Contrary to the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, has been reportedly ordered out of Rivers state by the presidency for allegedly failing to do the bidding of the Peoples Democratic Party, PREMIUM TIMES reports.
Senior police officers had on Thursday been deployed by the Police Headquarters to oversee governorship and state assembly elections in states considered as the likely flash-points on Saturday.
Mr. Ogunsakin, a former police commissioner in the state, and currently AIG in charge of Zone 6, headquartered in Calabar, was deployed back to Rivers to oversee police deployment for the election.
Based on the IGP’s directive, Mr. Ogunsakin left his Calabar base and travelled to Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Friday.
On arrival, he reportedly ordered investigations into reports that PDP supporters were thump-printing ballot papers in some locations in the city.
“He also ordered that some thugs being positioned to foment trouble be restrained,” a source in the Rivers State Command of the Police told PREMIUM TIMES.
PREMIUM Times sources said the AIG rebuffed all efforts by the presidency and the PDP to get him to work for the PDP candidate, Nyesom Wike, in the election.
“The presidency suspects Ogunsakin has sympathy for Amaechi, and has directed the IGP to send him out of the state with immediate effect,” a presidency source said. “I’m sure he should be on his way to Calabar by now.”
Mr. Ogunsakin could not be reached to comment for this story. Calls to his mobile telephone failed to connect suggesting he might be travelling between Port Harcourt and Calabar.
The absence of security agents almost marred accreditation exercise for the governorship and state assembly elections at the Shiyar Ajiya SK in Yabo local government area of Sokoto state.
The rowdy atmosphere became tensed as a result of some voters’ refusal to follow the queue as required for a smooth and orderly exercise which halted the exercise for over thirty minutes.
“We can’t allow some people to be given preference above other who have been on the queue since 7:00am in order to get accredited.
“Orderliness must be respected on first come, first served basis or we scuttle the exercise,” a party agent was saying in annoyance.
Only a single security agent and official from the Nigerian Prisons Service was available at the chaotic polling unit right in front of the District Head of Yabo’s palace polling unit as at the time our correspondent visited.
However, unlike the presidential election, there is an improvement in the arrival of men and materials at respective polling units in Sokoto state.
Voters across the state filed out for accreditation as early as 7:30am at most of the polling units visited by our correspondent.
Though, in some areas, the turnout was not encouraging.
The presence of security agents and observers were also noticed in places visited.
The council chairman of Yabo local government area, Comrade Abubakar Shamaki who earlier went round said he observed a little problem with the card reader at one of the polling units which was being rectified.
He also noted that there were inadequate security arrangements in some areas within the council.
Shamaki, however, commended INEC for improving on the past election, describing it as “excellent” , noting that majority of the voters particularly women seemed anxious and ready to
vote.
In Bodinga and Shagari local government, the turnout was large with most voters conducting themselves peacefully and smoothly.
Accreditation of voters commenced on time in parts of Kebbi and Kaduna states following early arrival of election officials.
The officials were mostly at their polling units by 7:30 am and accreditation started by 8 am.
In Kebbi the turnout of voters was far lower than what was witnessed during the presidential polls on March 28.
In Kaduna however voters turnout was generally impressive.
NAN reports that accreditation started as early as 8am in most polling units of Argungu Local Government in Kebbi.
Some of the polling units visited in Argungu include Alwasa, Asarara, Gotomo, Race course, Sarki Sani Model Primary School, Garkan Danmaliki and Kitarawa 4.
The situation was similar in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, where election officials were out as early as 7:30am and accreditation commenced on time.
Some of the areas visited included Garkan Maialelu,Joda one and two, Nasarawa one and two, Gulumbe, Badariya polling units among others.
In all the places visited security personnel were present and the streets were empty of vehicular movement.
In Kaduna metropolis, Kafanchan, Zaria and Birnin Gwari the accreditation of voters also commenced on time with large turnout of voters.
At Kafanchan A and B, Garaje, Maigizo and Mabushi polling units where the process started peacefully, voters turnout was impressive.
