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Nigeria Decides 2019

Supplementary Polls: Tambuwal, Ganduje, Ortom, others in final showdown

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Supplementary Polls: Tambuwal, Ganduje, Ortom, others in final showdown

PDP rejects Kano results, says rerun polls ‘a national disgrace’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the declaration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as winner of the Kano governorship election, insisting that its candidate Abba K. Yusuf, is the rightful winner.

In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said that any declaration that does not show Abba Yusuf as winner cannot stand.

Furthermore, the party claimed that its candidate won the Kano state governorship election since March 9, 2019, having fulfilled the constitutional requirement of securing the highest number of votes and the statutory 25% in two-thirds of the state.

However, the supplementary governorship election in Kano overturned what would have been for them a victory.

The PDP has therefore described the supplementary polls as “a national disgrace” and a mere figure allocating exercise by compromised INEC officials, who collaborated with power drunk politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to award results to the APC candidate”.

The party cautioned INEC against any attempt to alter figures, noting that that will be a clear recipe for anarchy and a serious crisis in the state.

PDP said that the people of Kano state have a long history of firm resistance against corrupt and oppressive forces, adding that the will of the Kano people must not be stretched in this election.

The party stressed that no amount of machination can “cow or force the Kano people to abandon their resolve for a new governor in Abba Yusuf”.


PLATEAU: PDP’s Useni rejects Lalong’s victory, vows to ‘reclaim mandate’

Yet another candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to fight to reclaim his ‘stolen’ mandate.

This is as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Plateau, Jeremiah Useni, has rejected the results of the March 9 and 23 polls which saw incumbent Governor Simon Lalong of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerge as winner.

The results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer in the state, Prof. Richard Kimbir, on Sunday.

After the supplementary poll held on Saturday, Lalong polled a total of 595,582 votes to defeat 23 other candidates, including the PDP’s Jeremiah Useni, who scored 546,813 to come second.

However, Useni, while addressing a press conference in Jos on Sunday, rejected the results which he described as “an injustice and a temporary setback.”

According to him, the results of the governorship election as announced by INEC did not reflect the voting pattern of the people whom he claimed voted for him “massively” at the poll.

Useni insists that he and his party have decided to head to the tribunal to reclaim the mandate freely given to them by the people.

He said, “My team and I have gone through both the official results released by INEC and the documents submitted by our own field staff.

“We have every reason to believe that justice has not been done to our people in this election because there was massive rigging and electoral shortcomings.

“After due consultation, I hereby state that the results announced by INEC is not acceptable to us. Consequently, we have requested our legal team to activate all the due processes to reclaim our cherished mandate at the tribunal and by the grace of God, we will overturn and recover the people’s mandate”

The PDP candidate thanked party members, stakeholders and supporters for their commitment, hard work and sacrifices throughout the election period and urged them to remain united and focused in the struggle until “the restoration agenda for the soul of Plateau State is achieved.”


SOKOTO: APC rejects Tambuwal’s victory, alleges irregularities

The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sunday rejected the declaration of Governor Aminu Tambuwal as winner of the just-concluded governorship election in the state, alleging irregularities.

According to the results announced by Fatima Mukhtar, Returning Officer for the election at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center in the state, Tambuwal, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won the election.

Mukhtar announced that Tambuwal won with a difference of 341 votes after collation of results from 22 Local Governments Areas (LGAs), where supplementary election took place on Saturday.

Overall, Tambuwal secured the highest votes of 512, 002, defeating his closest rival, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu of the APC, who polled 511, 660 votes.

While addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the APC spokeman, Alhaji Bello Danchadi, rejected the declaration on the ground that the process was fraught with irregularities, which he said were duly reported to the electoral body.

Danchadi said the margin of 342 votes was far less than the registered voters in polling units where elections were not held, a development which he said contravened the electoral law.

He said the party had also registered its complaints to INEC, which included alleged outright rigging perpetrated by the PDP.

He alleged that some eligible voters at some polling centres were denied voting, and in some places repeated voting was recorded.

“We drew the attention of INEC to a number of polling units that were canceled as result of violent attacks by thugs, while others were arbitrarily canceled to please certain political party interests.

“In view of these, we deem it necessary to express our disagreement with the action taken by INEC to declare a winner without giving us a fair hearing in our position in the electoral processes,” he said.


BENUE: Ex-NANS president and APC chieftain Onjeh bursts into tears over Ortom’s victory

Former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Daniel Onjeh, was in tears on Sunday following the declaration of Governor Samuel Ortom as winner of the state’s governorship election.

While reacting to Ortom’s victory at his home town in Ogbadibo, Onjeh, burst into tears, stating that he was weeping for Benue people.

According to him, he did not know how they will be able to endure another four years of torture and deprivation under Ortom.

Onjeh said he was not sure if President Muhammadu Buhari would release more bailout funds and Paris Club refunds to Benue in the next four years since the ones released before had not been accounted for.

He said he wept for Benue workers, pensioners and their families because they went out enmasse to vote out Ortom for nonpayment of salaries and pensions.

Onjeh is also the Board Chairman, Project Development Agency (PRODA).

“How long will the children of workers and pensioners in Benue be out of school for lack of financial support from their incapacitated and oppressed parents?

“How long will Benue workers and pensioners endure this hunger and denial as a result of nonpayment of their wages?”

“The painful side is that the same resources the workers and pensioners were denied, were the same Ortom used to buy votes.”

Onjeh expressed surprise at the way PDP big shots in Benue, who condemned Ortom’s governance style while he was in APC, made a U-turn to support the same man they condemned.

“I’m surprised at how David Mark, who accused Ortom of distribution of wheelbarrows to Benue youths as the only project he has done, could turn around and support the same Ortom to win second term in office.”

