The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Ijaw religious body calls for tight security in Bayelsa

    Ijaw religious body, Order of Egbesu Brotherhood (OEB), has called on the Federal Government to heighten security around the Bayelsa State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the supplementary elections.

    OEB, in a statement by its Coordinator Bodmas Kemepadei, further said tight security should be beefed around Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state where part of the election was scheduled to hold on March 23.

    Kemepadei said the body was worried about its findings of strange faces lurking around the INEC office at night warning that security of the area could be compromised by external forces.

    He said: “We also suspect that there may be plots to burn down the INEC office to stall the conduct of the rerun election of 23rd March, 2019.

    “If we may recall, we all witnessed how on the 10th of March, 2019, a candidate entered the INEC office with unauthorized military personnel in  the company of non-Bayelsans, and harassed a ward agent. If not for the timely intervention of some observers, it would have been chaotic.

    “We therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to up the ante by tightening up the security to ensure that the office is protected for the peaceful conduct of the re-run election.

    “Any candidate with unauthorised military escorts must not be allowed to gain entrance from now until election results are announced.

    “The activities of military personnel in Ukubie, Lobia, Azuzuama and Koluama, especially in the RAC centres of these wards should be checked.

    “The authenticity of military personnel, military gunboats, election observers, journalists who may want to visit these areas on or before election day uninvited, must be thoroughly investigated”.

    Kemepadei called on the state government to invoke the Community Safety Corps law to help the police ensure thorough community policing in the affected  communities.

    “We further call on INEC officials to be careful and neutral in their dealings with candidates of political parties as there are already rumours of SPOs and collation officers wining and dining with a candidate who is brandishing already prepared result.

    “For a free and fair election devoid of any conflict amongst our people, we hope that this information if adhered to will avert a state disaster and forestall any possible danger. We pray for peace and wish all Bayelsans well”.

     

     

  • Updated: Court to INEC: show cause for continuation of Bauchi guber polls

    …Court fixes March 20 for hearing

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stay action in respect of its planned resumption collation of the suspended results for Tafawa Balewa Local Government in respect of the last governorship election in Bauchi State.

    Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, in a bench ruling on Tuesday ordered parties in a suit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent Governor, Muhammed Abubakar maintain the staus quo.

    The judge ordered “That parties shall maintain status quo ante pending this proceeding pending the determination of the substantive matter of this case.”

    The judge subsequently adjourned to March 20 for hearing.

    The judge made the order on Tuesday following INEC’s failure to comply with the earlier order he made on Monday (March 18) for it to appear on March 19 and show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs in their motion ex-parte should not be granted.

    APC and Abubakar had, in their motion ex-parte prayed the court for two main reliefs:

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the defendant/respondent whether by Itself or acting through its agents, privies or any person on its behalf, howsoever described, from resuming, concluding and/or announcing the collation of the results of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchl State in respect of election to the office of the Governor of Bauchi State held on 9’” March, 2019, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff/applicant’s motion on notice.

    *An order of accelerated hearing and abridgement of time to two days within which the defendant/respondent is to enter appearance and file its response in defence of the suit.

    Rather than granting the reliefs ex-parte, the court, on Monday ordered INEC, listed as the sole defendant in the suit to show cause why the plaintiffs’ reliefs should not be granted.

    The judge said: “The defendant is hereby ordered to appear in court on 19th March 2019 to show cause why the orders prayed on the motion ex-parte ought not to be granted.”

    When parties got to court on Tuesday, INEC, represented by Tanimu Inuwa (SAN) told the court that the electoral body has filed a counter-affidavit to the plaintiffs’ originating summons.

    He also made an oral application, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the motion filed by APC and Abubakar, which he said could only be entertained by an election tribunal.

    Raji objected to Inuwa’s position, insisting that INEC was yet to comply with the court’s order for it to show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs should not be granted.

    The judge said while INEC could not challenge the court’s jurisdiction by oral application, the counter-affidavit did not qualify as an affidavit showing cause.

    He consequently ordered parties to maintain the status quo as things were before the court’s proceedings and adjourned to Wednesday, March 20 for hearing.

