The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Ajimobi to election losers: Embrace peace, prepare for next election

    Go to court if you’re not satisfied with election outcome, Ajimobi

     

     

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has challenged all those who lost in the recently concluded general elections in the country to in the spirit of sportsmanship embrace peace and begin to prepare for the next election.

    Instead of fomenting troubles, Ajimobi said all those who think they have issues or suspected any untoward action or activities in the election result as announced by the electoral umpire should go to the court of law.

    He gave the charge while addressing journalists on Tuesday at the Governor’s office.

    Ajimobi who had congratulated the governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) charged the incoming administration to learn and sustain the good things of his APC led government while also working on the areas he (Ajimobi) might have been perceived not to have done well.

    He warned trouble-makers not compromise on his legacy of peace and security of lives and property until the last day of his administration, urging the incoming government to ensure that the state does not slip back into the days of brigandage, adding that such will be antithetical to development.

    Ajimobi said “In all things, we must appreciate God and God has been very kind to our government. First, we have been able to for the first time, use eight years, and it was eight years of peace, security, safety and of development on all fronts.

    “When you talk about this last election, from the results that we have seen, the declared winners, the usual thing as a sportsman and democrat is to congratulate all those who won and to encourage those who lost to accept the losses.

    “Also, is the fact that we encourage sustainability of peace and development. We must not allow Oyo state to slip back to the days of brigandage. It is antithetical to development.

    Read Also: Ajimobi and the power in the tongue

    “So, all those who lost should accept and if they find reasons why they lost, and they believe that some maneuvering or manipulations have been done, they should take the legal course.

    “But if you believe that nothing untoward has happened, you leave it and prepare for the next time. My admonition is that our people should maintain and sustain peace.

    “This government will not leave until the 29th of May. Between now and the 29th of May, we are in government and will ensure peace and tranquility which is the hallmark of our administration. And we believe that all hands must be on deck to maintain this.

    “With regard to the newly elected governor, he should also toe the line of peace, encourage the people to toe the line of peace. Even if we have done badly in some areas, we have done many good things that outweigh those supposedly bad things and in anything in life, there are pros and cons.

    “Once our pluses are more than our minuses, it should be encouraged. The fact that we lost does not mean that we should throw away the baby with the bath water. I think there are good things he can learn from us, there are good things we will be ready to give him to take from and he should adjust and improve on the bad ones so that we can go to the next level.”

  • AD’s Salis rejects Lagos gov elections, alleges irregularities

    Lagos State Gubernatorial Candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Owolabi Salis has rejected last Saturday’s governorship poll, alleging various irregularities.

    Salis spoke at a press conference at his residence on Tuesday.

    Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the election by the Returning Officer of INEC in the state Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.

    He polled a total of 739, 445 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Jimi Agbaje who got 206,141 votes while Salis polled a total of 3,370 votes.

    “I am not accepting the results of the last Saturday gubernatorial election as it is complete fraud on the people of Lagos State,” the AD candidate declared.

    He alleged the election was marred with “multiple voting, intimidation, and collation fraud.”

    Read Also: INEC threatens to drag politicians to court

    According to him:  “The election is full of many machinations as many voters were intimidated and lot of multiple voting occurred in many polling units.

    “The collation fraud was huge as the ruling party did everything to discredit the candidate of AD and relegate us by putting us in the sixth position”.

    He alleged all the votes of the party were counted along with those of other parties at the collation centres, adding that the act was done in connivance with Police and ad hoc staff.

    “I do not believe Sanwo-Olu won a clear contest. I am going to court. I have overwhelming evidence and will get lawyers that handle electoral matters to look into these irregularities committed against my party in the just concluded election”, he said.

    “It is very easy to win the case when you have enough evidence. We will follow the matter to a logical conclusion and we believe we will get justice,” Salis said.

    Salis vowed he would still remain relevant politically and not relent in advancing the course of the less privileged in the society.