“Suswam also accused Ortom of ballooning the wage bill when Ortom was in APC but turned around to support him to win a second term in office.”

“Abba Moro also condemned Ortom and said that he failed woefully as such, does not deserve a second term but turned around to support him because he defected to their party.”

“This flip-flap Politicians’ behavior shows that they are only working for their own selfish purpose and not for the common good of the masses as always portrayed,” Onjeh lamented.

The former student unionist therefore, encouraged Mr Emmanuel Jime of APC who contested against Ortom not to give up on the fight for his mandate.

Onjeh urged Jime to head to the tribunal, pointing out that he had good grounds to do so since there were so many irregularities of rigging and electoral malpractices in the conduct of the election.

“I expected INEC to have cancelled the places where the use of Card Readers was even disregarded.

“The places are Guma, Logo, Buruku, Ukum and Vandeikya local government areas.


KANO: APC’s Ganduje wins reelection

Despite bribery scandal, Kano N’Assembly members endorse Ganduje

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has survived reelection scare by winning the rerun election held in the state by 45,876 votes, thereby upturning his vote deficit prior to Saturday’s election. 

Declaring the result on Sunday, the state INEC Returning Officer, Professor B. B Shehu, said Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 45,876 votes while Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 10,239 votes.

 

28 local governments were affected by the rerun poll with a total registered voters of 131,073.

Out of the figures, only 57,777 voters were accredited. 

While the total valid votes during the rerun poll stood at 56,407, rejected votes were 1,100, and votes cast were 57,507.

Before the elections were declared inconclusive after the March 9 governorship election, PDP was leading with 1,014,474 votes to APC’s 987,819 votes.

After Saturday’s rerun results, APC’s votes haul stood at 1,033,695 against 1,024,713 votes secured by PDP, meaning Ganduje won with a margin of 8,982 votes.


PDP wins 4 out of 5 LGAs in Imo Assembly rerun poll

PDP calls for cancellation of Kano supplementary election

Results of the Saturday House of Assembly elections in Imo State have seen the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) increase its seats in the 9th assembly in the state to 13 out of the 27 seats of the state local government areas.

This followed the party winning four out of five local government areas where supplementary elections took place.

The party had won nine seats at the end of the March 9 House of Assembly elections in the state two weeks ago.

In the rerun election in Ikeduru state constituency, INEC declared Mr. Uche Ogbuagwu of the PDP winner having polled a total of 18,791 votes to beat his closest rival, the APC candidate, who polled a total of 4,042 votes.

Paschal Okolie of the PDP was declared the winner of the election in Orlu state constituency after he scored 8677 votes to beat his closest rival Mr. Okechukwu Okafor of the AA who scored 7768 votes.

Also in Ngorokpala state constituency, Okereke Tochi of the PDP was declared the winner of the election. He polled 11,500 votes to beat his closest rival, Egwu Obinna of AA who scored 7557.

A PDP candidate is also said to have won Oguta seat in the state House of Assembly.

APC’s Chike Okafor, however won Okigwe South Federal Constituency election.


KANO: Situation Room wants INEC to only collate results in areas without violence

Following widespread irregularities in the Saturday’s governorship supplementary election in Kano State, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, has said results of elections in areas marred by violence should be discarded.

It said the Independent National Electoral Commission should “discountenance the supplementary elections where violence occurred and proceed to make a declaration on the basis of the polls already concluded.”

This was contained in a statement by the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener (NCSSR) Clement Nwankwo, which was jointly endorsed by two alternate chairs, Y.Z Yau and Esther Uzoma.

“In the light of widespread violence in the areas where INEC had conducted supplementary elections in Kano State, Situation Room calls on INEC to discountenance the supplementary elections where violence occurred and proceed to make a declaration on the basis of the polls already concluded, as the country will be in no mood to accept the conduct of another supplementary election on the back of a supplementary election.

“Situation Room is concerned about reports emanating from the Kano State supplementary elections that indicate serious violence, extensive use of thugs to perpetrate electoral violence.

“Situation Room condemns the actions of political parties in the run-up to the supplementary elections and on Election Day. Reports received show massive deployment of thugs and party agents to polling units. In Gama Ward, a large number of thugs were seen intimidating voters, observers and even INEC officials around the polling units, unchecked, despite the presence of security personnel.

“There were also incidents of high deployment of unaccredited party agents to polling units who aided the disruption of the voting process. Situation Room is concerned that abuses of electoral process and violence have occurred despite the deployment of top-level Police officials, including a Deputy Inspector General, three Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police.

“In the previous elections, the State Commissioner of Police took charge without senior-level officers. It is therefore ironic and curious that this level of violence and political thuggery would occur with this quantum of senior Police Officers deployed. Situation Room has always advocated against redeployment of Commissioners of Police ahead of elections.

“Reports also showed that there were high incidences of vote buying facilitated by thugs and party agents. This trend was seen particularly in Gama Ward of Nasarawa Local Government. There were also reported cases of attempted inducement of observers with cash,” the statement reads.


BENUE GUBER POLL: INEC officially declares Gov Ortom winner

Some billions allegedly disappear from Benue’s N14.9bn Paris Club refunds

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Samuel Ortom winner of Saturday’s supplementary election staged in Benue State.

Ortom, the incumbent governor of the state, polled 434,473 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Jime, who got 345,155 votes – a margin of 89,318.

The result which returned Ortom for a second term in office was announced by INEC’s Returning Officer in the state, Professor Maimako Sebastian.

Before the rerun, Ortom was leading Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressive Congress with 81,264 votes and with results announced by INEC, Ortom will remain in office for another four years.


