegations of ballot snatching, kidnapping
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been forced to declare the senatorial election in Imo North inconclusive, over varying allegations.
Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly polls in the senatorial district were trailed by allegations of ballot box snatching, kidnapping of electoral officers and reported manipulation of the electoral process.
The decision by INEC also comes 48-hours after its office located in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area in the senatorial district was set ablaze by persons suspected to be political thugs.
The move to declare the election inconclusive was confirmed by Emmanuella Opara, INEC’s Public Relations officer in the state, who said a new date for fresh elections in the area has not been decided yet.
Saraki backtracks, wishes opponent who won “best of luck”
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has stated that in spite of the reported inadequacies that attended last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kwara State, he is wishing the candidates who emerged from the election the best of luck.
Dr. Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu stated that while the election was generally peaceful there are inadequacies like the card readers not used in over 70 percent of the polling units while there were multiple voting, over-voting and other discrepancies that were reported by agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) across the state.
He added that the state chapter of his party will take a position on the right response to these inadequacies.
Saraki had in a previous statement, also by Olaniyonu, denied congratulating the winner of the poll, which will see him not returning to the Senate chamber for the ninth assembly.
Saraki In his most recent statement, said “However, whatever the final outcome of the election, I wish the candidates that have emerged all the best in their attempts to serve our people. It is my prayers that the good people of Kwara State will always have the best from any government both at state and federal levels.
“As a product of a family and a political structure that is, from its foundation, devoted to the service and development of our state and its people, it is my wish that our people will always have a good deal at all times. The new development will even provide the people the opportunity to compare and contrast. After all, the people who have emerged from last Saturday’s election are not my enemies. They are fellow Kwarans.
“As we prepare for the March 9, 2019 Governorship and House of Assembly elections, let me reiterate my position that the candidates of the PDP in the election represent the best materials for our dear State, Kwara. Therefore, I enjoin our people to come out en mass on Election Day and vote for them. I am going to work with our party leaders to further sell the PDP candidates to the general public.
“I thank all Nigerians for their goodwill and to enjoin all of us that as we patiently await the outcome of the Presidential election, we pray for peace, unity and genuine development in our country. It is also our prayers that at all times, the wish of the people will always prevail in the choice of the leadership and the electorate will always enjoy the benefit of good governance”, Saraki stated.
PDP prepares for court battle, summons legal team after rejecting poll results
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party may be getting it’s house ready for a legal battle over the results of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly polls.
24-hours after rejecting the results of the polls, alleging irregularities, the PDP has summoned its legal team for a Tuesday meeting.
Reports say the meeting summoned by the main opposition party which will begin by 4pm at the Legacy House, Abuja, is expected to discuss the next legal line of action.
The notice of the meeting was sent by Kabir Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties, who told invitees to “appear in person as there will be no representation please.”
Recall that the PDP had alleged that the results being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been altered and therefore are unacceptable to the party.
APC’s Omo-Agege narrowly secures Senatorial re-election
The race to clinch the Delta Central Senatorial District seat proved to be too-close-to-call when Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC) narrowly secured a re-election.
Results declared by the Returning Officer from the University of Benin, Prof Godfrey Ariavie showed that Omo-Agege polled 111,100 votes to narrowly defeat the Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Everlyn Oboro who scored 99,422 votes.
However, his counterpart in the APC In Delta South, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was not lucky in his bid to clinch the Delta South Senatorial seat after he tasted defeat in the hands of the incumbent Senator James Manager of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Results sheet provided by the Returning Officer showed that the PDP’s candidate Manager polled 258,812 votes to beat APC’s Uduaghan who garnered 125,776 votes from the election.
BENUE: David Mark’s daughter defeats uncle to secure Reps seat under APGA
Lady Blessing Onuh, daughter of David Mark, former senate President has won Otukpo/Ohimini House of Representative seat.
Onuh who is a candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) defeated her uncle, Egli Johnson Ahubi who is presently the deputy speaker in Benue State House of Assembly and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Ahubi who is the former senate president’s cousin congratulated the winner after losing to Onuh with a wide margin.
Meanwhile, Blessing Onuh who used to be a member of PDP left the party just two weeks after a controversial defeat for the APGA ticket for Otukpo/ohimini Federal Constituency.
Amidst reactions, PDP Chieftains claimed that Onuh’s victory and accomplishment was based on her father’s influence adding that she was never a member of the party from the onset.
‘Returning Officer mental, criminal,’ Gov Okorocha denies rigging Imo elections
The dust raised by Governor Okorocha’s emergence as Senator-elect may not settle soon. This is as he has called out on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Professor Innocent Ibeawuchi, who accused him of manipulating the February 23 polls, describing the latter as mentally challenged and criminally minded.
Okorocha has, therefore, dismissed the allegations, insisting he deserved to win the election.
Recall that less than 24 hours after Gov. Rochas Okorocha was declared winner of the Imo West senatorial election, Prof Innocent Ibeawuchi, had alleged that he was forced to declare Okorocha the winner of the poll by the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
Ibeawuchi said, “I was compelled to announce the result which was inconclusive. I am a man of integrity and it is not true that the governor slapped me but I was held hostage by agents working for him. I was manhandled and I thank God I came back alive.”
However, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor described the returning officer as “a bloody liar who may be acting a script”.
“Having won in nine out of the 12 local government areas announced, we heard that they were trying to move the result sheets to Owerri but when we demanded an explanation, the man (Ibeawuchi) said he was tired and didn’t feel safe, when nobody was threatening him. At the end, we discovered that he didn’t have the declaration sheet. I wonder where this is taking us. I hope INEC would change this system because we will resist them if they try it in the next election,” he said.
The governor added, “They should examine the returning officer to know his mental state. If he doesn’t have a mental illness, then he must be a criminal to ever think of that. How could someone ask you to change the result of an election he has already won? My score is above 90,000 and the nearest to me is slightly above half of it, when you combine both Jones and Izunaso’s votes. They can’t match or contest against me in Imo State not to talk of Orlu zone.
“I asked the Resident Electoral Commissioner here to quickly correct these anomalies. The returning officer is a bloody liar who may be acting a script.”
ELECTION LOSS Saraki denies congratulating Oloriegbe, warns APC not to rejoice yet
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki on Monday warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to rejoice on the outcome of the results of Kwara Central Senatorial District.
Saraki who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost his bid to return to the Red chamber to Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the APC in the district.
He advised the public to disregard any information that he had congratulated the winner of the poll.
Through a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki noted that his position would be communicated later.
He said, “The position of the Saraki camp will be communicated to the public later.
“The public should disregard any fictitious statements being issued and shared on WhatsApp.
“In the interim, the APC should stop issuing statements congratulating itself and ascribing it to our camp”.
#NigeriaDecides2019: More observers applaud elections, describe it as peaceful
Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections have received more commendation as election observer group, the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), has described the process as ‘generally peaceful.’
Like many other observers, the group said the exercise was generally very peaceful and the turnout was commendable.
This observation was revealed in its second interim report on the election signed by its acting Executive Director, Monday Osasah, and made available to journalists on Monday.
However, they recommended that logistics, which resulted in the postponement of the polls from the initial date February 16, be improved upon in future elections.
“Voter and civic education should be sustained and intensified to constantly remind the electorate of their civic responsibilities.
“Election stakeholders should continue to cooperate with INEC to enable improvement in the process, procedure and the activities of the commission.”
Ahead of the March 9 governorship and state houses of assembly elections, INEC has been advised to improve on its logistics and ensure personnel and materials arrive early.
Centre LSD said the electoral body should also give attention to physically challenged persons nationwide by ensuring that facilities to aid their participation in the election were provided.
In order to prevent the reoccurrence of security challenges faced in some states,the group also called on INEC to work closely with security agencies and increase the number of security personnel at the polling environment in the March 9 elections.
The report added, “INEC should collaborate more with the National Orientation Agency and ensure a sustained civic and voter education across the country to sustain and up the level of turnout in the March 9 elections.
“The slow performance of the card reader should be addressed to gain time in future elections.
“Channel of communication between INEC and ad hoc staff must be improved for the next phase of the elections.”
Gov. Abdula’ziz Yari declared winner Zamfara West senatorial district
Gov. Abdula’ziz Yari of Zamfara has joined the league of Governors heading to the senate as he has been declared winner of Zamfara West Senatorial election held on Saturday.
Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Lawal Mayanchi, who announced the results in Tatala-Mafara on Monday, said Yari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) polled 153,626 votes, while Alhaji Lawal Hassan of the PDP scored 69,293 votes.
Other political parties, who participated in the election, were Muhammad Lokoja of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) with 6,727 votes, Muhammad Rilwan of Peopes Party of Nigeria (PPN), who had 133 votes and Nasiru Anka of the Peoples Redemption Party who scored 555 votes.
Agency reports that a chieftain of the APC in the state, Alhaji Sha’ayau Sarkin-Fawa, described the victory as a welcome development.
Sarkin-Fawa said Gov. Yari deserved to be a representative of the state in the Senate, considering the achievements recorded by his administration in the past eight years. He said that the victory was an indication that the people of Zamfara were with APC as a political party.
Gov. Yari has been elected to represent the district comprising of six local government areas of Anka, Bakura, Bukkuyum, Gummi, Maradun and Talata-Mafara.
Similarly, former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko was declared winner of Sokoto North Senatorial District. Wamakko defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Maccido with a total vote of 172,980 against Maccido’s 138,922.
Also, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, emerged senator-elect of Ogun Central Senatorial district in Ogun state with 88,110 votes.
Amosun won with a margin of 51,009 votes as he had a total of 88,110 votes, as against the candidate with the second maximum votes, Titi Oseni of ADC, who had 37,101 votes.
This is robbery! CUPP rejects presidential election results
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has rejected the results of Saturday’s presidential election currently being collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it “the robbery of a nation”
CUPP spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere stated this in a statement on Monday evening, adding that evidence abound nationwide and Nigerians are no longer in doubt that the 2019 general elections was “a complete departure from the electoral gains made in 2015.
CUPP also described the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the worst Chairman since 1999 “for his unbridled avarice and in pursuit of petty religious, ethnic and primordial sentiments fully collaborated with the regime to rob the people of their will while looking the international community straight in the eyes and lying to them.”
The coalition also claimed that the returns made by Prof Mahmood Yakubu are not in tandem with the wishes of Nigerians.
Ugochinyere said: “The country did not erupt in wild jubilations, rather citizens are seen gathering in small clusters discussing in low tunes knowing that Nigeria is now perfectly on the path to disintegration and absence of growth and development.
“We hereby, on behalf of the people of Nigeria reject the results of the elections and the purported victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC and also declare the purported mandate which the President lays claim to as a stolen and illegitimate and which ought to be returned to the rightful owner.
“In the glare of the whole world, the government killed its own citizens, cancelled results particularly in areas of strength of the opposition, inflated scores recorded particularly in areas of strength of the President, burnt INEC offices in areas where it was no sure of victory, raided opposition leaders homes and officers, compromised INEC and security officials, yet the INEC chairman crowned them with victory dripping with blood of innocent citizens who were mauled down by bullets of enemies of democracy because of the desperation of a non-performing President to hold on to power.”
CUPP also called on the international community to place a visa ban on the INEC Chairman and all members of his immediate family, the heads of Nigeria’s security agencies, APC leadership, compromised INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners and other top government functionaries who actively participated in robbing the country of its legitimate choice of democratic leadership.
After APC thrashed PDP in all 44 LGs, Kano govt says Buhari won fair and square like always
More reactions have continued to trail the comment of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the announcement of the Presidential election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); this is as the Kano state government says that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state does not have to buy votes for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the election.
PDP had alleged that the current administration “colluded” with INEC and security agencies to manipulate results from polling units across the country, and thus said the results are “incorrect and unacceptable”
The Commissioner of Information, Mohammed Garba, while speaking to newsmen in Kano on Monday said it was an insult on the people of Kano for PDP to attribute the overwhelming victory recorded by the APC in the state to voter inducement.
Mohammed, who is also the chairman of the Publicity Committee 2019 Elections, said “The PDP should go down memory lane to recall how Muhammadu Buhari was overwhelmingly voted in Kano during the 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 Presidential elections,”he said.
He pointed out that such an allegation from the PDP was not unexpected, given the setback suffered by the party in the elections.
‘’This clearly indicates PDP’s desperation to discredit the process that has been applauded by local and international observers as one of the best ever organized election in our political history,” the commissioner added.
He, therefore, called on APC members, supporters and the public to disregard the allegation as mere rumour intended to draw sympathy for the electorate who have already made their mind to vote for the APC presidential and National Assembly candidates.
Meanwhile, former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has been declared as the winner of the Kano Central senatorial seat by INEC.
Shekarau’s victory completes the total victory of the ruling party, APC for the three available senatorial seats in the state.
Umahi denies South-East govs influenced election results to favour Buhari
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has denied that governors of the Southeast states influenced the results of Saturday’s presidential election to favour President Muhammadu Buhari so he could garner the necessary 25 percent in the states in the zone.
Umahi made the denial on Monday in Abakaliki while addressing the media, insisting that rumour emanated from carriers of fake news on social media.
“Why do we need to negotiate for the sex of a child when the child has been given birth to?
“The fact is that the president remains the boss of all governors and any reasonable governor must respect the president, party differences apart.
“You gain nothing by castigating him and such castigation does not stop him from being the president.
“You should rather make him your friend and see how you can get something for your people.
“The bible tells us that when the ways of a man is pleasing unto God, it keeps his enemies to be at peace with him,” he said.
According to the governor, those who lived for themselves end up heating the system as they collected their salaries at the end of the month, fed freely among others.
“I am in a hurry to change the story, narratives of Ebonyi people so whatever vehicle of peace that I need to join to achieve this, I will join.
“Our people are good in social media but will never go to get their voter cards and will be announcing results,” he said.
Speaking further on the election, Umahi said: “I expect 90 per cent success in the elections of March 9 and I want you to ask me question on this, that day.
“All the prophecies made on this election failed and you (journalists) were the ones propagating these prophecies.
“People will just wake up and declare: thus says the lord and this is unfortunate,” he said.
APC clears Kano Senate seats as Shekarau wins Kano Central
A former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has been declared as the winner of the Kano Central senatorial seat by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Shekarau’s victory completes the total victory of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the three available senatorial seats in the state.
According to the returning officer for the senatorial district on Monday, Prof. Adamu Alhaji-Samaila, Shekarau scored 506, 271 votes to defeat the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Aliyu Sani-Madawakingini, who polled 276, 768 votes.
Earlier, the electoral confirmed the victory of two incumbent incumbent APC senators, Kabiru Gaya representing Kano South Senatorial District and Sen. Barau Jibril-Maliya who is representing Kano North Senatorial District.
Former Sokoto governor Wamakko wins senatorial seat for APC
A former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko has been declared winner of Sokoto North Senatorial District in last Saturday’s National Assembly elections.
Wamakko defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Ahmed Maccido with a total vote of 172,980 against Maccido’s 138,922.
Announcing the results on Monday, the Returning Officer, Prof. Atiku Yahaya, added that Wamakko won in four of the six local government areas in the district.
Similarly, Hassan Abubakar retained his seat as the member of the House of Representatives representing Sokoto North/Sokoto South Federal Constituency.
The APC candidate polled a total vote of 71,486 votes against PDP’s Abubakar Abdullahi who got 52,148 votes.
PDP plotting to cause constitutional crisis, install interim govt, FG warns
Moments after the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) declared the presidential election results as “incorrect and unacceptable” to the party, the Federal Government has warned against plans by some in the opposition to truncate the electoral process and make the February 23, 2019 elections inconclusive.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the FG accused the PDP of laying the groundwork for a constitutional crisis by unleashing what it described as the party’s “talking heads” on the public space to claim victory from Saturday’s election, even when INEC has yet to announce the result.
PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus, had earlier said the party has rejected results of the presidential elections being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming that PDP was armed with all the original results from every polling unit in the country.
Lai Mohammed said that by assuming the role of INEC through the announcement of result, the PDP has violated the Electoral Act and should face very serious consequences.
“This confirms what we said in a series of pre-election press conferences, that the PDP – realizing it cannot win a free and fair election – will do everything possible to scuttle the polls, failing which it will proceed to the next stage, which is to discredit the entire electoral process, including the result, with the ultimate aim of precipitating a constitutional crisis and pushing for an interim government,” he said.
The minister wondered why those who parade themselves as Democrats would “show such disdain for the electoral process, which is a key ingredient of democracy.”
He called on the security agencies to check the activities of the PDP in this regard by arresting and prosecuting anyone, who announces the result of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, other than INEC.
Polls result cancelled as Presiding Officer absconds with results in Kaduna
Amidst the exchange allegations of plot to influence the electoral process from the two major political parties, a presiding officer has been said to have absconded with election results of a polling unit in Kaduna.
As a result of this, the collation Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission at Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Prof. Sule Mohammed, says he cancelled the results of a polling unit.
Mohammed, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, stated this while presenting the results of the LGA at the Kaduna State INEC office on Monday.
He, however, added that he had given details of the presiding officer to the security agencies for necessary investigations.
He said, “We waited in vain after the exercise had been concluded for several hours, only to be told that the P. O. had disappeared with the results.
“We later gathered that the young man said he took the decision in order to protest the non-payment of his allowances by INEC.”
Meanwhile, the results announced by Mohammed showed that APC polled 33,786 in the LGA, while the PDP scored 8,206.
We have all the original copies of results from every polling unit in the country, PDP says
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said it is armed with all the original results from every polling unit in the country.
The National Chairman of the opposition party, Uche Secondus stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, while also rejecting the cancellation of 157, 591 votes in Nasarawa State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
According to Secondus, the figures currently being announced by INEC at the National Collation Centre in Abuja are contrary to original figures from polling units across the country.
He said: “With the INEC IT server hacked by agents of the APC to manipulate results, we can with certainty state that results from the following polling units have, for example, been tampered with, “Sarkin Dawaki ward in Doma, Doka ward in Doma local government area of Nasarawa state; Agyaragin – Tofa ward 10, 000 illegal votes added to already announced results in Wurno local government area in Sokoto state.
“Additionally, violent and destructive attacks have been meted out to officials during counting at Lafia and police barracks polling units.
“I want to categorically state that our agents at the collation centres have all original results from every polling unit, in every ward, in every Local government area in Nigeria, of which the international community is well aware, implying all results currently being announced by INEC are incorrect thus unacceptable to our party and people.