  • PDP dominates Bayelsa Assembly with 17 seats to APC’s four

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dominated the Bayelsa State House of Assembly winning 17 seats out of 24 following results so far declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    But INEC declared elections in Brass 1, Ogbia 2 and Southern Ijaw 4 constituencies inconclusive because of hijack of electoral materials, over voting and other irregularities.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan hails from Ogbia constituency 2 where election was declared inconclusive.

    But the APC, which prior to the election, had only one seat in the Assembly, won four seats after the poll.

    The APC candidates declared winners are Wilson Ayakpo, Ekeremor constituency 2; Edward Irigha, Nembe constituency 2; Douglas Samson, Nembe constituency 3 and Ominous Ayonatimiyo, Brass 2.

    However, PDP candidates, won most of the constituencies in each of the eight local government areas.

    For instance in Kolokuma-Opokuma, the PDP won all the constituencies with Tonye Isenah winning a third term in Kolokuma-Opokuma constituency 2.

    In Kolokuma-Opokuma 2, PDP’s Wisdom Fafi, a former Caretaker Chairman of the council was declared the winner.

    In Brass Local Government Area, the PDP’s Abraham Ngobere, an incumbent Deputy Speaker was returned for a third term.

    PDP clinched all the three seats in Yenagoa Local Government Area with Oforji Oborku winning Constituency 1 while constituencies 2 and three were won by Koku Obiyal and Elemefuro Teddy.

    The state ruling party further showed strong presence in Sagbama, the Local Government Area of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    In Sagbama constituencies 1, 2 and 3 the PDP’s Onyinke Godbless, Kenebai Benard and Adikumo Salo were declared winners.

    In Nembe Local Government, the PDP’s Ben Ololo won the constituency 1 while the APC candidates clinched the remaining two.

    In Ekeremor Local Government Area, the the PDP candidate and Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Tare Porri was declared the winner of constituency 1 while the party’s Ogbere Michael won the Constituency 3.

    In Southern Ijaw, the largest local government area in the state, the PDP has so far won constituencies 1, Bonny Ayah; 2, Obolo Bubou and 3 Malon Moses while 4 was declared inconclusive.

    In Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP won constituencies 1, Obordor Mitema and 3, Ogoli Naomi while the constituency 2 was still under contention.

    INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity in the state Mr Wilfred Ifogah, said elections in Brass 1, Ogbia 2 and Southern Ijaw 4 constituencies were declared inconclusive because they failed the test of the commission’s regulations and guidelines.

    He said: “21 results were fully declared and winners returned while three were declared inconclusive with due reference to INEC regulations and guidelines for the conduct of 2019 general elections.

    “Clause 10 (10), mandatory use of smart card readers. Clause 28 (b) collation at ward level and clause 43 (b), careful review of activities by the Management Team informed by the reports as stated by the collation Officers and Returning Officers duly appointed”.

    He noted the commission would in due time inform stakeholders in the state of the new date to conduct supplementary elections in the three affected constituencies.