PDP clinches 2 remaining Assembly seats in Adamawa

PDP calls for cancellation of Kano supplementary election

Results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clinched the two remaining state constituency seats contested for in Saturday’s supplementary election.

According to figures released by INEC, Umar Nashon, the PDP candidate in Nassarawo/Binyeri State Constituency in Mayo-Belwa LGA, won the contest in that constituency by polling 10,733 votes against the 7,185 received by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Similarly, Abbas Aminu Iya of the PDP, representing the Uba/Gaya State Constituency in Hong LGA, narrowly defeated his APC opponent, Mohammed Atiku. Iya got 7,251 votes while Atiku had 7,238 votes.

The PDP and APC got eleven seats each when the main state House of Assembly election was conducted on March 9 but with the latest result, the PDP now has 13 seats in the next session of the Adamawa State House of Assembly to post a slim majority.


INEC finally announces APC as winner of March 9 Reps re-run election in Imo

Two more federal lawmakers dump APC

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Chike Okafor, has been declared winner of Okigwe South federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okafor as the winner of the constituency seat on Sunday, two weeks after the commission conducted a supplementary election in the area.

At the end of the National Assembly election of February 23, no winner emerged from the election.

On March 9, INEC conducted a supplementary election for the area but had since refused to collate and announced the results of the poll.

On Sunday March 24, the Returning Officer, Professor C. I. Duruigbo announced that Okafor, a serving member of the House of representatives won the election with a total vote of 23,815 to defeat his closest rival, Emeka Nwajiuba of the Accord party, who scored 21,454 votes.

Action Alliance candidate got 2,549 votes while Jonas Okeke of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 14,621 votes, the Returning Officer said.


SOKOTO: Gov Tambuwal wins re-election with 341 votes

SOKOTO: Gov Tambuwal wins re-election with 341 votes

Governor Aminu Tambuwal has won his re-election bid for another four-year tenure in Sokoto state with a slim margin of 341 votes.

Incumbent Governor Aminu Tambuwal and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared winner of the governorship election in Sokoto State.

Tambuwal, won the election with a difference of 341 votes after collation of results from 22 Local Governments Areas (LGAs), where supplementary election took place on Saturday.

The result was announced by Fatima Mukhtar, Returning Officer for the election at the INEC collation center in the state on Sunday.

After the result of the supplementary election was collated and added to the March 9, election result, Tambuwal polled a total vote of 512,002 to defeat Ahmad Aliyu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came closely behind with 511,661, losing to his erstwhile principal with just 341 votes.

Tambuwal was leading with 489,558 votes on March 9 when the governorship election was declared inconclusive, while Ahmad Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came behind with 486,145 votes.

Tambuwal at the end of the March 9 governorship election, had led with 3,413 votes.

INEC had however declared the election inconclusive owing to the cancellations of votes in 136 polling units across 22 LGAs, which had 75,403 registered voters.

Tambuwal, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, is now set to lead the state for another four years.


BAUCHI: PDP In the lead as collation of results end

BAUCHI: PDP In the lead as collation of results end

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi, Senator Bala Mohammed, has again defeated Governor Mohammed Abubakar in the Saturday supplementary election in the state.

Mohammed, who may soon be announced as winner of the state governorship election, had also won the March 9 governorship election which was declared inconclusive.

After the collation of the supplementary elections which was conducted in 15 of 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, Mohammed polled a total vote of 6,376 to defeat Governor Abubakar, who got 5,117 votes.

At the previous election, Mohammed had led with 469,512 votes against Abubakar’s, 465,453 votes. The margin of difference was 4,059 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to collate the March 9 election result from Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA).

However PDP led APC in the LGA result when it was announced at the previous election before the state returning officer cancelled election there.

But after examining issues leading to the cancellation of Tafawa Balewa result, INEC said it will accept the result but was halted by a court order from doing so.


KANO RE-RUN: CUPP calls for cancellation, says thuggery at polls a manifestations of Buhari body language

ONNOGHEN'S SUSPENSION: Opposition parties run to UN, AU to rebuke Buhari

Opposition Political Parties under the platform of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have insisted that supplementary elections in Kano State be cancelled.

The coalition said reports of massive bloodshed, violent activities of armed thugs and sporadic shooting of voters during the exercise was a manifestation of President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) party body language.

First national spokesman of the group Imo Ugochinyere, stated this in a statement on Saturday.

“We are calling for an immediate halt of the exercise because what is ongoing in Kano State cannot be described as an election but a bloody vampire ceremony.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must put an end to this unnecessary shedding of blood by putting an immediate end to the exercise.

“It is regrettable that the state had been taken over by armed thugs who are busy shooting voters in the name of election and killing anything standing on their way.

“These thugs armed with sophisticated weapons took over accreditation and voting and murdered party agents.

“These shameful acts are physical manifestations of the body language of President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement read.

Incumbent Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, who entered into the supplementary election trailing behind the PDP candidate, is now leading following the results announced so far.


REC blames returning officer for delay in collation of Bauchi re-run result

Resident Eectoral Commissioner (REC) for Bauchi State, Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said the state Returning Officer, Muhammed Kyari, is responsible for the delay in collation of Saturday’s supplementary election in the state.

He said the absence of the state Returning Officer is hindering the collation, noting that collation officers for the 15 local government areas where the poll held were on ground but the exercise could not commence without Kyari.

He stated this at the state collation center in the state capital, on Saturday night.

According to Abdullahi, the returning officer for the election was on his way back to Bauchi from Yola in Adamawa State.

“Instead of sitting back in my office for the arrival of the returning officer who is on his way from Yola, I felt it is important to come and explain to you on why collation has not commenced.