In Kaduna, voters in long queues were being accredited in most polling units including Unguwan Liman, Burji, LEA Katsina Road, Ori Akpata, Shaba, Alimi, Alkali Road in Ungwan Sarki and Jemaa Road in Ungwan Rimi.
In Zaria accreditation also started on time with large turnout of voters in Gyallesu, Kwarbai, Kofar Kona, Tudun Wada and other polling units in the area.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears to have sorted out the transport logistics problems that nearly marred the presidential and National Assembly elections in the coastal town of Epe, one of the 20 local government areas in Lagos State.
INEC officials were on ground before 8: 00am in all the polling units visited by our correspondent.
Accreditation started promptly in almost all the polling units. But, unlike two weeks ago when people turned up in large numbers as at 8:00am, prospective voters seem to be taking their time today.
As a result, INEC officials were sitting idle in some polling units because are staying away from the polling units. People probably did not expect the INEC officials to arrive on time.
Besides, the tension that gripped the town two weeks ago appears to be absent. People sat in clusters in front of their houses, discussing, while others, particularly women, were busy with household chores.
As at 8: 30am however activities were already in full swing in most polling units.
WardA5, Polling Unit 33, located in Ogunmodede Junior College, Papa-Epe, the polling booth of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, is not an exception.
Ambode believes that INEC performance has improved significantly, compared to two weeks ago, saying if that is sustained throughout the state, the election would be more credible.
The accreditation of voters has started in some units and wards in the Alimoso Local Government Area, Lagos State. The exercise started at 8:00am.
In some of these wards, hand wash sanitizers and tissue papers are provided to allow for easy function of the card readers.
Scores of vehicles were still moving on the roads, while commercial motorcycle operators were doing brisk business. The no movement restriction is slightly relaxed relax unlike what happened in the March 28 election.
President Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Aisha were accredited to vote at the Governorship and House of Assembly election at his Sarkin Yara A, in Kafar Baru ward 3 in Daura local government at about 8.30 am.
Buhari and his wife were accredited in less than five minutes and expressed satisfaction with the process adopted by the commission.
He told newsmen that the experience is an indication that INEC has improved on the card reader process considering the fast nature of the accreditation.
The Nation observed a lower voter turn-out compared to the turn during the Presidential election.
An ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was arrested on Friday night in Sambo ward, Rijau local government area of Niger State, in possession of thumb printed two booklets of ballot papers.
The INEC staff, a supervising presiding officer, Ibrahim Tanko was arrested with the ballot papers in favour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mohammed Gado Nasko.
A source in the town said the electoral officer after collecting all election materials went back to complain that there was a short fall in the ballot papers given to him.
Unknown to Tanko, some people had seen him hiding the two booklets in a car purportedly owned by a former minister in the state.
The suspect was immediately arrested and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in the town.
Contacted on phone, the head of Voter Education Unit in the state INEC office, Malam Mohammed Wase, confirmed the incident, saying investigation to ascertain those involved in the incident was ongoing.
Defections: Don’t defect, form formidable opposition – Oyegun
Chief John Oyegun, National Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), said on Saturday that the gale of defections by politicians was not good for Nigeria’s political development.
8.37 pm
APC in early lead in Niger
By Jide Orintunsin – Minna
All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate, Abubakar Sani Bello is leading in early results of the Niger State governorship elections held Saturday.
Preliminary reports from Chanchaga, Bida, Shiroro, Magama, Kontagora, Borgu, Rijau, Rafi and Suleja local government areas areas showed that he is leading from the result collated at the various polling units.
The party is equally coasting home to victory in Lapai,Tafa, Edati, Lavun and Mokwa local government areas of the state.
7.00pm
PDP’s Ishaku in early lead in 10 councils of Taraba
From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo
The Peoples Democratic (PDP) was in early lead in the governorship and State Assembly elections in ten of the sixteen local government councils of Taraba state on Saturday.
The PDP which fielded Darius Dickson Ishaku was leading in Wukari, Donga, Karimlamido, Kurmi, Bali, Takum, Ussa, Zing, Yorro and Jalingo -the state capital.
