The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Breakdown of Bauchi voided votes up for grabs

    Come Saturday, March 23, 22, 759 voided votes in 15 LGAs will be up for grabs by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Party (APC) in the Bauchi governorship rerun.

    Find below breakdown of the affected polling units:

    Alkaleri LG: – 1,190 votes cancelled in two polling units in two wards

    Bogoro LG; 1,130 votes cancelled in one PU

    Darazo LG: 2,864 votes cancelled in four polling units in four wards

    Dass LG: 872 votes cancelled in one polling unit

    Gamawa LG: 405 votes cancelled in one polling unit

    Ganjuwa LG; 1,306 votes cancelled in two polling units across two wards

    Giade LG: 1,899 votes cancelled in four polling units across four wards

    Read Also: PDP threatens to boycott Bauchi gov rerun

    Itas/ Gadau LG: 2,252 votes cancelled in three polling units across three wards.

    Jama’are LG; 829 votes cancelled in two polling units across two wards

    Katagum LG: 2,055 votes cancelled in three polling units across three wards

    Kirfi LG: 1,111 votes cancelled in two polling units across two wards

    Misau LG; 1,007 votes cancelled in one polling unit

    Ningi LG: 2,533 votes cancelled in five polling units across five wards

    Shira LG: 438 votes cancelled in one polling unit

    Toro LG: 2, 878 cancelled in four polling units across four wards

  • Ayade woos opposition co-contestants in C’ River

    Cross River Governor Ben Ayade has called on other candidates who contested the 2019 governorship election in the state to align with his administration for the progress of the state.

    Ayade, who made the call on Thursday in Calabar after a meeting with some stakeholders, said their ideas would be critical in making the state better.

    “Cross River is refocused on creating a prosperity agenda to take her from third world to first world under my administration.

    “I want every single Cross Riverian, particularly those who ran the election against me to recognise the fact that, I’m ready to provide a platform for us to work together.

    READ ALSO: 3,000 youths to benefit from cash scheme, says Ayade

    “Some of them have great ideas; some of them are very intellectually brilliant and I have respect for all those who ran against me.

    “I’m in a haste to have them all come together so that we can work and build the Cross River of our great dream and expectation,” Ayade said.

    He expressed delight over the credibility of the election across the state, describing the process as peaceful.

    The governor reiterated his desire to take the state to greater heights in the next four years.

    “The election was adjudged to be the most peaceful election so far across the country, particularly in Cross River.

    “This is creditably so because we focused on politics with ethics. Cross River was at peace because of the consistency in salary, commitment and industrialisation.

    The governor added that he was committed to delivering on his signature projects for the state.

    26 candidates and parties contested the governorship election under different parties and was won by Ayade under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the second time. (NAN)

  • PDP threatens to boycott Bauchi gov rerun

    A rerun of the gubernatorial election in Bauchi will hold in 15 local government areas where 22,759 votes were cancelled, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner Ibrahim Abdullahi who disclosed this to reporters in Bauchi on Thursday said the supplementary election will hold on March 23.

    He stated the rerun election will be held in 36 Polling covering 29 registration areas (wards) in the 15 affected local government areas with 22,759 registered voters equally affected.

    He further said that rerun election will not hold in Tafawa Balewa local government area until after the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The REC appealed to the public, especially the people of Tafawa Balewa local government area, to be calm and wait for the outcome of the court ruling.

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi state has described the supplementary election as a sham threatening not to participate in it.

    Its chairman, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam told reporters: “The supplementary election is a sham, INEC wants to conduct rerun because 22, 759 people were disenfranchised in 15 LGA, meanwhile 139, 240 were disenfranchised in Tafawa Balewa local government area.

    “I don’t know what INEC is up to. Maybe they are reading somebody’s script. We are not going to participate in this election.

    “Our legal team will look at this matter though it is not just about going to court but for INEC to do the right thing.”

    The PDP Chairman stated that the party will go to court and seek a redress.

    But the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state says it is well prepared for the supplementary election.

    Its chairman Ubah Nana told reporters the party is readily prepared for the re-run.

    “15 LGAs will be having rerun this Saturday and we are participating .Though the proper thing to be done was for the rerun to be held in the 15 LGA and Tafawa Balewa but unfortunately it was not the case .

    “We are fully prepared. I don’t know why some people seem not to be fully prepared. I don’t know why they are afraid.

    “Let the game be played according to the rules,” he stated.

    Tafawa Balewa local government area was excluded from the rerun as INEC, in compliance with a court order restraining it from resuming with the collation and announcement of result for the LGA, discontinued with the process.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja had barred the Commission (INEC) from collation of result of the governorship election of March 9 in Bauchi State in an order given by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar.