“We have received all the results from the 15 local government areas but we were made to understand that the returning officer took off a bit late this evening… we have been seeing reports that INEC is plotting to change results. We are not an interested party in the outcome of the election. What is paramount for INEC is the processes and the procedure and not the outcome.

We want to assure that INEC is just and fair to all. So we have to be patient and continue to wait until the arrival of the returning officer,” he said.

He refuted claims that the delay in collation of results was because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was plotting to rig the exercise.


Benue Collation officer who was shot has died!

The collation officer for Gboko local government area of Benue state, Comfort Dooshima, has been reported dead.

Dooshima who was a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Benue, was attacked on her way to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) head office in Markurdi, the state capital, on Saturday night.

More details coming…


BENUE: INEC begins collation of results as Ortom maintains lead

One soldier killed, two others injured as herdsmen attack Ortom's village

Despite the several reports of hoodlums disrupting the electoral process in Benue State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced collation of election results in the state.

According to the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Ne- ntawe Yilwatda collation of results commenced at 10p.m Saturday at the INEC Headquarters in Makurdi.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained his earlier lead as results of supplementary elections held in state started trickling in.

According to results from some polling units especially at the Makurdi Central South/All Saints Primary School Polling Unit 014, the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 49 votes while the PDP scored 75 votes.

Results released at the Modern Market/Ternamdo Polling Unit 011, showed that APC polled 83 votes while the PDP scored 96 votes.

However, at Tse- Hirnyam Polling Unit 002 in Nyiev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, the APC scored 149 votes while the PDP scored 86 votes.

Also, results revealed from some polling units in Benue South senatorial district showed Ortom leading in the area.


Lalong wins Plateau governorship election

Lalong wins Plateau governorship election

The incumbent governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared the winner of the governorship election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Lalong winner after the conclusion of the supplementary election held in the state yesterday.

According to the Returning Officer in the state, Prof Richard Kimbir, Lalong polled a total of 595,582 votes to defeat 23 other candidates, including Jeremiah Oseni of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who polled 546,813 votes.

Kimbir stated that a total of 1,159,954 valid votes were recorded while 16,188 were rejected, saying 1,176,142 was the total number of votes cast.

Governor Lalong scored 12,327 new votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jeremiah Useni, earned 8,487 in the supplementary election that took place in nine local government areas of the state on Saturday, March 23.

The election in the state was declared inconclusive after the first round of ballot on March 9.


BENUE: Unknown gunmen shoot INEC Returning Officer

BENUE: Unknown gunmen shoot INEC Returning Officer

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Returning Officer for Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Professor T. Doshima has been shot by unknown gunmen.

Professor Doshima was shot while traveling from Gboko to Makurdi after the conclusion of the supplementary election and announcement of result for the LG.

According to eye-witness, Mr.  Issac  Utom, who spoke to reporters in Makurdi, the Returning Officer was traveling in the company of the electoral officer and the driver of the vehicle marked FG 273 UO1.

Doshima, according to the eye witness, has been admitted in a hospital, as she sustained injuries.

He said: “Around 6pm after the EO and Returning Officer of Gboko declared the winner of the constituency,  they arranged everything,  we moved from Gboko to Makurdi around 9pm.

“On our way to Makurdi some group of men,  armed thugs started shooting at the INEC vehicle that was conveying the materials to Makurdi.

“They shot Prof.  Dooshima who is the Returning Officer for Gboko LG, so after they shot her,  we drove straight to INEC headquarters so that we can make a comment.  She is in the hospital.”


SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTIONS: CDD bemoans attacks on INEC staff, observers, journalists

SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTIONS: CDD bemoans attacks on INEC staff, observers, journalists

The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has condemned attacks on ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, media, observers and other electoral participants during the supplementary polls.

Accoding the CDD, these attacks marred the supplementary elections.

The CDD condemned the activities of party agents and thugs it accused of carrying out the attacks through its Director, MS Idayat Hassan, in Abuja on Saturday.

Hassan, who was represented by an analyst at CDD, Dr Jideofor Adibe, said the group’s observers noted incidents of violence and disruption of voting process.

According to Hassan, the cases were reported in Kano, Sokoto, Benue and Bauchi states where supplementary governorship and state houses of assembly elections held.

“In Kano State, violence and disruption of polling were widespread as an army of thugs reportedly took over polling activities in several local government areas, including Nasarawa, Dala, Karaye and Gaya.

“It is distressing that political thugs took over the elections, forcing voters to vote along a party line, stoning voters and violently disrupting the elections.‘’

The CDD director added that this was because Gama ward in Nasarawa LGA in Kano State was strategic to winning the supplementary elections by either of the two leading candidates.

In Sokoto, particularly in Bodinga LGA, Bodinga ward (PU11), Hassan said a dispute which eventually disrupted the election, erupted between the agents of the two leading parties, adding that the election, was disrupted over attempts by a party agent to assist voters in voting.

Hassan, who insisted that evidence suggested that the deliberate deployment of political thuggery during elections seemed to have become the norm in Nigeria, said that the trend was extremely disturbing, and it was imperative to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy by holding the perpetrators accountable.

Questioning the massive deployment of security brother the elections with thuggery instrumentalised in the elections, Hassan said in several instances, the security agents were reported to have turned a blind eye to the act of brigandage perpetrated by the political thugs.

She said that the electoral cycle witnessed so much intimidation, harassment and attack on voters, journalists, observers and INEC officials.

“This unfortunate development, however, took an unprecedented turn in the Kano supplementary elections where party agents and thugs intimidated and attacked voters and observers in the course of exercising their franchise or monitoring the process.’’

According to her, there was a clear case of where party agents and thugs coerced and intimidated voters to vote for their candidates, adding that the high level of intolerance against poll monitors was not limited to observers.


