The Nation Newspaper

Category: Election 2019

  • Obasanjo keeps mum over Buhari’s reelection

    As congratulatory messages continued to pour in from within and outside the country over the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has kept mum over the development.

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in the early hours of Wednesday declared Buhari winner of the Saturday’s presidential polls.

    Prominent and well-meaning Nigerians as well as international leaders have since been commending and congratulating Buhari over his victory in the election, widely adjudged as peaceful and credible.

    Obasanjo, who had been quite vocal in the build-p to the election has, however, appears to have suddenly gone into hiding by keeping silent since the result was announced.

    Telephone calls made to Obasanjo’s Media Aide, Mr Kehinde Akinyemi, by the correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) were not picked while text messages sent to him for reaction were neither acknowledged nor replied.

    Read Also: Obasanjo casts vote in Abeokuta

    NAN recalls that Obasanjo, had severally castigated Buhari, and openly campaigned against him few months to the election.

    The former president also endorsed and adopted Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the major opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whom he had once accused and condemned over corruption claims.

    He had also told Nigerians that God would not forgive him (Obasanjo) if he ever supported Atiku to be president.

    He, however, later changed political gear to ensure that Buhari was not re-elected.

    The presidency has however repeatedly asked Nigerians to ignore Mr Obasanjo, saying Mr Buhari’s performance in office was enough to earn him re-election.

    From the results announced by INEC, Buhari had defeated Atiku in Obasanjo’s polling unit in Abeokuta and also scored a total of 15,191,847 to defeat Atiku, his closest rival who scored 11,262,978 votes.

    NAN

  • APC wins two Reps, one Senate seats in Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed candidates of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) won two seats in the House of Representative and one in the Senate in Bayelsa.

    The results showed the candidate of the APC for Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Israel Sunny-Goli scored 41,150 votes to win his closest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Marie Ebikake, who polled 19, 279 votes.

    In Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, APC candidate Preye Oseke, scored 56,804 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson with 34,104 votes.

    APC also won the East Senatorial District with its candidate, Degi Eremienyo B. Wagara, scoring 43,303 to win his counterpart in the PDP, who polled 32,363 votes.

    But the PDP candidate, Agbedi Fredrick polled 48,076 to win his APC rival at the Ekeremor-Sagbama Federal Constituency, Daunemigha Famous, who scored 19,159.

    Read Also: APC reps candidate rejects result in Cross River

    In Yenagoa-Kolokuma, PDP candidate, Stephen Azaiki, scored 51,639 to win Blackson Osomkime, who polled 16,943.

    Also in Ogbia Federal Constituency PDP’s Fred Obua scored 12,048 to defeat the APC’s Samuel Ogbuku, who acne third with 7995. The ADC candidate, Rex Jude came second with 7995 votes.

    In the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, PDP’s Ewrudjakpor Lawrence scored 49 912 votes to win Mathew Karimo of APC, who got 20219 votes.

    In the Bayelsa Central, PDP’s Douye Diri got 83,978 to win the APC candidate, Festus Dawemiebi, who polled 70,998 votes.

  • Buhari’s victory ends dominance of cabals, says APC chieftain

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti, Dr Olusegun Osinkolu, has declared the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari has put an end to the tyrannical tendencies and dominance of few cabals in the country.

    Osinkolu said those few who had been dictating the pace and holding Nigerians by the jugular had now been retired politically to their ‘family fortress’

    He further said the victory testified to the fact that Nigerians were appreciative of the monumental achievements of the APC-led federal government.

    Osinkolu stated that Nigerians have spoken vociferously through their votes that the present government was people-oriented.

    The Director General, Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation congratulated members of his council in Ekiti for delivering Ekiti State to President Buhari.

    He also commended Nigerians for amplifying their desire for a more prudent, descent and masses-oriented party like APC to lead Nigeria for another four years to afford it the opportunity of ridding the nation of corrupt tendencies.

    In his congratulatory message to Nigerians, especially the APC political family in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Osinkolu commended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu for allowing the votes of Nigerians count via a transparent electoral process.

