The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Rivers LG poll: RISIEC recognises Okocha-led APC 

    Rivers LG poll: RISIEC recognises Okocha-led APC 

    The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) has recognised only the candidates sent to thr commission by the Chief Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress (APC) for the August 30th local government elections. 

    RSIEC Commissioner for Administration and Legal Matters, Prof. Chidi Holiday, confirmed the development during an interaction  with members of some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Port Harcourt. 

    Halliday acknowledged the commission received two lists from the party, saying the first came from the Okocha-led APC while the last came from the Beke-led APC.

    But he declared that the  latter submitted theirs against the duration specified by the state electoral umpire. 

    Read Also: By-elections: Police warn against violence in Kaduna

    Halliday said the commission only collected the list from the Chief Beke APC for record purposes. 

    “We know that we have the lists of candidates of APC that we monitored their primaries”, he said adding that the Chief Beke APC never indicated any interest in joining the elecrions. 

    He said that RSIEC was not privy to any court case involving any factions of the party, adding that it was its duties to attempt to resolve any internal wranglings there from. 

    He said: “INEC is the body that registered political parties and have the record of the executive of any political party party. Not even the Court will impose an executive on any political party. So all those we are dealing with are from the records that we got from INEC. 

    “To us you don’t after the primaries is over to start submitting your list. So all those we are dealing with are from the records that we got from INEC”.

    But the Spokesperson for the Emeka Beke led APC, Darlington Nwauju, insisted that they  submitted their list to RSIEC on time. 

    Nwauju said they expected the commission to engage only with the party led by Chief Beke, which he said waw legally recognised. 

    He said: “As we speak we have the list of our candidates with RSIEC. Any attempt to publish any name or names without the endorsement of our Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke and the State Secretary, Sam Sam Etetegwungas been being candidates of the All Progressives Congresss in Rivers State will attract the long arm of the law.”

  • APC edges to victory in Edo by-election 

    APC edges to victory in Edo by-election 

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has taken the lead in the by-elections to fill vacant positions in the National Assembly.

    Results from the polling units showed the APC was in clear lead in Ovia Federal Constituency and in Edo Central Senatorial District.

    Signs of defeat for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ovia Federal constituency showed when the party’s candidate Johnny Aikpitanyi, stormed Benin City to complain about alleged intimidation of voters.

    Aikpitanyi said there were over 150 thugs and vigilantes at his Oghede polling unit in Ovia North East Local Government Area.

    “How can you see more than 150 vigilantes holding guns in a polling unit? It doesn’t make sense. In a polling unit vigilantes holding guns? It doesn’t make sense. What is vigilante doing in a police unit? More than 150 of them.

    Read Also: Dafinone praises Delta APC chairman Sobotie on birthday

    “If you know your party is good, if you know your party has done well, then why are you afraid? Why the vigilantes? Why the thugs everywhere? Allow people to go vote. If you feel your party, the APC, have done well or maybe you’ve done well for the people, then allow them to go vote so that their vote will count. 

    “So, this election violence here and there, it needs to stop and it’s going to stop now. That’s all I have to say for now. So, I’m precisely from Oghede”, Aikpitanyi said.

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ovia Federal Constituency, Barr. Omosede Igbinedion won her polling unit with 450 votes while the PDP and ADC got one vote each. 

    Her father, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kjngdom, defied heavy downpour of rain to vote in the election

    The nonagenarian was present at his Unit 7 polling unit in Okada.

    Edo Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, voted at Unit Three, Old Education Board, Iguobazuwa West Ward, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

    He described the process as seamless, peaceful and encouraging.

    According to him: “So far, everything is going well. We are expecting free, fair and credible elections. Ovia people will be happy with the outcome. The turnout is impressive. More voters should come out and vote and shun violence. 

    ” I just voted and I am going home while I wait for the result.”

    Governor Monday Okpebholo, who expressed frustration at the slow functioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) voted at Ward 2, Unit 1, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area.

    Okpebholo said the BVAS machines deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) caused unnecessary delays.

    According to him: “Well, I just voted. You can see the frustration. The BVAS is just too slow. It takes too long before you can get accredited. I think INEC needs to look into this. So far, so good, the feelers I’m getting are good,” 

    Coordinator, Office of the First Lady in Edo State, Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, voted at the same polling unit.

    She urged voters to participate fully and defend their votes. 

    Candidate of the PDP for the Edo Central Senatorial District by-election, Prince Joe Okojie, who urged his supporters to remain strong, expressed reservations about glitches in the BVAS performance

    He assured electorates that they would exercise their franchise.

    Okojie urged the people to go out to mobilise their friends and families to the 

    polling units.

    There were low voters turnout in many of the polling unit even though leaders of political parties stormed residences to woo voters to polling units.