“Secondly, officials of both President Buhari’s government and the All Progressive Congress APC, working with INEC officers, have tried to alter the course of history and disenfranchise our people through the cancellation and manipulation of figures for results already announced at polling units, nationwide, in local government areas where our party, the PDP, had commanding votes.
“The ruling party’s strategy has indeed been murderous, undignified, and disrespectful of the wishes of the electorate, our people and the international community who have been in solidarity with our nation as we attempt to strengthen our democracy and its institutions,” he said.
Continuing, Secondus said the PDP is worried that “in full view of the watching world, and despite efforts by our great party and its agents to adhere to every laid down provision for the 2019 general elections, the APC in collusion with INEC have taken aggressive steps, mostly through inducements, manipulation and incarcerations, using the elements of state power including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army in particular, alongside other organizations including the Department of State Security, DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to silence the voices of our long suffering people; this is disheartening, considering the terms of the peace accord, which called for impartiality and non-partisanship by members of our security organization with constitutional roles to play during this civic exercise.
“As results trickled in on the Sunday, February 24th, 2019, clearly putting the PDP in the lead, the ruling party and President Buhari dispatched high-ranking officials to coercively influence outcomes in different geopolitical zones in the country.
“Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau was dispatched to the North West of the country, Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha was dispatched to the North East of the country; while the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami was dispatched to the South East and South-South regions.
According to the opposition party, its agents were subjected to untold harassment simply for pointing out some irregularities.
“As if these provocations are not enough, our agents and officials are constantly arrested and in many cases locked-up for complaining that card readers were not in use in many northern states, implying that all results from the northern part of the country where card readers were not used should be voided in accordance with INEC guidelines.”
The PDP chairman also appealed to the leadership of INEC to remain neutral and impartial, insisting that the PDP would have course to celebrate at the end of the entire electoral process.
IMO: Controversy as returning officer says he was forced to announce Okorocha winner of senatorial election
The announcement of Governor Rochas Okorocha as the winner of Imo West Senatorial District election is currently surrounded in controversy, as the returning officer for the district, Professor Innocent Ibeabuchi, has alleged that he was made to announce him under duress.
According to the returning officer, who stated this while announcing the result, said he was detained at the collation centre for days.
Before reeling out figures at the district collation centre in the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Office in Orlu, Ibeabuchi said he was being held “under duress” to announce the results.
“My name is Ibeabuchi Izuchukwu Innocent, a professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), the returning officer for Imo West (Orlu) senatorial zone.
“My area commander; my P.Os; the party agents here present; members of the press; ladies and gentlemen.
“I have been held hostage here for days so I’m trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress,” the returning officer said.
The returning officer however stopped after announcing nine out of 12 local government areas that made up the zone at about 9:45 p.m Sunday, insisting that he received an urgent call from the state’s Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Francis Ezeonu, to return to Owerri and continue the process Monday morning.
He was however stopped from leaving the centre by supporters of Governor Okorocha, who insisted he must announce the result of the remaining three local governments.
Ibeabuchi however yielded to pressure on Monday morning when he announced Okorocha as the winner.
AU Election Observer Mission says voters, party agents interfered in vote counting
More comments from international Observers shows that there was interference during the vote counting process by voters and party agents.
This is revealed In the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) preliminary statement on the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
Head of the AUEOM and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegne, made the disclosure while presenting the preliminary statement in company with the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Minata Samate Cessouma, in Abuja.
He stated that the mission observed that the political space has significantly broadened as evidenced by the high number of registered voters, political parties and candidates who took part in the elections.
The former Ethiopian Prime Minister further said 38 percent of voting points observed did not close at 2 pm due to the late opening, adding that voters on the queue at closing time were allowed to vote.
He also said the closing and counting procedures were adhered to in over 80 percent of the voting points observed.
“Where they were not observed, it was mainly due to inconsistencies in determining valid or invalid votes, and failure to publicly post the result forms at the polling units.
“The AUEOM observed overcrowding and interference by voters and party agents during the counting process. This situation amounts to a violation of INEC’s rules and regulations, creates tension and undue influence on the results.
“Despite the challenges noted above, Election Day operations were administered in a manner that allowed the free expression of the will of the voters,” Desalegne said.
Speaking on electoral security, the AU said, “On election day, there were reports of bomb blasts and violence in some regions. The mission notes the destruction of election materials including over four thousand Smart Card Readers, ballot boxes, and voter registers and fire incidents at INEC warehouses in Plateau and Anambra states impacted on the timely conduct of the elections.
“It further notes that the collaborative relationship between INEC and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) contributed to the generally peaceful elections.”
Concluding its declaration, the AUEOM said the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections provided an opportunity for the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
In its recommendations, the AUEOM urged political parties and candidates in the spirit of cooperation and solidarity, to uphold the commitment to peaceful elections and resolution of disputes in keeping with the two peace accords signed in December 2018 and February 2019.
The mission advised that “In case of any grievances over the election results, political parties and candidates are encouraged to use the legal instruments at their disposal to seek redress.”
While congratulating INEC for being open and cooperative with electoral observers, the mission urged INEC to expeditiously and transparently collate and announce the results of the presidential and National Assembly elections as provided for by law.
ELECTIONS: Claims of ‘area boys’ attack on Igbo traders in Lagos false- Police
Police command in Lagos State has dismissed reports that Igbo traders in Oshodi area of Lagos were attacked after failing to vote for a certain party in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The spokesperson of the command in the State, CSP Chike Oti, on Monday describes the reports as untrue.
According to him, the command received distress calls about the area but the men swiftly moved in to control the situations.
He said, “Attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news on the internet to the effect that a group of boys popularly called the ‘Area boys’ are attacking Igbo traders at Oshodi, preventing them from opening their shops.
“The command wishes to debunk the rumour in its entirety as nothing could be further from the truth.
“Although the command received distress calls from concerned Nigerians whose apprehensions were understandably heightened by disturbing rumours emanating from some social media platforms.
“The command swiftly and massively deployed its personnel drawn from various units to Oshodi and environs to assuage the feelings of residents,’’ Oti said.
He advised losers of the election to follow legal process in addressing emanating issues.
“Those celebrating should do that with modesty while those unhappy with the results have the privilege of adhering with laid down procedures of addressing their grievances as provided by the Electoral Act in the Tribunal.
“The command has made adequate arrangements to secure the venues of the Election Tribunals in the State.
He maintained that police would partner with other security agencies to rid the state of criminal minded people.
After senatorial defeat, Ajimobi thanks Oyo people, congratulates PDP’s Balogun
After losing his bid to return to the National Assembly, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), current governor of the state, has expressed gratitude to the people of Oyo State for the peaceful conduct of the general elections.
Ajimobi who lost the Oyo South Senatorial District to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Dr. Muhammed Kola Balogun, said he accepted the result.
He congratulated Balogun.
The governor said, “The results of the Oyo South Senatorial District election have been released by INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) indicating that I lost to the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) candidate.
“I hereby accept the result as announced. Although there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices, I have decided to let go in the interest of peace. I, therefore, congratulate the declared winner, Hon Kola Balogun and our APC Senators-elect, Abdulfatai Buhari and Teslim Folarin.
“If I lose the ticket and the party was able to gain, then it is nothing to feel sad about. APC has done well but we can always do better. If we won two out of the three Senatorial seats and we picked nine out of 14 federal constituency seats, then we should congratulate ourselves.
“To the teeming members and supporters of our party who came out in their thousands to show their preference for the APC, I thank and urge you to keep the faith especially as we look forward to the governorship and the House of Assembly elections.”
Breaking News.. PDP rejects presidential election results announced so far
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected results of the presidential elections being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Uche Secondus, PDP national chairman, said the results are “incorrect and unacceptable” to the party.
He said this at an ongoing press conference in Abuja.
The PDP national chairman said the party has discovered “irregularities” in results so far announced from Nasarawa state and the FCT.
He alleged that the current administration “colluded” with INEC and security agencies to manipulate results from polling units across the country.
“Our collation centres have the original results from all the polling units in the country. That is from where are going to reclaim our results,” he said.
“The results are incorrect and unacceptable to our party. Officials of the APC working with INEC have decided to alter results to affect our people. This must now be resisted by every well-meaning Nigerian.
“INEC must live up to its responsibility. They are under pressure. We have the facts and when the time comes, we begin to release them.”
Secondus said the PDP will update Nigerians “as time goes on” regarding their decisions in other states yet to be announced.
EU observer mission says 14% of essential materials were missing on election day
14th percent of essential materials were missing from polling units during the presidential and National Assembly elections on the February 23, the European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria has said.
The EU EOM stated this in Abuja on Monday, through its Chief Observer, Maria Arena, a member of the European Parliament, while presenting a preliminary report on the elections.
Arena said: “On election day, 91 EU observers saw opening, voting and closing processes at 261 polling units, and the collation of results at 94 centres across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Polling procedures were not always followed, and in 14 per cent some essential materials were missing. Positively, in almost all observations of counting, party agents received copies of results forms. However, there were problems in filling out results forms and they were not displayed in half the units observed, weakening transparency.”
Arena also explained that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, operated in a difficult environment and but was able to make a number of improvements since 2015, including the introduction of continuous accreditation and voting.
She however noted that there were serious shortcomings in INEC’s operations, advocating for the need for regular communication and transparency.
According to her, the last-minute postponement of the elections, and the delayed start to voting on February 23 placed an undue burden on voters.
The EU observers also condemned the violence that marred the elections in a few states.
INEC declares Kogi East, Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency elections inconclusive
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the announcement of the presidential election results at the national collation centre, the elections for Kogi East Senatorial District and Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency have been declared inconclusive.
INEC Returning Officer for the senatorial election, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, who made the announcement, said the declaration was as a result of widespread violence. He explained that elections did not hold in 129 polling units across the district.
While speaking at the collation centre in Idah, on Monday, he said reports from Bassa Local Government Area revealed that “a registration area with the name Mozum, which has 12 polling units refused to vote.”
Ajayi said that a new date for the re-run of the polls would be announced after necessary arrangements were made.
While voting was going on in other parts of the country on Saturday, the elections did not hold in four units in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government, as gun-wielding hoodlums invaded the polling units in Ajetachi, Etiaja, Abuja and CMML Primary School unit 005.
In Ajetachi a 19 year old student of Kogi State University, Daniel Usman, on the queue to vote was gunned down by the hoodlums who operated from a Toyota Sienna bus as they invaded the polling unit.
In Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area with 65,129 registered voters and 16,543 accredited, elections in four polling units were cancelled within Ofuloko which has 1,145 registered voters.
The local government also witnessed violent activities in Odolu town as suspected thugs, also in a Sienna bus, shot one Adebayo Adebunmi as they kidnapped Mr Friday Sani, the member representing Igalamela-Odolu constituency at the state House of Assembly.
In Bassa Local Government, out of 58,892 registered voters, 19,587 were accredited to vote: elections in nine polling units with 6,068 voters were cancelled while elections did not take place in some of the units.
BENUE: Soldiers deployed as protesters invade INEC collation centre in Makurdi
Protesters on Monday reportedly invaded the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) along Jang Road in Benue State.
A group believed to be supporters of the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), George Akume accused INEC of purported manipulation of results against the senator for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Orker Jev.
Another group who were supporting the PDP’s candidate also invaded the INEC office having perceived the intention of the commission to declare Akume the winner of the senatorial district.
It, however, took the timely intervention of soldiers to resist them from storming the collation center where results were being collated.
INEC had already declared Gabriel Suswam and Abba Moro of the PDP as winners of the other two senatorial districts.
Solders blocked the two entrances of the INEC office to stop the protesters from gaining access to the collation centre.
ELECTIONS: Moghalu happy, says YPP one Senate seat win is ‘no small feat’
The performance of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) at the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections has been commended by its Presidential Candidate Prof. Kingsley Moghalu.
In a statement issued on Monday, Moghalu who expressed his disappointment over the failure of card readers in his ward during last Saturday’s polls commended his party and supporters for “changing the narrative” of Nigeria’s political history.
He said, the party, whose candidate Ifeanyi Ubah has been able to clinch the Anambra South senatorial seat, defeating candidates from the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Grand Alliance with 87, 081 votes is no small feat.
The statement by Moghalu reads thus in part, “As we await the official announcement of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, I want to express my profound appreciation to all of you who have supported my candidacy for your courage and conviction in our journey to a new and different Nigeria.
“I am proud that with your support, my contesting for the office of the President and our issue-based strategic campaign over the past 12 months have fundamentally altered the narrative in Nigerian politics going forward. This in itself is no small achievement.
PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Buhari In early lead
Results so far collated and announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows the incumbent president and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muhammadu Buhari in an early lead from elections held on Saturday.
Buhari who is seeking a second term in office has taken the lead against his major rival candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, who is following closely behind.
Results of the elections so far announced by some Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in some states, as well as at the National Collation Centre in Abuja puts Buhari ahead of the other contestants for the highest political seat in the country.
From the official figures announced by INEC, of the five states announced, the APC is leading with 144,539 votes.
See the differences below:
Ekiti…….65199 APC
Osun…..10257 APC
Abuja….107773 PDP
Kwara….170800 APC
Nasarawa….6056 APC
SENATORIAL POLL: PDP candidate wins Kaduna South election
Candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna South senatorial district, Senator Danjuma La’ah, has emerged winner of last Saturday’s National Assembly election.
He defeated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and deputy governor of the state, Barnabas Bala Bantex.
According to the result announced by the INEC returning officer, Suleiman Yashim, in Kafanchan on Monday, La’ah polled a total of 268,923 votes to defeat Bantex who scored 133,287 votes.
Sen Shehu Sani loses, rejects election result, alleges irregularities, massive rigging
Senator Shehu Sani, the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) candidate for the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections has rejected the outcome of the polls.
Speaking to newsmen at his residence in Kaduna, Sani who was gunning for the Kaduna Central Senatorial district seat alleged that the elections were full of irregularities and massive rigging.
The result presented by the Returning Officers, Messrs Bashir Abubakar, Lawal Ahmad, and Abdulfatai Imrana revealed that the All Progressives Congress candidate (APc) Uba Sani, was victorious in the polls.
The election outcome declared by the two returning officers are as follows;
Kajuru Local Government
APC – 7, 872
PDP – 26, 918
PRP – 2456
Giwa Local Government
APC – 41, 221
PDP – 12, 912
PRP – 1480
Birnin Gwari Local Government
APC – 30, 673
PDP – 9, 855
PRP – 2, 260
Igabi local government
APC – 87, 607
PDP – 23, 711
PRP – 5, 603
Former Gombe gov Goje clinches Senatorial seat for 3rd time
Alhaji Danjuma Goje of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has for the third time clinched the Senatorial District seat for Gombe Central, following the just concluded presidential and National Assembly polls.
The former governor was declared winner after results were released by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC two days after the elections.
Announcing the results in Kumo, headquarters of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe on Monday, the the Returning Officer, Dr Musa Dahiru, said Goje polled 110,116 votes to defeat his closest rival, Alhaji Abubakar Nono of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 39,760 votes.
Other results made available by INEC showed that Alhaji Umaru Lamido of PRP, got 8397 votes; Aliyu Adamu of ASD , got 155 votes and Salisu Ahmed of CAP, got 71 votes.
Others were Ibrahim Adamu of DA, with 79 votes; Adamu Baka of DPP, 224 votes; Haruna Musa of HDP, 51 votes ; Abubakar Goni of SDP ,349 votes and Adiya Baka of UPN,27 votes.
ANAMBRA: PDP’s Ekwunife sacks APGA’s Umeh from Senate
Senator Victor Umeh has joined the list of serving senators who will not be returning to the Senate following the outcome of last Saturday’s National Assembly election.
Umeh of the Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which is the ruling party in Anambra State ruling party, and currently represents Anambra Central at the Senate, will have his seat taken over by Senator Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Announcing the result of senatorial election held on February 23, the returning officer for the senatorial district, Professor Charles Ogu, said Ekwunife polled a total vote of 18,412 to defeat Umeh who got 14,403 votes.
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sylvester Okonkwo, came third with 1,144 votes.
Umeh with the result has joined the growing list of serving senators who will not return to the hallowed chamber.
OGUN: Ex-Gov Osoba’s son beats Abiola’s daughter, others to win House of Reps seat
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared Olumide Osoba, son of former governor of Ogun state, Segun Osoba as the winner of the House of Representatives seat for Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode federal constituency in the state.
To emerge the winner of the polls, Olumide who vied for the post under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) overcame his closest opponent Micky Kazzim of the Allied Peoples Movement with 33,538 votes.
Results revealed by INEC Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Ismaila Salami showed Kazzim, a serving member of House of Representatives got 14,903 votes to come second while the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party came third with 14,313 votes.
The results by INEC which was declared at the collation centre located at Unity high school, Ago-Ika, Abeokuta also showed that one of the daughters of MKO Abiola, Rinsola who contested on the platform of the Action Democratic Party polled 10,834 to place fourth.
2019 elections a setback from 2015 polls, Situation Room tells INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been slammed by a civil society organisation over the poor management of the presidential and National Assemby elections staged last Saturday.
The electoral body was criticised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room which demanded an immediate independent inquiry into the poor performance of INEC during the polls.
According to Clement Nwankwo, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener, NCSSR, “the election has been a step back from the 2015 general elections.”
Mr Nwankwo also called on the electoral body and security agencies to ensure accountability for acts inimical to the integrity and credibility of the polls.
“Situation Room is however disappointed by the serious lapses observed with the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday 23 February 2019. Despite the elections being conducted against a background of an earlier postponement on February 16, 2019, on grounds of logistics challenges, it still suffered from major logistic lapses.
“Additionally, the election was marred by violence, security lapses and instances of overreach. Other challenges include compromised INEC officials as well as partisan security operatives. Conduct of major political parties was disappointing”, it said.
He said the organisation got reports of incidents “involving the military in Rivers State and in another incident military personnel obstructing the passage of electorate into their polling units.”
Mr Nwankwo added that the, “Situation Room notes that INEC has not managed the election efficiently and significant shortcomings have been recorded. The election has been a step back from the 2015 General Election and actions should be taken to identify what has gone wrong and what can be corrected. Situation Room urges voters and stakeholders to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of human lives and to seek legal redress were aggrieved.
“In light of the above-identified issues, the Situation Room recommends that: There should be an independent inquiry into the poor management of the electoral process by INEC with a view to determining the underlining causes for logistics lapses with a view of itemising operational deficiency that led to the initial postponement of elections on February 16 and logistical challenges with the rescheduled elections on February 23 2019.
