Author: The Nation

• Call for caution as PDP seeks suspension of results announcement

• APC candidate wins in  six states, Atiku takes five, Obi three

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Jide Orintunsin, Vincent Ikuomola, Tony Akowe, Eric Ikhilae, Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Gbade Ogunwale

Election observers, the National Peace Committee and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday cautioned against any attempt to abort the process leading to the final announcement of the presidential poll results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Their pleas followed the walkout from the INEC National Collation Centre in Abuja by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents.

However, other opposition parties distanced themselves from the PDP’s allegation of compromise against the electoral agency, urging it to continue with the announcement.

The police, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, also cautioned against unguarded statements by candidates and their agents to avoid throwing the country into chaos.

Former Head of State Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, who heads the Peace Panel, urged Nigerians to remain calm as INEC continued with the announcement of results.

The Commonwealth Observers Group urged aggrieved candidates to seek legal redress in court.

Its leader, former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki called for patience by stakeholders, maintaining that the redress of grievances and disputes through prescribed legal channels was the best option.

Also yesterday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for the cancellation of the results drew criticisms from stakeholders who warned against the repeat of the 1993 presidential poll annulment.

According to results announced by INEC as at yesterday, APC candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had won six states, while PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar won three and Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi took two states.

APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) said the standard bearer, Tinubu, was set for victory.

The Council objected to attempts by the PDP and LP to blackmail INEC to diacontinue the announcement of the results.

APC PCC Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Mr. Dele Alake, advised the opposition parties to behave honourably by accepting a looming defeat.

He spoke with reporters in Abuja, shortly after the PDP agents, Senator Dino Melaye and Emeka Ikhedoha, and their Labour Party, (LP) counterpart walked out of the INEC’s National Collation Centre.

Alake said: “A cursory look at the figures from across the states show that our candidate is well placed for victory. The results have shown that the Labour Party, as we kept saying, is no threat to our victory.

“The PDP, on the other hand, has also failed in its own permutation making its dream of victory go up in smoke. The PDP’s projection of a landslide win in the North has collapsed.”

Abdulsalami: be calm

Abdulsalami said on balance, the elections were peaceful across most part of the country.

He said: “However, now that the process of casting our votes has been largely concluded, the challenge now lies with the collation of the results.

“We perfectly understand that Nigerians are quite disturbed by these developments. Against this backdrop, we make the following appeals:

“Nigerians must be reminded that the world has invested a lot of goodwill towards us in these elections. We have taken note of the dissatisfaction among voters who braved all harsh weather elements to perform their civic duties.

“In the spirit of the peace accord, which all candidates and their chairmen signed on February 23, 2023, the NPC appeals to all the presidential candidates, the chairmen of parties, to take full responsibility for statements made by their spokespersons and agents.

“We appeal to all our citizens to remain calm while INEC continues with its process to its conclusion.

Abdulsalami added: “Finally, let us all stand together trusting in the will of God for our country.

“We appeal to INEC to take all the time it requires to ensure that it delivers results that inspire the confidence of our people and meet time tested international standards.”

A group, Yiaga Africa, called on INEC to protect the transparency of the result collation process by ensuring easy access to the collation centres for accredited observers and party agents.

Its Chairman, Hussaini Abdu and Executive Director Samson Itodo said: “Yiaga Africa is concerned about the unexplained delay in uploading polling unit results for the presidential election on the INEC Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV). As of 10 p.m, on election day, results for the presidential election were not uploaded on the INEC portal after voting and counting ended in several polling units.”

Onaiyekan: accept results as announced by INEC

On Sunday, Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, urged Nigerians to accept the result of the elections when announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Onaiyekan gave the advice in his sermon at the Church of the Assumption Parish, Asokoro, Abuja.

The archbishop, who is also a member of the National Prace Committee (NPC) said no human being can rule without the permission of God.

He said: “We are all full of expectations about the elections whose result is being awaited. It seems Nigerians generally want a change but whatever result that is eventually announced by INEC we should accept it.

“We may not have 100 per cent guarantee in the result announced by INEC, but we should have no doubt that the Lord of Lords and King of Kings reigns over our land. “Whether the result we are expecting comes out or not, His name will remain constant and be praised.”

Poll peaceful, says Mbeki

Mbeki urged candidates to address disputes through prescribed legal channels.

The former South African president spoke in Abuja when he presented the preliminary report of the Commonwealth Observation group.