  • 2019 election: NDF wants Adebanjo arrested over comments on Buhari’s victory

    The National Democratic Front, NDF, has called for immediate arrest and arraignment elder statesman and leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, over his recent comment on the just-concluded presidential election.
    Adebanjo had described the 2019 presidential election won by President Muhammadu Buhari as a joke, saying that he could not recognise the APC candidate as president-elect.
    NDF through its Secretary General, Dr Bolaji Abdulkadirm, in a statement said Adebanjo’s comment amounts to treason and utterances capable of plunging the country into another civil war.
    The statement further called on security agencies to immediately act to curtail such excesses by immediately arresting Adebanjo so as to serve as deterrent to others.
    Statement reads below.
    Adebanjo premised his treasonous call, published by the Daily Independent, on the handling of the recently held Presidential Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is merely a cover to justify the mayhem he and his co-travellers are planning in order to illegitimately and forcefully overthrow the government in violation of the Constitution.
    We note, sadly, that while Adebanjo claims the 2019 election was unacceptable to him he is equally disparaging the 2015 election from which the current mandate of President Buhari emanates. Even if he genuinely has issues with the recent elections, there are provisions for aggrieved losers to pursue judicial challenge, which in this case is even Atiku Abubakar and other candidates but not Adebanjo.
    There is no problem with Adebanjo or any other Nigerians privately nursing grudges against the president-elect or choosing to avoid attending same events with him, bidding for contracts under his government or having any interactions with the occupier of the nation’s highest office on account of political differences. But voicing out such disavowal and causing same to be published is clearly a call to insurrection, one that must not be taken lightly.
    Security agencies must immediately act to curtail such excesses by immediately arresting Adebanjo and anyone that instructed him to make such statement with a view to sending out the message that the laws of Nigeria are not to be toyed with. This call became necessary because of the series of plots by people like Adebanjo (and those who pay him) to overthrow the government of President Buhari, which were uncovered by the Federal Government prior to the elections.
    The call by Adebanjo is no mistake but part of the larger plot by the opposition to cause widespread insurrection against the government after it became clear to them that they can never return to power through popular votes owing to the years of misrule they inflicted on Nigerians. It is also the opposition testing the waters to see how much disruption they can get away with causing before the May 29 inauguration date.
    NDF urges the international community to note Adebanjo’s statement in relation to the extant laws in Nigeria. International interventions must be mindful of this factors when they are invited to save Adebanjo or any other opposition element from the consequences of treasonable offence since no country allows its Constitution to be taken for granted.

  • Executive, legislature on same page with APGA victory, says Obiano

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano state has commended the people of the state for voting overwhelmingly for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the State House of Assembly elections.

    He was particularly happy for their peaceful, orderly and law-abiding disposition throughout the exercise.

    Obiano, who spoke through the Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba, described the overwhelming support for APGA as a referendum on the performance of the party.

    He said the party’s victory has further bridged the gap between the executive and legislative arms of government, saying it would guarantee accelerated development and enhanced living standards.

    He said: “The elections confirm Anambra’s reputation as Nigeria’s safest and most peaceful state, despite one or two incidents.

    “Our people inspire the world with their love of democracy and the rapid development which comes with it.

    “APGA won 24 of the 30 seats, leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with only six seats.

    Read Also: NJC, Obiano hail Umeadi on retirement

    “Their support is as inspiring as it is challenging because it makes all of us in government constantly to seek to attain greater heights for the benefit of our people.

    “With both the executive and legislative arms of government on the same page, our people are guaranteed accelerated development and enhanced living standards.

    “APGA is Nigeria’s foremost development-oriented party, and the people of Anambra State have embraced our philosophy and development strategy without reservations, making us arguably the most competitive state in Nigeria right now.’’

  • Ishaku re-elected as Taraba governor

    Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has been reelected to steer Taraba state for another four years.

    The governor, who contested on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), polled 520,433 votes to defeat Sani Abubakar Danladi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who trailed him with 362,735 votes.

    Ishaku won 12 of the 16 local government areas of the state to floor his closest rival (Danladi) with a gap of 157,698 votes.

    Danladi won only in four councils: Jalingo, Ibi, Karim-Lamido and Gassol councils.

    Sen. Aisha Jummai Alhassan of the United Development Party (UDP) polled 16,289 votes.

    Read Also: Ishaku extends curfew on Jalingo to 24 hours

    Breakdown of results is as follows:

    Sardauna: APC 29,924 votes, PDP 38,618 votes and UDP 26 votes.

    Ussa: APC 10,209 votes, PDP 20,569 votes.

    Gassol: APC 46,385 votes, PDP 28,181 votes and UDP 1,577 votes.

    Ardo-Kola: APC 19,617 votes, PDP 22,208 votes and UDP 725 votes.

    Yorro: APC 6,712 votes, PDP 16,278 votes and UDP 725 votes.

    Lau: APC 12,542 votes, PDP 20,881 votes and UDP 659 votes.

    Zing: APC 7,105 votes, PDP 31,619 votes and UDP 699 votes.

    Takum: APC 14,014 votes, PDP 50,562 votes and UDP 1,676 votes.

    Gashaka: APC 10,746 votes, PDP 12,592 votes and UDP 505 votes.