SENATORIAL POLL: Gov Ajimobi loses to PDP
Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s hope of retiring from Government House into the Senate has crashed, following his defeat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Kola Balogun, for Oyo South senatorial district.
The Oyo State governor, who ran on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was clearly defeated by Balogun with a vote difference of 13,502.
The PDP candidate scored a total vote of 105,720 to defeat Ajimobi, who poled 92,217 votes.
The returning officer of the district, Wole Akinsola, announced the result on Monday morning at the INEC collation centre located in Ibadan North LGA.
Of the 10 local government areas in the senatorial district, while Balogun won in six, Governor Ajimobi won in three.
Tinubu wins Lagos senatorial seat, again
The senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Remi Tinubu has again won the election to return to the Senate.
More details later….
APC’s Jide Jimoh retains Mainland Rep seat
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, Mr Jide Jimoh has been declared winner of Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency after the just concluded polls.
According to results made available by the returning officer of the election Prof. Iyiola Oni, Jimoh garnered a total of 22,073 votes to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party, Tajudeen Agoro who got 16,834 votes.
Oni, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos said; “At the end of the exercise, Jimoh Abdulraheem Olajide of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,”
Other results showed that Sherifat Ogbola of Accord Party scored 40 votes, Balogun Usman of AD polled 88 votes, Olugbenga Shobowale of ADC polled 212 votes while Olaide Abiodun got only 5 votes.
Atiku on standby to re-enact June 12 if results don’t favour him, Buhari’s team claims
All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation has accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of plans to throw Nigeria into crisis should he not be declared winner of the Saturday presidential election.
APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Festus Keyamo, who made this allegation in a statement Sunday night, claimed that Atiku wants to obtain an exparte (one-sided) court order stopping the announcement of the Presidential Election results.
According to Keyamo, the decision was reached at a meeting Atiku held with a group of senior lawyers, allegedly instructing them to prepare and file the processes in court this Monday, February 25, 2019.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was clear in his brief to the lawyers that he must be declared the President-elect of Nigeria by hook or crook, whether he wins or loses, or else he would drag the country down with him.
“Nigerians would recall that the June 12, 1993 debacle that brought Nigeria to its knees and caused our country international isolation was precipitated by a court injunction stopping the announcement of Presidential Election results.
“The court order was obtained by a certain Association for Better Nigeria headed then by one Chief Authur Nzeribe. This is exactly what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who claims to be a Democrat, wants to foist on this nation again because of his inordinate ambition.
“We are also informed that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar confided in those around him that his desperation is borne out of the fact that he has made profound commitments to his local and international sponsors regarding the sale of our national assets like NNPC and others to them that he cannot just afford to let them down at this time, having assured them that there was no way he would not win the presidential election. However, results trickling in from around the country have dampened his optimism.
“This has prompted his instructions to his campaign organization, especially his spokespersons to continue to issue statements, making false claims of ‘victory’ when there is no single scientific basis for such claims. For instance, as brazen as they are to claim victory, they have not pointed at one single presidential election result in any single unit in the whole country where they scored a particular figure with a result sheet duly signed by their agent that was subsequently changed at a Collation Centre.
“All we hear are sound bites of Atiku’s spokespersons, huffing and puffing about winning the election just to whip up public sentiments to prepare the ground to reject the results when they are eventually released by INEC.
“For us our position is very simple and straight forward: we wish to allow the legal process of declaring presidential election results to take place peacefully and in an orderly fashion. President Buhari is not desperate, but is very confident of victory.
“We also note their attempt to discredit the entire elections by certain isolated incidents of violence in some parts of the country. For instance, Lagos State that has more than 13,000 voting points recorded a very unfortunate, despicable and condemnable act of violence in one voting point that was clearly not perpetuated by any known or accredited member of our party. Yet the PDP has cried out to the world about ‘burning of ballot papers in most parts the country’.
“We therefore wish to advice anyone who wishes to aid and encourage Alhaji Atiku Abubakar along this infamous part to remember the June 12 debacle. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar may also wish to learn a lesson or two from President Muhammadu Buhari who resorted to the court of law in 2003 when Atiku, along with President Olusegun Obasanjo, ‘defeated’ him in the presidential race in that year in controversial circumstances. President Buhari, as a true statesman and democrat, never resorted to underhand tactics to declare himself President,” the statement read.
After 4-yr absence, Elumelu returns to House of Reps
Mr Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner for Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency election into the House of Representatives) in Delta State.
Elumelu who returns after a four year absence was declared the winner by INEC by a wide margin after he defeated other strong contenders to clinch a federal constituency seat once again.
The returning officer, Dr. Ignatius Ezoem, while announcing the the results said Mr Ndidi Elumelu polled 84,615 votes to defeat his opponent, Mr Paul Adingwupu of the All Progressives Congress, APC who scored 11,086 votes at last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election.
Recall that Elumelu was elected a Member, House of Representatives in 2007 and served in the Sixth Assembly, he was re-elected into the House of Representatives by his people in 2011 and in 2015 he contested for the governorship of Delta State which he lost.
He was also mentioned in the controversy that surrounded the subsidy scam, and the House probe into the issue, whereafter he was accused of having collected bribes to doctor, or kill the report.
Accept election results ‘in good faith”, ECOWAS mission tells Nigerians
Nigerians have been urged to accept “in good faith” the outcome of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections staged on Saturday across the country.
The call was made by the Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission to Nigeria and former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf during a briefing on the mission’s preliminary declaration on the elections in Abuja on Sunday night.
According to Sirleaf, the just concluded polls were largely peaceful and transparent as voters were able to freely exercise their civic rights.
She said; “The mission commends the general public and the voters for their patience and determination to exercise their civic responsibility.
“The Mission calls on the INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) and other stakeholders to approach the final phases of the electoral process with fairness and transparency until the announcement of the final results.
“The mission appeals to party leaders, candidates, their supporters and the press to show tolerance and restraint leading up to, and after the announcement of the results.
“In the spirit of the commitment made in the Peace Accord of 13 February, the mission urges the candidates to accept the verdict of the polls in good faith, and in case of complaints, to seek redress by legal means solely.”
Jigawa Deputy Gov clinches Senatorial seat
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Mr Ibrahim Hadejia as the winner of the Jigawa North East senatorial election.
According to results made available by INEC, Mr Hadejia who contested the poll on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the seat with a total of 184,185 votes.
The results made public by the returning officer, Professor Ahmad Garko, showed that Mr Hadejia’s closest opponent and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ubali Shitu, scored 103,039 votes.
The returning officer also declared some results for the House of Representatives election in the state with Saidu Miga of the APC scoring 55,241 votes while Tafida Abubakar (PDP) polled 28,707 votes.
Ibrahim Kamfani (APC) won the Hadejia /Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal constituency seat with 70,388 votes, as against Jibrin Babangida (PDP) who scored 34,143 votes.
Okorocha is senator-elect, INEC declares
is senator-elect, INEC declares
The governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha who is the senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the Imo West Senatorial election.
Prof Francis Ibeawuchi, Returning Officer, who revealed the results on Monday at the collation centre in Orlu Local Government Area disclosed that a total of 97,762 votes were recorded for Okorocha against his two major contenders.
Also, 63,117 votes were recorded for the first runner up Jones Onyereri of the Peoples Democratic Party while 30,923 votes were recorded for senator Osita Izunaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
The outcome of the result however sparked disappointments from PDP supporters who rejected it while celebrations kicked off at the premises of the INEC office.
N’ASSEMBLY ELECTION: Ex-Minority Leader, Akpabio may join Saraki as big losers
Former governor of Akwa Ibom State and ex- Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio is apparently getting the shock of his life, following the outcome of the Saturday National Assembly elections in his senatorial zone.
In eight out of the 10 local government areas released so far in his senatorial zone, Akpabio, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, had lost in all of them.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who is a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Christopher Ekpenyong won in all of them in results released by INEC.
Results yet to be announced in Akpabio’s senatorial zone is that of his country home, Essien Udim LGA and a neigbouring Ikot Ekpene LGA which are still pending.
Also, candidates of the PDP for the House of Representative elections won in all the eight LGA results released.
If the trend continues, Akpabio will be joining Senate President Bukola Saraki, and current Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, who lost in their bids to return to the Senate in Kwara and Ekiti states respectively.
Result of the senatorial election so far released are:
Etim Ekpo LGA
PDP – 6,603
APC – 2,671
Abak LGA
PDP – 10,926
APC – 9,787
Ika LGA,
PDP – 9,257
APC – 4,152
Ukanafun LGA
PDP – 25,952
APC – 14,452
Oruk Anam LGA
PDP – 25,123
APC – 10,534
Obot Akara LGA
PDP – 13,184
APC – 6,229
Okono LGA
PDP – 7,951
APC – 3,083
Ini LGA
PDP – 13, 302
APC – 5,897
Sen. Oduah retains Anambra North Senatorial seat
Former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah has been declared winner of the Anambra North Senatorial District by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to results made public by the electoral body, the Returning Officer, Prof. Hugh Maduka, said Oduah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 113,989 votes to defeat 20 other candidates.
Prof. Maduka also revealed that Mr Emmanuel Chinedu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) came second with 59,937 votes while Mr Nelson Onubogu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged third with 11,995 votes.
He also added that Mr Chinedu Ekwealor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came fourth with 1,024 votes.
Reacting to her victory, Oduah promised to sustain her quality representation at the Red Chambers, said “it is a duty to further improve the livelihood of the people of my senatorial district.” She commended INEC on the conduct of the poll, but called for an improvement in the voting process.
“The process is evolving and I believe that sometimes in the near future, we are going to perfect the electoral process, especially where we can all vote from wherever we are. “That will be the ultimate for INEC,” Oduah added.
Ekweremadu returns to Senate for record fifth time
Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu has won the National Assembly election held on Saturday to continue as a lawmaker in the Senate.
Ekweremadu who represents Enugu West Senatorial district has been at the federal upper legislative chamber since 2003.
Ekweremadu polled 86,088 votes to beat his closest rival, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 15,187 votes.
The Returning Officer, Prof Douglas Nwagbo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) announced the results in Awgu on Sunday.
Reacting to the victory on his twitter handle, the lawmaker said “I was again returned in a landslide victory by the people of Enugu West. I polled a total of 86,088 votes to beat my closest rival, Mrs. Ibekaku-Nwagwu, of APC, who polled 15,187 votes. I’m not taking this for granted. I indeed feel very humbled and I give all the glory to God.”
KWARA: APC clinches all senatorial seats
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all three senatorial seats for Kwara State in the just concluded National Assembly elections held on Saturday.
According to the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the party won in Kwara South, Kwara North and Kwara Central Senatorial Districts.
In Kwara Central, Ibrahim Oloriegbe beat the Senate president Bukola Saraki while Umar Sadiq, of the APC was declared winner of Kwara North Senatorial District seat having polled 98,170 votes to defeat the PDP which polled 33, 364.
In Kwara South Senatorial District, Lola Ashiru, of the APC, also emerged winner with 89,704 beating Rafiu Ibrahim of the PDP who got 45,176 votes.
Capital Oil boss, Ifeanyi Ubah, wins senatorial race
Chairman/CEO of Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Uba has been declared winner of the Anambra South senatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to results by INEC, the oil magnate who contested on the platform of the Young Progressives Party defeated the incumbent Senator of the area Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his younger brother of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clinch the seat.
INEC’s declaration of Ifeanyi Ubah as the Senator-elect of the district now ends what the people of the area describe as “Uba brothers’ senatorial dynasty”.
Recall that the Uba family had held sway on the senatorial seat of the area since 1999 with the eldest of them all, Dr Ugochukwu Uba being the first to occupy the seat; followed by Andy Uba.
To emerge the winner, Ifeanyi Uba also defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance Nicholas Ukachukwu who had defeated Bianca Ojukwu in the APGA’s primary to become the parties Senatorial candidate in last Saturday’s election.
Gov Dankwambo loses senatorial bid to APC rival
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has lost his bid to go the Senate after losing Saturday’s senatorial election for Gombe North to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer for the senatorial zone, Professor Umar Gurama of the Federal University, Kushere, the APC candidate polled a total of 152,546 while Dankwambo scored 88,016.
The governor contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As INEC sets to announce results, APC again warns EU, US, France to shun interference
Ahead of the official announcement of the presidential election results, Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Party (APC), has warned the United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria, the European (EU) Mission and the government of France to shun interfering in the country’s affairs.
In a statement released by its Situation Room on Sunday night, the APC said “Foreign missions are hereby warned to desist from further interference and engaging elements that seek to destabilize the peace of Nigeria.
The statement read further, “Our attention has been drawn to the trend of international foreign missions and observer groups buying into the false propaganda and fake results being tweeted and put out by the opposition party and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“We note that the EU Mission, United States Embassy in Nigeria particularly and even for a brief moment the President of France, has been involved in this unfortunate activity despite the call of well meaning countries like China and Russia, that Nigeria’s elections should not be interfered with.
“Despite this trend, Nigeria’s Intelligence Agencies having penetrated the plans of nefarious elements to make Nigeria ungovernable despite the low level of violence compared to previous years, is now monitoring channels where Mr. Abubakar and his party are putting out fake results and the situation is under control.
“The independence and sovereignty of African Nations should and must be respected, the party said.”
The APC warning may have come as response to call by a ranking member of the U.S House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Rep Chris Smith, on INEC to announce Saturday’s election without any delay.
He claimed there have been pressures to tamper with official results in some states and cautioned against such.
In Smith’s statement, which Per Second News in Washington, obtained, the lawmaker called on U.S Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo to hold officials of Nigeria election saboteurs accountable.
He said, “Well-placed sources report that in some states and localities including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia —INEC Commissioners are receiving enormous pressure to alter poll results. This must not be allowed to happen, the U.S lawmaker said.
“I also ask Secretary Pompeo to hold accountable anyone who seeks to cheat the Nigerian people.”
INEC had on Sunday postponed announcement of the election results till today (Monday).
This is the second time within two weeks the ruling party is calling on the foreign bodies to mind the business, and not interfere in the elections matters of Nigeria.
It would also be recalled, that Governor Nasir El’Rufai had sparked controversy when he said during an interview that any foreigner who interfered in the country’s election would return to their home country in body bags.
Thugs destroy election materials in Nasarawa, invade police barracks
Unrest and violence continues to take its toll on some states within the country over the elections, as hoodlums invaded a police barracks polling unit in Lafia at about 10pm on Saturday where the first lady of Nasarawa state, Salamatu Almakura was casting her vote.
This came in after Yakubu Kwanta, former local government chairman in Nasarawa state was beaten by angry youths for trying to steal ballot boxes but he later denied accusations.
Senator Suleiman Adokwe, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone, and senate committee Chairman on Information said he was attacked at St Williams Primary School, Lafia the collation centre for Gayam ward.
The senator disclosed that the incident happened after information reached him by his agents concerning an alleged plan by some government officials to cart away ballot boxes and also to influence the results of the polls.
“When my agent at the Gayam Ward Collation Centre, Lafia, called to intimate me at about 1pm of the presence of some state government officials there, I decided to go and see things for myself. “On sighting me, some hoodlums around the centre started shouting that I should go away, that I was not from Lafia and as such I did not belong there.
“Before I could understand what was happening, they started rushing at me with clubs, stones, and spears. It took divine intervention for me to escape.”
He expressed disappointment concerning the rate at which the electoral process was going in the state and called on the Police to act accordingly. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bola Longe, confirmed that the senator called to inform him of the incident.
The incident forced Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials, journalists and others to scurry for safety while security operatives were left helpless.
Amosun wins Ogun Central senatorial seat
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has been declared winner of the Ogun Central senatorial district election.
The governor, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, polled a total of 88,110 votes to emerge winner.
PDP asks INEC to stick with results from polling units, alleges plot to alter polls for Buhari
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure it announces results already delivered at the polling units, cautioning that Nigerians will not accept any figures except what were declared and collated from the polling units.
The party also claimed that it was aware that the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency has been mounting pressure on INEC and dispatching officials to change results in Rivers, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Bauchi, Cross River, Borno, Yobe and Edo states among others, in a frenzy to “allocate fictitious figures for the defeated President Buhari.”
PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated this in a statement released Sunday evening.
“Pathetically, the Buhari Presidency is also threatening the South-East state governors to change results and carve a 25 per cent for Mr. President, a scheme that has already failed.
“In Bauchi State, we are aware of the plots to move thump-printed ballot papers and fabricated results from Bauchi to Dass Local Government Area to upturn PDP’s victory in the results already delivered and announced at the polling units in the area.
“This is why the electoral officials have been delaying moving the results for final collation and announcement. If this plot fails, the APC plans to void the results for Dass.
“In spite of all these, our party assures Nigerians that the hope for a new government led by Atiku Abubakar, is already manifest.
“Our agents and indeed, Nigerians, already have the results as delivered at the polling units and are not ready to accept anything to the contrary. President Buhari and the APC should therefore quietly come to terms with the fact that they have been defeated.
“The PDP therefore cautions INEC to respects the laws and electoral guideline by upholding and declaring results from the polling units as expressed by Nigerians on Saturday,” the statement read.
NASARAWA: Ex-council boss escapes lynching over ballot box snatching
Yakubu Kwanta, former local government chairman in Nasarawa state, escaped lynching on Saturday after being accused by angry youths for making attempts to snatch a ballot box.
The futile attempt which occurred in Buhari polling unit in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa state saw the accused rescued after the intervention of security agents.
This was confirmed in a statement by Philip Gyunka, senator representing Nasarawa North senatorial district in the National Assembly, who expressed disappointment and described Kwanta’s action as unlawful and morally wrong. He said that such act only slows down the advancement of the country.
Kwanta the accused, however, reacted to the allegations made against him saying it was only targeted at tarnishing his image, denying his involvement in the ballot box snatching.
Meanwhile, political thugs raided a polling unit at a Police barracks where wife of the governor, Salamatu Almakura, was casting her vote in unit 026. According to sources, the young thugs were reported to have destroyed all elections materials at 10p.m. Saturday while Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials, journalists and others fled for safety.
Retired customs boss in PDP defeats serving APC Rep to win senate seat in Osun
A retired Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Custom Service who is also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Chief Francis Fadahunsi has been announced as the winner of Osun East Senatorial district.
Fadahunsi defeated an incumbent member of the House of Representatives, JUN OLA Famurewa of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).
PDP got 115,893 while the APC got 105,720.
The result was announced late Sunday night by the Returning Officer, Professor Adegbehingbe Olayinka Oladiran.
Melaye returns to Senate, defeats Smart Adeyemi in Kogi West
Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) representing Kogi West Senatorial district has secured a return to the National Assembly having defeated his closest rival, Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Saturday’s National Assembly election.