He said: “We call on all those with grievances to address disputes through prescribed legal channels. The time now is for restraint and continued patience as we await the final results.”

Mbeki also commended the commitment shown by voters, despite the late arrival of election officials and materials at many polling units, technical issues with biometric identification machines in some cases, and delays with the live results transmission system.

He said: “We congratulate all Nigerians for their determination, patience and resilience displayed throughout the electoral process.”

Mbeki said the election was “largely peaceful” despite administrative and logistical hurdles at many polling units.

He also praised the polling officials for conducting their duties diligently, while noting some inconsistencies in procedures, particularly in the positioning of some polling booths, which compromised the secrecy of the ballot, as well as lack of advance voting for those deployed on election day.

Mbeki expressed displeasure over the extension of voting hours into the night due to late commencement of the exercise and the fact that some polling units were ill-equipped with proper lighting to facilitate voting and counting in the dark.

The former South African president urged the electoral commission to conduct a thorough post-election review of the electoral process to draw lessons and consider setting up appropriate mechanisms to implement the recommendations of observers.

The chairperson also noted an improvement with the enactment of a new Electoral Act in 2022, which gave the electoral commission more autonomy, legal backing for the use of electronic accreditation of voters and frameworks for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the elections, among other things.

Noting the low percentage of women candidates, the group was, however, impressed by the “vibrant participation” of young people, including as polling officials, in the elections.

AU, ECOWAS: maintain peace

The African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observation Missions urged Nigerians to be calm and wait patiently until the announcement of the final result. It cautioned against disinformation and fake news, especially on social media platforms that would incite post-election violence.

They also urged INEC to ensure credible conclusions of the electoral process.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, who is the leader of the AU delegation, and former President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, the leader of the ECOWAS delegation, presented their preliminary report on the election.

Koroma urged INEC to improve on its communication to avoid any form of speculations, disinformation and fake news.

He also urged INEC to stick to its tenet of credibility and integrity to ensure that the peaceful process that it already started comes to a peaceful conclusion.

Koroma said: “We appeal to Nigerians to remain peaceful and calm, listen to the official sources of dissemination of result and do not listen to the general social media platforms. They can cause disinformation and problems.

Kenyatta said: “We have no reason whatsoever to doubt the integrity of INEC. For us, it is to continue to appeal that those glitches they are having be rectified. The sooner the process is brought to a transparent conclusion, the better.

“Abide by the peace accord that we all witnessed signed and whatever the outcome to follow legal and constitutional means to air whatever grievances that they may have.”

EU to Nigerians: don’t rely on social media

The European Union urged Nigerians to rely on INEC for results.

It said the social media is not a credible source.

Barry Andrew, EU Chief Observer and Head of EU EOM, said: “Social media was actively used by political actors as a campaign tool. However, the platforms were misused to spread harmful content, including disinformation on key electoral processes; the measures the platforms took to protect electoral integrity were insufficient.

“Misleading information also came from political actors and contributed to a blurred information environment for voters.”

‘Fuel, currency scarcities impeded poll’

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) said that the ongoing currency and fuel shortages in the country affected voters’ participation in the elections.

The group suggested the broadening of the nation’s electoral space to allow the participation of more women and the disabled

The NDI/IRI election observer, led by former President Joyce Banda of Malawi, commended the enthusiasm exhibited by Nigerians in participating in the February 25 elections, despite the various challenges associated with the exercise.

PDP agent walks out

Senator Dino Melaye, who walked out of the Collation Centre, attempted to mobilise other party agents to follow suit. But, the agents refused.

Immediately after INEC announced a temporary break to resume in one hour, Melaye called some party agents to one side of the hall for a brief meeting.

He told them: “When we resume, before they announce any other state, we will all stand up and insist that they project the results on their portal. If they resume, we will all walk out and that will put the integrity of the whole process to question.”

He told reporters: “The electoral Act 2022 states that election results will be transmitted directly to the server. We found out that this has not been done because INEC failed in this regard.

“When I raised this issue today and supported by other party agents, the INEC Chairman vehemently evaded the issue. What Section 47(3) emphasis is that where ever the BVAS failed, if they cannot get a replacement, elections should be cancelled in those areas. We have seen from the presentation of results from Ekiti yesterday that some places were cancelled as a result of bypassing the BVAS.

“The only way to detect that BVAS has been bypassed is for us to see the uploaded results. We insisted that the chairman should show us here and now the uploaded results state by state, just like they are projecting the results they are presenting. That is the only way to test the veracity and authenticity of these results.”