    Bali: APC 31,357 votes, PDP 34,744 votes and UDP 476 votes.

    Ibi: APC 18,616 votes, PDP 13,630 votes and UDP 253 votes.

    Jalingo: APC 58,511 votes, PDP 31,917 votes and UDP 1,698 votes.

    Donga: APC 13,707 votes, PDP 42,696 votes and UDP 1,834 votes.

    Wukari: APC 34,995 votes, PDP 92,527 votes and UDP 1,638 votes.

    Kurmi: APC 3,815 votes, PDP 28,519 votes and UDP 595 votes.

    Karim-Lamido: APC 44,480 votes, PDP 34,892 votes and UDP 1,327 votes.

    There were 1,777,105 registered voters, of which 931,539 were accredited.

    There were 909,716 valid votes, out of the total votes cast of 925,320, as 15,604 votes were rejected.

    Ishaku’s victory extends the dominance of PDP in Taraba to 20 years as the party has not lost a governorship election in the state since 1999.

    INEC Returning Officer for Taraba State, Prof. Shehu Adamu Iya declared Ishaku governor-elect, saying “Ishaku of the PDP has met all the requirements of the electoral Act.”

    Iya described the election as peaceful, free and fair.

  • Imo guber election: INEC robbed me of victory- Nwosu

    The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Imo state, Uche Nwosu, has said that the declaration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, as the governor-elect, did not meet the constitutional requirement and therefore unacceptable.

    He vowed to challenge the results of the election in the Court, stating that the declaration by the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike was a clear violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

    Nwosu alleged that he was robbed of victory by the INEC and vowed to reclaim his mandate.

    He noted that the electoral body did not comply with the guidelines when it announced the PDP candidate as winner of the election.

    He said that the declared winner didn’t meet the constitutional requirement of 25 percent spread in at least two-third of the number of Local Government areas of the state where the election was held.

    According to him, “the law is clear on the requirements for declaring somebody as a winner in an election. The law required that to be declared a winner; you have the mandatory spread of 25 per cent win in at least two-thirds majority. In this case, two-thirds of the 27 local government areas of the state is 18 and Ihedioha has 25 per cent spread in only 12 local government areas whereas I have in15. So it’s clear that INEC has compromised.”

    Moreover, he said that INEC clearly disregarded its guidelines by recognising the non-use of Card Readers in the three local government areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte, the stronghold of Ihedioha.

    Nwosu added that, “It is a clear INEC guideline that where a card reader was not used and accreditation used manually, such results should not be recognised, but in this case INEC violated its own guideline by accepting the results from the three local government areas.”

    He also accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner of not using staff of federal institutions in Imo state, but went as far as Awka where the Vice Chancellor is Ihedioha’s kinsman to recruit ad hoc staff who did the bidding of the VC.

    He expressed optimism that the Court will give him victory at the end of the day.

  • PDP clinches 19 of 24 Abia Assembly seats

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia has won 19 of the 24 state constituency seats.

    Mr. Joseph Iloh, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, made the result of the March 9 election available to newsmen in Umuahia.

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance clinched three seats, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the remaining two.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 385 candidates from 43 political parties contested the 24 state constituency seats.

    A breakdown of the results showed that PDP won Aba North, Bende South, Ikwuano, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South constituencies.

    It also won the Obingwa East, Obingwa West, Ohafia North, Ohafia South, Osisioma North and Osisioma South seats.

    Read also: I’ll leave legacy of free, fair elections in Nigeria – Buhari

    Other seats won by the party included Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia North, Umuahia Central, Umunneochi, Umuahia East and Umuahia South.

    APGA won the Arochukwu, Aba North and Aba South seats, while APC won the Bende South and Isuikwato state constituencies.

    NAN reports that 12 of the winners were re-elected for second tenure, while 12 were first mandate.

    The list of returnees included the Speaker, Mr Chikwendu Kalu (PDP), Majority Leader, Mr Chinedu Orji (PDP) and Abraham Obah (APGA).