Bali local government area had voted for the President Elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election. but the people however voted for the PDP in Saturday’s guber polls.
Ailing Governor Dambaba Suntai left the Government House in Jalingo early morning to his village Suntai to vote for his PDP candidate (Ishaku).
A heavy crowd swarmed him, some shielding tears of love and joy. They queued behind him to vote for PDP.
Suntai voted in his Maman 012 polling unit of Suntai Ward.
The governor did his accreditation and voting in his official car.
The PDP was also leading in the House of Assembly elections.
The PDP candidates in Wukari I and II constituencies were already declared winners as at press time.
Mean while the elections in Kashimbilla and Malushe areas of Takum were postponed for Sunday.
5.00pm
14 thugs arrested in Kano
Kolade Adeyemi, Kano
Fourteen political thugs were on Saturday arrested by the police over their involvement in the burning of ballot papers and boxes in Kaura Mata in Madobi local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, lbrahim Idris said that thugs numbering 19 stormed Kaura Mata polling unit in attempt to disrupt the accreditation process .
He said that the police swiftly responded and was enable to bring the situation under control resulting in the arrest of 14 of them. Idris explained that lNEC immediately replaced those materials and voting in area has since commenced.
4:51 pm
Agbaje’s running mate loses at polling unit
Innocent Duru Alhaja Safurat Layode Abdukareem, running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, lost at her polling unit to the APC. She polled 72 votes against APC’s 140.
Shortly after casting her vote, she had pleaded that candidates of the leading political parties and their supporters should accept the outcome of the governorship election in the state in good fate.
4:30pm
Violence, apathy mar Ondo poll
Damisi Ojo, Akure
Unlike the March 28 Presidential election,violence and apathy Saturday marred the House of Assembly election held in Ondo state.It recorded low turn out of voters in some areas visited by our correspondent. In some places,there were pockets of crises. It was gathered that ballot boxes were snatched in more than five polling centres in Ugbo, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state and some units in Idanre Community by suspected Political thugs.
12:03 p.m
Thugs attack APC youth leader in Rivers
By Precious Dikewoha
Honourable Clever Orukwowu, APC youth Leader has been shot dead at ward 6 Egi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndomi Local Government Area of Port Harcourt, Rivers state by thugs in military uniforms.
Man shot dead attempting to snatch ballot box
Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos
One person has been shot dead by a security agent in Jos, the Plateau state capital during voting in the governorship and assembly election.
The incident occurred at about 2:39pm happened at one of the polling units at Alikazaure, Jos North Local government of Plateau.
The victim was suspected to be on a mission to disrupt voting process and snatch ballot box from the polling unit.
The victim whose identity could not be immediately ascertained died immediately as a result of the gun shot by the security personnel.
11:56 a.m
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, having his fingerprint validated through the Card Reader by Presiding Officer, Miss Janet Marcus (left) during the accreditation of voters for the Governorship andHouse of Assembly electionsat the Ward G3, Unit E002, State Junior Grammar School, Itolo Street, Surulere, Lagos.
11:54 a.m
The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, accredited by the Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ,
during the State House of Assemblies Elections, at Unit 4, Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa East Local Government Area.,
11:53 a.m
Oshiomole Accredited
By Peter Okhiria
Governor Adams Oshiomhole being accredited at Unit 1, Ward 10 Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area for the House of Assembly election in Edo state, on Saturday.
9:56 a.m
Akinwunmi Ambode accredited
All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode being accredited at the Polling Unit 33 Ward A5 in Epe Lagos State.
Photo by Niyi Adeniran.
9:55
Tinubu Accredited
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu being accredited at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
9:53 am
By John Ofikhenua
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at polling unit 011 Shiya Jna of Tambuwal in Sokoto State has accredited Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal
9:48
By Precious Welundu
The Nation Correspondent reports that there is a general problem with card readers at Ward 10 Obalende as the card readers have failed to verify voters by their Polling Units.
According to the report, once the PVC is slotted in, the card reader brings out the voter’s details & passport photograph but it will indicate that the voter was not registered in the PU.