PDP to INEC: Halt announcement of results

PDP Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba urged INEC to halt further announcement of results.

He questioned the neutrality of the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, saying: “It is alarming that INEC is aiding and abetting the rigging and manipulation of the election results in favour of the APC by flagrant and provocative violation of the express provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 by refusing and neglecting to transmit directly the results of the elections from the polling unit to the INEC server/website as required by law.”

Division over walkout

Eleven opposition parties dissociated themselves from the walk out, urging the electoral commission to continue with the announcement.

The parties are Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, All Progressives Congress, Africa People’s Movement Boot Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, National Renaissance Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressive Party.

Parties that walked out are Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Zenith Labour party, Action Democratic Party, Africa Democratic Party, Africa Peoples Party and All Progressive Grand Alliance.

Yakubu said the power conferred on INEC to review election is premised on the completion of the collation process, advising the parties to submit to the commission any evidence at their disposal for a possible review.

He also said the whole misunderstanding arose from the allegations of over-voting in Ekiti State, adding that over-voting in an election meant that the total number of vote cast was higher than the accredited voters.

He explained that in the case of Ekiti, there was no over voting since the total number of vote cast was lower than the total vote cast.

‘Walk-out, a plot to scuttle democracy’

APC-PCC described the walk-out by the PDP and LP as a plot to scuttle democracy and throw the country into constitutional crises.

Its Director of Public Affairs, Festus Keyamo (SAN), said their action was a precursor to executing the plan to stop the announcement of the results.

Keyamo, in the statement, said: “We have it on good authority that the PDP and Labour Party have perfected plans to finally scuttle our democracy and throw the country into constitutional crises by surreptitiously obtaining exparte court orders stopping the announcement of the Presidential Election results which they fear have gone against them.

“The walk-out they staged today at the National Collation Center is just a precursor to executing the plan

“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 Chief Authur Nzeribe.

“This is exactly what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi want to foist on this nation again because of their inordinate ambitions. This is not surprising because both candidates were nowhere to be seen when Asiwaju was fighting for the democracy we all enjoy today.

“However, we wish to draw the attention of Nigerians, the Judiciary and the world to the provisions of section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act which prohibits the grant of injunctions to stop the holding of elections (which includes the declaration of results). The section states:

“Nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections under this Act pending the determination of a suit.

“This has prompted their instructions to their campaign organizations, especially their spokespersons to continue to issue statements, making false claims of ‘victory’ when there is no single scientific basis for such claims.

“For instance, as outlandish as some of their claims of manipulation are, 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 their 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 straightforward: we wish to allow the legal process of declaring presidential election results to take place peacefully and in an orderly fashion. Asiwaju is not desperate but is very confident of victory.

“We, therefore, wish to advise anyone who wishes to aid and encourage these candidates along this infamous part to remember the June 12 debacle. They may also wish to learn a lesson or two from President Muhammadu Buhari who resorted to the court of law in 2003, 2007 and 2011 when the same PDP ‘defeated’ him in those presidential elections in controversial circumstances. President Buhari, as a true statesman and democrat, never resorted to underhand tactics to declare himself President.

“We hope a word is enough for the wise.”

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta; AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has displayed “mischief and hypocrisy” by calling for the cancellation of already conducted elections, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) said yesterday.

It warned that Obasanjo was recklessly trying to endanger and derail the country’s democratic process out of selfishness, ego and malice.

APC PCC Special Adviser on Media, Communications and Public Affairs, Mr. Dele Alake, who reacted to Obasanjo’s letter urging President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the presidential and National Assembly elections for not passing the credibility and transparency test, said the former leader acted in bad faith.

Obasanjo urged President Buhari to reschedule such cancelled election along with areas where elections were disrupted for next Saturday, March 4, 2023

He further argued that the BVAS and server officials for the elections should also be changed.

The elder statesman also recommended that a committee of Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) staff and representatives of the four major political parties with the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) be constituted.

Their duty, he said, would be to find stations or polling units that were manipulated as well as look into what must be done to have hitch-free elections next Saturday.

But the APC PCC said former military ruler had tragically abandoned his duty of being a statesman in comportment and speech and was now indirectly calling for a coup.

Similarly, a group, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), also condemned Obasanjo’s letter, saying that he had made himself a security risk.

According to the CNG, the former president needed to be questioned and cautioned over the inciting utterances.

The group warned that Obasanjo should be prepared to be held responsible for any breach of law and order that may lead to a rupture in the system.