Melaye got a total of 85,395 votes to defeat Adeyemi who scored 66,902 votes.
The senator won in 6 out of the 7 local government areas in the senatorial district.
The results are as follows:
Lokoja LGA
PDP = 24576
APC = 18800
Yagba East LGA
PDP = 8638
APC = 5077
Mopa Amuro LGA
PDP = 5112
APC = 3658
YAGBA WEST LGA
PDP 8942
APC 6799
IJUMU LGA
PDP 11,749
APC 8,517
KABBA BUNU LGA
APC 8,971
PDP14, 756
Kogi LGA
APC 15,728
PDP 11,622
OYO: Ajimobi’s fate hangs in the balance as PDP wins all 4 LGs so far announced
The ambition of Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi may be hanging in the balance, as the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kola Balogun has won all the four local governments so far declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Ajimobi, is seeking to return to the Red Chamber to represent Oyo South, a seat he held before becoming governor in 2011.
According to the returning officer, Wole Akinsola, Ajimobi polled 8,916 votes in Ibadan Northwest local government areas while the PDP candidate got 12,144. In Ibarapa North and Ibarapa East local governments, Ajimobi polled 5,837 and 6,951 while PDP’s Balogun polled 8,083 and 9,982.
For Ibadan Also, Ibadan North local government the governor polled a total of 17,946 votes against the PDP candidate’s 18,690 votes.
The returning officer however said results from three polling units are missing in Ibadan North. They are PU 001 in Ward 008 and Agbowo Ward (Ward 012) in PU 025.
The returning officer also disclosed that the third unit is Unit 019 on Taiwo street in Sango area of Ibadan, where the presiding officer was said to have absconded.
Collation of results from the remaining five local government areas are still ongoing.
APC’S Orji Kalu defeats PDP’s Ohuabunwa to win Abia North senatorial seat
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Chief Orji Uzor Kalu the winner of the senatorial election for Abia North, Abia State.
Orji, a former Governor of Abia state, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, polled a total 31,203 votes to defeat the incumbent Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who polled 20,801 votes.
The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief David Ogba, polled 11,410 votes to place third.
Kalu was declared winner on Sunday by the returning officer for the senatorial election, Dr. Charles Anumodu.
It would be recalled that the former governor has a pending case of corruption running into billions naira hanging on his neck. The case has however remained stuck since he defected to the ruling APC.
However, Ohuabunwa, in a statement by his Campaign Organization, rejected the result of the election.
The statement signed by Mr. Ukpai Ukairo stated that there has not been a return on the Abia North senatorial election, adding that the true position was that results were still being collated.
“It has come to our knowledge that INEC operatives in their haste to arrive at a pr-determined conclusion manipulated the electoral process to the shock of all well meaning patriots who believe in democracy.
“In this respect, it is tragic that INEC could conduct an election without the issuance of form EC40G, a form used to capture cancelled votes and places where there were no voting.
“In the circumstances of the above, we demand that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Abia State should direct the Returning Officer of the Abia North Senatorial Election to make requisite declaration in accordance with the dictates of Rule 17E(e) of the guidelines for the conduct of elections issued by INEC by cancelling the elections completely”, Ohuabunwa said.
BAUCHI: Dogara wins Reps seat for record fourth time
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has been declared the winner of the House of Representatives election for Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State.
The Returning Officer for the Zwall Collation Centre, Professor Ahmed Abdulhamid made the declaration on Sunday in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.
Dogara, who contested for the seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled a total of 73,609 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 50, 078 votes.
With his victory, Speaker Dogara will be returning to Green Chamber of the National Assembly for the fourth time.
Speaker on his victory via his twitter handle, Dogara said, “I dedicate this victory to God first and our ever peace loving & resilient people of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency who defied all odds to return me to @HouseNGR for an unprecedented 4th term. By their uncommon courage, sacrifice and patience in the face.
“of unwarranted provocation, threat & intimidation & attempts to subvert their will by undemocratic forces, they have made history today in Nigeria by breaking a jinx that has plagued the @HouseNGR since 1st Assembly as no presiding officer (both Speaker & Deputy Speaker) has ever been re-elected to the House. Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa has also set a record as the first in Bauchi state to return a member to @HouseNGR for fourth consecutive term.
“Thanks to many friends and supporters who contributed immensely in making this history possible. Together we shall continue to defy evil and make Nigeria work again”.
Saraki fails to return to Senate, loses all four local governments to APC’s Oloriegbe
Senate President, Bukola Saraki has conceded all the four local government areas in Kwara Central senatorial district to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Dr. Yahaya Oloriegbe.
Saraki who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), got a total of 68,994 votes while Oloriegbe polled 123,808 votes across the four LGAs.
A further breakdown reveals that Oloriegbe got 15 932 against Saraki’s 11,252 votes in Asa local government while in Ilorin East, Oloriegbe got 30,014 and Saraki got 14,654.
In Ilorin west,which is the stronghold of Saraki, Oloriegbe had 51,531 votes to defeat the senate president with 30,075 votes.
In Ilorin South where the APC senatorial candidate floored the Senate President with 26,331 votes as against 13, 031 votes for the Senate President.
The defeat of Saraki, which has for years been the political overlord of Kwara State, signals the end of an era, which started with his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, in the politics of the state.
It is also an indication of the efficacy of the O To Ge (Enough is Enough) movement in the state that seeks to extricate the state from the overbearing lordship of the Saraki political hegemony in Kwara State.
Below is the break down of the official result as announced by INEC:
Ilorin west
APC 51,531
PDP 30,075
Ilorin East
APC 30,014
PDP 14,654
Ilorin South
APC26,331
PDP 13,013
Asa
APC 15932
PDP 11252
Amid claims of arrest by DSS, PDP demands immediate release of Buba Galadima
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, demanded that the Department of State Services, DSS release the detained Alhaji Buba Galadima, who was arrested by the operatives of the secret police on Sunday.
The party made the demand in a statement signed by its national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus on Sunday.
Secondus, who condemned the arrest, insisted that Galadima did not commit any offence to warrant his arrest.
“I call for the immediate release of Mr. Buba Galadima by the Department of State Security, even as I remind the DSS and other security agencies, that their oath of allegiance was sworn to Nigeria and not to the All Progressive Congress or President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We as a party condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms. Buba Galadima is a patriot. His patriotism has been previously and strongly highlighted by various Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari.
“What crime has he committed? I answer my own question and say none. Mr. Galadima is constitutionally guaranteed a right of freedom of speech and freedom after the speech.
“The nation is currently boiling with the deaths caused by thugs of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Not one of these thugs has been arrested by the DSS. The nation was embarrassed by drone images of bullion vans laden with cash driving into the home of the National Leader of the APC and no action has been taken by the law enforcement authorities. Yet a patriot and pro-democracy activist is arrested.
“We cannot be hoodwinked by the puppeteering of the DSS by the APC. It is obviously no coincidence that the APC Presidential Campaign Council called for the arrest of Mr. Galadima at 12 noon today (Sunday the 24th of February, 2019) and the arrest was duly effected by the DSS an hour later,” Secondus said in the statement.
Continuing, Secondus vowed that Nigerians will not be cowed by the Development
“Nigeria will not be cowed. We have voted for democracy and as a nation, we will not be taken back to Egypt by the discredited blame centred anti democratic forces who have turned a once thriving economy into the world headquarters for extreme poverty”, he said.
The spokesperson for the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo had earlier called for the arrest of Galadima in a statement, accusing him of a plan to “release fake presidential result ahead of INEC, plans to mobilise hoodlums for choreographed protests.”
He said, “Our information is that they aim to create crises and confusion that will lead to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar claiming victory in a day or two from today ahead of the official announcement of the results by INEC.”
Keyamo added, “Then, what would follow will be some carefully choreographed protests by pockets of hoodlums in some parts of the country.
“The ultimate aim is to curry the sympathy of our foreign friends and push us to the Venezuela situation.”
There has been no official confirmation of the arrest.
PDP’s call for INEC to declare Atiku winner of presidential poll, ‘mockery’ of democracy- APC
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for asking the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the presidential election held on Saturday.
The ruling party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu on Sunday, also described the call as provocative and reckless, adding that it an unwarranted strike against the democracy and Nigerians.
The statement reads: “The press statement dated February 24, 2019 by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an unwarranted strike against democracy and the people of Nigeria.
“The PDP in that press statement, recklessly calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to arbitrarily name its candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar the winner of the presidential election.
“This call is shameful and alarming. Unwilling to wait for INEC the constituted legal authority to complete its task, the PDP seeks a short cut by false and premature claims of victory. This cannot stand.
“Our nation is trying to perfect its democracy, not turn it into a mockery. Sadly, this objective is lost to the PDP.
“The PDP’s guiding principle is distilled to the following; because they want something, then they should get it. What they use to guide themselves actually blinds them instead. Because they want the presidency so badly that they have engaged in all manner of misconduct and spared little cost to achieve their aim, they now believe that they are entitled to claim victory notwithstanding the vote and will of the people.
“But this is not the way of democracy. Democracy means the people choose for themselves not that the PDP chooses for them. That may have been the way in the past when they engineered and kidnapped elections to achieve their desired end notwithstanding the true will of the people.
“Thankfully, those days are gone and gone forever. These elections are supposed to be democratic exercises not a platform for the PDP to impose their selfish designs on a hopeful nation.
“The PDP should honour and follow the sovereign will and sober dignity of the Nigerian people. The people patiently waited the additional week for Election Day to come.
“The vast majority of people again exercised patience as they peacefully voted on Election Day. Unfortunately, isolated incidents of violence took place.
“We are deeply saddened by the violence and disruption that did occur. Nigerians died yesterday and that should never have happened and should never happen again during an election of any kind in our land. Their deaths are needless tragedies that mar what was otherwise a celebration of our maturing democracy.
“Instead of the discordant and provocative statement it released, the PDP should be appealing for peace and for INEC to diligently and thoroughly perform the vital task assigned it.
“Curiously, the majority of violent incidents and reports of electoral malpractice emanate from states which the PDP controls. It appears the PDP just cannot break from their old ways.
“The PDP press statement is but a continuation of the sordid games that party has mastered. While all evidence points to the misconduct of their people, they make outlandish and false claims against the APC. This is but the typical modus operandi of a master swindler. They seek to distract the public eye from their own wrongs, by falsely accusing the APC of the very things they had conspired to set in motion months before this election even took place.
“From trying to falsify results on the ground to attempts at hacking the INEC software, they are willing to say and do anything to obtain victory, no matter how tainted by the wrongs they commit.
“For our part, the APC has governed and campaigned as we believed was right. Because of this, we are content to await the verdict of the people.
“We also believe that only INEC has the authority to announce election results. What the PDP is trying to do, by claiming without any factual basis that Atiku has won, is usurp INEC’s constitutional authority.
“Moreover, PDP’s words are rash eruptions that may incite needless violence and unrest. Thus, we ask the PDP to live up to the status it claims for itself as a large political party. The PDP should behave more responsibly instead of acting the role of spoiled children who threaten to upset the dinner table if not fed their preferred meal.
“The APC asks and encourages INEC to do its job as mandated by law and by good conscience and not by the screams of those who do not fully believe in these ideals.
“We hope INEC can begin to release results soon and do so in a way that protects and honours the vote of every Nigerian who cast a ballot.
“We also ask our members and supporters to exercise patience and conduct themselves peacefully. Democracy is a contest of issues and visions. Not one of muscle and fighting. Let there be no more violence among us. Remember that we are all Nigerians and belong to the same national family despite our political differences.
“On this day, may democracy and sovereign will of the electorate reign. There is no worthy substitute for this despite the malign protestations of the PDP. If Nigeria is to stand for something, let it be democracy and let it be today so that we assure for ourselves fruits of a brighter future.”
INEC postpones collation of results
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of the Presidential Election results till 11am on Monday.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this Sunday evening while formally declaring open the National Collation Centre.
“From today, the collation centre is hereby declared open until the final determination of the 2019 presidential election. During the course of proceedings, there may be interludes or adjournments and these will be announced by the Chief Returning Officer.
“At the moment no State Collation Officer has is around. Some of them are expected tonight. Accordingly, proceedings are hereby adjourned. We will reconvene by 11am tomorrow Monday 25th February for the collation of results”, he declared.
INEC had earlier announced that it would begin the announcement of results on Sunday evening, saying that the process had been concluded in Ekiti and the State Collation Officer was being expected in Abuja.
“Meanwhile, collation of results from yesterday’s elections continue nationwide. Almost all the states have concluded RA Collation and are now collating results at the LGA level. Some have commenced state level collation. We expect the state collation officers for the Presidential elections to start arriving at the National Collation Centre later today and early morning tomorrow.
“Accordingly, the National Collation Centre will be officially declared open today at 6pm. Collation will commence as soon as the results arrive from the states. On this note, I wish to state that Ekiti state has already concluded the process. The state collation officer for the Presidential election is, as we speak, on his way to Abuja with the result of the Presidential election for Ekiti,” Yakubu had said.
Police confirm 5 post-election deaths in Taraba
Taraba State Police Command on Sunday confirmed that five persons were killed after the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
While disclosing this to newsmen in Jalingo, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) in the state, Mr David Misal, said they were attacked while coming from Umari to Cambri villages in Karim Lamido Local Government Area at about 3:00 a.m.
He noted that their killing was not connected to the elections.
“Yes, five people were ambushed by hoodlums and shot dead in the early hours of Sunday in Karim Lamido Local Government Council of Taraba.
“The killings do not have to do with elections, it is being investigated as a criminal matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the All progressives Congress (APC) in the Taraba, Mr Aaron Artimas, who confirmed an agent of the party, Malam Muhammed Kambari, as one of the victims said he was coming from his village in company of his others when the attackers struck.
“Kambari went to his home town of Kambari where he served as a party agent and was on his way back to Karim, the local government headquarters where they would proceed to Jalingo with the election results when he and four others were waylaid and killed.
“We have filed the report with the police and so far nothing has come out of it yet but it is our hope that they will bring the perpetrators to book,” he said.
Journalists, observers barred from accessing Ughelli INEC collation centre
Amidst reports of violence during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Delta State, election observers and journalists were also denied access to the Ughelli collation center of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for monitoring the collation of results.
Journalists who visited the Ughelli collation center were restricted from gaining access into the premises. Also banned from monitoring the exercise were domestic observers from various groups such as the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG).
The center was heavily guarded by security personnel made up of a special team of mobile policemen and soldiers, positioned at the three access points.
The routes from Post Office road, Olotu street and Oteri road, are being manned by stern-looking security operatives who only allow INEC staff, security operatives and journalists into the area which also plays host to the Ughelli ‘A’ division police station and Ughelli Police Area Command headquarters.
However, efforts to gain access into the collation center by journalists was restricted by the Electoral Officer, EO in charge of the center, Andrew Akhigbe.
Giving reasons for his actions at about 11a.m, the Electoral Officer said, “We are still collating results and can’t afford to allow you to be inside here for now.”
Condemning the ban, executive director of the Value Rebirth Initiative (VREI) Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, described it as “undemocratic and an affront on the electoral exercise.”
RIVERS: We lost our ad hoc staff to stray bullet, INEC says
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) has confirmed that one of the ad hoc staff of the commission was killed by a stray bullet in Rivers State during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The death of the victim, Ms. Ibisiki Amachree, was disclosed by INEC’s chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmood during a press briefing held at the National Collation Centre in Abuja on Sunday.
Yakubu who did not give the detail of the incident simply decried it as “serious fatality in Rivers State.”
The chairman also noted that there were issues with security operatives in Lagos and Osun states during the elections while saying the commission would review the situation after the elections.
However, he added that an official of the commission had been handed over to security agents for alleged infractions in Saturday’s elections.
He also informed the gathering that the winner of the presidential election would be announced “in no distance future” although results were still being expected from some places in Abia, Bayelsa, Benue, Bayelsa and Gombe states where card readers malfunctioned.
Yakubu said, “In Imo, one of our Electoral Officers have been handed to the Police. Investigation is ongoing, but his offences have something to do with infractions in the elections held on Saturday.
“We are also awaiting reports from Imo, and some parts of Lagos, particularly Okota; and also Osun state and we have lodged a complaint with security agencies.
“We have recorded serious fatality in Rivers State and one of our ad hoc staff (Ms. Ibisiki Amachree) was killed by alleged stray bullet.
“This is not the right time for postmortem. This is not the right time to assess institutions and security agencies. We will review the situations after the elections and see how to improve on our security architecture.”
INEC to begin announcement of results Sunday evening
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will begin the announcement of results of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections Sunday evening, saying that the process had been concluded in Ekiti and the State Collation Officer was being expected in Abuja.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this known on Sunday in Abuja while giving an update on the conduct of the elections, where he mentioned that an electoral ad hoc staff was killed in rivers.
He said “Meanwhile, collation of results from yesterday’s elections continue nationwide. Almost all the states have concluded RA Collation and are now collating results at the LGA level. Some have commenced state level collation.
“We expect the state collation officers for the Presidential elections to start arriving at the National Collation Center later today and early morning tomorrow. Accordingly, the National Collation Center will be officially declared open today at 6pm.
“Collation will commence as soon as the results arrive from the states. On this note, I wish to state that Ekiti state has already concluded the process. The state collation officer for the Presidential election is, as we speak, on his way to Abuja with the result of the Presidential election for Ekiti.”
According to him, the collation officer has also made returns in the National Assembly elections in Ekiti state.
He said though the commission was generally satisfied with the way Nigerians conducted themselves during the exercise, it was disheartening to note the killing of one of its ad hoc staff in Rivers by political thugs.
“While in all these attacks, electoral staff sustained injuries, we have unfortunately recorded the first fatality in Rivers state. An ad hoc staff, Mrs Ibiseki Amachree was hit by a bullet while returning from election duty in Degema. May her soul rest in peace. We condemn this attack and have lodged a comprehensive report with security agencies for expeditious investigation and prosecution of those involved”, he said.
This was as the INEC boss said the commission has also handed over one of its Electoral Officers in Imo to the Police for election duty infractions.
“All election duty personnel have sworn to an oath of neutrality. We have reports of possible dereliction of duty by some electoral officials. They refused to activate or deploy the smart card readers. The failure to fully account for materials for the elections, absconding from duty and a host of other infractions. In Imo state, one of our Electoral Officers had already been handed over to the Police. We will not tolerate violations against, or by our own officials”, he warned.
What our field observers discovered during presidential, N’Assembly elections – TMG
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), have released preliminary statement on what they observed during the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.