    INEC, in its counter-affidavit, deposed to by Hassan Adamu, an officer of INEC, queried the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case brought by APC and Abubakar.

    It stated that contrary to paragraph 22 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the decision by the defendant to conclude collation for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State was made based on the figures contained in the duplicates of results of the election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 29 of the affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that: Only Election Petition Tribunal has the jurisdiction to review the decision of the commission.

    “The decision of the Returning Officer referred to is in respect of declaration of scores and return of candidate which is the exclusive reserve of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The defendant having rescinded its earlier decision based on facts that emerged later and made a return, any grievance arising there from now rest with the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The availability of polling units’ results made the defendant to rescind its decision to conduct supplementary election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 30 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the plaintiffs’ right to fair election (if any) will not be affected in any way.

    “Contrary to paragraph 31 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that none of the voters voting populace of Bauchi State will be disenfranchised elections having been concluded.

    “Contrary to paragraph 32 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the instant action is targeted at stopping the performance of a constitutional duty.

    “Contrary to paragraph 33 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the plaintiffs do not have any threatened right capable of being protected.

    “Contrary to paragraph 34 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the issues raised in this application are not triable by this Honourable Court same bordering on return at an election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 35 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that all eligible voters have cast their votes leading to a return and once that is the case, this honourable court is divested of the jurisdiction to entertain this case.”

  • Breaking: Court stops INEC from collating Bauchi guber results

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discontinue collation and announcement of Bauchi governorship results.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order following an ex parte application filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar.

     

    Details shortly.

  • C/River tribunal receives petitions from Ndoma-Egba, 10 others

    The Election Petition Tribunal in Cross River State has so far received eleven petitions challenging the outcome of the last general elections in the state, The Nation gathered Monday.

    The petitions received so far are only for the National Assembly elections held on February 23rd, 2019.

    According to the Secretary of the Election Petition Tribunal in the state, Mrs. Josephine Ekperobe the time frame to file a petition for the National Assembly elections elapsed on March 17th but the time is still open for the filing of any petition pertaining to the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    Mrs. Ekperobe disclosed that formal inauguration of the tribunal will be done soon. “We will inform the media and sitting will commence shortly after” she added.

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    Details of the eleven petitions before the tribunal are as follows, EPT/CAL/S/01/2019 –Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and All Progressives Congress versus Ntufam (Dr) Sandy Ojang Onor, Peoples Democratic Party and Independent Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/S/02/2019 – Solomon Idor Esor and Social Democratic Party versus Sandy Ojang Onor, Peoples Democratic Party and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/03/2019 – Mr. Egbe Abeng Egbe and All Progressives Congress versus Hon. Michael Etaba, Peoples Democratic Party and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/04/2019 – Victor Abang and All Progressives Congress versus Independent National Electoral Commission, Hon. Chris Agibe and People’s Democratic Party.

    EPT/CAL/S/05/2019- Sen. Bassey Edet Otu versus Sen. Gershom Henry Bassey and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/06/2019- Jude Ogbeche Ngaji versus Jarigbe  Agom Jaribe and Independent National Electoral    Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/07/2019- Mkpanam Obo-Bassey Ekpo versus Daniel Effiong Asuquo and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/08/2019- Akibe Bassey Ekpenyong versus Rt. (HON) Eta Mbora and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/S/09/2019- Wabilly Nyiam versus Oko-Rose Okojie and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/10/2019- Dominic Aqua Edem versus Hon. Essien Ayi and Independent Electoral Commission.

    EPT/CAL/HR/11/2019- Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo and People’s Democratic Party versus All Progressive Congress, Dr. Alex Egbona and Independent National Electoral Commission.

  • Plateau: rerun election will be walk over, says Lalong

    Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Monday boasted that the March 23 supplementary election in the state will be a walk-over for him and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Plateau is one of the states where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared the result of the March 9 governorship and state house of assembly elections as inconclusive.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Lalong said that the renewed insecurity in the state is politically motivated.

    He also said that workers in the state were interested in his victory in the election in order to guarantee the prompt payment of their salaries.

    On his visit to the State House, he said, “My meeting with the president is the usual briefing; I call it usual because of my passion for peace in the state. It is not about the election, it is about the peace, to ensure we have very peaceful elections.