Alake said: “Our attention has been drawn to a press statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in which he was virtually calling for a truncation of the ongoing electoral process and a cancellation of already conducted elections on the basis of frivolous, unfounded and baseless allegations by politicians who are sore losers and have no respect for democratic values.

“Obasanjo repeated without the slightest iota of evidence rumours he had picked up that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been compromised and that the results of elections being announced are fraudulent.

“It is tragic that a former President who ought to be a statesman in comportment and speech will recklessly seek to endanger and derail our democratic process for utterly selfish, egoistic and malicious reasons.

“He offers not a single credible piece of evidence to prove his laughable and ridiculous allegations against INEC and the credibility of the ongoing process.”

Alake accused Obasanjo of not being an impartial and disinterested party in the election, having publicly pitched his tent with the Labour Party.

He noted that on January 1, 2023, the former president issued “a characteristically lengthy epistle to Nigerians endorsing the candidacy of Mr. Peter Obi and asking Nigerian youths to vote en masse for him.

“Of course, our reaction was that the former President was entitled to his view and that the outcome of the elections would demonstrate if he had any electoral value. As fate would have it, Peter Obi was defeated even in Obasanjo’s own polling unit in Abeokuta in Ogun State.

“But it is now obvious that the only election Obasanjo will agree to being free, fair and credible is one that produces Obi as winner which is ridiculous.”

The APCPC Special Adviser wondered whether Obasanjo was also querying the outcome of the presidential elections in Lagos or Delta where Obi won.

He said: “If the outcome in Lagos won by Obi is free and credible, on what basis is he querying the outcome of the elections in other places? This is pure mischief and sheer hypocrisy.

“Obasanjo wants President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in an undemocratic manner to truncate the ongoing political process just the way he did most shamelessness in the 2003 and 2007 elections widely described as the worst in our political history.

“Luckily, President Buhari is made of finer and more principled democratic stuff. He will not allow Obasanjo to lure him into tainting his democratic credentials in this regard.

“We recall that in his last trip to the United States, President Joe Biden praised Buhari‘s commitment to democratic values and principles. Obasanjo has no such record to be applauded.”

Alake recalled Obasanjo’s alleged botched third-term agenda in 2007.

He said: “The world has not forgotten his fraudulent and undemocratic attempt at a third term agenda in violation of the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution.

“This is an election in which Asiwaju Tinubu, for instance, has lost in Lagos State in his Southwest region while Atiku and Obi have also won elections outside their own regional bases.

“No true democrat must seek an abortion of the process just because he believes the elections are not going his way.”

He warned that the former military ruler was seeking to subvert the constitution.

Alake said: “What Obasanjo is subtly calling for in his nefarious statement is a coup against democracy and the constitution. He should be roundly condemned and severely ignored.

“The constitution has stipulated processes for seeking redress against electoral malpractices in the past and these have been tested several times and used to redress electoral injustice where such has been proven.

“Nigerians must reject Obasanjo’s dubious and hypocritical advice and stay strictly and firmly on the path of constitutionalism and democratic due process.”

Presidential candidate of  All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu and  Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwolu yesterday appealed to residents to eschew acts that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

They spoke against the backdrop of reported attacks on some traders on Lagos Island.

While Tinubu expressed concern over the incident, Sanwo-Olu said  violence, was  not a  ”part of our culture.”

Also yesterday, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi urged Nigerians to exercise restraint in the aftermath of the presidential election.

Tinubu, in a statement by Director of Media and Publicity of APC Presidential  Campaign Council,  Bayo Onanuga,  said the outcome of the presidential election in Lagos State should not be a source of provocation.

He reminded Nigerians that the beauty of democracy was the right of everyone to vote for any candidate of their choice.

The former governor further said as a democrat, he was bound to accept outcome of any election, favourable or not.

Tinubu, according to Onanuga, said: “The fact that APC narrowly lost Lagos State to another party should not be reason for violence. As a democrat, you win some, you lose some. We must allow the process to continue unhindered while we maintain peace and decorum.”

Sanwo-Olu,  in a five-paragraph statement, said residents should go about their businesses since  ”all is now calm.”

He explained that security operatives had been deployed in troubled areas to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The statement reads: ”We have got reports of friction in some parts of Lagos this morning. All is calm now.

“There is no need for violence, which is not part of our culture.

“I urge Lagosians to go about their businesses without any fear of harassment. Law enforcement agencies have been asked to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order in any part of the state.