In a statement signed by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, chairperson of TMG and Suraju Olanrewaju, chairman, (HEDA), released during a press briefing in Lagos as part of the information process of the Election Observation Platform (EOP), the groups said observers were deployed to polling units across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to observe the Election Day processes.
The groups said findings from the field showed encouraging voter turnout in most polling units, adequate security, peaceful election processes in most places, adequate election materials.
It added that ad-hoc staff showed commitment and largely appeared well trained.
“However, several of the old challenges that featured in previous elections were again present in these presidential and National Assembly elections,” the groups said.
They listed the challenges to include late arrival of election officials and materials at some polling units, inducements to influence voters, attempt to disrupt voting and result collation processes by thugs, persons dressed in military/police uniforms and political party agents in some places.
Others they say are difficulties in the authentication of some registered voters due to malfunctioning of smart card readers, as well as cases of voting irregularities: unaccredited voters, multiple voting, snatching and burning of election materials and underage voting.
“Our preliminary assessment nevertheless shows that these challenges and malpractices were relatively low.”
In Summary TMG and HEDA, said there were evidences of delay in start to the polls in different locations across the country.
“These were observed in places like Adamawa, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Oyo amongst others. This was due to late arrival of materials and personnel. However, there were a few polling units at which the process started early.”
On issues regarding accreditation and voting, they said though accreditation of voters apparently proceeded generally smoothly, that there were however incidents of accreditation difficulties.
“The secrecy of voting was guaranteed in most of the polling units. However, there were cases where secrecy was compromised,” the groups said.
The groups also noted that vote counting and result declaration processes generally proceeded without much incidents.
“Reports from our observers indicate that counting and sorting of ballots were done openly in the presence of the party agents, security personnel and election observers in most cases. Observers reported that results were announced and displayed in conspicuous places for people to see,” they said.
34-year old ‘Small Alhaji’ of SDP wins Ondo APC Chairman’s constituency to emerge Reps member
Thirty-four-year-old House of Representatives candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Tajudeen Adefisoye, known as ‘Small Alhaji’ may have emerged as the youngest member of the House of Representatives in the ninth assembly.
According to the results announced on Sunday by the returning officer of the constituency, Professor V. A Bello, Adefisoye polled 16,186 votes to emerge as the winner for Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency in the National Assembly elections held on Saturday.
His closest rival who is also a former commissioner for information in the state, Kayode Akinmade of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) got 14,191 votes.
Bamidele Baderinwa of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) who is also the incumbent representative of the constituency emerged as the second runner up.
Small Alhaji also defeated a former house of Assembly member in the state who is also the preferred candidate of governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, of the Action Alliance ( AA ), Sunday Akinwalere.
The chairman of the APC in the state, Ade Adetimehin who is also from the constituency also failed to deliver for his party, having lost to Adefisoye.
OGBOMOSO: Collation officers receive security threat, flee INEC office
Amidst reports of electoral violence within some states in the country, a security threat has been received at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, forcing officials to abandon collation process and run.
Professor Rasheed Okunola, Returning Officer for INEC, in a statement made on Sunday disclosed that results of the 10 wards within the local government area were moved to the town hall near the palace of Soun Ogbomosho after information reached security agents and INEC officials that some people were planning to instigate violence. This was during the reconciliation of results.
Meanwhile, Bukola Badmus, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Ogbomoso North had earlier accused INEC of collaborating with Adebayo Alao-Akala, governorship candidate of Action Democracy Party, to manipulate the results of the election.
Some party agents alleged that the result sheets were unclear, making it difficult to get a picture of the figures.
Okunola who had informed a police officer about rounding off and announcing the results, before the incident stated that the result would be later announced at the town hall, which is now being greatly shielded by soldiers.
Election observer, YIAGA, decries drop in voter turnout
Election observer group, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), in its analysis of Saturday’s election, made a comparison with the 2015 general election.
YIAGA revealed that the percentage of voters that headed to the polls on Saturday was less than the percentage that voted in 2015.
In its preliminary report signed by its Communications Officer, Moshood Isah, which was released in Abuja on Sunday, the group said this reflects a growing sense of disconnect between the political class and the masses.
YIAGA said it deployed 3,906 observers throughout the country including 3,030 parallel vote tabulation observers who were deployed early in the morning in pairs to a random, representative statistical sample of 1,515 polling units where they remained throughout the day.
The report reads in part, “YIAGA AFRICA notes that turnout for the 2019 elections falls below the bar set in 2015. This reflects the growing sense of disconnect between the Nigerian people and the political elite.
“YIAGA AFRICA calls on all major political parties, regardless of the outcome of the polls, to review their platforms and communication strategies to better align their policies and actions with the interests of their constituency: the Nigerian public.
“YIAGA AFRICA also encourages parties to deepen their internal party democracy through the organization of more transparent and open primaries and to make active efforts to attract and promote candidates who better reflect Nigeria’s diverse population, including youth, women and PWD candidates. Candidates should emerge as through an open competition between ideas and policies rather than through an auction to the highest bidder.”
Speaking on the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the group termed it as lower than previous years.
It said when the commission postponed elections by a week, most Nigerians expected that INEC would be more prepared but Saturday’s elections was characterised by late arrival of electoral officials, materials and subsequently late voting.
YIAGA added, “The February 23 Presidential election was characterised by many of the same shortcomings that have marred previous national elections in Nigeria. As in past elections, INEC’s logistical challenges and misconduct by political parties undermined the integrity of elections and the ability of some citizens to vote.
“These issues do not necessarily undermine the overall credibility of the process, but Nigeria missed an opportunity to improve the quality of its elections as compared to 2015 national elections. These were not the elections Nigerians wanted; they were not the elections Nigerians expected; and, most importantly, they were not the elections Nigerians deserved.
“Our election commission must improve its capacity to deliver credible elections and our political parties must play according to the rules. Failure to do so could fundamentally threaten our democracy.”
While speaking on its observations in South-East and the South-South geopolitical zones, YIAGA noticed a repeat of same mistakes as in 2015, where voting did not start on time.
It said, “As of 7.30 am, YIAGA AFRICA WTV observers reported that INEC officials had arrived at 31 per cent of polling units. As of 10:00 am, 41 per cent of polling units had opened across the country.
“By 11.30 am, 74 per cent of polling units had opened nationally. As was the case in 2011 and 2015, polling units in the South-East and South-South opened later than in other geopolitical zones. At 11.30 am, YIAGA AFRICA WTV observers reported that 74 per cent of polling units had opened as of 11.30 am.”
BENUE: Presidential, NASS elections hold in three LGs
Presidential and National Assembly elections are held today in five units in three local government areas of Benue State.
Mr. Nentawe Goshwe, Benue State Resident Electoral Commissioner, in a statement on Sunday, identified two polling units in Otukpo LGA, one polling unit in Apa LGA and two polling units in Ogbadibo LGA all within the five polling units. He also noted that the smart card readers malfunctioned in the affected areas based on the lack of skills and little time that the ad-hoc staff had.
“I would not be surprised (that some ad hoc staff did not know how to use the card readers well) because we had training of 22,000 ad-hoc staff in few days. So few days to train those number of staff to acquire the skill and knowledge this period is huge and we are expecting to use the corpers as major people to do it because we have been doing training with corpers for some time, we expected them to play a lead role in handling our card readers. Unfortunately, most local government and communities the corpers do not go there because of the crisis we have in the state, because of fear of attacks, some corpers do not go to some localities.
“We got five places that we could not hold elections yesterday because as at 2pm, card readers had not functioned. So we shifted elections by 24 hours according to the guidelines provided by the Electoral Guidelines. The places elections are holding are two units in Otukpo, one in apa and two in Ogbadibo” he said.
Goshwe who also attributed the delay of the announcement and collation of result to the bulk of work required to collate results of about 72 candidates, said:
“We have 72 contestants to this position compared to the last election. We had less than half of that as contestants for that election. So you require more than twice the time to make entries. So the delay should be possible.”
Reno Omokri questions EFCC’s role during elections
Former president Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Reno Omokri has questioned the Economic and Commercial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s role in the presidential and National Assembly elections.
EFCC was active in the presidential and National Assembly elections conducted across the country on Saturday.
The commission was said to have engaged in election monitoring, which it has never been known for, in order to curtail the incidents of vote-buying, a practice that was very noticeable in some previous elections, especially during the Ekiti and Osun State governorship polls which held last year.
The states where the operatives of the EFCC monitored elections on Saturday include Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kogi, Lagos, Oyo, as well as in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
But responding to the development, Omokri questioned sincerity of the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, who according to him openly wears President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection lapel pin.
Omokri therefore decried the situation EFCC officials are at collation centres nationwide, alleging that there was no way they are not there to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Why are @officialEFCC agents at collation centres nationwide? @INECNigeria must not allow this to happen. Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman of EFCC openly wears a @MBuhari reelection lapel pin. There is no way his agents will not support @OfficialAPCNg and be against @OfficialPDPNig,” Omokri said.
Don’t believe results circulating on social media, INEC cautions
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the public to disregard different results of Saturday’s elections that have been circulating on social media.
The commission insists that only INEC has the statutory right to announce results, distancing itself from the online results.
Via its twitter handle on Sunday, @inecnigeria, it noted that elections were still ongoing in some polling centres while the details of the process would be made available.
It said, “It has also come to our notice that some election ‘results’ are circulating on the various social media platforms.
“Kindly disregard such ‘results,’ as only INEC is constitutionally empowered to declare the outcome of the elections.”
INEC disowns election results circulating on social media
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the public to disregard different results of elections that have been circulating on social media
The commission insists that only INEC had the constitutional rights to announce results, thereby distancing itself from the online results.
The electoral body via its twitter handle on Sunday, @inecnigeria, noted that elections were still ongoing in some polling centres while the details of the process would be made available.
It said, “It has also come to our notice that some election ‘results’ are circulating on the various social media platforms.
“Kindly disregard such ‘results,’ as only INEC is constitutionally empowered to declare the outcome of the elections.”
Political crisis brews as PDP wants INEC to declare Atiku winner, claims APC out to alter results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately announce results as delivered from the polling units and declare its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the winner of the February 23 Presidential election
The party said its position is predicated on “clear and verifiable results across the nation, showing that Atiku Abubakar is in clear lead both in spread and total number of votes cast”.
Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had also earlier today called on security forces to arrest a spokesperson for Atiku, Buba Galadima claiming that the opposition party is out to create crisis by announcing fake results showing Atiku as winner of the election.
Countering the APC position, PDP in a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary and Director, Media & Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, said “Intelligence available to us is that INEC is delaying the announcement of results following directives by the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which are bent on altering the figures from the polling centers and allocate fictitious figures for President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly in northern states.
“Curiously, INEC server is now shut down, results are no more being transmitted and the reason is to enable the APC to inflate figures from six designated states.
“We call on international observers and election monitors to insist on a transparent process of transmission of results and the monitoring thereof.
“We already have reports of how APC governors in the northern states have been making desperate effort to tamper with the results of the elections in their respective states with the view to award conjured votes to President Buhari.
“In Kogi state, Governor Yahaya Bello has been making frantic moves to change results to suit APC’s intent and purposes as against the wishes of the people, expressly delivered at the polls.
“Nigerians already know how the Minister of Transportation and the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign, Rotimi Amaechi, used the military to hold an INEC official in River state, Mrs. Mary Efeturi, hostage and insisted that she will not be released until she alters the results in favour of President Buhari.
“The PDP calls on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to note that in this age of Information Communication Technology, Nigerians already have the results as delivered at the polling centers and any attempt to alter any figure will be faced with vehement resistance.
“In delaying the announcement of the results, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is allowing the APC to turn him into a villain and directly pitching him against the people. He should therefore extricate himself from the rejected APC and be on the side of the people, by immediately announcing the results as already delivered at the polling units and declare, the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the winner.*
“Anything short of this is not acceptable to Nigerians, who had already expressed their wishes and aspiration at the polls”.
Buhari’s team calls for the arrest of PDP chieftain Buba Galadima
The APC Presidential Campaign Council has called for the arrest of Buba Galadima, an official spokesman for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Festus Keyamo, Director of Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council in a statement on Sunday made the call, alleging that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has perfected plans to create crisis in the polity.
Keyamo’s statement claimed PDP was out to create the Venezuelan situation in Nigeria by releasing fake results and declaring Atiku as winner of the presidential election held on Saturday.
His statement read in full:
Devastated by authentic results filtering out of polling units nationwide, our usual sources within the camp of the PDP have informed us that an emergency meeting of the main opposition party has been summoned for today somewhere in Abuja.
Top on the agenda of the PDP is to activate the last strand of their Dubai strategies that have since collapsed like a pack of cards: they plan to release fake results of the Presidential Election later today or early Monday morning that they claim to have compiled themselves.
Our information is that they aim to create crises and confusion that will lead to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar claiming victory in a day or two from today ahead of the official announcement of the results by INEC. Then, what would follow will be some carefully choreographed protests by pockets of hoodlums in some parts of the country. The ultimate aim is to curry the sympathy of our foreign friends and push us to the Venezuela situation.
Our call is therefore to INEC, NIGERIA BROADCASTING COMMISSION and all law-enforcement agencies to continually warn the PDP and all their surrogates like the amorphous CUPP and their likes that anyone who flouts the law on announcement of official results will be made to face the law. Opposition does not confer immunity on anyone to flout the law.
In preparation for this reckless move, some PDP social media agents are already flying some kites on-line as to the number of States allegedly ‘won’ by PDP. In fact, Alhaji Buba Galadima, an official spokesperson for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has made a short video announcing PDP as the ‘winner’ of the Presidential Election. As an official spokesperson, he is clearly acting on behalf of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and on his instruction. We, therefore call for the immediate arrest, interrogation and prosecution of Alhaji Buba Galadima in this regard. The world is watching and waiting on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to say something on the video by Alhaji Buba Galadima.
Consequently, we urge all well-meaning Nigerians, the International Community and even reasonable members of the Opposition not to be bought by these cheap antics of the PDP. Let’s restrain our wards from being used by these unscrupulous elements. Nigeria will continue to exist after this election.
Over the years, the PDP had been declared ‘winner’ of Presidential elections under controversial circumstances. On those occasions, President Muhammadu Buhari never took laws into his hands and declared himself President. He also never declared parallel results. He availed himself of constitutional means to address his grievance by approaching the law courts.
Their latest devilish plot against the country is a clear indication that their apology to the Nigerian people was just a hoax. They have learnt nothing and they have forgotten nothing as they just cannot win any election fair and square.
Opposition parties allege plot to tamper with results from Nigeria’s capital territory
Elections over, squabbles over results appear to be taking centre stage.
On Sunday, opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised concerns over alleged plots to tamper with results from Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which it claims are in favour of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The grouped alleged that incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari had lost the Saturday presidential poll in the FCT, and that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), were working to manipulate the results.
In a statement made available to journalists and credited to its spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP said as follows:
“We have obtained credible intelligence from insiders that the FCT INEC Staff and the REC have caved in to pressure from security agencies and APC chieftains working on the instructions of President Buhari to cancel some area councils’ presidential election results that were won overwhelmingly by the opposition candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and declare the FCT election inconclusive to enable the President and the APC to fully prepare with security agencies to write results in those areas during a rerun.
“President Buhari and his team, after the FCT results were tabulated, realised that not only did Atiku defeat him in the FCT but that he could not score 25 percent of the vote cast requirement hence the plan to cancel results from the remote areas of Bwari, Abaji etc to help declare FCT inconclusive.
“The world monitored the election in Abuja and knows that Atiku led Buhari with wide margin despite all the rampage visited on voters in the remote areas of the FCT.
Since the conduct of February 23 general polls, various political interests have continued to bandy results which the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned should be disregarded until official pronouncements from the Commission were made.
EKITI: Two PDP Senators, Olujimi, Faseyi lose re-election bid
The colouration of Nigeria’s new National Assembly may have begun to take shape if early results from Ekiti on the Senatorial poll is anything to go by.
This is as two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators– Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti North) and Duro Faseyi (Ekiti South) failed in their bid to return to the Senate. Both lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
This was made known by the Returning Officer for Ekiti South Senatorial District, Prof Laide Lawal, who returned APC candidate, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, with 77,621 votes to defeat his closest rival, Olujimi, of the PDP, who polled 53,741 votes.
His colleague, the Returning Officer for Ekiti North Senatorial District, Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina, also declared the APC candidate, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, the winner having polled 60,689 votes to defeat Faseyi, who got 49,209 votes.
The ruling party (APC) also dominated the House of Representatives election as its member, former Chief of Staff to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Mr Yemi Adaramodu, who scored 41,864 votes beat Segun Adekola, representing Ekiti South 2 Federal Constituency, who secured 25,707 votes.
Also, for Ekiti North 2 Constituency, APC candidate, Olanrewaju Ibrahim, won the election, having scored 29,388 votes as against the 23,684 votes scored by PDP candidate, Olusola Omotoso.
Soldiers kill 6 political thugs
Amidst reports of electoral violence in the state, the Nigerian Army said its troops from 6 Division killed six political thugs in Rivers State during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The suspected thugs were said to have attacked the troops.
Army spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement, late yesterday, explained that the “pre-planned attack occurred between Charles and Bob-Manuel’s compounds in Abonnema Town at about 1:00pm on the 23rd February 2019.”
It said preliminary investigation showed that ”one Roland Sekibo, – the Chairman Akuku Toru LGA, Omodo – the CSO Akuku Toru LGA and Kenneth of Kula currently at large were the masterminds of the unexpected/unprovoked attack.”
The statement read ”Information reaching Headquarters Nigerian Army (NA) revealed that troops of 6 Division on a legitimate duty of protecting lives and properties of law abiding citizens and ensuring a conducive environment for peaceful conduct of 2019 General Elections in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) Rivers State were attacked by some hoodlums.
“The pre-planned attack occurred in between Charles and Bob-Manuel’s compounds in Abonnema Town at about 1:00pm on the 23rd February 2019.
“The attackers barricaded a major road into the town and laid an ambush in the adjoining built-up areas from where they opened fire on our unsuspecting troops when they attempted to remove the barricade.
“The gallant troops fought their way through the siege and in the process killed six of the assailants. However, we lost a lieutenant in the encounter.
“Preliminary investigation indicated that one Roland Sekibo, – the Chairman Akuku Toru LGA, Omodo – the CSO Akuku Toru LGA and Kenneth of Kula currently at large were the masterminds of the unexpected/ unprovoked attack.
