The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Ganduje: my victory down to hard work, not violence

    Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje of has reaffirmed his victory at the Kano supplementary elections was as a result of hard work by his team as against violence cited in many quarters.

    Ganduje, who contested under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke when chairmen of the 44 local government areas of the state paid him a congratulatory and solidarity at the Government House, Kano

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ganduje winner of the rerun polls against his opponent Abba K. Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “It was not breach of peace that gave (me) the victory but hard work and prayers. We prayed and we worked hard. Peace is paramount,” he said.

    Ganduje urged supporters of the APC not to engage in any form of violence or intimidation of the opposition in the course of their jubilation, saying his government and party are not in conflict with the opposition.

    “We want peace and peace must be given a chance to thrive. We will come up with new strategy in governance. All as an effort to consolidate this victory and continue with the good things we started.

    “We will continue to do what our people voted us for. That is to further develop all structures of the society.

    “This victory shows that Kano people repose confidence in us since from day one. We will, therefore, not let them down,” Ganduje added.

    He also said he would work with other opposition groups that supported him before the elections.

    “We have other opposition parties that came and worked with us before this election. For the development of our state, we are planning to work with them,” he stated.

  • PDP senators to APC: leave Saraki out of jostle for Senate Presidency

    The Senate caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday asked their counterparts in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop dragging the name of the Senate President Bukola Saraki into the schemes and plots for his successor.

    The PDP Senate caucus said the APC senators should leave Saraki out of the jostle by Senators-elect of the ruling party over who and who gets elected into the leadership of the Ninth Senate.

    In a statement by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi and Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Dino Melaye, the PDP caucus stated it has observed closely as the contenders for the various Senate leadership posts in the APC sponsor various publications in the media to make it appear that Saraki is seeking to play a role in who occupy the various leadership posts in the next Senate.

    The PDP Senate caucus warned such surreptitious attempts to drag Saraki into the issue that does not concern him would not augur well for the smooth take-off of the next Senate and could only create suspicion and ill-will among the incumbent Senators and the incoming ones.

    “We have noted with regret and surprise how some Senators who are interested in becoming the next Senate President and those seeking to occupy various leadership positions in the next Senate have been busy dragging the name of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, into their schemes for fulfilling their ambitions. We believe those involved in this dirty game are only afraid of the shadow of the Senate President.

    READ ALSO: You are jittery, PDP tells APC, Buhari

    “Such people should know that Dr. Saraki is not interested in their plots, schemes and manipulation. His concern now is to continue to provide leadership to the Eighth Senate and to ensure that the Senate achieves as much as it is possible in the remaining two months of its tenure.

    “It is obvious that many Senators and even Senators-elect still defer to Saraki. And this is understandable because he is a national leader of the PDP.

    “He is a respected Senator who has also provided solid leadership for the Senate. So, those who are afraid of his influence should find a positive way to deal with that, not sponsoring falsehood in the media.

    They went on: “Let it be known that no matter the mischief being sponsored by these spineless people, Dr. Saraki knows that it is the duty of all Senators in the Ninth Senate to elect their Senate President and other leaders.

    “Nobody from outside the Senate has such powers. It is also the right of every Senator to aspire to that position as stated by the constitution. He has benefitted from this practice of Senators within the chambers exercising the right. He is conscious of this fact and will not be a party to any plan to seize or interfere with the process of evolving the leadership of the Ninth Senate.

    “We therefore urge the APC gladiators and their handlers to leave Saraki out of their schemes and manipulations. They should go and concentrate on how to convince the Senators-elect and ensuring that the election of the next Senate President takes place in a conducive atmosphere with a view to strengthening the institution and making it perform its constitutional roles, without any hindrance.”

  • Election Tribunal receives 12 petitions in Nasarawa – Official

    The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia has received 12 petitions from different candidates in Nasarawa State.

    Mr Bello Mukhtar, Secretary of the tribunal, made the disclosure to newsmen in Lafia on Tuesday.

    He said the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed five petitions, All Progressives Congress (APC) filed two petitions and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) filed three petitions.

    He said the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) each filed one petition.

    Read Also: Suspected herdsmen sack 2 communities, raze 27 houses in Nasarawa

    Mukhtar stated that the tribunal was still expecting petition from the re-run elections that were conducted on March 23.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP is challenging the three senatorial seats, Lafia/Obi and Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituencies, while APC was challenging Akwanga/Nassarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituencies.

    PDM is challenging Nasarawa South and Northern Senatorial seats, Akwanga/Nasarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituencies.

    ZLP and APGA are challenging Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituencies and Nasarawa West Senatorial seats respectively.

  • 42 parties in Kano reject results of March 23 supplementary election

    Forty-two political parties in Kano under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in the state have rejected the results of the re-run governorship election of March 23.

    They alleged that the process was characterised by gross irregularities.

    The state CUPP chairman, Mohammed Abdullahi-Rahi, made the position of the group known while addressing a news conference in Kano on Tuesday.

    He alleged that the supplementary election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was marred by violence, over voting, intimidation and voter disenfranchisement.