“I have been your governor for almost four years, promoting harmony and friendship across ethnic and religious lines without discrimination, whatsoever.”

“Let us remain calm. All will be well. We are peaceful and so we shall remain.”

Fayemi, who is president of Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF), called on Nigerians to avoid inflammatory comments and actions that could lead to breakdown of law.

He said: ‘’Election is not war. There are 90 million registered voters and it is impossible for all of them to have uniformity of electoral choices.

“Diversity and plurality of beliefs, ideas, and attitudes are bedrocks of representative democracy. An election will probably not be necessary if we have same choices.

‘’I urge Nigerians to be calm and not to make inflammatory statements or take actions that may lead to breakdown of law and order. Let’s allow Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) tally and announce the results.

‘’I note that INEC had challenges relating to the digitalisation of the electoral process but the commission had promised to fix this. We should give INEC benefit of the doubt, and await the completion of the process and the announcement of the final outcome.”

The former governor also appealed “to political leaders and actors to exercise restraint at this point and not to incite or encourage their followers to take the laws into their hands.”

• Egwu, Suswam, Ortom, Apoti-Uduaghan, Al-Makura, Ugwuanyi, Ayade, Abdullahi, Ibn Na’allah, others lose out

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief; Nsa Gill, (Calabar); Justina Asishana, (Minna); Onimisi Alao, (Yola); Dare Odufowokan; Adekunle Jimoh, (Ilorin); Sanni Onogu, Abuja Tajudeen Adebanjo, (Lagos); Ahmed Rufa’i (Dutse); Kolade Adeyemi (Jos), Jos; Bisi Oladele (Ibadan); Fanen Ihyongo (Kano); Ogochukwu Anioke, (Abakaliki); Sola Shittu, (Gombe); Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi; Segun Showunmi, (Ibadan); From Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Linus Oota, (Lafia)

Lawan wins fifth term

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has been declared the winner of Saturday’s election.  He will be returning to the Upper Legislative Chamber in June for a fifth term.

He currently represents Yobe North Senatorial District, which comprises Machina, Nguru, Yusufari, Bade, Jakusko, and Karasuwa councils.

Lawan polled 91,318 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bello Ilu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 22,849 votes.

Speaking with reporters yesterday, the Senate president said his constituents prayed and fasted for his return.

He also thanked the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state and national levels for supporting him.

Umahi gets Ebonyi South

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umayi has been declared the senator-elect for Ebonyi South  zone.

Umahi, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scored  28,378 votes to defeat his rivals, Linus Okorie of Labour Party,  who scored 25, 496, votes to come second. Eleje of APGA scored 11,398 votes to come third.

The INEC Returning officer, Prof. Augustine Ogugua Egwu of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, who announced the results in Afikpo North Local Government Area headquarters, declared that Umahi, having scored the highest votes cast to defeat his opponent, hereby stands elected as the winner.

Governor  Bello  to represent Niger North

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has won the Niger North Senatorial Seat. He defeated  his PDP  opponent  with 12,044 votes.

Announcing the result in Kontagora, the Returning Officer, Prof Kolo Zakiyos said that the Governor got 100,197 votes while the PDP candidate, Shehu Muhammad Abdullahi scored 88,153 votes and the NNPP Candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Wali got 13,886 votes.

Similarly, the current Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Senator Sani Musa was re-elected  on the platform of the APC

Musa got 159,650 votes while his closest opponent in PDP got 125,242 votes.

Adebule, Abiru, Eshilokun-Sanni win in Lagos

The three candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Lagos West, East and Central Senatorial Districts, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni have been elected.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Senatorial District Collation Officer, Prof Solomon Akinboye declared Dr Adebule, the former Lagos State Deputy Governor, winner, having scored the highest votes at the Collation Centre in Ikeja GRA.

She polled 361,296 votes to defeat a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Segun Adewale, who got 248,653 votes.

Prof Akinboye of the University of Lagos expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.

INEC Returning Officer for the Lagos East Senatorial election, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Oladipo, declared Senator Abiru as the winner of the Lagos East Senatorial election.

The results showed that he polled 178,646 votes to defeat his closest rival of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who garnered 80,249 votes.

In the Lagos Central Senatorial District, the Returning Officer, Prof Owolabi Lateef Kuye, announced at the collation centre, Sura, Lagos Island that Eshinlokun-Sanni was returned elected with 131, 828 votes.