    Read Also: PDP, APC disagree at Collation Centre

    “On behalf of the campaign council in Ekiti, I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari for this resounding victory. It signposted the end of tyranny and political dominance of a few cabals in our dear nation, who had been dictating the pace and holding Nigerians by the jugular.

    “With this well amplified appreciation shown by the masses about President Buhari’s presidency, the PDP must have swallowed its pride and much touted mantra that the present government under Buhari’s watch was incompetent and not intellectually-inclined to drive Nigeria to success.

    “We felicitate with Nigerians at this auspicious time that they have decided to revalidate the government they put in place in 2015.

    “They have shown that they have implicit confidence in President Buhari  and we assure them that we shall set the ball rolling by consolidating on the gains of the past to make the future blissful and rewarding,” Osinkolu said.

  • NLC to Atiku: accept defeat in good faith

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has asked all those who lost in the just- concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, especially Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to accept defeat in good faith.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement in Abuja told the losers to bear in mind that no candidate’s victory or loss is worth the blood of any Nigerian or their property.

    He told President Muhammadu Buhari his re-election should enable him re-assess his vision, strategy and implementation as well complete pending projects while initiating new ones where feasible.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress wishes to congratulate Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, being the second person to get re-elected since the return to civilian rule twenty years ago.

    “We also wish to congratulate other candidates for their participation and urge them to accept the outcome of the election, and adherence to the peace accord they had signed before the election.

    “The electioneering campaign although bitterly fought and the election itself keenly contested, we urge the President-elect and any aggrieved party to put first the interest of the nation. We reiterate that no candidate’s victory or loss is worth the life or property of anyone.

    “Mr. President won in 2015 on his campaign promise to fight corruption, restore security and grow the economy. From his re-election, this may have boded well with the greater majority of the people who voted for him.

    “Nonetheless, his re-election avails him a great opportunity to reflect on and re-assess his vision, strategy and implementation as well as enables him to complete pending projects and initiate new ones where feasible.”

    The Labour body added: “The Nigeria Labour Congress on its part will work with the social partners, government and organised private sector to ensure Nigerians, especially, workers to get dividends of democracy as and when due.

    Read Also: Congratulate Buhari, Tony Momoh tells Atiku

    “Worker-pensioner-issues, especially salaries, pensions and welfare will continue to dominate our engagement with government.

    “We commend INEC for organising the elections in spite of the initial glitches. It should speedily correct the lapses identified so far in order for it to conduct more credible elections in the future.

    “Our most profound commendation goes to the millions of Nigerians who defied all odds to perform their civic duty. Similarly, our deep condolences go to the families of those who lost their lives.

    “We demand that the culprits be brought to book in accordance with our laws.”

  • Wild jubilation in Edo over Buhari’s victory

    Residents of Edo State including traders, artisans and youths on Wednesday joined in a wild jubilation to celebrate the victory of President Mohammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s general elections.

    They danced through major streets of Benin City to also shore up support for the All Progressives Congress(APC) ahead of March 9 House of Assembly election.

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, Edo Youth Leader of the APC, Valentine Asuen joined in the victory dance.

    At the Oba Market, traders came out their shops to cheer the APC victory train.

    Speaking to newsmen, Shaibu said the road show dance was to appreciate Edo people for the improvement at the polls.

    Shaibu assured the March 9 House of Assembly elections would be a smooth sailing for the APC

    Secretary to the Edo APC, Lawrence Okah, said the victory of Buhari has shamed many pastors in the country.

    Okah said Nigerians proved the Pastors wrong that Buhari is not a murderer.

    He stated that Buhari’s integrity was the party’s watchword in the campaign.

    He said Nigerians know the difference between a thief and a sincere person.

  • Domestic observers applaud presidential election

    About 18 accredited local observers, who participated in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, have adjudged the process as close to perfect.

    The exercise, they said, meets international best practices.

    Addressing news men in Abuja, spokesman for the groups of observers, Tunde Bafunsho of the Organisation of Justice for Equity Sustenance (OJES), said the conduct of the elections was 80 percent credible.