    “So far so good, we have had very good peaceful elections. We are coming back for supplementary elections, I will like INEC to conduct a peaceful election and so we will like the security apparatus to be on ground in the state. That was my briefing to Mr. President.”

    As the supplementary elections comes up on Saturday, he said that he was not in panic mood.

    “How can I be when all the votes that were cancelled were my votes?” he queried

    The governor went on “These were areas that I won. There was no need for cancellation but then as a lawyer, I still want to comply with the rules, I don’t want to be talking about infringing on the rules when the elections result is very clear.

    “They said registered voters were 49,000 but the votes were not up to 20,000 but people were still saying we need 49,000 and I was already on top with 45,000 votes. So we are going to get the 49,000. How can you imagine that a sitting governor cannot get 3,000 votes out of 39,000 in an area that I have well dominated for a very long time.

    “So for me, election is as good as concluded in Plateau State. I see it as an opportunity for people whose votes were cancelled for them to vote. People came and said their votes were cancelled, it is for them to go back and vote and ensure their vote counts this time around.

    “That is why I support that we go back and conduct the elections. If they (INEC) like, let them conduct the elections more than once, we will soon win.” he said

    Asked his reaction to the recent attack on the Plateau state, he said, “That was why I said I am concerned about security. Usually it starts like that, they start rustling and killing cattle and the next thing you will hear is that, it is farmers’ herders’ crisis. I know that I have addressed that issue for a very long time and the police is handling the security.

    “So I informed Mr. President that we are on top of the situation because we wouldn’t want that to escalate into farmers, herdsmen crisis. It is not farmers, herdsmen crisis; it is criminals trying to ferment trouble after losing elections.

    Asked whether he suspected political undertone in the insecurity situation in the state he said, “Very well. I always say it has political undertone, why is it happening immediately after elections. It usually happens immediately before or after elections, why is it like that? It has some political connotation.”

    He said that people in the state were happy with his administration because there will be continuation of completion of projects and initiation of new projects.

    “The civil servants have been crying that if I loss elections that means they will be owed salaries again.

    “So we want to continue with payment of salaries, gratuities, completion of projects that were started before I came and the ones I have initiated. That is the next level in Plateau State,” he said.

  • Akpabio approaches tribunal to reclaim mandate

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has approached the election tribunal sitting in Uyo to commence legal processes to challenge his loss at February 23 senatorial election.

    The suit at the tribunal was filed on the 16th of March by his lawyer, Mr. Sunday Ameh SAN, followed Senator Akpabio’s withdrawal of the case he earlier filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The case at the Federal High Court had sought to challenge his Senate re-election loss.

    Akpabio is seeking to upturn the victory of Christopher Ekpenyong and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) based on perceived electoral irregularities which characterised the said election.

    The former Senate Minority Leader, had while the election was ongoing, besieged the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging cases of infractions and deliberate violations of the electoral law and guidelines during the senatorial election.

    In the said election, INEC had allegedly in collaboration with some PDP chieftains in the senatorial district, wrongfully declared Ekpeyong and his party, the PDP, winner of the poll, having scored 118,215 as against Akpabio’s 83,158.

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    However, Ameh SAN said the result sheets from Akwa Ibom INEC office showed different figures that had Akpabio securing 138,256 votes as against Ekpeyong’s 123,843.

    Akpabio’s counsel said his client is dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the election.

    ”The former governor of Akwa Ibom and his party has approached the election petition tribunal to ventilate their grievances as well as reclaim their stolen mandate.”

  • APC chieftain to INEC: you’ve a lot to tell Nigerians on Bauchi election

    A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Yekini Nabena has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a lot of questions to answer on the conduct of the governorship election in Bauchi state and it’s decision to jettison the rerun it earlier ordered for Tafawa Balewa local government area.

    Nabena asked the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to forget the dream of taking over the governorship seat in Bauchi state, saying no magic can give the PDP Bauchi state having lost all other elections in the state.

    He faulted the INEC’s declaration of People Redemption Party (PRP) House of Representatives candidate in Bauchi’s Katagum Federal Constituency as winner of the election, saying such “should have been declared inconclusive became the number of cancelled votes, 5, 211 is more than the margin of lead which is 4, 704.”