Prof Kuye said the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, beat the PDP’s candidate, Gomez Adewale Francis, who got 69,320 votes.

He noted that the election was relatively peaceful in most of the polling units within the district.

An elated Eshinlokun-Sanni assured his constituents  of good representation at the Red Chambers.

APC clears three seats in Oyo

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have won the three senatorial elections in Oyo State.

While Sen. Fatai Buhari won the Oyo North Senatorial District election for the third consecutive time, Dr. Yunus Akintunde won that of Oyo Central and  Sharafadeen Alli  got Oyo South.

INEC Returning Officer Prof. Victor Okoruwa, announced Buhari polled 90,078 votes to emerge victorious.

The PDP Akinwale Akinwole and Accord Party candidates Shina Pella polled 77,034 and 54,732 respectively.

In Oyo Central, Akintunde polled 108,776 votes to defeat the PDP’s candidate Chief Bisi Ilaka who scored 101,213 and Accord candidate Faozey Nurudeen who polled 41,743 votes.

Declaring Akintunde as the winner , the Returning Officer Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun said Akintunde fulfilled all requirements and was  returned as the valid winner of the poll.

In the Oyo South senatorial race, Alli polled 111,513 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Joseph Tegbe of (PDP) who scored 92,481 votes. Accord Party candidate Chief Kolapo Kola-Daisi polled 33,641 votes to come third.

Alli was declared winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Wole Olatokun of the University of Ibadan.

Echocho, Karimi  take Kogi East, West Senatorial Districts

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kogi East Senatorial District and Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho) winner.

Also, his counterpart in Kogi West, Steve Sunday Karimi won the  West Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.

Senator Jibrin, who is returning to the Upper Chamber for the second term, defeated Dr. Victor Adoji of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Declaring the results, the INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Musa Adeku Ibrahim said Jibrin polled 108,784 votes while Victor Adoji scored 81,867.

Kwara APC clears  three seats

In Kwara State, the ruling party cleared all the three senatorial seats. While Senator Oyelola Ashiru won the South Senatorial District, Alhaji Umar Sadiq won the North.

Ashiru, who is returning to the National Assembly for the second term, polled  55,966.  Senator Rafiu Ibrahim of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 34,950.

INEC Returning Officer, Prof Ajibola Akanbi made the announcement at the collation centre in Omu Aran.

Senator Ashiru defeated Prof Wale Suleiman of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Sadiq polled 78,015 votes to beat his closest rival, Issa Bawa Adamu of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP who got 41,443 votes, while Labour Party, LP Candidate, Moses Rebecca polled 1,947 votes.

Returning Officer for Kwara North, Prof. Oluwole Akinola declared Senator Sadiq as the winner after scoring the highest number of votes in the elections.

Akwa Ibom Speaker wins North-East

Mr. Anieken Bassey, Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, who contested for the Akwa Ibom North-East senatorial seat, has emerged victorious.

Bassey vied for the seat on the ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The Returning Officer, Prof. Enoidem Usoro, who announced the results in Uyo on Monday, said Bassey got 98,634 votes.

His closest rival, Mr Ukpong Emaeyak Nkanga of All Progressive Party (APC), got 43,204 votes.

Yari for Zamfara West

The former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has won Zamfara West Senate position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Returning Officer, Zamfara West Senatorial Election, Prof. Rufus Tinuola announced the results at the collation centre in Talata-Mafara on Monday.

Tinuola said Yari scored 147,346 votes against his closest opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bello S-Fagon, who scored 58,832 votes.

He said other candidates were:  AA Party scored 65 votes, Ibrahim Musa of ADC scored 150 votes, Ahmad Lawali of APP scored 75 votes and Aliyu Yahaya of LP with 111 votes.

APC takes Ebonyi North , Egwu loses

Mr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has won in Saturday election to represent Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the Senate.

The Returning Officer, Mr. Nwogo Obasi announced the result at the INEC office in Abakaliki Local Government Area on Sunday.

Obasi said that Nwebonyi defeated Senator Sam Egwu, the first civilian Governor of Ebonyi State, who was seeking the position for the third term.

“Nwebonyi of the APC scored 65,863 votes to win, while his closest opponent, Mr. Ejiofor Chukwu of the Labour Party scored 42,283 votes to emerge second.

“Egwu, who came third got 26,569 votes.

PDP wins Kaduna North

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Alhaji Khalid Ibrahim-Mustapha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of Kaduna North Senatorial District election.

Prof. Saleh Ado of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the INEC Returning Officer for the election, announced the result in Zaria on Monday.

