The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Dapo Abiodun, deputy get Certificates of Return

    Ogun State Governor – elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy Noimot Oyedele – Salako on Thursday got their respective Certificates of Return (CoR) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The CoR was presented to them by INEC’s Commissioner in charge of Ogun, Ondo and Lagos, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola around noon.

    Read Also: Dapo Abiodun, deputy get Certificates of Return

    However, winners in the State House of Assembly – 26 of them, comprising 15 All Progressives Congress (APC) members and eleven others spread across the Allied People’s Movement (APM), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will collect theirs later in the day.

  • INEC presents Tambuwal, Legislators-elect certificates of return

    The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday presented Peoples Democratic Party candidate Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his running mate, Alhaji Muhammad Mannir Dan Iya their certificates of return.

    Also presented certificates of return were the 30 Assembly members-elect.

    Presenting the certificates, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Sokoto, Kebib and Zamfara states, Mrs. Amina Zakari, said the commission remained committed to the course of ensuring smooth and transparent conduct of elections.

    According to her: “While we have concluded the 2019 polls exercise, we are looking forward to 2023 with a reminder to Nigerians that sustainable democracy can only be achieved through peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible polls.”

    Zakari urged politicians and political parties to always ensure democratic process dictate their activities through adherence to INEC guidelines as well as peaceful conducts before, during and after elections.

    She regretted that Sokoto state, which was known for its peaceful electioneering process, had in the just -concluded polls lost its place due to violence and other wrongs.

    “This is the first time in many years we are experiencing this. I will like to state clearly that narrow lead margin was not the only reason why elections are declared inconclusive but violence and other reasons,” she stated.

    Sokoto Returning Electoral Commissioner, Sadiq Musa Abubakar, who noted the journey to the successful conclusion of the elections in the state was not an easy task, said INEC was able to deliver a credible and transparent exercise that ensured every voted counted to the last moment when the rerun was conducted.

    “We conducted the 2019 elections without fear or favour but commitment to the realisation of an acceptable exercise.

    “All struggles and efforts towards this day are over. I urge the people of Sokoto state to join hands together and forge ahead for the development of the state in unity and progress.”

    Tambuwal reassured of his resilience to building a Sokoto state that would symbolise prosperity for the people.

    He said nothing would be left out in the course of transforming the state and its people.

  • Adamawa guber supplementary poll commences in 14 LGAs

    The Adamawa governorship supplementary election has successfully commenced in 14 Local Government Areas across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited some polling units on Thursday in Yola, the state capital, reports that the exercise was moving smoothly.

    Speaking to NAN, Ms Furera Adamu, INEC Presiding Officer in charge of Mustafa Primary School polling units in Bako ward in Yola, said the election started at 8 a.m.

    Adamu said that so far, there was no problem of card readers’ malfunction, adding that electorate were turning out to cast their votes.

    “The election started at 8 a.m in my unit and so far, there is no any problem as our card readers are functioning effectively. “We have enough security operatives deployed,” Adamu said.

    At the Bako Primary School polling unit 007 in Yola South Local Government Area, the election started as scheduled.

    In Girei and Fufore Local Government Areas, the exercise was moving smoothly as electorates were casting their votes orderly and peacefully.

    Speaking with NAN, Mr Kasim Gaidam, Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state said the commission had well prepared for the election where about 358 staff engaged for the supplementary election.

    He said the election was been conducting in 14 local government areas in the 44 affected polling units and in 29 wards.

    Gaidam said areas where the elections were being conducted include: Yola South, Fufore, Ganye, Girei, Guyuk, Hong, Lamurde, Numan, Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Shelleng, Song and Toungo Local Government Areas.

    NAN reports that there was presence of election supervisors, accredited political agents and other stakeholders

  • Rivers AAC’s deputy chairman defects to PDP

    Rivers State Deputy Chairman of African Action Congress (AAC), Amezhinim Atuma, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    His defection took place barely 72 hours after deputy governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, Chief Akpo Yeeh, also joined the PDP.

    Atuma, on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, announced his resignation and defection.

    Atuma, who tore his membership card of AAC, claimed his decision to quit the AAC was necessitated by his commitment to the advancement of the democratic interest of Rivers and the peace of people of the state.