“To this end, the NA strongly hereby state that perpetrators of this ambush will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
CDD reports vote buying, violence in Presidential, NASS polls
Giving a preliminary report on the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has said it observed widespread logistics challenge, vote buying and violence.
A member of the CDD’s Election Analysis Centre (EAC), Dr. Plangsat Dayit, disclosed this in Abuja while presenting the report by the centre.
According to her, INEC’s preparedness for the elections despite additional week they took to tie up loose ends logistically and operationally is questionable.
“Reports reaching us are that logistical issues are still widespread. Ballot papers are not sufficient in some polling units, while in others, there is lack of other materials such as the indelible ink, ballots or result sheets,” Dayit said.
While noting that though the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) remained one of the most vital aspects of the elections in Nigeria, their observers report that many of the issues bedeviling the SCRs from previous elections have persisted in some of the locations visited by our observers.
She said, “There are quite a lot of reports that the SCRs are failing to authenticate a significant number of voters who have presented themselves for voting.
“It is yet unclear whether their PVCs were authenticated first before their biometrics failed to be recognised. What is certain as at this moment is that in a few places, Supervising Officers have directed that manual voting should be allowed.
It was stated that in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area (LGA), Bamaina Ward, Voting Point 009, the card reader did not function until midday, apart from PU 014 of Dakata Ward in Nassarawa LGA of Kano Central, where voting did not commence as at noon because the card reader did not work at all.
Dayit, who noted that the poll also recorded pockets of violence, said there were many areas where vote buying was observed.
She said, “Two persons were killed with three others injured in Amagu Ward one in Ikwo Local Government Area of the Ebonyi. The death occurred following a clash between supporters of two political parties in the state.
“In Rivers State, five people have so far been killed, with four killed in Andoni Local Government Area and another one in Akuku Toru local government area of Rivers state.
“Our observers reported killings also in Dekina, Kogi, Sapele Oba. Two people were allegedly killed. As we are filing this report, our observers are reporting ongoing thug invasion in Oru West LGA in Imo state.”
Don’t expect results where ballot boxes were snatched, INEC tells voters
The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said voters for the presidential and National Assembly elections should not expect results from polling units where there were snatching of ballot boxes.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) of the commission in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini made this known on Saturday while addressing newsmen on the elections in the state.
Igini said results different from the ones from the polling units would not be allowed.
“What I can tell you emphatically is that there is no election, where there is snatching of ballot papers or result sheets are taken to private homes or somewhere to thumb print.
“We will not accept it, those things are not going to work here and we are not going to accept it. Those areas will stand as cancelled and we will take them as non events,” igini said.
CDD observer harassed in Bayelsa as official refuses to paste result
Upon the collation of results at polling units, it is expected that the presiding officers of the unit paste the completed and signed election result sheets.
However, the presiding officer at Polling Unit 3, ward 2, Brass Local Government in Bayelsa State refused to paste the election result of the presidential and senatorial election as permitted by law.
The officer, who is a corps member and ad-hoc staffer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had collated and announced both senatorial and presidential election at exactly 4:31 p.m, but refused to paste the result sheet for the voters in the area.
An accredited election observer from the Centre for Democracy and Development then requested to see a copy of the result sheet, although the assistant presiding officer obliged him but the presiding officer insisted that INEC has directed them ”not to speak or show the result to anyone including the media.”
According to the observer, the presiding officer asked the police officer in charge of the unit to seize his phone and delete all the pictures in it.
“The police officer at the unit asked me to sit down, opened my pictures, asked me to open my WhatsApp, checked all my messages, the recipients and instructed me to delete the pictures and videos,” he said.
He further added that he was asked to go to the RAC center see the results.
”I was asked to come to the RAC and check the result as it will only be posted there. Even copies of the results were not given to the party agents present,” he said.
PDP counsels Buhari, APC, says ‘accept the verdict of the election’
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has counseled President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop whining over their “rejection” in the presidential election and accept the verdict of the people.
According to PDP, the APC and agents of the Buhari Presidency were shocked by the defeat and thus plotting to discredit the votes which the party insisted Nigerians freely delivered to its candidate, Atiku Abubakar at their polling units.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said this in a statement on Saturday night, adding that part of alleged plot is to trigger mayhem and burn down Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in order to destroy all evidence of poll results.
The statement reads in part: “The PDP reminds President Buhari and the APC that the polling unit is the foundation of the election and all our agents and supporters already have the results in all the polling centers and voting points across the country.
“As such, our party is holding strongly to our results as already delivered by the people at the polling units and such cannot be altered.
“The PDP, therefore, counsels President Buhari and his APC to respect the will of the people and accept the verdict of the election. It is not for President Buhari to direct his campaign spokesperson to tell Nigerians that no party should rejoice.
“For us in the PDP, we already have the figures and we are aware that Nigerians in their resolve and consensus have settled their votes in favour of the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as the next President of our country.
“President Buhari should be prepared to take his defeat in good faith. After all, he will not be the first sitting President to lose in an election”.
Corps member kidnapped In Anambra released
A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving as an electoral ad hoc staff, who was kidnapped in during the presidential and National Assembly elections in Anambra state, has regained her freedom.
The police confirmed the release of the abducted corper deployed to Indiokolo community in Orumba area of Anambra.
The state coordinator of NYSC, Aremu Kehinde, who also confirmed the news, said that the female corps regained her freedom after over five hours.
Kehinde said the corps member was in good health condition after her release by her abductors, who are yet to be arrested by security personnel.
A statement signed by SP Haruna Mohammed, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) and made available to journalists in Awka stated that the corps member serving as a presiding Officer was picked up early Saturday morning.
The PPRO explained that the police has however, arrested seven persons in connection with vote buying and disruption of electoral process.
Mohammed quoting CP Rabiu Ladodo as leader of the security team that monitored the exercise at Anambra on Aerial and Vehicular patrols, described the election as generally peaceful. He noted that in spite of the peaceful and impressive turnout, there were isolated cases of insecurity.
“There are few isolated incidents recorded such as ballot box snatching at Onuma imeobi Square ward Six unit 4 Onitsha, vote buying, disruption of election in some polling units.
Mohammed stated that the command equally arrested two armed Police mobile personnel on illegal duty.
He assured that all the cases are under investigations at the State CIID, Awka.
PDP recruiting thugs to attack collation centres, APC alleges
The All Progressive Congress, APC, has alleged that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has perfected plans to recruit thugs to invade wards and local government collation centres.
Calling on Nigerians to be at alert, the APC, in a statement by the spokesman of its presidential campaign organisation, Festus Keyamo, noted that the PDP is currently recruiting armed thugs and miscreants to attack ward and local government collation centres with the purpose of rendering the election inconclusive.
Below is the full statement:
A CLARION CALL FOR NATIONWIDE SECURITY ALERT
It has come to our knowledge from insiders within the PDP Campaign Council who are making last-minute efforts to switch allegiance to President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress that the PDP is currently recruiting armed thugs and miscreants nationwide to attack ward and local government collation centres this evening till the wee hours of tomorrow morning.
The purpose is to disrupt the collation process of the elections nationwide in order to cause crises and make this election inclusive.
As we know, most of these collation centres are usually in schools or other places that are poorly protected. This is therefore a clarion call to all law enforcement agencies to mobilise extra armed security to protect all collation centres nationwide.
We also appeal to Nigerians of goodwill and our supporters to provide standby electricity this night at these collation centres.
We also call on all our party agents, supporters and patriotic Nigerians to stick with these election results from the various units up to the State Collation Centres.
There is no cause for any political party at this stage to jubilate or be dejected. Nothing has been won and nothing has been lost. Official results have not been declared. Hence we call for eternal vigilance on the part of our agents and supporters.
We repeat: NOBODY SHOULD JUBILATE NOW AND ABANDON HIS/HER DUTIES. LET US KEEP OUR FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND AND STICK WITH OUR ASSIGNED ROLE(S) UNTIL FINAL RESULTS ARE DECLARED BY INEC.
Banky W says election was smooth, peaceful in his polling unit
Popular Artiste, Bankole Wellington, a.k.a Banky W, who is the candidate of the Modern Democracy Party, contesting for the House of Representatives, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state, has described the elections as smooth and peaceful.
Banky W, who voted at polling unit 016, at the Lagos State Model School, Marwa, Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos state, also described the process as stressful.
He said, “Apart from the fact that voters arrived as early as 6:30am, voting did not begin until 11:00am and ended at 5:30 pm.
“However, I want to commend members of the community who conducted themselves in an orderly manner.
“The INEC officials arrived late at the venue, but we organised ourselves as a community and put in place a process that will make the exercise smooth. “
EU OBSERVER: Election materials arrived late in some polling units; more women participation
In conformity with reports from other quarters, the Head of Mission, European Union (EU) observers, Maria Arena, has noted that there was late arrival of election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in some polling units she visited.
Arena, while speaking with journalists in Abuja, stated that the EU observers were not prepared to comment on the general processes of the election. However, she observed that women participated more prominently in the process.
“We are not here to give any impression. We are European Observation Mission and we are working on a methodology for a long observation mission. We have been here since January. So, I am not here to give my own impression or personal observation. What we can say is the collective information coming from all over the country.
“We have seen that a lot of polling units were opened later than 8 o’clock in the morning. At least we can say that for the moment. We will have a preliminary report on February 25. We will have all the information at that time.
“Now, we are collecting information and we don’t want to give our impression now. What is important is that we have this election today. It is important for Nigerians. We have seen a lot of Nigerians being happy to be there to vote and to have the opportunity to vote for their country. And we have to give this message to Nigerian people to go and vote for their country,” she said.
On the level of women participation in the election, Arena said: “It is important for us but it is important for Nigeria to have more introductions of women in the electoral process but I have seen a lot of women being involved, being engaged and being committed to defend their rights in the country. I just want to support them because it is very important to have this equality in this so huge country where women have very strong roles to play.”
DSS dismisses officer for collecting bribe while on election duty
The Department of State Services (DSS) has applied dismissed one of its officers Jaja Otelemaba, who was caught taking bribe from motorists while on election duty in Ekiti State.
The Spokesman of the Service, Peter Afunaya, in a statement in Saturday, said Otelemaba was summarily dismissed after after an orderly room trial.
According to Afunana, the officer was seen on social media where he was negotiating with a motorist for financial patronage.
“The fact is that when the news broke, the Service initiated a line of investigative actions.
“These include the search and identification of the said officer; his withdrawal from the duty post and issuance of a memo as applicable to his cadre and rank,” he said.
Afunaya further disclosed that Otelemaba was tried in an orderly room and summarily dismissed in line with the Service’s disciplinary procedures, adding that the dismissal was in accordance with the Director General of the Service’s commitment to promote discipline in the Service.
According to him, the DG’s stance on issues concerning discipline has continued to prove his intolerance for misconduct and discreditable behaviour.
”The Service reaffirms its commitment to professionalism, excellence and the rule of law.
“The DSS, as usual, rededicates itself to the security of the ongoing electoral exercise and reassures the nation of its sustained transparency and accountability in dealing with citizens,” he said.
Corps member, presiding officer abducted in Anambra
The Commissioner of Police in charge election in Anambra State, Rabiu Ladodo, has announced the abduction of a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and a presiding officer on Saturday during the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state by unknown persons.
Ladodo revealed this at a press briefing on Saturday in Awka, the state capital.
According to him, though the elections in the state was largely peaceful, there were isolated cases of violence in some parts of the state.
Ladodo said: “Despite the relative peace recorded so far, there are a few isolated incidents recorded, such as ballot box snatching at Onuma imeobi Square Ward 6 Unit 4 Onitsha; vote buying, disruption of election in some polling units, alleged abduction of a presiding officer and a youth corps member in Indiokolo Unit, Orumba North LGA of Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
“Consequently, the Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with vote buying and disruption of electoral process.
“The Command also arrested two armed Police mobile personnel on illegal duty.
“All cases are under investigation at the State CIID, Awka, and effort is being intensified to rescue the abducted persons and bring perpetrators tobook.”
The CP also revealed that one mini shuttle bus, two motorcycle, N110,920 cash, two handbags containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and two knives were recovered from the suspects.
He said: “I have gone round the state along with heads of other security agencies both on Aerial and Vehicular patrols, in order to assess levels of deployment by the security agencies at various polling units and to ensure that the electorate exercise their franchise without hindrance.
“The election is generally peaceful and all the places visited have witnessed significant turnout of voters amid tight security in the areas.”
INEC vows to prosecute staff, postpones election in parts of Lagos, Anambra, Rivers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to prosecute an ad hoc staff of the commission who deliberately avoided the use of card readers.
The Commission, through its National Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, also announced the postponement of the elections in some parts of Lagos, Rivers and Anambra States following disruption of the exercise due to violence
According to INEC, elections in Akuku Toru and Bonny local government areas of Rivers state as well as some parts of Anambra and Lagos would be conducted on a later date, adding that mostly affected is the contest for the federal legislative seats.
“The commission has received reports of violence and ballot box snatching in some areas leading to the disruption of the process. We have asked the Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs and the Electoral Officials on ground to submit their firsthand reports in relation to some of these incidents. We are still receiving reports relating to incidences in some states of the federation but we have received reports relating to incidences in Akuku Toru and Bonny local government areas of Rivers state.
“So long as the commission could not deploy in these areas, the implication is that voting did not take place in those areas and the commission will hold consultations with the relevant authorities and the Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs in relation to these areas and will announce the date when polls will take place in some of these areas, especially in relation to the areas as they affect the House of Representatives and Senatorial elections.
“It is not only in Rivers that we had reports of burning of electoral materials. We have such reports from Anambra and Lagos states as well as some other places”, he added.
Speaking further, Okoye said commission would prosecute any of its staff who failed to use the Smart Card Readers for purposes of accreditation, saying where the card readers do not work up till 6pm on election day, the standard procedure is to shift the exercise to the next day.
According to Okoye, no staff of the commission has discretionary powers on the use or otherwise of the card readers as its usage is not a subject of negotiation.
“With regards to the challenges associated with Smart Card Readers in some polling units, most of these challenges were resolved and were resolved on time. However, it is to be noted that in the Regulations and the Guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC it was made very clear that the use of the smart card readers is mandatory.
“Therefore, no staff of the Commission or any ad hoc staff of the Commission is permitted in whatever guise to deliberately refuse to use the smart card readers for the conduct of elections. According to the Guidelines and Regulations of the Commission, it is negligent conduct for any ad hoc staff to refuse to use the smart card readers for purposes of accreditation and any of them that refused to use the smart card readers or deliberately violated the use of the smart card readers will be subject to prosecution in accordance with the Guidelines and Regulations of the Commission and the Electoral Act”, he declared.
Prisons Comptroller claims no ballot box snatching in ‘all the places we went to’ in Lagos
Despite pictures and video evidence of ballot snatching and violence reported by different eyewitnesses in some polling units in Lagos, the Comptroller of Prisons, Lagos State Command, Tunde Ladipo, says there are no cases of ballot box snatching by political thugs in all the places his team visited during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
It was reported earlier that thugs suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed Okota, Isolo area of Lagos State chasing away voters who had gathered to exercise their civic rights.
In a number of videos which have gone viral, voters were seen running for their dear lives as sporadic gunshots rang out.
Ladipo addressed newsmen after a meeting with Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lagos State, in Yaba.
He said “The security agencies did very well, extremely well. In all the places we have been to, there were no cases of ballot snatching.”
According to him, the exercise has been well conducted with voters putting up peaceful conduct. “It has been a very successful exercise, well conducted and there has been so much cooperation and much synergy among the security agencies and the people have been so cooperative. “So far so good, all the places we went to, the elections were well organised,”Ladipo said. The elections are peaceful in most parts of the state.
Bayelsa Govt house photographer shot dead
Reports of electoral violence seems to be unending as the photographer attached to Bayelsa State government house, Reginald Dei, has been shot dead in Southern Ijaw.
Some had reported that Dei, who was a popular photographer, was shot by troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe.
But JTF immediately refuted the allegations saying its troops were not involved in any skirmishes in the local government area during the election.
The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while speaking on the killing, said Dei was murdered by men in military uniform.
State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Moses Cleopas, revealed in a statement that Dei was killed alongside the Ward Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in the area, Seidougha Taribi.
He said the two victims of the electoral violence were killed while they were in their houses and waiting for the votes which had been concluded in their ward to be counted.
Moses said the assailants moved to the houses of the victims to shoot them to death. He added that the murder brought the number of those killed by thugs, some of whom were backed by soldiers, to three.
Moses claimed that thugs identified to be working for the APC with the support of some soldiers besieged the Bassambiri and Oluasiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area, where they engaged operatives in a shootout all night on Friday.
According to him, the attackers lost a member in the attack while several others were injured and taken to the hospital in Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa.
He accused a former Governor and a surveillance contractor as being behind the violence that rocked Opu Nembe and Bassambiri.
PDP alleges vote buying in Zamfara
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were engaged in vote buying in some polling units in Zamfara State.
The governorship candidate of the PDP, in the state, Dr. Bello Muhammad made the allegation after casting his vote at Focal Primary School polling unit, Maradun South in Maradun Local Government area of Zamfara State.
Muhammad, who also disclosed that he received a report of three ballot box snatching, said he witnessed where an APC councillor was sharing money and directing voters where exactly to thumb print.
he further said that there is inadequate supply of electoral materials in Kauran Namoda local government of the state.
According to him, there was only one hundred ballot paper in one of the ward and over one thousand for the presidential election.
He added that when INEC commissioner was contacted by a PDP candidate they chased him away.
“Seven polling units were without electoral materials, we don’t know if INEC has compromised and is not ready for credible election and this is unacceptable. If there is no voting materials then there was no voting in these seven areas,” Muhammad explained.
Election observer, YIAGA Africa, says supervisor arrested in Kaduna
With reports of rigging and ballot snatching in different polling unit across the country still trickling in, there has now been claims of arrest and detention of an observers.
Election observer group, YIAGA Africa, decried the arrest and detention of accredited observers in Kaduna State during today’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
The group also said that it received reports of snatching of elections materials in Rivers State just as it also raised alarm on vote buying in Kogi State. They also hinted at access denial to some polling units in Yobe State.
YIAGA which stated that it deployed 3,906 observers throughout the country also said that its supervisor was arrested and detained in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
While briefing Journalists in a preliminary report on Saturday in Abuja,YIAGA representative, Dr. Hussein, said “As of 12:00 am, the YIAGA AFRICA WatV Data Center had received 110 verified critical incident reports primarily concerning the late opening of polls.