    While asking those who won to be magnanimous in victory, he said losers must also accept defeat with dignity so that Nigeria and Nigerians will become beneficiaries.

    The observers said: “We wish to commend the electoral management body, INEC for their immeasurable contributions to the success recorded during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly Election.

    “Conducting elections anywhere is never an easy task, requiring the collective input of all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as the entire Citizenry.

    “It is our considered view that the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections originally slated for the l6 of February and 21 of March 2019 respectively, evidently helped in putting certain measures in place that culminated to the success recorded eventually on the 23 of February rescheduled presidential exercise.”

    They said the processes leading to the election were far better than what the country had in the past.

    According to them: “We wish to place on record that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials for last Saturday’s elections arrived their various destinations on schedule and adequate for the conduct of both elections with an overwhelming and unprecedented turnout including the massive participation of women.

    “Majority of the voters, media, party agents, observers, security agents and poll officials witnessed the sorting of ballots, counting and recording of result sheets signed by all concerned stakeholders and collation of result at the various collection centers, especially local government and State collection centers.

    “There was separation of Presidential/ National Assembly collation centres where presiding officers conducted their activities professionally and transparently.”

    They stressed that all stakeholders that participated in the 2019 Presidential and NASS Elections performed their roles towards the sustenance of a credible, peaceful, transparent electoral process and democracy in Nigeria.

    “INEC having performed satisfactorily in the conduct and monitoring of the exercise, they should strive to sustain such noble attainment during the upcoming governorship and State Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 9th March, 2019 and all other future elections.”

  • Fayemi: Buhari’s victory, reward for sincere leadership

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his election for a second term in office.

    Fayemi said the re-election of the President is an attestation to the fact that Nigerians appreciate his efforts at making life more comfortable for the people of the country in the last four years.

    He described Buhari as a focused, compassionate and sincere leader with genuine concern for the overall good of the citizenry.

    He said voters have demonstrated that given a choice, they would readily choose a sincere leader who cares for their wellbeing above other considerations.

    According to him, the victory is a confirmation of the people’s trust in President Buhari and the APC-led government, adding that the President would not take the trust for granted.

    Read Also: Buhari condemns attacks in Sokoto, Kaduna

    Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the good people of Ekiti State, the Land of Honour, I heartily congratulate our President for this historic re-election as President for a second term.

    “No doubt, it has been a very tough battle, but the people of Nigeria have spoken in clear terms. They have chosen to reward Mr President’s sincerity of purpose with another term of office.

    “Regardless of what anybody might say, the Nigerian electorate has demonstrated a high level of sophistication. They have shown that they have the capacity to sieve through electoral promises and determine a leader that will serve their interest better.

    “The Nigerian people know President Buhari as a honest leader and have, through their votes, demonstrated their trust in his ability to take them to the next level of development and prosperity.

    “It is a new day and a new season and I congratulate Mr President for the victory and the entire Nigerian people for their courage and steadfastness and for their determination to deepen democracy in the country.”

  • APC reps candidate rejects result in Cross River

    The candidate of the All Progressive Congress for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency of Cross River, Mr Victor Abang, has rejected the announcement of the result by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in which the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Chris Agibe, was declared winner.

    INEC had declared Agibe of the PDP winner of the election with 38,456 votes as against Abang who got APC 29,977 votes.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Calabar by the Director General of Abang’s Reality Campaign Network, Prince Eka Williams, the group alleged the result was false, based on what was gotten from the polling units.

    “The attention of the Reality Campaign Network of Sir Victor Abang has been drawn to a purported announcement of the winner for the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency election by INEC.

    “This is inspite of mass irregularities and sharp practices which characterized the election. The announcement was done in contravention of the electoral act and guidelines for the election.

    “INEC admitted while presenting the Presidential result that 26,000 votes in Boki Local government area were affected by either cancellation or non-voting.

    “While we were expecting announcement for a rerun election, the contrary was done. In view of the above and several other evidences at our disposal, we reject the said announcement.