    Conversely, the principal officers of the house, who lost re-election included Deputy Speaker, Mr Cosmos Ndukwe (PDP) and Minority Leader, Mr Chibuzor Okogbuo (APC). (NAN

  • Borno gov- elect pledges security, rebuilding, resettlement

    Borno Governor- elect, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has pledged to remain committed to the rebuilding and resettlement drive of the state ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency with millions of displaced persons.

    Prof. Zulum is the immediate past and pioneer commissioner of Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, a ministry created by Gov. Kashim Shettima to handle specific issues with the plight and challenges of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

    In his acceptance speech, he extended olive branch to his colleagues within the APC aggrieved during the primary elections and his opponents.

    He emphasised his administrations priority on the security of lives, just as he promised massive youth empowerment through job creation.

    “Our administration of continuity will place security of lives at the top of all priorities.

    “After all, the number one essence of government it to secure lives and create an atmosphere where citizens are not only safe but they actually feel safe.

    “Insha’Allah, we shall attach similar priority to provision of infrastructure and to rejuvenate the economy of the state. We will build the capacity of more youths and create more jobs for them.

    “We will increase access to public healthcare, quality and affordable education. We will strengthen agriculture to create verse opportunities.”

    He added: “Resources as scarce and needs of societies compete. However, I believe that where there is a sincere will, there will always be options to find the ways.

    “We all have responsibilities towards the rebuilding of Borno State. By we, I mean every resident of Borno across party lines.

    “I shall be willing to work with everyone, including those who contested with us. I believe that what works better is cooperation rather than confrontation.”

    He added: “It is universal that politics involves disagreements whether on principles, ideologies or in trying to get the votes. Politics is a contest and grievances do emanate from contests.

    “Fellow citizens of Borno State, I will on a final note like to say, that no matter our passion and commitment, Allah will at the end, decide what happens.

    “I appeal to all of you to constantly put us in your individual and group prayers.

    “I besiege you to pray all the time that Allah guides us to be the kind of leaders that will justify your overwhelming mandate.”

  • PDP’s Ashiru rejects Kaduna gov results, heads to court

    Kaduna State gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ), Hon. Isa Ashiru, has rejected results of the contest, vowing to challenge the outcome at the election petitions tribunal.

    Ashiru alleged militarisation of the electoral process in various part of the state, arguing “military personnel were used to intimidate voters particularly in the areas where our party has an overwhelming strength and support.”

    The PDP gubernatorial candidate, who addressed a press conference at his Kaduna home few hours after the declaration of El-Rufai as winner, also alleged Smart Card Readers were not used during the elections in a lot of polling units in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna North, Igabi, Zaria, Lere and Ikara Local Government Areas.

    According to Ashiru: “I wish to state without any fear of contradiction that reports obtained by our party from across the State indicate that the elections were marred by a lot of irregularities.

    “It is on the basis of these established irregularities that our party in a petition to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, rejected the results and called for its outright cancellation.

    “Available reports have shown that Smart Card Readers were not used during the elections in a lot of polling units in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna North, Igabi, Zaria, Lere and Ikara Local Government Areas.

    “It is our firm believe that the non-usage of the Card Readers which is a violation of the electoral guidelines have rendered the results from these areas invalid and should have been cancelled.

    “Another issue of concern to our party was the clear militarisation of the electoral process in various parts of the State as military personnel were used to intimidate voters particularly in the areas where our party has an overwhelming strength and support.

    “Of a particular example is the use of military in Birnin Gwari and Kauru local government areas. Soldiers were also used to alter the result of our House of Assembly candidate to in Makera Constituency of Kaduna South local government area.

    “I am sure a lot of People in Kaduna State will consider it unbelievable the disparity between the numbers of votes obtained in the Presidential elections and the Governorship elections.

    “How could the people of Kaduna State be convinced the APC could get more votes during the governorship elections than it got in the last Presidential elections?”

    He went on: “Based on this and other irregularities, I hereby stand by the position of my party to challenge the concocted results at the election tribunal to get back our stolen mandate.

    “On this note, I therefore call on our supporters and citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm and be law abiding.”