“Of additional note are arrest and detention of accredited observers. In Kafanchan, the YIAGA Africa supervisor was arrested and detained at the Kafanchan Area Command in Kaduna State. This was however resolved as the observer was later released.
“Observers not allowed to observe. YIAGA Africa received reports from one polling unit in Yobe State, Machina Local Government Area, Damai Ward where observers were denied access to the polling unit to observe.”
However, the group says it is in contact with local authorities and continues to follow the situation closely.
“Election materials were reported to be snatched by unknown persons at RAC centre in Okirika LGA, Rivers State which led to no voting in ward 06,07,08 and 09 of Okirika LGA in Rivers State. This was reported in PU 003 ward, 10 Emohua LGA, Rivers State. “Reports of vote buying in PU 010/01/10/13 Omala LGA in Kogi State.”
Speaking on the turnout of voters during the elections, “YIAGA Africa commends the Nigerian people for their resilience and commitment to vote in this election. We urge voters to remain patient and vigilant to ensure their votes count.”
Voting cancelled in Rivers LGA after elections failed to take off
The electorate in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State will not exercise their civic rights, at least for now, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cancelled elections in the area.
According to INEC, the election in the LGA has been postponed to another date after voting failed to take off owing to the inability to get electoral materials to the area.
The decision to postpone the election in Bonny LGA was confirmed by Edwin Enabor, the commission’s spokesperson in Rivers State who said the polls will be staged on another date set by INEC.
“In Bonny, there was no election at all,” said Mr Enabor, adding that: “the exercise there has been postponed. It will hold on another day.”
There had been earlier reports of protesting APC members who stopped materials and personnel from leaving the INEC office, claiming that the ballot papers deployed to the area were fake.
#NigeriaDecides2019: Osinbajo assures Buhari will accept outcome of election
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari will accept the outcome of the presidential election held across the country on Saturday.
Osinbajo gave the assurance after casting his vote at his polling unit 033 in Victoria Garden City (VGC) in Lagos.
“This administration will do everything it said. We are going to accept the outcome of a free, fair and credible poll.
“That is democracy. Let the voting process be peaceful. Cast your vote and encourage others to do the same. Let it remain as peaceful as it can. If the election is free and fair and everybody says it is free and fair, then we must accept the result,” the VP said.
The Vice President also expressed confidence that he and President Buhari would win the election.
“We have gone round the nation and we have spoken to the nation about the need for us to continue on the path that we have set; the path of growth and development for the nation. We deserve a second term in order for us to complete all that we have started. We have also said that this country, in the next four years, by the grace of God and the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, will be a completely changed nation,” he said.
KOGI: Voter, policeman shot dead
A yet-to-be identified voter in the Dekina local government of Kogi State has been shot dead after he was involved in an argument with individuals suspected to be political thugs.
Reports say the incident which witnessed sporadic gunshots saw scared voters scamper for safety around the area as the political thugs left the scene of the attack.
In another incident, the convoy of Kabiru Onyene, the Special Adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Domestic Matters, came under attack by gunmen in the Okene area of the state, and in the process his security aide was killed.
According to Onyene who survived the attack with minor injuries, the gunmen attacked his aides while leaving his Agassa GRA residence along Obehira road in Okene Local Government Area of the state.
Boko Haram terrorists prevent Gov Ibrahim Geidam from voting in Yobe
The Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Geidam, on Saturday failed to exercise his voting right having been prevented to do so by Boko Haram terrorists who attacked the city in the wee hours of the day.
Indications to this effect emerged via a statement released by Abdullahi Bego, the Director-General for Press Affairs to Yobe State Governor, who revealed that Ibrahim Geidam, the governor, failed to vote Saturday following reports of attacks on two communities in the early hours of Saturday.
Bego who revealed that the first attack occurred in Geidam town and the second at Bunu Yadi area of the state, noted that the governor failed to travel to his Bukarti ward close to Geidam town which is 230 kilometres away from the state capital to vote.
“This is because of the incident in Geidam town early in the day, which has already been brought under control and voting is now underway there, the security agencies would naturally seek to reinforce and increase security around the governor for him to travel to cast his vote.
“That increased security around the governor will mean that vital security resources that are needed elsewhere in the state would have to be diverted and allocated to the governor.
“We reckoned with that that is more appropriate at this particular time than devoting a large security contigent just to escort the governor to cast his vote.
“As things stand now, voting is going on successfully across the state and governor Gaidam is pleased and grateful to the people of for the large turnout at polling units throughout the state’’ the statement said.
The Army spokesman, Colonel Musa Sagir who described the attack on Geidam as a futile one, revealed that the situation was calm and peaceful and people have turned out to vote.
Meanwhile, the state government has commended the efforts made by security agents to ensure a peaceful and successful election in the state.
TINUBU: As a true democrat I’ll accept if Buhari, APC is voted out
A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday said if at the end of the presidential election, his party is voted out he would accept the outcome.
Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC with major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, contesting as his chief opponent in the ongoing presidential elections across the country.
Speaking on the contest after casting his vote at Polling Unit 047, Ward 3, Ikeja, Tinubu expressed optimism APC will emerge victorious at the end of the election.
He however said if in any case “my party is voted out in this election, I will accept it because it is the people’s verdict, that is their decision. Any democrat that cannot accept a result from a free and fair election is not worthy of that name.”
He said, “As a true democrat, you must be able to accept the results of a free and fair election.
“My hope and determination of my party are that we are winning this election because we have the support of the masses and if you look at our rallies, it is an indication of our party’s popularity.
“We are not talking about the elites or those that are rich, but the poor masses, farmers, traders, artisans and the common man who seek for continuity.
On the conduct of the polls he said, “The election has been successful so far, so good. It has demonstrated the resilience of the people and like the President has said; we have chosen the best way in a difficult way.
“Democracy is the toughest way of selecting a leader but the best system. With the resilience of the people and strong determination we are getting there.”
LAGOS: Pandemonium as APC thugs chase away voters, burn ballot boxes in Okota
Thugs suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday stormed Okota, Isolo area of Lagos State chasing away voters who had gathered to exercise their civic rights.
In a number of videos which have gone viral, voters were seen running for their dear lives as sporadic gunshots rang out.
The unidentified hoodlums, whom some claim were also members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) were said to have stormed some polling units in the area, allegedly claiming that non Yorubas will not win elections there.
After they left, some voters returned, only to find that many of the ballot papers had been set on fire
According to one observer, from Ogunbela Avenue, Okota, the thugs disrupted proceedings insisting that “Yorubas own Lagos and everyone must vote APC here. They asked people to go home because they know that this place is Igbo dominated. The two policemen here are not doing anything. They’re stopping anybody from video recording. Will try to get images once situation calms down”.
Alleged @OfficialAPCNg thugs burn ballot papers in Okota area of Lagos. See footage in thread. #2019election#VoteNotFight#theverdict#ElectionDay#NigeriaVoteWatch2019#nigeriavotes2019 pic.twitter.com/qekJreLDJH
— Ripples Nigeria (@RipplesNG) February 23, 2019
— Ripples Nigeria (@RipplesNG) February 23, 2019
— Ripples Nigeria (@RipplesNG) February 23, 2019
Tension in Rivers as gunmen shoot APC chieftain dead
There is tension in Andoni area of Rivers State following the murder of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Monwon Etete.
Monwon was shot dead by unknown gunmen in his hometown of Andoni on Saturday afternoon while voters were waiting for the commencement of presidential and National Assembly elections in the area.
It was learnt that the development has created tensed and panicky atmosphere in the community.
Moghalu expresses disappointment over failure of card readers in his ward
The Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) Kingsley Moghalu has expressed his disappointment over the failure of card readers in his ward.
Speaking at his base in Akabueze in Nnewi, Anambra state, Moghalu said as much as two of the three polling units in his area are experiencing card reader issues.
According to the presidential candidate, it shows the unpreparedness of INEC.
“I am at my polling unit in Akabueze village in Nnewi, there are three polling units here.
“The polling centers opened at about 10′ clock two hours late, out of the three polling units two have their card readers not functioning, so voting effectively has started, two hours after the polls are supposed to have been opened.
“I am the Presidential Candidate of the YPP, my name is Kinglsey Moghalu. INEC is simply not prepared, that is my personal experience in my polling unit,” he stated.
DELTA: Non availability of ink for thumbing result sheet delays voting
Voting has been delayed in some polling units in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta due to the non availability of ink for thumbing result sheet, reports say.
Confirming the non availability of the ink, an INEC ad hoc staff, at Ward 3 Ogwashi-Uku identified simply as Juliet, said a message has been sent to her supervisor over its non availability, but she did not get an immediate response.
“We arrived here at about 8:55 am, but could not commence accreditation and voting due to unavailability of ink for stamping of result sheets and thumb-printing.
“We have sent a message to our supervisor, but did not get immediate response and that is why the voters are complaining.
“However, we made efforts on our own and that is why we are starting late,” she said.
Reacting to the development, Ashinze, the President-General of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association, expressed disappointment over the matter.
“It is so disappointing that we are talking about lack of ink today. This is a big flop on the part of INEC,” he said.
ECOWAS: Ex-Liberia President Sirleaf leads observers on election in Abuja
The Head of ECOWAS Election Observer Mission to Nigeria, Mrs Ellen Jonhson Sirleaf, is supervising a delegation of election monitors to 8 polling centres and Durumi II Primary School within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Sirleaf, arrived the polling centre at about 8.55 a.m. after which the first female voter, Mrs Comfort Akale, cast the first ballot at about 9.50 a.m.
The head of the ECOWAS election observer mission left the polling unit at 10.05 a.m. without speaking to newsmen while the polling centre was flooded due to the large crowd of voters.
Meanwhile, some voters have expressed displeasure over the delay in the commencement of the exercise and have attributed it to lack of punctuality of INEC officials.
Mr Daniel Chukwu, one of the voters, expressed displeasure concerning the late commencement of voting.
“I came here since 7.30 a.m and this is 10.40 a.m we have not made any progress,” he said.
Another voter, Mrs Ailenen Edit complained that she was unable to cast her vote as at 10.35 a.m as a result of the problem she encountered during the transfer of her voter’s card from Wuse II to Durumi II polling unit.
However various party agents were being reported to have taken stock of the materials and the ballot boxes, while accreditation and voting was yet to commence at 8.30 a.m at the Apo Legislative Quarters.
INEC extends voting time
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the voting time in some areas where voting kicked off late.
The electoral body recognized that voting did not start at the stipulated time at some polling units, and has therefore directed that the exercise be extended in such areas for the lengthy of time washed before voting started.
Voting was scheduled to commence by 8am and was targeted to end at 2pm.
More details coming….
RIVERS: APC claims thugs funded by opposition have hijacked election materials
Thugs allegedly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have snatched ballot boxes in some polling units in Rivers State, the All Progressive Congress (APC) claims.
The party made the allegation in a statement by its Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Senibo Chris Finebone.
According to Finebone, PDP thugs hijacked electoral materials at ward 6, 8, 16 and other areas.
The statement by Finebone reads thus; “Thugs of the PDP have been chasing our voters away, shooting sporadically. They have hijacked many electoral materials.
“Here is situation report of their attacks:
REPORT FROM OBIO/AKPOR LGA
“Ward 9: PDP thugs hijack all INEC materials. Ogbogoro Units 3,5,6: PDP Thugs hijacked all materials on their way to the center. Ward 6 – Ozuoba: APC tags were not signed and as a result, the agents were not allowed into the center. Ward 8 – Rumuekpe: PDP thugs are gyrating with Arms. Help from security agencies needed.
“Ward 16: Materials for units 4,5 and 6 are missing REPORT ON AKULGA Gun shots everywhere and nobody can come out to vote. PDP thugs chasing people away with guns. REPORT FROM EMOHUA
“WARD 10: Materials hijacked by Icelanders cult group,” the statement added.
Sowore complains, says electoral process ‘a little bit cumbersome’
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has complained about the electoral process as Nigerians troop out to cast their votes.
Moments after arriving at his polling unit where he casted his vote, Sowore said the electoral process is “a little bit cumbersome and frustrating”.
While at the the RCM polling unit 005, Ese Odo Local Government Area (LGA) in Ondo State, Sowore said: “So far, everything is peaceful. Voter turnout is very high and encouraging.
“We are expecting that results will start trickling in after 2pm, but the process is a little slow and frustrating for voters; people standing out here for hours just to get accredited and then vote.
“It is a little bit cumbersome and frustrating, but otherwise, it’s been good so far. I’m glad we saw a huge turnout of voters.”
Osinbajo wishes for peaceful, successful poll after voting with wife
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, exercised their franchise at their poling unit at Victoria Garden City, Lagos.
Osinbajo after casting his vote, expressed delight with the turnout of voters for the election and shared wishes of a peaceful and successful voting conduct across the country.
Though from Ogun State, Osinbajo resides in Lagos before emerging the Vice President in 2015.
Voting in the polling unit did not start until around 10:30am owing to the late arrival of INEC ad-hoc staff who were at the polling unit some minutes after 9am and took time to set up the unit for voting.
Saraki, wife vote, says he’s impressed with massive turnout
Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed satisfaction with the number of voters that turned out in Kwara State for the presidential and National Assembly elections today (Saturday).
He made his feelings known when he voted at Polling Unit 005/006 Agbaji Quarters, Ajikobi Ward, Ilorin West on Saturday along with his wife, Toyin.
Saraki who is seeking a reelection to the Senate commended how peaceful the election has been so far and urged the voters to remain patient to enable them cast their vote within the stipulated time frame.
The Senate President however expressed worries over late arrival of voting materials in some polling units within Ilorin metropolis.
KANO: Early risers wait as election material arrive late
A good number of eligible voters at Magwan polling centre within the Giginyu Ward in the Nasarawa local government area of Kano State are being delayed in exercising their civic rights due to the lateness in the arrival of election materials.
Reports say 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.
Scores of voters at the centre came around 7:56 a.m. with the hope of meeting the electoral officers, but were disappointed at their absence.
Many expressed disappointment with the late arrival of materials and officials at the polling units, and they urged INEC to address the challenge.
Voters take seats as card readers break down at El-Rufai’s polling unit
Scores of prospective voters waiting to cast their votes at Unit 024 Ungwar Sariki ward where Governor Nasir El-Rufai is expected to cast his vote have taken their seats after three card readers broke down.
According to reports, INEC officials are making efforts to manage the situation after the three card readers developed a technical fault midway into accreditation and voting.
In a similar situation, the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at ward 11, unit 22, Olusomi Compound, Abeokuta-North Local Government area of Ogun state where former President Olusegun Obasanjo is billed to cast his vote, has left many eligible voters stranded.
Reports say as at 9:12am INEC officials were yet to arrive the polling unit causing apprehension among many who want to perform their civic rights by casting their votes for desired candidates.
Absence of INEC officials causes apprehension at Obasanjo’s polling unit
The absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at ward 11, unit 22, Olusomi Compound, Abeokuta-North Local Government area of Ogun state where former President Olusegun Obasanjo is billed to cast his vote, has left many eligible voters stranded.
As at 9:12am INEC officials were yet to arrive the polling unit causing apprehension among many who want to perform their civic rights by casting their votes for desired candidates.
The absence of INEC officials at the polling unit may have forced Obasanjo to stay put at his residence for now according to his aide Kehinde Akinyemi.
The aide to the former president also informed that as soon as INEC officials arrive at the polling unit, Obasanjo will cast his vote.
KWARA: Heavy presence of international observers
As #NigeriaDecides today, there is a heavy presence of international observers on the ground in Kwara State.
As at 9am this morning, observers from the NDI, IRI, European Union and the United Kingdom, amongst others, could be seen patrolling polling units in the state.
Many of the observers have confirmed that their interest in the state stems from the fact that this is the home state of Nigeria’s Number 3 Citizen, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who also serves as the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council.
ENUGU: Police confirms joint security control room for general elections
The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the operation of a joint security control room for the general elections among security agencies operating in the state.
That much information was revealed by the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Balarabe Suleiman, who noted that the joint operation was hatched for the sake of effective security co-ordination.
“The purpose of the joint security control room is for effective security co-ordination in the general elections,’’ Suleiman said.
According to him, the Nigeria Police remain the lead agency for election security, though all security agencies in the state are involved in the election security.
“It has been the directive of the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, for every command to have a joint security control room for the elections.
“The joint security control room is fully furnished; for all heads of security agencies or their representatives to be there as long as possible.
“It is also well furnished with all sorts of communication and information gadgets and stand-by operation vehicles attached to it.
“This is for security issues during the elections to be attended to with speed in a most coordinated manner,’’ he said.
Armed thugs, soldiers allegedly shoot, kill one, hijack ballot boxes
Armed thugs, assisted by soldiers are said to have disrupted voting in Nembe Basambiri and Okoroba areas of Bayelsa State.
They were said to have stormed polling units in the areas shooting sporadically, killing one person in the process and injuring five others. They also allegedly hijacked ballot boxes and made away with them.
A candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa East Senatorial district, Chief Ipigansi Izagara, raised the alarm this morning while election was ongoing.
He accused the opposition party in the state as supporters of the armed thugs, adding that PDP members were also being attacked in the state since 10pm on Friday.
“They have hijacked materials from our area with the assistance of soldiers.”
Atiku casts his vote, says he’s looking forward to a successful transition
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has cast his vote in Yola, Adamawa State.
He voted in the company of his wife, Titi Abubakar.
Dressed in a flowing Babanriga and a matching cap, both with subtle green embroidery, Atiku cast his ballot about 10.05am.
Monitored reports said it took him about six minutes to go through accreditation and voting.
Addressing a throng of local and international journalists, he said, when asked of his impression of the polls, he said, “So far so good. I am impressed with turn out, and I hope INEC officials would be able to cope with the turnout.”
Asked in Hausa what he made of his chances, he said, “I will be the one to be announced the winner. I look forward to a successful transition.”
In response to a question on whether he would accept the results, Atiku answered, “I am a democrat.”
Atiku is the major presidential contender hoping to wrest power from incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking re-election under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
Buhari, who voted earlier, had said when asked if he would accept whatever be the outcome of the election, said that he will be the winner and was going to be congratulating himself at the end of the poll.
IMO: Ad hoc staff complain over exclusion at Imo INEC office
About 500 trained ad hoc staff, returning and collation officers on Saturday protested to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof Francis Ezeonu, over their exclusion in the final list of temporary staff posted for the elections.
One of the protesting officers, Michael Echetama said that the commission was not sincere in the engagement process.
Echetema, disclosed that the commission was not transparent in its engagement process and it chose to engage only staff of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, discrediting staff of other federal institutions in the state.