    Read Also: APC’s Odebiyi wins Ogun West

    “We call on our supporters to remain calm as appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that we are not cheated.

    “We wish to also thank all the good people of Ikom/Boki for the support they gave to us through their prayers and actual voting,” he said.

    He thanked his supporters and urged them not to despair, but to keep hope alive and come out en masse to support the APC in the governorship and state house of assembly elections on March 9.

    The DG congratulated all APC members in Ikom/Boki for the overwhelming victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election.

     

  • Buhari conducted freest election since 1951, Esogban of Benin

    The Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, has described last Saturday presidential election has the freest and fairest election conducted in the country since 1957.

    Chief Edebiri who called on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and extend a hand of fellowship said he started voting in the country since 1951.

    Edebiri said President Buhari should be praised for living up to his promise to the world that there would be no interference in the electoral process.

    He challenged President Buhari to be firm in the fight against corruption in his second term.

    Edebiri said Buhari’s coming in 2015 saved Nigerian from total collapse otherwise many Nigerians would have gone on exile.

    He said God delivered Nigeria from the hands of those who wants to use the  judiciary  to scuttle the electoral process.

    Read Also:  Breaking: Buhari picks up Certificate of Return

    His words,  “I started voting in December 1951 and that is exactly 68 years ago. Since I started voting in 1951, till date, I have not failed to vote in any election including that which was conducted by Babangida in June 12 1993, there was none of these elections that has been as free as the one we held on the 23rd.

    “I say that from my own personal knowledge, this is not history that you read from book, this is something in which I participated, there was none of these elections that was as transparent, free and fair as the one we have just held so to that extent, Muhammadu Buhari should be praised.

    “We also found that Nigeria has gotten respect from all parts of the world because of Buhari, this is a fact that no one can deny. Because of his anti-corruption stand, he commands global respect for Nigeria and you will find out that throughout the campaigns, it was only Buhari who talked about fighting corruption no other candidate made it a point that he will fight corruption in Nigeria but other people particularly his major challenger said if he succeeded he will sell off NNPC and other government establishments”

     

  • Eyengho demands cancellation of Warri Fed. Constituency poll

    The All Progressives’ Congress (APC) candidate for Warri Federal constituency Alex Eyengho has called for the “outright cancellation” of the elections in the entire area.

    Demanding that he be declared winner, he alleged the votes awarded to the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Thomas Ereyitomi were fraudulent.

    Speaking during a press conference in Warri on Wednesday, Eyengho described the electioneering process as “rogued and crooked” as well as trailed with all manner of electoral malpractices, including ballot box stuffing, vote buying among others.

    “In the riverine areas, particularly in Warri North and Warri South West, there were life-threatening intimidation and violence.

    “Before the election started, some group of youths from the bush invaded the community, Ijaghala in Ugborodo, and attacked people. The INEC officials out of fear scampered for safety.

    “It was after my calls to the Army headquarters that they (INEC officials) returned hours later.

    Read Also: Three killed, 20 injured in Warri

    “In other places it was worse. Most of the votes counted were not recorded by the card readers. It is only accredited votes that should be counted,” he recounted.

    Eyengho also fingered INEC’s staff, ad-hoc staff and security agencies as the marred exercise.

    Congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari for his victory in the presidential polls, he stated it shows the President “is a man of the people and not a tiny cabal”.

    Assuring constituents he will employ all legal and peaceful means to regain his stolen mandate, he thanked them for their support throughout the exercise.

    Responding to reports that his defeat is as a result of his failure to campaign in the area, the APC candidate recalled “vicious lies, propaganda and de-marketing” his campaign suffered in the build up to the elections.

    He stated that he campaigned in all three council areas of the federal constituency, including visiting the traditional rulers.

    “It is preposterous and laughable. It is there for the electorates to see. They demonstrated that right by giving me the physical votes,” the APC candidate added.

    The PDP candidate was declared winner, Tuesday, having a total of 152, 874 votes, against Eyengho’s 18, 443.