    Nabena who is also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party said if not that there was a grand plot to rig out governor Mohammed Abubakar, how come APC won 21 State House of Assembly seats compared to PDP’s 5 seats in the state in the election conducted on the same day?

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja Nabena said the reported nonusage of Card Readers in Bauch Local Government Area “is a major issue that should not be disregarded by the electoral empire. The opposition PDP knew that if rerun election is held it will lose the election to APC.

    “Maybe the opposition felt that if that position had not be taken by INEC, they would have won. But that is not the issue. The issue of election is not about winning or losing. It is about having a free and fair election. So it is the free and fair conduct of the election that matters to all of us and to the whole world. I say so because if the election is not free and fair there will be no issue of inconclusive; it must be concluded. So we are challenging the INEC not to give PDP undue advantage in Bauchi governorship election.”

    He insisted that there is need for rerun in election at the Tafawa/Balewa LGA, Nabena said the Returning Officer for the area, Mrs Dominion Anosike, told the world how she was intimidated and harassed while collating the results.

    “She was even threatened. They threatened to rape her. She was a woman and she said it herself. The answer is there. There was tension everywhere in the place and she was forced to sign the document under that atmosphere.

    “I believe APC will win because APC has won 80 percent of the other elections except this election and this one has been declared inconclusive. Mark you, the results of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area has not been announced. But I tell you, you will be surprised if the result had been announced. We certainly would have won, that is why they are trying to deny us of the victory. If the hoodlums had not disrupted the process at the centre we would have won Tafawa Balewa. So I believe we will win Tafawa Balewa again”.

    On the already declared Katagum Federal House of Reps result in favour of PRP, Nabena described it as an error on the part of the INEC.

    “It is a clear case of inconclusive election because the margin between the PRP candidate and the APC candidate is less than the cancelled votes. So, we are demanding justice if INEC is not deliberately against the APC. “

  • Bauchi: Row over INEC’s decision to resume collation of result

    The decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to resume collation and announcement of result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, which was hitherto cancelled, has sparked huge controversy in Bauchi State.

    Consequently, diverse groups have reacted to the development.

    The Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBOLAC) had backed INEC’s reversal of the cancellation of the votes of the Governorship polls of Tafawa Balewa Local government area saying “We consider INEC’s decision as the best and most proper thing to do under the circumstances”

    Addressing Journalists on Monday over the development, the convener of the body, Shipi Rabo Esq, said INEC acted in accordance with the dictates of the law and in the greater interest of all in taking the decision in question.

    Shipi therefore called on all political actors to demonstrate the support, cooperation and understanding necessary for INEC to successfully conclude the process and formally announce the winner so the waiting game characterized by tension, rumours, would be over.

    Meanwhile, the Concern Citizens, Tafawa Balewa, has opposed and INEC’s decision saying it is “Ultra Vires” contrary to law and therefore illegal with no regards to the provision of Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC guidelines for 2019 general elections.

    The group stated that INEC has no power to reverse any decision taken by a Returning officer concerning election result at the collation centre.

    Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Caretaker Chairman of the Concern citizens of Tafawa Balewa, Salihu Barau, said the law provides that such a decision can only be reversed by a court of law or Tribunal and not the Commission for whatever reason.

    “There is no certainty on the genuineness of the allegedly generated results. Thus, we have lost confidence in INEC as it is apparent there would be no justice in the whole exercise.”

    It would be recalled that a fact-finding committee was set up by the commission to investigate the circumstances that led to the cancellation of results for Tafawa Balewa Local government and following the findings of the committee, INEC had approved the resumption and conclusion of results for Tafawa Balewa in relation to the Governorship election.

    The Commission also directed that error in total number of cancelled votes in four polling units in Ningi Local government area which was recorded as 25,330, in form EC40G (i) be corrected to 2,533.

    The ruling All progressive Congress, APC, in Bauchi State is currently trailing the opposition People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Bala Muhammed, with 4,059 votes.

    The APC and the incumbent governor, Mohammed Abubakar scored 465,453 votes against the PDP’s 469,512 votes.