  • INEC to conduct Bauchi supplementary polls in 15 LGAs – REC

    Supplementary elections in Bauchi State, scheduled for Saturday, will hold in 36 polling units spread across 29 wards in 15 Local Government Areas of the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Bauchi state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) disclosed this while addressing stakeholders in Bauchi on Thursday.

    According to him, a total of 22, 759 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise.

    He gave a  breakdown of the affected local government areas and number of polling units as  Alkaleri, one ward, two polling units (PU) ; Bogoro, one ward, one PU ; Darazo, three wards, four PU; Dass, one ward, one PU and Gamawa, one ward, one PU.

    Ganjuwa has two wards, two PU; Giade, four wards, four PU;  Itas Gadau, one ward, three PU;  Jama’are, two wards, two PU and Katagum, two wards, three PU.

    Others are Kirfi, two wards, two PU; Misau, one Ward, one PU; Ningi, four wards, five PU; Shira, one ward, one PU and Toro, three wards and four PU.

    READ ALSO: Bauchi: INEC to proceed with supplementary elections

    The REC urged the stakeholders and their supporters to be patient and law-abiding.

    He also said the issue of Tafawa Balewa LGA elections was before the court of law and further discussion on that would be subjudice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Returning Officer of the governorship election in Bauchi state, Prof. Kyari Mohammed, had on Monday, 11th March, 2019, declared the governorship election in the state as inconclusive.

    In the results so far released, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed, is in the lead with 469, 512 votes as against the 465,453 votes scored by incumbent Governor, Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A fact-finding committee from INEC headquarters had directed the continuation of collation of governorship polls results in respect of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area but a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order stopping further collation.

    The state governor, Mohammed Abubakar filed a suit seeking stoppage of the exercise pending the hearing of his complaints on the exercise

  • We’re ready for supplementary election in Kano, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano said they are set to organize supplementary governorship election in 28 affected Local Government Areas in the state.

    Addressing newsmen at the Kano INEC headquarters, the Resident Electrical Commissioner (REC) in charge of the state, Prof.Riskuwa Shehu Arabi, said the election will take place in 75 registration areas, involving 207 polling units and 279 voting points.

    According to him, 128, 324 eligible voters will participate in the crucial Kano governorship supplementary election.

    He added that INEC will deploy 207 card readers for the election, adding that enough manpower has also been mobilized, with three RECs from Zamfara, Kebbi and Ogun states to assist so as to have a successful election.

    He said deployment of sensitize and non-sensitive materials to all the affected Local Government Areas will commence by 10 a:m Friday, adding that adequate security arrangements have been made.

    Read Also: INEC to conduct Bauchi supplementary polls in 15 LGAs – REC

    He further stated that sorting and batching of the materials will commence immediately they arrive at their respective Local Government Areas.

    According to him, “we are working to make sure that we don’t have any distraction. We have held a series of meetings with stakeholders to review our strategies.

    “We have also held meeting with leaders of both political parties, and we have made them to understand that the election is not a war.

    “They have also promised to talk to their supporters to conduct themselves in peaceful manner. Securities agencies have assured us of adequate security.

    “I am sure the Commissioner of Police has been talking to different groups of people, particularly, the youths. I am very confident we will have a peaceful election on Saturday.”

  • 2019 election: NGO lauds police for ensuring law and order

    A human rights organization, Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) has commended the Lagos State Police Command for maintaining law and order in state during the general elections.

    The Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji, made the commendation in a statement issued in Lagos Thursday.

    Mrs. Egbuji noted that in spite of attempts by some miscreants to cause breach of public peace in some parts of the city during the elections, the police, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, in collaboration with other security agencies were able to nip the situation in the bud.

    READ ALSO: Angwe: NGO advocates summit on security

    According to her, the fact that the police authorities were able to halt the attempt by political thugs who wanted to stoke a ‘tribal war’  in Okota area of Lagos after they had set ballot boxes ablaze, was a testimony that the police commissioner was determined to live up to his earlier promise of making Lagos safe during the elections.

    “The foundation considered it highly commendable on the  part of the CP, Muazu, for his quick initiative in holding meeting with critical stakeholders amongst the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa communities in the trouble prone area with a view to dousing the tension already built by the hoodlums’ planned attack”, she said.

    The foundation also commended the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone Two, Mr. Lawal Shehu and the CP for moving round most parts of the state to monitor the conduct of the election and for ensuring peace and orderliness.

  • FG closes borders Friday over supplementary polls

    The Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) has ordered the closure of the land borders of Adamawa, Benue and Sokoto States with effect from 12 noon on Friday March 22 to 12: 00 noon of Sunday, March 24, 2019.