LAGOS: APC Wins supplementary election in Ibeju-Lekki constituency

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ibeju-Lekki State Constituency I, Fatai Mojeed, has been declared winner of the supplementary election in the area.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the result for the conducted supplementary election in nine polling units of the state constituency on Saturday.

The March 9 election in the constituency was declared inconclusive because of over-voting in the nine polling units, covering two Registration Areas (Ward).

Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Rasheed Ojikutu, announced the result for the election at the Collation Centre located in INEC office in Ibeju-Lekki council at about 6:30 p.m.

Ojikutu, of the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos, first read out scores of each political party in March 9 election, before announcing the total votes in the supplementary poll.

According to him, in March 9 election, APC polled 8,525 votes and PDP scored 1, 786, SDP got 63, ADP scored 54 votes, Accord got 50 votes, AD polled 59 votes while other political parties scored less than 40 votes each.

He announced that Mojeed polled a total of votes 9,484 to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (NAN) Mrs Tare Oliver who got 1,901 votes.

“I, Prof. Rasheed Kola Ojikutu, hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the constituency I of Ibeju-Lekki in the election held on the 23rd Day of March 2019.

“I declare that Mojeed Fatai Adebola of APC, haven satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,” ojikutu said.

Accord Party scored 51 votes, AD polled 60 votes, ADC polled 26 votes, SDP got 64 votes, AAC polled 27 votes, ADP got only 55 votes while others got less than 10 votes each.

Total registered voters were 122, 442, while the total accredited voters for the election were 12,245.

The party agents took turns to sign the results.

Speaking, Prince Wasiu Elemoro, candidate of PDP for Ibeju-Lekki constituency, described the election as being far better than the previous polls.

Elemoro said that the supplementary election was free, fair and peaceful.


EKITI: APC’s Oluwajuwa wins House of Assembly rerun election, completing rout

OPEYEMI BAMIDELE: You’re wicked, PDP tells Fayemi

Hon.Adegbuyi Oluwajuwa of the All Progressive Congress has emerged victorious in the supplementary elections for Ekiti East Constituency 1, in the State House of Assembly.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has constituency Returning Officer for the election, Dr Chika Asokwa, said, “at the completion of the supplementary elections, Oluwajuwa polled 5, 484 to defeat his opponent from the PDP who polled 3,258 votes”.

The March 9 elections were declared inconclusive in the five units of the constituency, having been allegedly characterized by violence.

Affected areas where the election was held were four polling units, namely Ward 9 Polling Unit 3 Aya Alaafe; Ward 9 Polling Unit 8, Odo oro; Ward 9 Polling Unit 9, Odo-ile and Ward 6 Polling Unit 3, Ekurugbe.

The race was majorly between Juwa Adegbuyi of the ruling APC, and the current occupier of the seat and candidate of the opposition PDP, Mr Ojo-Ade Fajana.

The turnout of voters for the supplementary election was quite impressive as many registered electorates arrived early for accreditation, compared to what obtained during the first round of the assembly poll.

It was observed that heavy security mounted by combined team of Police and Civil Defence prevented breakdown of law and order.

Materials arrived enough at the four pulling units where the exercise took place, even as restriction placed on both human and vehicular movement by INEC was strictly enforced in the entire local government area.

APC had earlier won 25 of the 26 available seats in the state House of Assembly, leaving behind only that of Ekiti East (1) Constituency, now decided.

INEC Administrative Secretary in the state who doubles as Acting REC, Dr Muslim Omoleke who monitored the poll exercise in company with his staff, commended people of the area for their orderliness.


Rerun was conducted ‘peacefully and smoothly’, ignore the ‘false’ reports- Kano govt

Despite bribery scandal, Kano N’Assembly members endorse Ganduje

Kano State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, has dismissed reports that a serving commissioner in the state was arrested during Saturday’s supplementary elections.

He further stated that the reported loss of lives due to violence in some polling units was also untrue.

Garba said the reports, which he described as negative, false and disturbing, were nothing but propaganda of the Kwankwasiyya movement of PDP designed and perpetrated to discredit the conduct of the rerun in the affected areas as they envisaged clear defeat.

He added that the elections were conducted peacefully and smoothly stating that there was no breach of law or wrongdoing from the government side as alleged and mischievously spread by the PDP.

Malam Muhammad Garba therefore called on Kano citizens to disregard these fake news and propaganda and remain calm as collation of results continues.


BAUCHI: Armed security men abduct 4 INEC officials, electoral materials

ANALYSIS... The fire consuming INEC may be burning out hope of credible elections

At least four Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were on Saturday kidnapped by armed men in Bauchi State.

The officials whose name are yet be ascertained as at the time of this report, were kidnapped at Jamare Local Government Registration Area 02 with Polling Unit Code 010.

According to a staff of the commission who escaped, the armed security operatives came in seven Toyota Hilux vans.

Narrating the incident to news men the staff said, “Four of our staff in Jamare LGA Registration Area 02 with Polling Unit Code 010 have been abducted with voting materials. The place was invaded by heavily armed security operatives who came in seven Toyota Hilux Vans, and took the four INEC officials to Jamare LGA to perfect their plots.”


PDP backs its Kano chapter on cancellation of re-run governorship election

2019: PDP leadership kicks as INEC dumps its Ogun candidates list for Kashamu’s

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has backed the call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the March 23 Kano State Supplementary election.

The state chapter of the APC had made the call earlier over alleged disruption of polls and bloodletting by thugs believed to be supporters of an opposition party.

Kano State APC had since asked INEC to ignore the call saying there were no reasons for the cancellation of the election.

But in a statement by its spokesman, PDP national leadership said “all material facts on the supplementary election in Kano state show that rampaging APC thugs violently took over polling units, attacked and chased away voters and engaged in massive thumb-printing and ballot stuffing for the APC.”