Thus, since it is the same issue at the ward level, INEC has resulted to manual accreditation.
9:34 a.m
By Sunday Oguntola
Accreditation started at the polling unit of Vice President-elect, Prof Osinbajo in Victoria Garden City, Lagos.
Our correspondent reported that the Card readers are working well at the polling unit of the VP-elect.
9:31 a.m
Vice President-Elect, Prof. Osinbajo and Wife on queue for accreditation at VGC. Photo by Sunday Oguntola
Report reaching us has it that ‘Idanre Local Government Area of Isalu Eyinpeti Ward 7 unit 6 and 10 thugs have taking over the polling unit.
Eye witness reports that citizens could not share Photos due to the threat from military operatives
9:23 a.m
By Seun Akioye
Accreditation going on slowly at ward 7 unit 8, Charity road, as voters hesitate
8:41 a.m
Accreditation commenced Polling Unit 034, Bourdillon inLagos state where Sen Oluremi Tinubu is voting. This is an improvement from situations during Presidential election.
8:40 a.m
Accreditation ongoing in most parts of Ikosi-isheri. INEC officials arrived early
8:00 a.m
Accreditation commences nationwide
Accreditation for gubernatorial and state assembly elections begins at Gwadabawa, Yola, Adamawa state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the House of Assembly elections in eight out of the 24 constituencies of Bayelsa State.
The affected constituencies will hold their elections on April 18.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Baritor Kpagih, said in a statement on Friday that the affected councils are Ekeremor Constituencies 1, 2, and 3, Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituencies 1 and 2, Sagbama Constituencies 1 and 2 and Southern Ijaw Constituency 1.
But Kpagih said that the election would hold as scheduled in the other 16 constituencies on Saturday
He, however, stated that the election was shifted because of the position of stakeholders that election should not hold ‘without full complements of the ballot papers.’
He said: “Following the stand of the stakeholders that no election should take place in the State without full complement of ballot papers, having regard to the total PVC distributed, the State House of Assembly election slated for Saturday, the 11th of April, 2015, in Bayelsa State has been rescheduled to Saturday the 18th day of April, 2015 in the following constituencies…”
It was gathered that the political parties and their candidates insisted on the postponement because of irregularities in the ballot papers for the constituencies.
It was further learnt that the number of ballot papers sent to the constituencies was inadequate.
INEC was said to have sent only 13,000 ballot papers out of 27000 to Southern Ijaw Constituency.
Also, it was learnt that 5000 ballot papers were available at the headquarters of the Ekeremor Constituency 3, instead of 15,000 ballot papers.
In an attempt to forestall a breakdown of law and order, the Adamawa state Police Command, has imposed dusk to dawn curfew on the State beginning from Sunday, the 12 of April 2015.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Gabriel Adaji made the announcement while briefing newsmen in his office Friday in Yola as preparatory to Saturday’s Governorship and state Assembly elections.
But political parties have reacted sharply to the development, insisting that it was wrong to impose curfew when collation of results were yet on-going.
The police command’s action, it was learnt has generated tension among candidates and the political parties standing elections this Saturday.
The police Commissioner who announced that the curfew would run between 12th and 14th of the month beginning at 6 Pm to 6am, however, said there was no reason for anybody or political parties involved in the election to entertain any fear.
He said the measure is to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct of the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the state and forestall attempts by anyone to breach the peace even after the elections, especially while celebrating party victory.
“After the last presidential and National Assembly elections, we had some nasty and ugly experiences in the state, hence the present measures,” Adaji explained
The police Boss also announced the ban of Keke Napep, wheel barrow, truck-pushers and any other hawking materials and moveable objects, warning that the law will take it cause on any person or group who violates the order.
Adaji lauded the people of the state, especially politicians for their peaceful and orderly conducts during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
However, some political parties in the state have reacted sharply to the imposition of curfew, particularly as collation of results of the election are suppose to be on- going.
The publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ahmed Lawal said the party does not see reason why curfew should be imposed on the state if there is peaceful election.
Lawal said the police should review the matter in the interest of all parties involved in the election.