    Dambazau said the development is to restrict movements across the borders of the affected states during the election days.

    A statement in Abuja by the Comptroller General (CG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, explained: “Further to the re-run of the Governorship Elections taking place on Saturday 22, March 2019, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen (rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, has directed the closure of Land Borders of Adamawa, Benue and Sokoto states with effect from 12.00 noon of Friday 22, March to 12:00 noon of Sunday 24th March, 2019.

    “This is to restrict movements across the borders of the affected states during the election days. The public is to take note and ensure compliance.”

  • SDP gov candidate accepts defeat, congratulates Umahi

    The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Ebonyi State, Chibueze Agbo, has accepted results of the last governorship election in the state.

    He also congratulated the winner of the election Governor David Umahi.

    The governor, according to the State Returning Officer, Prof Chukwuemeka Eze garnered a total of 393,343 votes cast across the 13 local governments in the state.

    Ogbuoji got a total of 81703 votes cast to place a distant second while Agbo placed third will just 10129 votes.

    However, Ogbuoji rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge the result at the tribunal.

    But Agbo, in a letter to Umahi, said he accepted the result as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the spirit of sportsmanship.

    He noted that he did not set out to contest for governorship election in the state.

    He said he was prepared for the House of Representatives seat for his federal constituency-Ebonyi/Ohaukwu on the platform of the APC.

    “It was the irregularities, impunity and wanton abuse of the party’s guidelines and constitution, disrespect for the party Elders, and killings that characterised the primary, and my realisation that the managers of the party in Ebonyi state lacked the understanding, preparedness, zeal, training, exposure and charisma needed for effective, engaging and fruitful opposition in the state that made me to leave the team immediately and join the SDP where I was given the opportunity to fly the flag and participate in the Governorship Election,” he said.

    Agbo urged the governor to carry everyone along in his policies and programmes going forward.

    “You are the Governor of everybody in the state irrespective of party, religion, color, tribe, creed and status.

    “I therefore appeal that you strive to keep that in mind in all your policies as you lead us in the next four years”

    He also appealed to the governor to give succor to those whose home and properties were destroyed in political related violence in the heat of the elections in Izzi and Ezza North local government area.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, others to receive Certificates of Return March 27

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lagos State, says it will on March 27 present Certificates of Return to the Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said on Thursday that the lawmakers-elect of the Lagos State House of Assembly would also be given Certificates of Return the same day.

    “The presentation of certificate of return to elected candidates is in conformity with Section 75 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    “The presentation ceremony will take place at INEC Lagos Office, 6, Birrel Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, at 11:00 am for the Governor-elect and his Deputy.

    “Meanwhile, that of the elected members of Lagos State House of Assembly will come up at 2:00pm,” Olumekun said in a statement.

    According to him, all invited guests are requested to be seated by 10:30am and 1:30pm respectively for the two ceremonies.

    The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sanwo-Olu, of APC, polled 739,445 votes to defeat Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 206,141 votes, and other contestants in the March 9 governorship election.

    INEC declared Sanwo-Olu winner of the poll on March 10.

    The commission will on Saturday hold a supplementary election in the Ibeju-Lekki State Constituency I where the state assembly election was declared inconclusive.

    Candidates of APC won in all the other 39 constituencies where state assembly elections are already concluded by the electoral umpire.

  • Abdusalami Committee brokers Peace as tension grips Bauchi

    The National Peace Committee led by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar on Wednesday appealed to stakeholders to calm their supporters in the wake of the halted collation of result for the March 9 governorship election.

    The committee also told them to urge their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully as they await the outcome of a recent order from the Federal High Court in Abuja halting the collation of result.

    The court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from resuming collation of result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, the only LGA left to be announced.

    The former Head of State, who was represented by a member and Deputy Director of The Kukah Centre, Duke Anoemuah, gave the advice during a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders on the peaceful 2019 elections for governorship and State House of Assembly.

    During the meeting with the theme “Ensuring peaceful Co -existence during the elections in Bauchi State” Abubakar called on all political actors to preach a message of peace to their followers to comport themselves and prevent resentment that could result to violence.

    “This meeting is geared to reinforce peace, the message of peace and to implore actors and their supporters to accept the outcome of the results of various levels of the electioneering process.

    It would help to strengthen mutual confidence among politicians and to encourage peaceful resolution of all election- related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and the due process, “he said.

    The atmosphere in the state is quite intense as agitated supporters have taken to the streets to protest.

    The protesters, which comprise mostly women, had registered their displeasure with the recent court order from Abuja.

    They remained defiant, pouring into the streets and venting their anger over the court decision.

    They were seen on Wednesday on the streets carrying placards with diverse inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs.