The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • 20 parties to INEC: withhold Iheodioha’s Certificate of Return

    Twenty political parties on Wednesday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold the Certificate of Return of the Imo state governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha.

    They strongly contended the declaration Ihedioha, who was the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate as governor-elect, was not in tandem with the provisions of Constitution.

    At a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, the governorship candidate of Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Jerry Iheanacho, who spoke on behalf of others, said they had individually decided to challenge the outcome of the governorship election at the election Petitions Tribunal.

    Iheanacho noted that the declaration of Ihedioha as the winner of the election was “a rape of our Constitution”.

    The governorship candidate said: “It is not about Ihedioha but it is about what the Constitution says. From the results as announced by INEC, the PDP candidate didn’t meet the constitutional requirement to have been declared the governor elect.

    “He did not get the needed spread and we have decided to pursue this injustice up to the Supreme Court.

    “He did not get the required 25 percent of two-third of the LGAs.”

    Chinedu Ukadike of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) said the declaration of Ihedioha as the governor-elect was in contrast with the electoral guidelines presented to them by INEC.

    He vowed to petition the electoral umpire at the Tribunal even as he alleged that the declaration of a governor elect was done to undermine the constitution.

  • Benue will resist manipulation of supplementary poll, Ortom vows

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has vowed the people will resist attempts from any person or group targeted to manipulate Saturday’s supplementary elections.

    He spoke at Government House Makurdi when he received Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives Members-elect from the state, who showed their Certificates of Return to him.

    The governor charged security agents and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be professional during the supplementary election.

    He said conducive atmosphere must be provided for free and credible exercise.

    He stated he took the decision of the electoral body to declare the March 9th Governorship election inconclusive in good faith with the conviction that nothing was going to affect the victory of the PDP at the polls, which people of the state gave the party.

    While congratulating the members-elect on their victories, Ortom stated that having produced three senators, six House of Representatives members and 17 Assembly members and still expecting more at the rerun coupled with wide margin between the PDP and APC at the governorship election, his victory was guaranteed.

    Rt. Hon Mark Gbillah, reelected House of Representatives member representing Gwer-East and Gwer-West, on behalf of his colleagues, stated they paid the visit to thank the governor for his support for them at the polls.

    He said they returned home to mobilise support for his reelection and formally present their Certificates of Return to him as a mark of gratitude and appreciation.

    Other House of Representatives Members-elect present during the visit were Messrs. Bob Tyough for Kwande/Ushongo; Richard Gbande Logo/Ukum/Katsina-Ala; Kpamor Jimin Sokpo for Buruku; Benjamin Mzondu, Makurdi/Guma and Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituencies.

  • We’ll abide by court ruling on Adamawa guber rerun – INEC

    The supplementary governorship election scheduled for March 23 in states where the March 9 governorship election was declared inclusive may not hold in Adamawa.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave this indication in Yola Wednesday when it said it would abide by a ruling of the Adamawa State high court expected on Thursday, March 21.

    The Court had last week granted an injunction stopping the supplementary election but fixed March 21 for hearing of motion for the interlocutory injunction.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State, Kassim Gaidam, said at a press briefing Thursday afternoon that although INEC had made preparation for the supplementary governorship election, the conduct of it would depend on the outcome of the court process on Thursday.

    “As a law abiding institution, we will respect the ruling of the court on the supplementary election,” he said, adding however that the commission had assembled a body of lawyers headed by a senior advocate of Nigeria to push the position of the commission on the subject of the case.

    INEC had earlier said it would not be subjected to a court process over the scheduled supplementary governorship election, which made Gaidam’s articulation of INEC’s new position surprising to many.

    A Yola High Court on March 14 restrained INEC from conducting the March 23 supplementary governorship election in Adamawa.

    The ruling by Justice Abdul-Aziz Waziri followed a request to that effect filed by counsel to the Adamawa Chapter of the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD), Mustafa Shaba, over absence of the party logo on the ballot paper of the inconclusive election.

    Delivering the rulinG, Justice Waziri, held that the request had merit. “The defendant herein, INEC, is restrained … from proceeding with the supplementary election in respect of Adamawa State Governorship pending the hearing and determination, which now comes up Thursday, March 21

  • PDP rejects Exparte Order stopping final collation of Bauchi gov election results

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected what it described as the “arm-twisting” of the judiciary and the court by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unconstitutionally halt the conclusion of collation of already declared results in the Bauchi State governorship election, which it claimed to have won.

    A statement on Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the development was akin to the infamous order that derailed the 1993 democratic process.

    The party further alleged a plot by the APC and certain compromised elements in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to escalate crisis and derail the electoral process.

    The statement said: “The power to collate, suspend collation and or to reverse such decision based on obvious circumstances as the case in Bauchi, is clearly within the domain of INEC.