    READ ALSO: Kano rerun: Prosecute electoral offenders, observers tell INEC

    According to him, thuggery and voter-intimidation were reported in almost all the polling units where the re-run election was conducted, with reports of loss of lives, open vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.

    ”It was clear that the level of violence recorded during the March 9 election that led to cancellation of results of some polling units is by far less than what was recorded during the March 23 election, yet the electoral body turned a blind eye on the happenings by accepting and announcing the results.

    ”We are at this juncture, debunking the illegitimate declaration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as governor-elect in the just concluded March 23 re-run elections in Kano due to gross irregularities and electoral fraud committed before, during and after the elections.”

  • Kano rerun: Remain calm, PDP urges supporters

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday in Kano called on its supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as they await the outcome of the election petition tribunal.

    The party through a statement by Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the spokesman of its governorship candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf, vehemently rejected the result of the election.

    It said: “The PDP in Kano is proud to be distinctly civil and uniquely peace-loving. We condemn this fraud in its entirety.

    “We have decided to take legal action through the Election Petition Tribunal with overwhelming evidences that has been gathered, and Insha Allah, soonest the mandate of the good people of Kano state shall be reclaimed.

    “However, we urge the good people of Kano state and particularly our teaming supporters to be patient and remain calm. Kano state is our only home.

    “We have no other place better than this noble state and no blood of any citizen is worth shedding.”

    PDP accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies of joining forces to rig the election in favour of the APC.

    “In the political history of Kano, we have undergone the most horrific elections ever where the ruling APC and Kano State Government deployed all mechanisms to orchestrate violence against the citizens.

    “Indeed, the good people of Kano state have witnessed a broad daylight robbery of their mandate by the enemies of democracy. It is with tremendous zeal and courage that we joined the 2019 Kano gubernatorial contest, believing in the impartiality of the umpire – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies, being on a mission to restore the lost glory of our dear state from the hand of political predators who destroy every meaningful programme and policies set by the previous administration of Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

    “The deliberate disruption of results collation process in Nasarawa Local Government, which led to the cancellation of Gama Ward, alongside numerous other Polling Units across the 28 Local Government Areas and the appalling conduct of the players in the sham called inconclusive Election, has raised huge doubts about the professionalism of the security agencies and the effectiveness, credibility and fairness of INEC as an organization as well as professionalism and neutrality of the security agencies.”

  • Zamfara: Appeal Court has vindicated us, says Marafa

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa (APC, Zamfara) has hailed the judgement of the Appeal Court, Sokoto division, which set aside the ruling of the Zamfara State High Court on the All Progressives Congress (APC), primaries tussle in the state.

    The Appellate court on Monday set aside the ruling by Justice Bello Shinkafi of the Zamfara State High Court on the APC Governorship, National and State Assembly primaries.

    In his reaction to the judgement, Marafa, a leading governorship aspirant in the state, said it has shown that “truth will always prevail over falsehood.”

    He said: “I have always believed that the Zamfara State High Court ruling was nothing but a black market judgement that can never stand legal scrutiny.

    “The Appeal Court judgement has rekindled the fact that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

    “We are all living witnesses to the fact that the APC in Zamfara was unable to conduct primaries and couldn’t reach consensus due to the attitude of Yari, but the Zamfara state High Court judge ruled against the truth.

    “The Appeal Court has today done justice by throwing the judgment of the Zamfara High Court to the trash bin, where it rightly belongs.”

    The ranking Senator, while commending the millions of his supporters for their support, cooperation and patience, urged them to discountenance the release from the Zamfara Government House, claiming that today’s judgement has no effect on their election.

    “The statement by the Zamfara Government House on the Appeal Court judgement is the last kick of dying pigs, not even horses.

    “You can’t build on nothing, APC didn’t conduct primaries, they don’t therefore have candidates in the just concluded elections,” he said.

  • Polls: Domestic observers rate Plateau high in peaceful, orderly conduct

    Civil Society Organizations in Plateau state and Coalition of Domestic Observers has rated Plateau state high in peaceful and orderly conduct during the just concluded 2019 general elections.

    The group comprising of 2,500 members said Plateau state is the most peaceful and orderly based on individual member’s observations during the elections.

    The CSOs/ Domestic Observers made their observations known Monday in a press conference held at the state secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Jos.

    Leader of the Group Godwin Okoko who read the text of the briefing said, “Our observations were collated from the reports of our members stationed at various polling units spread across the 17 LGAs of the state.

    “Generally, elections in the Plateau state was the most peaceful, orderly and fair from our assessments

    “We commend CSOs, security agencies, the media, observers groups, religious groups, traditional institutions, political parties and other stakeholders for their conducts during the elections.

    ”We also commend the electorate for their involvement in the process and peaceful conducts before, during and after the elections. As we look forward to a more peaceful, transparent and credible future elections, we use this medium to once more appeal to the Plateau State Government to ensure the strengthening of peace and security structures in the states through the promotion of peace and strengthening of community cohesion structures, provision of good governance, inclusive participation, accountability, increase youth empowerment programs, employment opportunities and youth/women development.