    Election materials arrived early and voting commenced at about 8am.

    Residents of Siluko Ward including riverside community of Gbelebu mobilised voters to go out to vote due to low turnout and voters aparthy in some of the polling units in Ovia South West local government area.

    The exercise was peaceful but handful of voters were seen at polling units in Ward 4.

    At Polling Unit 17, Gbelebu Secondary School, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party agents supervisor, Charles Geregha, expressed confidence that more voters would turnout before voting ends.

  • Ibadan North bye-Election: APC candidate loses polling unit

    Ibadan North bye-Election: APC candidate loses polling unit

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election, Olatunji Adewale, popularly known as Murphy, has lost his polling unit.

    Murphy, who voted at Ward 10, Unit 27, received six votes while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Folajinmi Oyekunle, secured 9 votes.

    Read Also: APC chieftain replies Babachir Lawal over criticism of Tinubu

    A total of 17 valid votes were cast out of the 248 registered voters at the polling unit.

    Feelers from results collated from the polling units so far indicates that the PDP candidate is in an early lead as vote counting begins.

  • Chaos as Enugu South Urban rerun election fails for fourth time

    Chaos as Enugu South Urban rerun election fails for fourth time

    The much-anticipated rerun election for Enugu South Urban State Constituency once again ended in chaos on Saturday as voting failed to commence for the fourth consecutive time despite the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The election, scheduled to start by 8 am., was stalled amid protests, allegations of intimidation, and counter-accusations among political parties.

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Chukwuemeka Chukwu, confirmed that men and materials were deployed as early as 7am  but the process could not take off.

    “People are not voting because some groups are carrying placards, while others who are not supposed to be here have invaded the polling area. This is the fourth time we are here for this rerun, and it is abnormal,” Chukwu said. “We are pleading that they should allow us to perform our statutory functions and let the electorate vote.”

    At the centre of the controversy were rival party leaders trading accusations of intimidation and disruption.

    The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji, who served as an APC polling unit agent, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of mobilising hoodlums to frustrate the rerun.

    “The election was supposed to have started. You can see there are many hoodlums from PDP trying to scare people from voting,” he said. “We don’t want chaos because they would capitalize on that to insist that the election should not hold. If they don’t finish today, we will stay here until tomorrow.”

    But the PDP candidate, Sam Ngene, countered, alleging that Nnaji’s presence and the large number of his supporters created fear among voters.

    “This is my ward and my strong base. But the minister is here with mammoth youths to intimidate voters,” Ngene claimed. 

    Read Also: Enugu to immortalise football legend Christian Chukwu

    “Many of my supporters are scared. Besides, the candidate meant to contest against me is serving a jail term. Allowing such a person on the ballot is a constitutional breach, and INEC must act.”

    Also Labour Party (LP) chairman for Enugu South LGA, Hon. Chinweuba Ngwu, decried INEC’s silence, insisting that voters were left in confusion for hours.

    “Since 7 a.m. when we arrived, no accreditation has taken place. INEC officials should brief us on what is happening and where we are headed,” Ngwu said.

    As tensions heightened, the rerun degenerated into a stalemate, raising concerns over the fate of the constituency, which has remained without representation in the State Assembly since the 2023 elections.

    INEC has not announced a new date for the rerun but said it would review the situation and take a decision.

  • By-election: Residents move to mobilise voters 

    By-election: Residents move to mobilise voters 

    Residents of Siluko Ward including riverside community of Gbelebu have begun last minute move to mobilise voters to go out to vote due to low turnout and voters aparthy in some of the polling units in Ovia South West local government area.

    The exercise was peaceful but handful of voters were seen at polling units in Ward 4.

    At Polling Unit 17, Gbelebu Secondary School, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party agents supervisor, Charles Geregha, expressed confidence that more voters would turnout before voting ends.

    According to him: “So far, the election has been peaceful. There is no problem. Though the turnout is low now, we are already mobilising our people to come out and vote.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Tim Elvis, said many voters shunned the exercise to go for the early morning fishing.

    He expressed optimism that the situation would improve as the voting exercise progressed. 

    “The machine here is working well and there is no molestation of any sort. People are coming out little by little because majority of the people have gone out for the early morning fishing. Before noon, many people will come out.” He assured. 

    But a community leader, Chief Igana Jonathan, attributed the low turnout and voters apathy to alleged insensitivity to peoples’ need.

    According to him: “There is no dividend of democracy here. To grade our roads is zero. Government has abandoned us and that is why the people don’t see any reason to come out and vote.”

    Read Also: Tension as Adamawa PDP, APC battle for Ganye Assembly by-election victory

    Presiding officer of the unit, Ayomide Olaleye, confirmed that the Biomodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), was slow due to poor network.

    “Everything is going on here but the network fluctuates and that slows us down a bit. However, nobody has ever voted without being accredited,” he reiterated. 