The party said that INEC was already aware that the Police arrested the Kano State Commissioner for Special Duties, Muktar Yakasai, alongside APC thugs he led to disrupt election in Yelwa in Dala Local Government area of the state.

“Also INEC is already aware of how APC thugs attacked voters in polling units in Gama area of Kano state during which four PDP members were feared killed and many more injured before they carted away ballot boxes for stuffing for the APC,” it added.

The PDP cautioned INEC to note that in this circumstance any results they come out with from this convoluted electoral process will be a sham and will surely be rejected by the people of Kano State.

“It is completely reprehensible that the APC and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje would resort to violence and bloodletting as a means to attempt to hold on to power after they have been rejected by the people.

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note that our party grew democracy for 16 years without watering the quest for power with the blood of the innocent as the APC has done in the 2019 general election.

“The PDP therefore charges INEC to save the nation from crisis by cancelling the Kano Supplementary election, as failure to do so is not in the best interest of our dear nation,” the PDP said.


BENUE: Suspected thugs attack escorts, vehicles conveying electoral materials

BENUE: Suspected thugs attack escorts, vehicles conveying electoral materials

Despite the heavy presence of security operatives in Benue State, hoodlums reportedly had a field day disrupting the electoral process in the state.

Reports say thugs attacked escorts, drivers and some vehicles conveying electoral materials to Azendeshi ward for the supplementary elections in the state.

That much information was made known by the Benue State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nentawe Goshew on Saturday after he raised an alarm over the attack by the political thugs.

According to Dr. Goshew, the attack took place along Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of the State.

The incident comes hours after the rerun election at Jato-Aka, Tse Akough PU 012, Yaav ward, Kwande Local Government Area of the state was disrupted by suspected political thugs.

According to reports, the electoral process was thrown into confusion by the thugs led by a young man identified as Mr. Iorver Yough, believed to be working for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Reports say voters fled the polling unit after Yough allegedly slapped a PDP agent, Micheal Iornongo, allegedly using club and machetes on him while other gang members broke the ballot box and snatched the voters register.


KANO: Don’t mind PDP, ensure conclusion of election, APC tells INEC

Ganduje sues publisher of his alleged $5m bribery videos, demands N3bn as damages

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ignore calls by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to cancel the ongoing supplementary election in the state.

The opposition PDP had earlier called on INEC to cancel the supplementary governorship election in the state over alleged irregularities.

But in its response, the state APC chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said there were no reasons for the cancellation of the rerun poll.

While he claimed that allegations of electoral irregularities raised by the PDP is not true, he called on INEC to “ensure conclusion of the election.”

He said, “The call by the PDP for cancellation of election was uncalled-for because the election is still ongoing.

“PDP should wait for the final result of the poll and then take legal action if not satisfied with it. That is what the law provided.

“I think PDP failed to mobilise its people that’s all,” he said.

PDP had also alleged that thugs allegedly deployed by APC from Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states were casting votes for APC unhindered, but Abbas denied the claim, saying that the population in the affected areas in Kano was more than enough to partake in any election.

He appealed to security personnel to ensure safety of lives and property during and after the election.


PDP calls for cancellation of Kano supplementary election

PDP calls for cancellation of Kano supplementary election

Kano State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the ongoing supplementary governorship election across the 28 local government areas of Kano State.

The party based its call on alleged electoral offences being perpetrated by thugs in the state with security agencies apparently doing nothing to stop them.

The call was made by the acting chairman of the party, Rabiu Sulaiman-Bichi, while addressing a news conference in Kano on Saturday.

He said there was need for the commission to cancel the election as the process had completely been taken over by armed political thugs.

He said, “Today this charade called re-run election was slated to hold in Kano and other states but unfortunately, what we have in Kano is nothing but a sham.

“Reports reaching us since yesterday indicated that thugs have allegedly been mobilised to take over all the 208 polling units.”

He further said that thugs allegedly brought from Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau and other neighbouring states and were “armed to the teeth” posing as voters in the polling units in the localities.

According to him, the thugs freely voted with the PVCs that did not belong to them, while some posed as INEC staff.


PDP raises alarm over plots to arrest its leaders in Bauchi

ELECTIONS: PDP warn Army Chief, Buratai

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it is in receipt of credible intelligence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allegedly plotted to use compromised security personnel for a mass arrest of its top leaders in Bauchi State.

It alleges that the move is meant to put the opposition party leaders out of circulation and enable the APC have a field day to rig the supplementary election.

This was contained in a statement the PDP spokesman released and made available to newsmen on Saturday.

“The PDP also has been informed of plots by the APC to unleash its thugs and compromised security agents to storm polling units between 1pm to 3pm to snatch election materials and change results and take them to INEC office in Bauchi for collation and announcement.

“The PDP leaders earmarked for the illegal mass arrest by the APC include but not limited to Alhaji Bello Kirfi, Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Senator Isa Hamma Misau, Alhaji Hamza Akuyam, PDP Bauchi State Chairman, Hon Salisu Zakari Ningi, Hon Ahmed Yerima, Hon Samaila Burgah, Hon Aminu Tukur as well as PDP leaders and agents in the 29 polling units where elections are holding in the state,” Ologbondiyan said.

The PDP also said Nigerians should hold the APC responsible should any harm befall any of “our leaders or members in Bauchi State during and after the elections.”

The party however stated that such underhand scheme by the APC will not deter it from standing firm in resisting all aggression and consolidating on our already established victory in the state.

“All our members are at red alert in monitoring the electoral process; we will never allow any alteration of results as delivered at the polling units and that nobody, no matter the machination deployed, can rig us out in this election,” he added.