    ”We also appeal to the Governor-elect Barr Simon Bako Lalong as a leader of the state to begin the healing of wounds, closing of gaps, division and polarisation through the processes of reconciliation irrespective of party affiliation We also encourage all good sons and daughters of the state to give a supportive hand to the Governor-Elect towards a stronger, developed, peaceful and united Plateau State.

    ”We urge all good people of the state and residents of the state to continue to imbibe the culture of peace and tolerance. The Observers groups however recommend that INEC improves on the general conduct of the elections specifically; Smart Card Readers should be further enhanced.

    “We recommend that Collation Centres be more accessible to observers. We recommend that further delineation of voting points be carried out so as to make PUs more accessible to electorates.

    “Improve on logistics for INEC officials and ad-hoc staff to perform their duties optimally.

    “INEC and political parties should engage on sensitisation of the electorates and party members’ supporters.

    “Enhance capacity training for security agencies that will be involved in future conduct of election exercise.

    “We recommend that INEC should make information/data available on cancelled Polling Units where supplementary elections will be conducted.

    “We recommend that INEC should ensure prosecution of all her staff involved in electoral mal-practice

    “We recommend that voters should be more actively involved in subsequent elections. We recommend enhance capacity training for security officers that will be involved in future elections

    “We recommend capacity training for political party agents for future elections.”

  • Kano re-run: Observers’ group tasks aggrieved politicians on peace

    The Coalition of INEC Accredited observers for the re-run Governorship election in Kano State have advised losers and other aggrieved politicians to channel their complaints through established legal processes.

    The leader of the group, Dr Ibrahim Baba, gave the advice at a news conference in Kano on Monday following the declaration of the incumbent governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the winner of the re-run election.

    He said there was need for those who felt cheated during the Saturday’s March 23 supplementary election to seek legal redress instead of disseminating false information and inciting people for violence.

    “We call on the winners/losers to respect the rule of law and call on their supporters to remain peaceful and law abiding.

    “They should also refrain from disseminating false Information and channel their grievances through established legal processes,’’ Baba said.

    READ ALSO: Kano re-run: PDP vows not to sign result sheets

    The leader of the group, who represents Centre for Intervention, commended security agents for maintaining the highest level of professionalism before, during and after the conduct of the exercise.

    He said the collaborative relationship between INEC and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security contributed to the generally peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    Baba said: “despite some reports of election-related violence and intimidation, the overall political climate in the entire state during the election remained largely peaceful and conducive for the conduct of democratic elections.

    “We also observed significant improvement on the issues raised during the March 9 election like the card reader and other electoral materials on the unpreparedness of INEC.’’

    The group commended the citizens of the state for their resilience, commitment, dedication and steadfastness toward this great democratic venture.

  • Atiku congratulates Tambuwal, Ortom

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the victory of the candidates of the party in Sokoto and Benue states was an acknowledgement from the people that PDP is the only truly national party in the country.

    In a congratulatory message to Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Samuel Ortom who have been re-elected in Kano and Benue states respectively, Atiku assured Sokoto state made the right decision that will see them continue on the path to peace, progress and prosperity.

    Atiku described Governor Ortom’s re-election as well deserved, adding that his re-election was not just a credit to the PDP but also a fact that the governor remained an epitome of servant leadership who he urged electorate in the state to emulate.

    “With him (Ortom) again at the helm of affairs in Benue, the people of the breadbasket of the nation can look forward to times of refreshing and deliverance,” a statement by his media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe said.

    “Atiku Abubakar shares solidarity with Alhaji Bala Mohammed and Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, who have made a great showing in Bauchi and Kano states, respectively.

    “Victory is within reach. They have shown that they are men of the people and we are convinced that much good will come out of these men of enviable talents and leadership ability”

    The PDP presidential candidate also congratulated his party leaders and members on the gains so far recorded, affirming that the PDP is the true bastion of democracy and should be encouraged by these victories.

    According to him, with unity within the party, it will together continue to extend the boundaries of democracy and shrink the space occupied by tyranny.

  • Abba Yusuf won Kano rerun, PDP insists

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that its candidate, Abba K. Yusuf, won the Kano state governorship election, saying any declaration that does not reflect such cannot stand.

    The main opposition party said the whole world knows the PDP and its candidate, Abba Yusuf, won the Kano state governorship election since March 9, 2019, having fulfilled the constitutional requirement of securing the highest number of votes and the statutory 25 percent in two-thirds of the state.

    A statement on Sunday night by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the governorship supplementary election in Kano was a national disgrace and a mere figure allocating exercise by compromised INEC officials.

    According to Ologbondiyan, INEC collaborated with “power drunk” politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to award results to the APC candidate.

    The party cautioned INEC against any attempt to import contrived figures from the “illegitimate” March 23 “charade”, saying doing so would be a clear recipe for anarchy and serious crisis in the state.

    “The people of Kano state have a long history of firm resistance against corrupt and oppressive forces. Their will must therefore not be stretched in this election.

    “The Kano people have abundantly expressed their rejection of the corrupt and incompetent government of Abdullahi Ganduje and his party, the APC, and no amount of machination can cow or force them to abandon their resolve for a new governor in Abba Yusuf,” the statement added.