According to him, 12 political parties keenly contested the election.

Ado said Khalid-Mustapha secured 250, 026 votes to defeat his closest rival, the incumbent senator, Kwari Suleiman Abdu of the APC, who scored 190,008 votes.

He said that Usman Bawa of NNPP scored 28,511 to come third, while Sidi Ibrahim Bamalli of Labour Party polled 28, 418 votes.

The returning officer also said Ahmed Wakili of the PRP scored 3453 votes; Abdullahi Suleiman of ADC, 3,678 and Hassan Muktari of the ZLP, 582 votes.

APC gets two seats in Jigawa, PDP one

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won two of the three senatorial seats in Jigawa State.  The PDP took one.

The results indicated that Alhaji Mustapha Khabib of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared winner of Jigawa Central Senatorial district.

The INEC Returning Officer for the senatorial election, Prof Usman Haruna, who declared the results on Monday in Dutse said Mustafa polled 153,731 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Sabo Nakudu of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who polled 134,802 votes.

Alhaji Mustapha Khabib also defeated Mr. Musa Bako of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), who secured 18,662 votes, Musa Abdullahi of ADC who got 620 votes, Hindatu Ibrahim of NRM who got 462 votes and Gambo Bala Amina of SDP who scored 292 votes.

The electoral body announced Alhaji Babangida Husaini Uba of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of the JIgawa northwest senatorial district who scored 187,049 votes.

Declaring the election result the returning officer, Professor Ahmed Baita Garba said Alhaji Babangida Husaini defeated senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of PDP who scored 134,199 votes and Nasuru Bala of ADC scored 2,644 votes.

Goje, Dankwambo, Yaro are winners in Gombe

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared former Governors Danjuma Goje of All Progressive Congress APC and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Peoples Democratic Party PDP as winners of Gombe Central and North senatorial election in Gombe State.

This is coming on the heels of a similar declaration of Tony Siyaku Yaro of the PDP as the winner of Gombe South senatorial election.

Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje of APC polled 102,916 votes to defeat PDP Abubakar Aliyu who polled 37,870 votes.

Former Governor Hassan Dankwambo of the People’s Democratic Party PDP polled 143,155 to defeat APC candidate Senator Sa’idu Alkali who polled 77,948 and NNPP Candidate who polled 4061.

At Gombe South Honourable Tony Siyaku Yaro of the PDP polled 97,956 to defeat incumbent APC Senator, Joshua Lidani who polled 36,879 and New Nigeria People’s Party NNPP Candidate Abigael Albashi who polled 1,551.

Ortom loses to Zam

History has repeated itself as the incumbent Governor Samuel Ortom of the Peoples PDP, lost the Benue North West Senatorial seat to the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate Chief Titus Zam.

Zam 143,151 to defeat Ortom who secured 106,882 and Labour Party candidate, Mark Gbilah who polled 51,950 votes.

Chief Titus Zam, hails from Gwer west Local Government area in Benue North West Senatorial district.

He was a council chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, and later Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Chief Zam is a political son of Senator George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Affairs.

Obaseki’s PDP loses to APC, LP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and Governor Godwin Obaseki have  lost out of the senatorial election, with candidates of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) winning the three seats.

APC won two seats through a former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who emerged the winner of Edo North Senatorial District’s election. He  defeated his closest rival, the incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena, of PDP.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Returning Officer for the senatorial district, Benjamin Adesina, while announcing the collated results at Auchi, the senatorial headquarters on Sunday, disclosed that the former Governor of Edo State (Oshiomhole) had 107,110 votes, while Alimikhena polled 55,344 votes.

The candidate of APC for  Edo Central Senatorial District, Monday Okpebholo, also on Sunday emerged victorious, for the first time since 1999, that a party other than the PDP would be the winner.

LP’s candidate in Edo South Senatorial District, where Obaseki hails from, Neda Imasuen, a lawyer, was yesterday (Monday) morning declared the winner by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Julius Obasuyi, polling 167,250 votes, with PDP’s Matthew Iduoriyekemwen having 61,749 votes, while APC’s Valentine Asuen polled 57,933 votes.

Ayade loses out

Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade’s hope to return to the Senate has been dashed.

Ayade, who was the APC candidate for the Cross River northern senatorial district lost the election to Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the People’s Democratic Party.

Sen. Jarigbe is the incumbent Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial district.