    At unit 12, the PDP agent, David Alfred Power, said party leaders were talking to the people to come out and exercise their franchise. 

    The APC agent in the unit, Seifiogwe Egbekun, lamented that the turnout was the worst headache had ever witnessed. 

    “Turnout is far below expectation as of now. But the election is still early and we still expect more people to come out before afternoon,” Egbekun assured. 

  • APC chieftain replies Babachir Lawal over criticism of Tinubu

    APC chieftain replies Babachir Lawal over criticism of Tinubu

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Amb. Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has taken a swipe at the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, over his recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

    Mumuni urged Lawal to manage his emotions wisely, noting the intensity of anger he dishes out and the nature of his utterances can contradict the positive attributes he demonstrated in the past.

    He made the statement on the heels of the former SGF’s recent appearance on Channels TV where he harshly criticised Tinubu. 

    Lawal had said he would have been sacked, killed or resigned if he were part of the Tinubu administration.

    He also uttered some tribalistic rhetorics, describing the Tinubu-led adminstration as nepotistic while also condemning the removal of the fuel subsidy.

    Reacting to Lawal’s TV appearance in a statement titled ‘Babachir Lawal: A call for reflection and responsibility’, the renowned security expert said constructive criticism is valuable to the development of democracy, but it must be conveyed thoughtfully and respectfully for it to contribute positively to the political discourse rather than dilute collective goals.

    “It is essential to recognize the weight of our words, especially in the political arena where public perception plays a crucial role,” the APC chieftain said in the statement.

    “The intensity of your anger and the nature of your utterances can distract from the positive attributes you have demonstrated in past engagements, particularly during our conversations at President Tinubu’s residence in the UK, on multiple occasions before the 2023 election.”

    Mumuni, who was a member of the intelligence and security team, a directorate of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), recalled one of those engagements that was also attended by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa of Niger State and Uncle Akinyelure.

    “We shared moments where we discussed ambitions and future collaborations, and it’s unsettling to witness a shift from those productive dialogues to the current rhetorics.

    Read Also: Ebonyi proud to identify with Tinubu – Nwifuru

    “As someone who has had the privilege of engaging with the President almost nightly, I find it perplexing that the same individual who sought to align with us seems now to express sentiments that undermine our collective efforts.”

    Mumuni said Lawal’s current rhetoric raises a question of integrity and respect for the office of the President, asking if he has lost sight of the pride and dignity that should guide political pursuits.

    He urged the former SGF to reflect on the impact of his words and consider the long-term consequences they may have.

    Mumuni said it is possible to build a political environment grounded in respect and responsibility, ultimately benefiting the nation and citizens.

    “Let us engage in dialogues that uplift and unite rather than divide,” he advised.

  • Tension as Adamawa PDP, APC battle for Ganye Assembly by-election victory

    Tension as Adamawa PDP, APC battle for Ganye Assembly by-election victory

    Uneasy calm reigned in Ganye, Adamawa State Saturday morning through afternoon as people of the Ganye constituency voted to elect a new representative for the state House of Assembly.

    The Ganye constituency seat became vacant in May last year upon the death of the state lawmaker representing the constituency, Abdulmalik Jauro.

    The late lawmaker was a member of the APC and the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Assembly.

    The APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which are the only two parties presenting candidates for the by-election and are strong in the constituency and desperate to win the election and prove their superiority.

    While the PDP is claiming that Ganye is its stronghold, the APC is countering the claim with assertion that they proved their superiority in 2023 when they got the late Abdulmalik Jauro elected into the state House of Assembly.

    Adamawa PDP Chairman, Ahmed Shehu, asserted to newsmen at a polling centre in Ganye Saturday, that Ganye is a PDP stronghold.

    Read Also: By-election: PDP’s Kallamu wins Mayo-Belwa constituency in Adamawa

    According to Ahmed Shehu, APC, realising the superiority of the PDP in Ganye, has been distributing commodities and cash to the electorate in a desperate vote buying spree.

    “We have told our people to accept whatever APC is giving them but to make the right choice,” the PDP chairman said. 

    A stalwart of the APC and ardent supporter of President Ahmed Tinubu, Dahiru Hammandikko who is in Ganye as a member of a national APC committee monitoring the Ganye by-election, said allegation of vote buying is baseless.

    “We hear of such thing all the time but in this by-election it is certainly baseless,” Hammandikko said, asserting that the APC will win the Ganye by-election in a free and fair manner.

  • Low turn out, technical glitches, violence mar Ogun bye-election

    Low turn out, technical glitches, violence mar Ogun bye-election

    The bye election for Ikenne, Remo North and Sagamu Federal Constituency of Ogun State commenced on Saturday with low turn out and non – recognition of facial data of the elderly voters by BIVAS in some  polling centres.