He said, “We attended the training sessions two times and as we speak we don’t know our fate. We have information that INEC has engaged only staff of FUTO overlooking all of us from other federal institutions in Imo state.”
However, the INEC public relation officer in the state, Emmanuella Opara debunked the allegations and termed it false, stating that those who would make the final list would be sent short message service by the commission before noon.
Opara said, “They don’t need to crowd there. This is a duty for collation and returning officers which starts in the evening after the voting process. Those that will make the final list would be sent text messages and would be given appointment letter before noon.”
IGP structures tight security nationwide for elections
The long awaited election is here at last and the police is ensuring there are no loose ends, as the Inspector General of Police, Ag.IGP M.A Adamu has instructed vigorous security procedures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba, Commisioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 state commands and FCT as well as the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in the 12 zonal commands have been instructed by the IGP to give updates and monitor security by working closely with the Senior Police Officers assigned on election duties to the three senatorial districts to form part of security management base for each state.
Mba also noted, that Deputy Inspector Generals of Police have also been assigned to the six (6) geo-political zones of the country to ensure sufficient security presence, management, regulation and implementation of proper security approaches for the election in all polling units.
They will also be monitoring Registration Area Centres (RACs), Super RACs, Collation Centres, INEC offices, Government and critical National Infrastructures, vulnerable points across the states of the federation.
“The IGP has also directed the Election Intelligence Monitoring Team (EIMT) to intensify constant surveillance, intelligence gathering and monitoring of security personnel deployed nationwide while the Special Election Investigation Team (SEIT) should ensure discrete investigation of electoral cases and diligent prosecution of all electoral offenders.
“While charging all security personnel on election duties to ensure they remain patriotic, professional, unbiased and apolitical in the discharge of their duties, the IGP, however, warns that he will not tolerate any form of impunity or unethical conduct on the part of any personnel adding that on no account should any policeman or woman attached to VIPs be seen escorting their principal to the polling unit or moving around with them on the day of election as any police officer caught will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.’’
The IGP also urged politicians to ensure that their supporters are orderly, law abiding and desist from all forms of violence and electoral malpractices before, during and after the polls.
He implored senior officers to ensure that no stone was left unturned towards putting in place ample security including the supervision of security personnel deployed to each of the Senatorial Districts under their watch.
Army allegedly abducts Gov Emmanuel’s aide
Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have been accused of abducting Capt. Iniobong Ekong (Rtd), a Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters to Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel.
Soldiers allegedly sent by the GOC of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham were said to have, based on a petition written by Senator Godswill Akpabio, picked Ekong up, midnight on Friday.
Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh said Capt. Ekong was picked last night and taken to an unknown location in Port Harcourt.
Adding that the state government was yet to establish contact with his abductors, Udoh said, “The Chief of Army Staff has said that the Military had no role to play in the elections. When did it become the duty of the Army to investigate petitions, arrest and detain people?”
Governor Wike had also on Friday accused soldiers sent by Major General Sarham of attempt to assassinate him.
The development is coming as the PDP had accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), of using security operatives to arrest, harass and shoot at its leaders across the federation.
SOKOTO: Voters emerge in numbers, soldiers occupy roads
Residents in some parts of Sokoto State have trooped out in large numbers to vote, even as there is reported heavy presence of soldiers in some parts of the state
According to reports, electoral officers were just arriving at the units after 8:00 am while soldiers occupied major roads and roundabouts in the city ignoring officials on duty and people with their permanent voter cards
There were also some movements, as those who had their voters card were allowed to pass at check points.
Obi, wife cast their votes, lament ‘clumsy’ INEC arrangement
Ex-Governor Peter Obi and running mate to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was joined by his wife to cast his ballot in the on-going presidential elections on Saturday.
Obi voted in his hometown in Anambra State.
Dressed in a light blue-flowered long-sleeve shirt, Obi cast his vote about 9am.
Addressing the media, he expressed some reservations about the process of accreditation and voting, saying it was a bit “clumsy” and that it took some time to have him accredited.
He, however, said he still had “faith” in the process.
Asked to confirm allegations of arrest of some PDP members on the eve of the elections, Obi said it was true.
“My answer is capital yes,” Obi said.
Election Day: Boko Haram attacks Yobe
The Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, on Saturday (today) morning attacked Gaidam town In Yobe State.
Earlier reports had also stated that there were explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, but the police had said there was no need to panic as it was a show of force by the authorities.
It was learnt that the insurgent group arrived Gaidam around 6:15am and began shooting sporadically, resulting to residents including traditional rulers fleeing the town into the bushes.
The development came just as no less than seven explosives, supposed to have been masterminded by the terrorists, rocked Maiduguri.
There are fears that the incidents may affect the ongoing presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.
Opposition parties had earlier accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of ensuring that elections are postponed in Borno and Yobe in order to allow a re-run in those states, where security operatives will be allegedly used during the re-run polls to rig the election in favour of Buhari.
Buhari casts his vote, says he’ll congratulate himself
President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife have voted in the on-going presidential and National Assembly elections.
They both voted in Daura, Buhari’s home town in Katsina State. The incumbent President cast his ballot at exactly 8.07am.
Asked for his view on the progress of the election, he said: “So far so good. Nigerians are behaving themselves”
Asked if he would concede if he loses, he responded thus: “I will congratulate myself. I am going to be the winner”
ELECTION: Police discredit rumour of bomb explosion in Enugu
A social media rumour of a bomb explosion within Enugu metropolis on Friday which circulated 12 hours to the commencement of the presidential and National Assembly elections has been termed as false alarm by the police command in Enugu state.
In a statement titled: ‘’No Bomb Explosion in Enugu state: Disregard Mischief Makers Misinformation’’ the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu on Friday, said that only a suspicious object which resembled an explosive, was picked up by the command’s bomb explosive specialists adding that it will be taken for further analysis.
“The command through its operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Department have commenced full analysis of the object picked near a bush close to a fence of a building located at Old Ngwo Road in Enugu today.
“It was gathered that through information received that an object suspected to be explosive ordinance was found as a man was clearing the bush near the said fence at about 9:30 a.m. today. “Our operatives promptly got to the scene and recovered the object which is currently being analysed for further necessary action,’’ he said.
INEC gives Cross River APC candidates red card!
All candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, have been given the booth by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The state electoral body made that much known after delisting the names of all APC candidates in the state including the governorship, Senatorial, Federal House of Representatives as well as the state House of assembly candidates.
In a letter read by Dr. Frankland Briyai, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, which was signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Orianran –Anthony, INEC said it does not recognize any candidate submitted by APC in the state.
His word: “I have an instruction from Abuja to make public to all Cross Riverians in a letter with a heading ‘Forwarding of Commission’s’ decision in pursuant of order Court suit no: FHC/CA/CS/731/2018, Hon Godwin Etim John VS APC and others.
“The commission has directed that the names of candidates submitted by APC for governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly for Cross River state be removed from the list of candidates for elections in compliance of the said order.
“However the logo and names of the party shall be retained, pending the submission of the list of candidates from the Godwin Etim John led state executive and the National Working Committee of APC in compliance with the above order.
“You are requested to update your records with respect to the above order and the list of candidate earlier forwarded to you,” he stated.
Explosions rock Maiduguri
Reports from Maiduguri, claim seven explosives have rocked the Borno State capital, just hours before the presidential and National Assembly elections.
It was learnt that the sounds of the explosives started at about 5:50am on Saturday morning.
There is currently no report of casualties in the explosions and gunfire which occurred around Molai, Dambo’a road, Bulumkutu and Njimtilo road axis, as well as from other parts of Maiduguri metropolis.
The development is coming despite government’s assurance to citizens and electorate that security had been beefed up to ensure their safety.
Some residents residing in and around Maiduguri metropolis responding to the early morning blasts on their Twitter handles had these to say:
Ahmad Salkida: Just In: Explosions in #Maiduguri moments ago. Over 10 heavy bomb blasts so far in #Maiduguri.
The situation seems to have been contained by the #Nigeriantroops. Hopefully people will be assured to go out and cast their votes, but there is also the urgent need for air surveillance and body search of every person walking in the streets of #Maiduguri.
Shettima Kullima: Is it just me or did I hear the sounds of bombs explosion within Maiduguri?
Third explosion shook my room… Subhanallah, Ya Allah protect us.
Dan-Borno: If these early morning explosions are military exercise, then already they have instill fears in the mind of some voters in #Maiduguri
Mubaarak: #NigeriaDecides2019 I think terrorists should have known that residents of Maiduguri are used to these sounds of explosions. Even if we have to go out under heavy fire, we will still go out and vote. No terrorists attack will stop us from going out to vote.
We are not afraid!!!
Hamma: Maiduguri is under siege, may God save my town. Bombs keep exploding in Maiduguri, 4th bomb just exploded, please stay safe, let me call my people to stay home and observe before any movement
PDP cries out, says security agencies shooting, arresting its leaders
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cried out to the National Peace Committee (NPC) and the international community that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared and commenced a war on the PDP.
The party said President Buhari has unleashed the state security apparatus of the police, the military and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), who are now hounding, beating up, arresting, detaining and shooting PDP leaders in various states, ahead of the Saturday election.
PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan stated this in a statement on Friday night listing some of the states where its members are being arrested by security operatives.
“Federal controlled security officers have taken over the streets; they are now attacking and picking up our members, even in their homes, all in President Buhari’s bid to subjugate Nigerians and enforce his self-succession bid.
“In Osun, all our key leaders have been arrested on flimsy charges. Our leaders are being harassed and detained in Rivers, Kano and other states.
“In Kogi, our leaders, including former Governor Ibrahim Idris was manhandled, our state campaign spokesperson, Mr. Austin Okai, was abducted, while the National Publicity Secretary and Director of Media and Publicity of the Campaign, Kola Ologbondiyan, narrowly escaped abduction.
“All our leaders in Kogi are under siege. The whereabouts of Senator Dino Melaye, a senatorial candidate, is uncertain since the last siege on him by security agents. The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has refused to dismantle the siege by Government House Police command in Banda
“We call on the Peace Committee and the international committee to note that President Buhari and APC have breached all the agreements in the peace accord.
“For us in the PDP and indeed all Nigerians, we have now come to the breaking point where our members can no longer stomach the escalated onslaught of the Buhari Presidency and the APC. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we might have no option left in the present circumstance than to pull off our gloves.
“The Peace committee and the International Criminal Court should hold President Buhari directly responsible for any break down of law and order in our country as Nigerians will never allow him to rig this election,” the statement read.
#NigeriaDecides2019: Report underaged voters, sponsors —INEC tells Nigerians
As Nigerians troop out Saturday (today) to perform their civic rights, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu has called on the electorate to report any underaged voter.
Yakubu who was speaking at the 5th press briefing held at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, also warned politicians against sponsoring underage persons to participate in the 2019 general elections noting that anyone caught will be arrested.
He said, “Underage voting is an illegality because there is a statutory age for eligibility for registration of voters. But if on election day you find anyone that is apparently or conclusively underage, kindly report to any official of the commission or the security agencies.
“Working with the Inspector-General of Police, I say here that any underage person caught trying to be accredited or vote on election day will be arrested.
“Voting is only open to Nigerian citizens who are above the statutory age of 18. Underage voting is an illegality and let me seize this opportunity to warn those who may wish to sponsor underage persons to vote on election day that they will be arrested.”
INEC’s acceptance of Zamfara APC candidates ‘illegal, unconstitutional, null, void’- Ozekhome
Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s decision to accept candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State is “illegal”.
On Thursday, the Abuja division of the Appeal Court set aside a verdict of a lower court which upheld INEC’s decision not to allow Zamfara APC participate in the general election.
INEC had insisted that the internal crisis in the state chapter of the party prevented the conduct of primaries before the deadline.
The two factions of the party having been in court and have each secured different judgments. This latest ruling favours the faction backed by Abdulaziz Yari, the governor.
In a statement on Friday, Ozekhome asked INEC to be mindful of the pending appeal against the Zamfara High Court order.
“The false assertion that the Court of Appeal had cleared the way for the APC to participate in Saturday’s election is therefore a lie from the pit of hell,” the lawyer said.
“It is nothing short of the desperate minute by frustrated politician holding on any available straw to smuggle themselves willy nilly into Saturday’s election.
“This cannot work. INEC is hereby reminded that there exists in addition to the above legal obstacles, a subsisting appeal which arose from the Zamfara state high court judgment which is still extant and pending before the Sokoto division of the court of appeal , in appeal no: CA/S/32/2019.
“INEC is therefore obligated and legally bound to stand by its earlier well founded position that APC, having never conducted any primaries in Zamfara state, have no candidates in the forthcoming elections in Zamfara state, have no candidate in the forthcoming elections in Zamfara state, except the presidential election.
“The judgment given by the court of appeal today clearly stated that the appeal partially succeeded and went ahead to set aside the judgment of the lower court on jurisdiction only, but refuse to grant the cause of action component of the appeal.
“By this, the Court of Appeal refused to grant INEC any order to revive candidates of the APC from Zamfara state. The cross appeal therefore partially failed because, from the onset, APC had a complaint against INEC only.
“Any other act by INEC in fielding any candidates from the governor Yari’s group or the ‘G-8’ group will be illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
KANO: Police arrest APC’s Hon Jibrin over attack on Kwankwaso’s convoy
The Kano state police command has arrested Abdulmumin Jibrin, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member of the House of Representatives, over the attack on the convoy of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the senator representing Kano Central.
Jibrin was among the suspects arrested over the attack which occurred on Thursday.
The convoy of Kwankwaso, a popular member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was reportedly denied passage through Kofa village by suspected thugs said to be working for the APC.
The incident resulted in a clash between the PDP and APC supporters.
Speaking during the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) briefing in Abuja on Friday, Abubakar Adamu, inspector-general of police, said the lawmaker was arrested after he was linked to the violent attack.
He said: “In Kano, we all know there was a problem in Kano. Two people were killed and the vehicles were burnt down because of a clash between party supporters.
“And police had to move in, make arrest of people committing this crime on the scene. And in the course of making arrests, one of the suspects happens to be a candidate in the election.
“Do we leave him because he is a candidate? I think he should defend himself. That is why he was arrested. This is a country that obeys the rule of law.”
PDP sues Buhari over ‘ruthless’ directive against ballot box snatchers
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sued President Muhammadu Buhari over his controversial statement that ballot box snatchers would pay with their lives.
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the party asked the court to declare Buhari’s directive is unconstitutional, unlawful and void.
The party also sued Mohammed Bello, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), before a FCT high court over the “gigantic broom” erected by the All Progressives Congress (APC) near Abuja city gate.
It urged the court to issue an order compelling the minister to investigate allegations of intimidation and illegality which poses potential threat of violence and disunity the structure may cause.
The party said this follows the permission of the FCT administration or its failure to take action against the broom which it said is an “improper structure”.
On Monday, President Buhari had said, “I really gave the military and police order to be ruthless.
“Anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturbs the voting system, will do so at the expense of his own life.”
Gov Wike alleges fresh attempt to assassinate him by an Army general
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday accused the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army of carrying out a failed assassination attempt on him.
He said the alleged attempt happened on Thursday night when soldiers sent by the Commander, Major General Jamil Sarham, confronted his security details.
The governor made the allegation when he spoke with officials of the British High Commission at the Government House, Port Harcourt, accusing Nigerian Army of taking very unprofessional measures to silence PDP members.
He also accused the military of supplying fake uniforms to militants hired by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the purpose of disrupting the elections and unleashing mayhem.
Informing newsmen of what he discussed with the British High Commissioner and other foreign missions who visited him, he said, “Last night; the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army plotted an assassination on my life. Thank God, that was not successful.
“On Friday, 15th of January, a day to the 16th of February, the first date for the elections before it was rescheduled, the GOC sent soldiers to cordone off my private residence.
“Yesterday (Thursday), I was shocked that when I left Government House to see some political leaders, soldiers were trailing me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t have military security details.
“Along Abacha road where you have Algate Hotel, to my surprise, I heard my security men shouting that the soldiers are behind us. I have said this severally about the GOC of the 6 Division that nobody should kill because he was promised the position of Chief of Army Staff.”
Wike warned that Rivers State should not be destabilised for political goals because it is strategically positioned in Nigeria.
“Rivers State is so important to this country. The economy of Nigeria cannot survive without Rivers State. By what they are doing, they are scaring investors away”, he said.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ask the Army to reduce their level of partisanship and illegal activities ahead of the elections.
He added, “The GOC held a meeting with the soldiers yesterday and said they must do everything they can to ensure that the President wins. That is not good. Allow Nigerians to support whoever they want to support”.
Since elected as Rivers State governor about four years ago, Wike had more than once accused Nigerian security operatives of attempts on his life.
UK govt counsels INEC on elections
With only a few hours to Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, final remarks have been pouring in from major stakeholders concerning the polls.
In the same vein, the United Kingdom has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to be impartial in the elections.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, during a broadcast aired on Friday on the verified Twitter handle of the British High Commission in Nigeria, @UKinNigeria, asked Nigerians not to be discouraged to vote again due to the postponement of the elections.
She said, “Tomorrow is voting day again. We recognise the huge disappointment of Nigerians since they woke up last Saturday to hear the news that the elections had been postponed. But your votes still count.
“It’s your chance to make a difference, not just to vote for the politicians of your choice, but also to play your part in Nigeria’s emerging democracy, helping to consolidate the progress since 2015.”
Laing revealed that the UK had over 60 observers in 15 states to monitor the elections.
She said, “One thing we will be looking forward to is ensuring that the security services are there to support your democratic right to vote.
“And, of course, it is very important that INEC remains impartial throughout the elections.”
INEC bows to A’Court, says Zamfara APC candidates to take part in elections
Following an Appeal Court ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the All Progressives Congress In Zamfara State will present candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly elections.
The commission further said in a statement posted signed by Festus Okoye, chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC that: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has consistently maintained that it will always obey court judgments and orders.
“In the case of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Zamfara State High Court issued conflicting orders relating to the participation of the APC in the two strands of elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 2019.
“While the former ruled that the APC, having failed to conduct party primaries cannot field candidates in the said election, the latter decided that it can field candidates having conducted valid party primaries.
“However, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division on 21st February 2019 set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja for ‘lack or want of jurisdiction on the part of the lower court.’ This in effect means that the Zamfara State High Court’s decision that the APC can field candidates for the National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections is the only valid and subsisting order.
“Consequently, the Commission has today, in compliance with the said order, restored the APC to the ballot in the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for 23rd February and 9th March 2019.”
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