    “Until collation is completed and results declared, no one can question the constitutional powers of the electoral body: INEC, in that regard.”

    The PDP cautioned if this desperate underhand measure by the APC to halt electoral processes is not checked, the country’s hard earned democracy will fail and the nation thrown into anarchy.

    Read also: Saraki, PDP plotting to hijack 9th NASS leadership, Nabena alleges

    “Our party should not be constrained into a situation in which we will have no option than to allow our members to seek similar exparte orders to halt statutory processes including the swearing-in of APC candidates at various levels, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “It is clear that collation of result is part of the electoral process and that INEC cannot act on a purported exparte order to jettison its independence and halt the collation of results, which is a key component of its statutory electoral duty.

    “Section 87 (10) of the Electoral Act is unambiguous in its prescription that “nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election or the processes thereof under this Act pending the determination of a suit”.

    “Our party therefore charges INEC to be properly guided by the law in this regard.

    “The PDP urges the institution of Judiciary not to allow the APC to entangle the court in its shenanigans to destroy our hard-earned democracy.

    “Nigerians in Bauchi state have elected the PDP and nothing can change this reality,” the statement added.

  • Election results: Taraba lifts curfew on Jalingo

    The Taraba Government on Tuesday lifted the curfew it imposed on Jalingo to forestall the escalation of the post-election violence that broke out soon after INEC announced the results of the governorship polls.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Darius Ishaku, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, commended the people for their patience throughout the duration of the curfew and urged them to remain law abiding.

    It quoted Ishaku as directing the security agents to continue their surveillance and patrols to avert any ugly incident.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that a 24-hour curfew was imposed on the state capital when tension enveloped it after the announcement.

    It was later reviewed to 14 hours, starting from 4 pm to 6 am daily. (NAN)

  • Court dismisses suit challenging Makinde’s candidacy

    An Oyo State High court sitting in Ibadan on Tuesday dismissed the suit filed by Senator Ayoade Adeseun and Sunday Adeyanju challenging legality of the primary elections that produced Engr. Seyi Makinde (governor-elect) as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last governorship/House of Assembly election in the state.

    Adeseun, who was Makinde’s opponent in the PDP primaries held in October 2018 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan had claimed that the list of delegates that participated in the election was imported and doctored.

    The complainant in the suit had prayed that the court to declare the primary elections of the party as undemocratic, null and void.

    During the court proceeding which started January 2019, the claimant’s counsel, Michael Lana, presented 14 witnesses, while the defendant’s counsel presented eight witnesses.

    The presiding judge, Justice Ganiyu Sunmonu, ruled on Tuesday in favour of PDP and dismissed all claims of the claimants.

    Ganiyu said the Adeseun’s counsel could not prove with substantial evidence that the delegates list for the primary was doctored.

    The judge said “he who assets must prove.

    The claimants must provide the names that were removed, to prove that the list was doctored.”

  • Bauchi: INEC to proceed with supplementary elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will continue with the scheduled supplementary elections in Bauchi state, it was learnt.

    INEC noted that the poll slated for this Saturday will hold in areas not affected by the court ruling.

    Disclosing this Tuesday, the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye said the  Commission will proceed with supplementary elections on Saturday in relation to areas that are not affected by the Court Order.

    Besides, Okoye said that INEC will work towards the expeditious resolution of the Collation process in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

    He said, “The Commission has complied with the Order of the Federal High Court Abuja. The Commission has suspended the Collation of the Governorship Election Result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

     “The Commission will proceed and complete the Collation of the result of the State Assembly Election for Tafawa Balewa Local Government and make a return.

    “The Commission will proceed with supplementary elections on Saturday in relation to areas that are not affected by the Court Order.

    “The Commission has a history of obedience to court orders. The Commission will continue to comply with court orders and will take steps to vacate orders where it feels strongly that the Court that gave the order has no jurisdiction.

    “The Commission will work towards the expeditious resolution of the Collation process in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.”

  • Akpabio serves Ekpenyong petition to appear at tribunal

    Senator Godswill Akpabio has served declared winner of the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district election, Chris Ekpenyong, a copy of the petition to appear before the election petition tribunal.

    Ekpenyong acknowledged the receipt of the petition from the tribunal’s secretary on Tuesday at his EEMJM hotel, Uyo, the state capital.

    But Ekpenyong, who last week received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said he was not perturbed by Akpabio’s summon.

    ”He (Akpabio) is only embarking on a futile journey to change the course already designed by God,” he said.

    He told his teeming supporters to “remain calm as your mandate has been rescued by the divine arrangement for peace, development and even spread of the dividends of democracy to thrive.

    “You should not be afraid of Akpabio, your mandate is secured in me. The God that allowed your votes to be counted will stand by us to get justice at the tribunal and in various courts.