PDP’s governorship candidate, Mohammed Bala, is currently leading the state incumbent governor after collations of March 9 election results were announced.


BAUCHI: Voters chase politicians from polling unit in Bauchi

IMO: Ad hoc staff complain over exclusion at Imo INEC office

Not to give room for disruption of polls, some voters at Kagadama polling unit in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State have chased politicians away.

The incident happened at the ongoing supplementary election in the area.

The voters, who said they would not allow anybody deny them from electing the governor of their choice for the state, resisted any attempt by the politicians to come near the polling unit as soon as they sighted them.

They vowed to remain on the queue and ensure they cast their ballots for the candidate of their choice no matter what happens.


Election disrupted in Benue as voters flee, thugs smash ballot box

Election disrupted in Benue as voters flee, thugs smash ballot box

There is palpable tension in Benue State after the rerun election at Jato-Aka, Tse Akough PU 012, Yaav ward, Kwande Local Government Area of the state was disrupted by suspected political thugs.

According to reports, the electoral process was thrown into confusion by the thugs allegedly led by a young man identified as Mr. Iorver Yough.

Reports say voters fled the polling unit after Yough allegedly slapped a PDP agent, Micheal Iornongo, allegedly using a club and machetes on him while other gang members broke the ballot box and snatched the voters register.

Meanwhile, fears are on the rise in the state capital as security operatives have blocked all major streets within Makurdi township as part of measures to enforce the ban on movement order during the elections.

Armed security personnel were seen at Wurukum, High level, North Bank, Wadata market and other major streets in Makurdi to ensure compliance with the directive.


ELECTIONS: Journalists escape lynching in Kano

ELECTIONS: Journalists escape lynching in Kano

Some journalists on election duty during the supplementary polls in Kano State escaped being lynched by a mob on Saturday.

The incident happened at Suntulma Primary School in Gama ward of Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, where angry thugs chased the newsmen for daring to cover happenings around the ward.

The newsmen had made efforts to interview some voters who were denied access to a polling unit in the ward. The act caught the attention of the thugs who chased them out of the place.

The newsmen took to their heels, and some reportedly fell to the ground several times. While some lost their valuables, others had their clothes torn.

One of them, name not mentioned, was said to have run into a mosque to escape the wrath of the angry thugs.


KANO SUPPLEMENTARY POLLS: Stories of electoral offences flood social media

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Ugly stores of electoral irregularities happening in Kano State have saturated Twitter and other social media platforms.

These are what some Nigerians in Kano are tweeting concerning the supplementary election currently ongoing in the state:

Umar Gezawa, @gezawaumar: There is no election going on in Kano. #KanoRerun

Nasidi Adamu Yahaya, @Nasidi_Kura said: An APC chieftain in Kano has ordered political thugs to assault our colleague and seized his equipments. This #KanoRerun is crazy.

“My colleague in Kano has just told me government officials have asked TVC crew – with their OB van – to leave Gama town if they didn’t want to be “dealt with.” #KanoRerun

“Thugs from other places have invaded Gama town where #KanoRerun takes place.

Wallahil Azeem said: We were attacked twice in Takai Local Government. We were first attacked around 4am in the morning but we were lucky to espace that and proceed to Falali Ward only for thugs to be sent to disrupt the electoral Process and send us away. #KanoRerun

Another twitter user, Dadiyata, @dadiyata: Kunya Ward, Minjibir LG @OfficialAPCN# said: thugs have finished stuffing the ballot box & already on their way to @inecnigeria collation center #KanoRerun.

“Voters are attacked, Press men are attacked, Opposition are attacked Democracy is under Attack

“The election at Beli ward, Rogo LG, #Kano has been Cancelled! #KanoRerun

“At Kofar Mazugal @OfficialPDPNig agent is stabbed, all identified PDP supporters are openly attacked, whoever attempts to record the incidence on his phone is equally attacked! #KanoRerun

“Command now under control of the deployed DIG is COMPROMISED as they watch APC thugs unleash mayhem without intervening

“Info at my disposal suggest that Airforce men are on their way to Gama to take charge of the situation”.


BAUCHI RERUN: Dogara tells Int’l community those to hold responsible if there are killings

2019 ELECTION: Editors warn politicians, security agents

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has preempted plans to hijack today’s supplementary election in Bauchi State.

The Speaker has also written the international community including International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Union (EU), governments of the United States and the United Kingdom.

Dogara who expressed fears on the safety of residents in the state, pointed accusing fingers at the state governor, Abdullahi Abubakar; Bauchi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi; Commissioner of Police Bauchi State; Director, Department of State Services Bauchi State and all security personnel.

In a statement by his media aide, Turaki Hassan on Friday, the Speaker said, ‘’I write to draw the attention of the United States authorities to this murderous order given to the security agents in Bauchi state to kill innocent citizens. Should any person in the State lose his life tomorrow (today) in consequence of this fraud called supplementary elections, the responsibility must rest squarely onthe shoulders of the following individuals and institution; namely: Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi state whose desperation knows no bounds; Bauchi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi; Commissioner of Police Bauchi State; Director, Department of State Services Bauchi State and all security personnel who obey the illegal murderous order to kill innocent citizens.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the March 9 governorship election in the state inconclusive.


REEUN ELECTION: TMG storms Bauchi, advises INEC to avoid previous mistakes

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a successful conduct of today’s supplementary elections in affected States.

Elections have been scheduled to hold in Kano, Bauchi, Imo, Plateau, Sokoto, Kogi, Benue, Ebonyi and Lagos States after elections in some parts of the states were declared inconclusive.

TMG in a statement on Friday by its Chairperson, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, recommended that INEC ensure persons indicted during the last election did not participate in the election.