He was declared winner having pollled 76,145 votes to defeat his APC opponent Gov. Ben Ayade who scored 56, 595 votes

The Returning officer in the election, Dr. Emmanuel Emanghe who spoke on behalf of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC commended everyone who had been in the field and who had made it possible for a successful poll.

Egwu loses to APC

Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu has lost his bid to return to the Senate for a third term.

This is as the All Progressive Congress made a clean sweep of all the National Assembly positions in Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

Egwu, candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial zone lost  to a former State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi Nwebonyi was last night declared winner and the Senator-elect for Ebonyi North Senatorial district by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Nwebonyi, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC)  garnered a total of  65,863 votes.

His closest opponent, Ejiofor Vincent Chukwu of Labour Party scored 42,283 to emerge second while Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu of PDP came a distant third with 26,569 votes.

Ugwuanyi loses to LP

Enugu State governor and senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has lost his bid to go to the Senate.

Ugwuanyi lost in Saturday’s National Assembly election to the candidate of the Labour Party,  Okey Ezea polled 104, 492 votes as against the governor’s 46, 948 votes, while the APC candidate, Eze Simon came third with 6,816 votes.

Al-Makura fails in Nasarawa

Former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has lost his second term bid to represent the people of Nasarawa South Senatorial District to the candidate of the PDP, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo.

The returning officer of the election Dr Ahmad Ashiku who declared the results said the PDP candidate polled 93,064 votes to defeat Al-Makura of the APC who garnered 76,813 votes to come second while Mohammed Agwai of the NNPP got 30640 votes.

In Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Arch Shehu Tukur, the anointed candidate of the APC national Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu lost to a former member of the house of representatives, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

The INEC returning officer of the election for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Prof Nasirudeen Baba says Wadada of the SDP polled a total of 96488 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Shehu Tukur who scored 47717 votes.

The PDP candidate, Musa Galadima came third with 46820 votes.

In Nasarawa North Senatorial District, the zone of the Governor, the INEC returning officer, Prof IIemona Adofu of the Federal University, Lafia declared incumbent Senator Godiya Akwashiki of the SDP as the winner with 44,471 votes.

Saminu Turaki loses

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Husaini Babangida Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of Jigawa North-West senatorial district election.

Announcing the result, Prof Ahmed Baita Garko, the returning Officer, said Uba won with 187,049 votes while his closest rival, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 134,199 votes.

Collation of Kebbi central results stalled as returning officer disappears

Nasuru Bala of Action Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 2,644 votes

The guidelines barring governors, ministers, foreign missions and other public servants from making cash withdrawals from public accounts will come into effect tomorrow.

Banks have notified their customers about the directive and urged them to use digital channels.

The Nation learnt that 167 countries are now on the lookout for any governor, minister and other public officials who withdraw cash from public accounts from March 1.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has activated the Egmont Secured Web (ESW) protocol to share information with the countries if any governor is flagged for money laundering.

The NFIU in a circular dated January 4 directed all financial institutions to discontinue cash withdrawal in naira and foreign currency from public accounts at all levels.

Also included are accounts of foreign missions operating in Nigeria, those of all development partner institutions, mutual funds and investment funds.

It said: “Cash withdrawals from public accounts would be treated as a money laundering offence.”

NFIU warned that any governor who breaches the law by withdrawing cash from government accounts will automatically be flagged and 167 countries would be notified.

A source at the NFIU said the agency was in touch with 167 countries through the ESW– a secured network in which all the 167 Egmont group member countries share information.

It was learnt that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are bracing for the shift to a cashless government.

At the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Budget Office of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was gathered that the handling of cash has been significantly curtailed or eliminated in some instances ahead of the March 1 date.

Cash withdrawals from public accounts will be prohibited as well as the payment of estacodes and overseas allowances to civil and public servants in cash.

Also prohibited is the local government’s N500,000 cash withdrawal limit for public accounts and instituted funds.

The NFIU said: “In the unlikely event that a public official feels he may need cash withdrawal, he may apply for approval for a waiver from the Presidency which may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

“Under no circumstance shall any category of public officers be given a standing or continuous waiver to withdraw cash from any public account in any financial institution or designated non-financial institution.

“The President will only consider requests for cash withdrawals from public accounts on issues dealing with the border, defence, securities or medical. 

“Where certain individuals must move with cash, it’s in such cases we say write to the president.”

The NFIU said it became necessary to stop the rate at which cash was being taken out of public accounts “without recourse to the money laundering laws and sometimes for corrupt purposes”.