    “We are ready to defend the will of the people of the people of Ikot Ekpene at all times,” he stressed.

    Akpabio, who currently represents Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North-West), has taken his petition to the state elections petition tribunal.

    Read Also: Akpabio challenges loss at tribunal

    Counsel to Akpabio, Mr. Sunday Ameh (SAN), filed the petition on the embattled Senator Akpabio’s behalf on March 16, 2019.

    Ameh, had penultimate week withdrawn the earlier suit filed at Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja high court, seeking the invocation of an order of mandamus, ordering INEC to review the results of the poll in his Senatorial District due to improper process.

    The tribunal sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, would soon begin hearing on all post 2019 general elections’ matters.

    Akpabio, former Senate Minority Leader, according to a statement by his Media Aide, Comrade Anietie Ekong, is seeking to upturn the outcome of the February 23 National Assembly poll, for which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Ekpenyong, winner.

    In announcing the winner, the Returning Officer (RO), Dr. Nsikak Senam of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) Department of Communication Art, said Ekpenyong polled 118, 215 votes as against Akpabio’s over 83,158.

    But Akpabio faulted the results, claiming however, that “incontrovertible result sheets from INEC office showed different figures that I secured 138, 256 votes over Ekpenyong’s 123,843”.

    He alleged the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who superintended over the exercise, colluded with the PDP to pre-determine the outcome in favour of Ekpenyong.

    However, the former Deputy Governor, who had last Thursday obtained Certificate of Return (CoR) from INEC in Abuja, maintained he won the poll through a free, fair and credible process and urged Akpabio to accept defeat in good faith.

    His counsels, he said, would be at the tribunal to disproof all the allegations that would give the clean bill to effectively discharge his legislative responsibilities at the Red Chamber.

    Working with other federal lawmakers, Ekpenyong said his immidiate task would be “to ensure Nigeria works again by allying with the Executive and other arms to address challenges of fixing the country”.

  • INEC ad hoc staff protest over unpaid allowances

    Hundreds of ad hoc staff engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the just- concluded general elections in Anambra state on Tuesday protested non-payment of allowances weeks after the polls.

    The protesters, who stormed the commission’s office in Awka to demand for their entitlements and allowances, were however denied access to the premises by security operatives.

    Spokesperson for the protesters, Ikechukwu Mike, said they had complained to the officer in charge of payment in the commission all to no avail.

    He said the officer rather requested they compiled their names with correct bank details.

    He however regretted that they were yet to receive the payment despite compliance with the directives.

    According to him: “Only few of us were paid while many are left empty handed inspite of the harrowing experiences we passed through during the polls.

    “Some of the people you see here worked in distant communities to Awka. Some borrowed money to transport themselves here.

    “When we first reported here, we were directed to the local government areas where we worked, but it became difficult to see the ROs we are supposed to see there.

    “Many of us decided to undertake the risky venture of being part of the exercise because of financial challenges facing us.

    “It’s unthinkable that after taking such huge risks, we would be left alone to our fate. And it appears INEC is not serious about addressing our plight.”

    They appealed to the concerned authorities to prevail on the electoral umpire to pay their entitlements as soon as possible.

    Reacting, the INEC Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Leo Nkedife, asked the protesters to exercise patience with the commission, assuring them of payment soon.

    He said: “Their voucher for payment is being processed. They will soon receive their allowances.”

  • Kano Rerun: Group seeks credible, hitch-free poll

    Few days to the Kano gubernatorial supplementary election, the Centre for Intervention (CFI) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make available all necessary materials needed to ensure credible and hitch-free exercise.

    In a statement signed by CFI Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Baba, the group called on INEC to rectify all the anomalies witnessed in the March 11 elections by ensuring that all the materials needed for the rerun election are made available in good time at all the polling units where the rerun will take place.

    “Late arrival of materials and officials to polling unit should be addressed in this rerun more importantly. INEC should ensure that the smart card readers (SCR) are functional because it remains one of the vital aspects of the elections in Nigeria,” the group said.

    READ ALSO: Kano rerun: I‘m sure of victory, says PDP candidate

    The group also called on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Wakili to ensure neutrality by carrying all parties involved in the election along as to ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise.

    The group lamented perceived bickering between the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Wakili and the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, describing it as unhealthy and uncalled for.

    According to the statement, “we urge the Commissioner of Police to develop much mutual/cordial relationship with the Kano state Governor. The state police Commissioner should cultivate the right attitude to work with the Kano state Governor in order to make sure that the rerun election is free, fair, credible and transparent.”

    They equally urged the supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to play by the rules of the game so as to avoid any action or inaction that can plunge the state into unnecessary violence.

    The group, however, hailed the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Bar. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado for his tireless efforts in fighting the menace of vote-buying, just as the called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to ensure that culprits of vote-buying are prosecuted according to the law.