Akiyode-Afolabi also advised INEC to ensure voters were not denied their voting rights

She said, While the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) noted the obvious issues and documented irregularities observed during the last governorship elections and the criticisms that followed across the country, we expect that INEC would discharge its duty without fear or favor during the supplementary elections.

‘’INEC must ensure that the mistakes inherent in the earlier conducted governorship elections in the affected states are not repeated as we also call on all political parties to refrain from any actions that will further overheat the polity or jeopardize the exercise.

‘’The only way to preclude electoral irregularities is for all stakeholders to synergize and together keep an eye of the entire process.

“Security agencies, particularly the police must be reminded that their ultimate responsibility and loyalty is to the people; therefore, they must conduct themselves in a manner that will not in any way compromise the sanctity of the elections.

”As people, we must understand that nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and lawlessness; we must all work together to prevent any future violence.”

Akiyode-Afolabi urged voters to defy intimidation and come out en mass to vote.


Nobody can rig us out in supplementary elections –PDP

Campaign distractions caused killing of Nigerian soldiers - PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it cannot be rigged out in this Saturday’s supplementary elections in some state.

It stated this while accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plots to assist the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the electoral processes in Bauchi, Sokoto and Adamawa states.

The party said this in a statement by its national publicity secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

The statement read in part, “In Bauchi, Nigerians are all aware that INEC is yet to complete the collation of results to determine the margin of lead in the governorship election, yet it is proceeding to conduct a supplementary election.

“This anomaly being created by INEC is directly geared to cause confusion and muddle-up the Bauchi electoral process and pave the way for allocation of fictitious votes to the APC.

“The PDP has reports of how the INEC leadership connived with the APC to delay the collation of results from Tafawa Balewa Local government, then stampede the courts to halt the process in an attempt to ambush the March 23 Supplementary election.

“This informs why INEC hurriedly and shamelessly jettisoned its statutory independence and implemented the unconstitutional ex-parte order to halt the collation of results in Bauchi and Adamawa states, even before the order was enrolled and served on it.

“The PDP cautions INEC to note that it already has the figures of votes delivered at the polling units. We also have figure of voters with PVCs in the areas where INEC plans to conduct supplementary elections. Therefore any attempt by INEC and the APC to pad the results to favor the APC will be firmly resisted.”


RERUN: Come out to vote leaders of your choice, Buhari tells Nigerians

RERUN: Come out to vote leaders of your choice, Buhari tells Nigerians

As Nigerians in 17 states go to polls in governorship and legislative supplementary elections  today, President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked them to come out in their numbers and vote for leaders of their choice.

The President, in a statement on Friday night by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also denied that he had anointed candidates he was working for to win the elections by all means.

Thanking Nigerians once again for reelecting him, the President asked them to show the same enthusiasm by coming out today to vote in the supplementary elections.

He said: ‘‘I was deeply overwhelmed by your show of incredible confidence in me, and I will never let you down. Thank you for your sincere show of support for me.”

“These elections are no less important than others before them.’’

According to President Buhari, it was baseless rumour that he was forcing preferred candidates on voters. He called on Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right of free choice.

‘‘I believe in the will of the people, and I cannot, therefore, put pressure on voters to elect leaders they don’t like”, he said.


SUPPLEMENTARY POLL: Don’t bother! Ebonyi APC candidate withdraws from NASS race, joins PDP

With just few hours to the supplementary elections in Ebonyi, the All Progressives Congress’ candidate for Ezza North-west State constituency, Barr. Chikaodili Nomeh has discontinued his ambition and pledged support for the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Hon. Victor Chukwu.

The State Assembly elections of March 9, was stalled in three constituencies in the State which comprises of Ezza North-West Ezza North-East and Izzi East owing to violence and destruction of electoral materials by political thugs

While addressing newsmen in Abakaliki, Nomeh blamed the APC leadership and the guber candidate for the failure the party recorded in the last election, stating that as a major reason for his decision to pull out of the race.

While congratulating Governor David Umahi and the People’s Democratic Party, he emphasized that his decision was made freely without coercion, adding that he consulted widely with his supporters before taking the step.

He said, “The borderline of the whole issue were visible disposition of the APC in the State as demonstrated in both electioneering campaigns and elections proper where the party lost even in the guber candidate’s polling unit to the rampaging Peoples Democratic Party in the National Assembly elections in the State.

“With all the issues, it became obvious that APC in the State was never serious in elections.”

“Therefore, after a thorough consultation with family members and political associates, I hereby resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress, and withdraw from the contest as well as the supplementary election slated to hold in Ezza North-West State constituency on Saturday, 23rd March, 2019.”

Nomeh finally called on his teaming supporters to accept the decision in good faith while joining hands with him in support of the developmental programmes ongoing in the state even as he moved to the PDP.


On eve of supplementary polls, Bauchi finance commissioner resigns

Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development in Bauchi State, Garba Sarki Akuyam, has resigned his appointment as commissioner and member of the state executive council.

This decision is coming on the eve of the supplementary polls scheduled to hold in the state for assembly seats.

Akuyam announced his resignation at a press conference on Friday, explaining that recent developments and political realities in Bauchi State were the main reasons of his resignation.

The former commissioner had served the administration in the state as Commissioner of Rural Development, Commissioner of Finance and Director General APC state campaign organization in the last four years.

Akuyam said, “It is my privilege and singular honour to most sincerely register my appreciation for recognition accorded me by your Excellency to serve your Government and the good people of Bauchi state as commissioner, promising to answer another call to serve my dear state whenever called upon to do that in another capacity as the need may perhaps arise.”

According to him, he tendered his resignation after wide consultation with family, friends and associates.

He said that he has already delivered his letter of resignation to Governor Mohammed Abubakar through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

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