    Atuma claimed that he could no longer in good conscience associate with the AAC/All Progressives Congress (APC) alliance, which only interest, he alleged was to unleash mayhem on Rivers people through the use of security forces.

    He said: “As at March 27, 2019, every arrangement has been made to disrupt the collation and announcement of the governorship and House of Assembly elections’ results, as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) between April 2 and 5, 2019.

    “There are plans to cause bloodshed, leading to total breakdown of law and order between April 1 and 5, 2019.

    “This is in furtherance of their plan to create a state of emergency in Rivers State, wherein Governor Wike’s term in office would have expired.

    “The petition filed against the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Rivers State, Mr. Obo Effanga, and the Chairman of the electoral commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, by the defeated AAC’s governorship candidate (Awara) contains the same false allegations with his suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja.”

    He also claimed that the content of the affidavit sworn to by Yeeh was true.

    Atuma claimed that from available data from AAC agents, the 2019 governorship election in Rivers was won by Wike and lost by Awara.

    He said: “Our (AAC’s) party agents inundated us with information from across Rivers State that the PDP won the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    “There is a sinister plot by members of the AAC and APC to rig the 2019 elections in Rivers State and subvert the will of Rivers people.”

    But Rivers Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone, declared the bribe-induced defection of Atuma was despicable.

    Read also: ‘Wike never offered AAC’s guber candidate N3b to drop ambition’

    Finebone said: “No one should be surprised. In a state where the government is said to be government of one man, by one man and for one man, the people are bound to suffer poverty of the worst type.

    “In almost four years of Wike, Rivers people have become so impoverished that a meal a day is a major challenge.

    “So, if Rivers governor has chosen to dangle baits at AAC members to abandon their mandate, it should not really be a surprise.

    “Wike dangled N3 billion at Engr. Biokpomabo Awara, the AAC’s governorship candidate, and he (Awara) turned it down.

    “Then, the governor turned to the deputy governorship candidate (Yeeh)  with N200 million and got his (Awara’s) man.

    “This time, the deputy chairman has also swallowed the bait and jumped ship. It might just be that Wike might be the loser at last, while those he bribed feel they had to survive, though in exchange with their conscience. It is despicable.”

  • We won’t challenge Kano rerun elections, says CUPP

    A coalition of 42 registered political parties in Kano State, under the aegis of coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has dissociated itself from reports that it had concluded plans to challenge the victory of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the just concluded supplementary election before the tribunal.

    Reports had it that the 42 political parties vowed to challenge the victory of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the tribunal.

    CUPP, who paid a solidarity and congratulatory visit to the Kano State governor-elect, led by its chairman, Alhaji Isah Nuhu Isah, expressed disgust over a purported news conference, held on Monday 25th March, 2019 , where it was reported that the coalition condemned the entire process due to alleged electoral irregularities.

    Isah who is also the chairman, lnter party advisory council (IPAC),with 72 members, described the position of the coalition as unacceptable, pointing out that ” CUPP has distanced itself from such claims.”

    “CUPP was shocked and perplexed to read the contents of the news conference discrediting the whole conduct of the process, security agencies, INEC and worst still the declaration to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

    “We in CUPP comprising the representatives of the 42 political parties in the coalition, and joined by the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), categorically disowned and disassociate the coalition from the sham press conference as well as condemn it in its entirety as it does not reflect our true assessment of the election,”

    Isah also explained that the coalition were dismayed by the action of the conveners of the news conference for using the coalition to express personal and untoward views for whatever reasons and influence under the guise of CUPP.

    He noted that the coalition monitored the supplementary election in Kano and in all sincerity believed it to be free, fair and peaceful, but acknowledged that there were pockets of violence in some polling units which scale and magnitude were indeed insignificant to warrant any call and agitation for cancellation of the election or legal redress at the tribunal.

    In his remarks, governor Ganduje wondered why only the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) faulted the re-run election while it was not the only party that participated, as clearly shown by these 42 political parties who were also fully involved in the process.

    “Why is PDP crying more than the berieved, are they hiding some mischievous anti-Kano mission?”

    Ganduje promised run an all-inclusive government, which would be anchored on government of unity, where members of other political parties will be embrace to participate in the cabinet to develop Kano state.