    A total of 1,048,220 votes was cast in the Bauchi guber election with valid votes totalling 1,026,801.21.

    419 votes were rejected while 45,312 votes were cancelled but with the error of cancelled votes discovered in Ningi Local Government where the number of cancelled votes in four polling units were recorded as 25,330, in lieu of 2,533, the cancelled votes has been reduced to 22,515.

    The collation process which will commence on Tuesday 19th March will definitely determine if there would be a rerun or not.

  • Bauchi Governor briefs Buhari on inconclusive election

    The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday, briefed President Muhammadu Buhari over the inconclusive elections declared in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    According to him, the electoral umpire introduced procedure not known to the laws of the land during the March 9th elections in the state.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said “I briefed him on the issues surrounding the inconclusive elections, the Returning Officer for Bauchi State at the end of collation, rejected the result of Tafawa Balewa local government and then 36 other units spread around 15 local governments of Bauchi state and ordered a rerun.

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    “Surprisingly, we woke up one morning and the independent electoral commission came up with a procedure that is not known to law.

    “Because, where a Returning Officer has declared the result, only an election petition tribunal can reverse the result. But INEC is attempting to reverse itself in the case of Bauchi. And when one juxtapose that of Bauchi and other states with inconclusive elections, one wonders why that is happening only in Bauchi State.

    “So, for that reason there is a need for me to come and brief Mr. President because that has the potential of touching on the security of the state and it is paramount we …”

    He added “Of course it is definitely extra illegal. It is a straight forward matter. The returning officer is the final arbiter even with respect to scores and declaration of result.

    “And once he makes a declaration, no power can reverse that declaration except duly constituted court of the land.

    On what he expects the President to do over the matter knowing that INEC is independent, he said “No no no. I said I came to brief Mr. President, I am not seeking any action of Mr. President. We all know Mr. President, he is a stickler for procedure.

    “What I pointedly told him was that I am not here to seek for you to interfere on our behalf sir but to brief you on what is happening and what actions I have taken.”

    Asked what actions he has taken, he said “One of which is that I am a lawyer and I am pursuing the legal angle. I briefed him and he emphasized on that legal angle that it is the best way to go.

    On the security of the state, the governor said “We are on top of the situation, thank God. We have since ordered the van on procession in the metropolis and things are very very calm.”

    He however said that his visit to the President was not indication that his visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over the issue last week was not fruitful.

    According to him, he was only following laid down procedures.

    He said “No no no. There are procedures in this matters and levels of authority. I am a stickler for procedure, I started at the right place and I have also ended up at the right place.”

    On how prepared he was for the rerun elections, he said “If they are going to do it now, we are ready. I don’t know who is afraid of anyone in Tafawa Balewa.

    Asked if he was confident to win the rerun election, he said “Insha Allah.”

  • Polls: Don’t blame me for APC loss in Edo, says Airhiavbere

    A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, General Charles Airhiavbere, has said that he should not be blamed for the party’s performance in the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Edo South senatorial district.

    General Airhiavbere who was reacting to his suspension from the ruling APC said he was not the only leader that lost his Ward during the elections.

    Airhiavbere said Governor Godwin Obaseki is part of the Ward.

    Describing his purported suspension as a nullity, Airhiavbere said the battle line for next year’s governorship election has been drawn.

    According to him, “There are procedures for doing that. Is it a coup plotting system? I’m a retired General, I am a leader and there should be some measure of respect. Am I the only person who lost his ward during the election? The governor is part of the ward, there are other leaders too and I am a member of the Presidential Campaign Council mandated with the security of votes during the election.

    “My only conclusion is that I have been identified ahead of the 2020 election. They shouldn’t heat up the polity, it is too early. If they already see me as a contestant, there is a procedure that they should go about it but that wouldn’t stop me from contesting.

    “The battle line has been drawn. I can’t be held responsible for the abysmal failure of the leadership. I wasn’t the DG of the campaign so why am I being singled out if not for the fact that I am already being identified. I contested against the governor in 2016 and I will contest again. President Buhari contested four times and he won. All these can’t stop me from contesting.”