    At the Igan/Ajina polling unit 16, ward 2 in Remo North Local Government, there were 445 registered voters at the centre but as of 11:am, just 64 people were available and accredited to vote. Even with the few turn out, the BIVAS machine encountered challenges identifying the elderly voters.

    The situation was pathetic for the 70 – year old Sobanke Fassasi, who lamented he had not been to cast ballot for the candidate of his choice, saying the BIVAS machine failed to recognise him despite repeated trials.

    Fassasi gave his polling centre as Wesley School Isara 2, polling unit 006 in Moborode/ Oke – Ola area of Remo North where voters turn out was also poor. 

    “I’m surprised and sad because I have not been able to vote. I came forward two times for accreditation and each time the BIVA$ could not recognise my face. I don’t know what happened,” he said. 

    A female Corps member handling the BIVAS told The Nation that the machine was failing to recognise elderly voters. 

    It was the same at Wesley School Isara 1, polling unit 005 in the same Moborode/ Oke – Ola area of Remo North.

    Read Also: Bye-elections: IGP orders tight security for peaceful polls in 13 states

    The situation was also not different at the Ajegunle ward 6, polling unit 1 in Ogere, Ikenne Local Government Area where low turn – out and voters apathy were visible.

    Also, voters turn was also low at polling unit 005, Town Planning Ilisan 1, where 953 was recorded as registered voters but 98 recorded as accredited voters for the bye – election that would end at 2:30pm.

    At the Wesley Nursery & Primary School Iperu,  polling unit 4, in Iperu 3 area of Ikenne Local Government, the voting centre of the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, an INEC official gave 750 as number of registered voters and 123 as accredited as of 12:03pm.

    And as of 12:43 Adebutu was yet to arrive at his polling centre but the peace at the venue was ruptured when hooded boys armed with dane guns stormed the place, forcing accredited voters in the queue and journalists at the scene to flee for safety when gunshots rang out.

    The hoodlums also chased the party agents and INEC officials before carting ballot boxes away after they had forced voting to end abruptly.

  • Kaduna By-election records low voter turnout

    Kaduna By-election records low voter turnout

    The by-election for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State on Saturday was characterised by low voter turnout across several polling units.

    At Polling Unit 027, Narayi Extension Ward in Chikun Local Government, electoral officials arrived as early as 8:20am. But more than an hour later, no voter had turned up to cast a ballot.

    When our correspondent visited, only one prospective voter, Mava Jesse, was waiting for accreditation. The BVAS machine, however, was yet to respond.

    Jesse attributed the poor turnout to inadequate voter mobilisation and the experience of the last local government elections, which he said discouraged many from participating.

    Another voter, Samson Koro, blamed the situation on poor awareness by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

    She, however, expressed optimism that more people would still come out before the close of polls.

    Across other polling centres in the constituency, a similar pattern was observed, with officials idling away while waiting for voters.

    Read Also: El-Rufai and Kaduna by-election

    Observers noted that the eventual outcome of the by-election would depend on whether voter turnout improved as the exercise progressed.

    The Chikun/Kajuru seat became vacant following the nullification of the election of the former lawmaker by the courts, prompting Saturday’s by-election.

    INEC had earlier assured residents of adequate logistics and security to ensure a smooth, credible process.

  • Heavy security as bye-election election kicks off in Ibadan

    Heavy security as bye-election election kicks off in Ibadan

    As the bye-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency kicks off, 

    There was heavy security presence within the voting areas of Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election on Saturday. 

    As early as 6:30am, security operatives, especially military officers mounted roadblocks at strategic areas of the constituency. 

    The election, which was slated to start at 8:30am could not take off due to late arrival of voters at the various polling units monitored.

    Voting materials and officers arrived before time in most of the polling units. The election is taking place in twelve electoral wards in the federal constituency.

    Election did not start at the specific time in most of the units because voters did not show up on time in some of the polling units at as 8.30am.

    At Ward 6, Unit 6 no voter was on ground as of 8:40am.

    The situation was similar at Ward 6 unit 21. The election did not start as at 8.50am when The Nation left the unit.

    Also at Ward 10, Unit 28 at old Bodija area, no voter had arrived the Unit as at 9.10AM

    But the election started at Ward 10 unit 27 at about 9.00am.

    Read Also: Bye-elections: IGP orders tight security for peaceful polls in 13 states

    It also started about ten minutes later at Ward 10 unit 11.

    However, security presence was heavy around the Constituency. 

    Despite the restriction of movement, some residents and motorists were stopped at various point and denied access.

    The situation caused an initial hiccups, even for essential workers as they were mostly refused passages. 

    The security operatives noticed on duty include: Policemen, officials of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Soldiers around the Constituency.