  • AbdulRasaq promises not to discriminate against opposition

    Kwara state Governor-elect Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Wednesday promised not to label anybody opposition in the state.

    He said his administration would be an all-inclusive government that would embrace everybody in the state.

    Abdulrazaq said this in Ilorin, the state capital after receiving his certificate of return from the state Resident Election Electoral Commissioner of INEC.

    “This state belongs to all. We don’t see anybody as opposition. It is Kwara for all. All hands must be on deck (to rebuild the state).

    ‘’This is a poor state and a lot of work has to be done. We will embrace everybody,” AbdulRazaq stressed.

    He said the new administration has a lot of work to do to get the state back on its feet, calling on all Kwarans to support his government once he is inaugurated in the coming months.

    “When you record a winning margin of 75 percent as we did, it means that even those on the side of PDP voted for us.

    “So we are going to ensure that we all work together. We are not going to label anybody. There are good people on the other side too.”

    He went on: “Our members will also be taken care of and our priority will be to rebuild our state. We need to get everyone together for the task ahead and move our state forward.

    “We have a big task ahead of us but we will surmount the challenges ahead by the grace of God. Once again, we thank everyone who took part in the elections — either as officials or as voters.”

    READ ALSO: Saraki congratulates Kwara governor-elect, Abdulrasaq

    AbdulRazaq also hailed the electoral body, the security agencies and the voters for their patriotic roles while the exercise lasted.

    He rated the elections in Kwara as the most peaceful and orderly, commending the security agencies for checkmating thuggery and potential violence in the state.

    National Electoral Commissioner of INEC Dr Mohammed Haruna described the elections in the state as remarkable.

    Dr Haruna added: “The change in the state was not only remarkable but peaceful.

    “It is remarkable because those who lost at the polls accepted their defeat.

    “Senate President Bukola Saraki in his congratulatory speech said those who won the elections are not his enemies.

    “Therefore, I urge you not to treat those you have defeated as your enemies.”

  • Ugwuanyi, deputy, others receive Certificate of Return

    Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Wednesday received his Certificate of Return as Governor- Elect in the March 9th Governorship Election held in the state.

    The governor, alongside his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and other elected members of the state Assembly received their certificates of return at the headquaters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) in Enugu.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Dr. Emeka Ononammadu, noted that it was gratifying that the electoral process ended in peace with all promises of fairness, openness and neutrality kept.

    “It was a tortuous journey that did not come at zero cost but it is also a journey that the entire nation is poised to learn from Enugu,” he stated.

    The governor-elect, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi stated that they had prayed for a peaceful and transparent election and commended efforts of security agencies during the process.

    A National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, who also spoke at the occasion said INEC could no longer afford to plan in an uncertain environment.

    Okoye, who is the commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, disclosed that the independent National Electoral Commission would embark on aggressive constitutional and electoral reforms to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.

  • APC may boycott Thursday’s supplementary election in Adamawa- Official

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa has threatened to boycott the supplementary governorship election if INEC insisted on conducting it on Thursday.

    The State Organising Secretary of APC, Alhaji Ahmed Lawan, made the party position known on Wednesday in Yola.

    Lawan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the party had rejected the Thursday’s date and communicated its position to the electoral body.

    READ ALSO: Updated: Adamawa supplementary gov poll holds Thursday

    INEC had announced Thursday for the supplementary election in 44 units.

    This followed the vacation of an interim injunction that stopped it from conducting the election last Saturday.

    “We are not going to participate in the election, if INEC is going to conduct it on Thursday.

    “I don’t know why INEC is rushing, as conducting this election on Thursday will disenfranchise many voters, particularly workers and students who need to go to work and schools,” Lawan said.

    The PDP Chairman in Adamawa, Mr Tahir Shehu, whose candidate (Ahmadu Fintiri) is leading with a difference of over 30,000 votes, said they were ready for the election.

    When contacted, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Adamawa, Mr Kassim Gaidam, said that the commission would hold the election as scheduled on Thursday.

    Gaidam urged all the parties involved to work toward a hitch-free poll.

     

  • Ignore vituperations of defecting Yeeh in Rivers – Tonye Cole

    The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Cole, has urged well-meaning Rivers indigenes to ignore the vituperations of deputy governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers, Chief Akpo Yeeh, who resigned on Monday and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Cole, who spoke in Port Harcourt through the spokesman of his campaign organisation, Ogbonna Nwuke, declared Yeeh’s view was skewed by the N200 million cash given to him by Governor Nyesom Wike of PDP.

    The co-founder of Sahara Group (Cole) said: “It is pertinent to note that neither the APC nor the Minister for Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has in any way interfered with the internal organisation of the AAC.

    “We are aware that Yeeh, whose appetite for sudden wealth has overtaken reason, is not the author of the script that he read in his Port Harcourt residence on Monday.

    “We sympathise with Yeeh, a self-avowed young politician, whose hunt for a meal ticket has led him to mortgage his conscience for mess of porridge.

    “It is indeed laughable that the crafted statement delivered claims that the Minister for Transportation had insisted that he would appoint 90 per cent of the commissioners, 23 local government council chairmen, in an undated resignation address served to the public.

    READ ALSO: I’ll pursue my case further after Saturday’s poll – Tonye Cole

    “We are not shocked by the lies that Yeeh served the public, in order to put food on his table. It is consistent with the propaganda slant of the PDP, used to deceive the people and deflect the attention of the Nigerian people from the fact that PDP’s candidates lost horribly in the field, because of the resolve of Rivers people to effect a change.

    “Wike and other leaders of PDP are determined to steal Rivers people’s mandate through unparalleled bribery of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions.

    “Institutions that Wike and other PDP leaders have been unable to bribe are understandably at the apex of their criticisms. These institutions include the Nigerian Army, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the APC.”

    Cole also stated that he was at a loss on how a coalition between the APC and the AAC could be interpreted to mean an attempt to cause crisis in Rivers, insisting the interest of the state far outstrips the interest of an individual.

    He said: “It is obvious that what is critical at this time is the quest to deliver unto Rivers people, a government that is transparent, accountable, responsible, focused and committed to their welfare.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that political parties in this country and elsewhere in the world enjoy the right to enter into coalition with any party of their choice, for the purpose of forming a government of state or national unity, which will deliver dividends of democracy and serve the overall interest of the people.

    “It is important to observe that Yeeh’s name is already on the ballot. The sponsors of the malicious publication targeted against the Minister for Transportation against the backdrop of the defection of an unserious and hungry politician should take copious note of the decision of INEC to refuse the exit from the presidential race of Dr Oby Ezekwesiele.”

  • I’ll run inclusive government- Bauchi Governor- elect

    Bauchi Governor –Elect Bala Mohammed has pledged to run an all-inclusive and participatory government as soon as he takes over from Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Mohammad, who made the pledge at a special Broadcast shortly after he was declared the winner of the supplementary poll on Monday night, said he will execute his duties in honour and benefits of all the people of Bauchi State.

    “As your Governor, I propose to work and earn your respect, I will run an efficient and transparent government and I shall hold them responsible and accountable to my administration.

    “I promise to run an- inclusive government participatory government and so i hasten to extend a hand of brotherhood and friendship to my fellow contestants because i believe we have everything to gain by working together.”

    He vowed to transform the state to an economic hub through pragmatic innovations.

    “We are determined to launch a pro-business, pro-market agricultural and economic revolution within four years. My aim is to win over the majority of the people of Bauchi State to believe in our new ideas and to believe in ourselves.

    “It is my duty to rapidly pull Bauchi state into the 21st century and I see a world of opportunities and possibilities waiting for us to explore through pragmatic innovations.”

    He added: “In the coming days and weeks, we shall be engaged with officials of the outgoing government with what would hopefully be a hitch-free transitional exercise.

    “Once we have a clear picture of the enormity of the task of rebuilding our state, I shall be honest with you about the challenges we would face because i know the road will be long and rough”.

    He said citizens have been subjected to grave and economic deprivation as well as political persecution and he will consider it his ardent desire to labour for the empowerment of the teeming youths of Bauchi state.

    The governor -elect added the core of his mandate is the crucial drive to give Bauchi state citizens a better prospect and greater opportunity for a prosperous life.

    He said reducing poverty and empowering the citizens in the areas of agriculture, education, urban and rural infrastructure.

    Mohammad thanked members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), civil society organisations, women and youth groups who laboured relentless for his victory.