The Nation Newspaper

Category: Verdict 2015

Election in Nigeria 2015

  • Police arrest 15 over election violence in Kogi

    The Police Command in Kogi on Thursday said it arrested 15 persons for various offences during the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

    The command’s spokesman, ASP Shola Adebayo, in a statement in Lokoja said the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.

    He said that two of the suspects were arrested in Ofu Local Government with ballot boxes and ballot papers and one suspect at Ankpa for unlawful possession of firearms.

    According to Adebayo, 12 of the suspects were arrested at Gegu-Beki community in Kogi Local Government for post-election violence.

    “There is a case of someone arrested with eight stolen explosive detonators by the police on the eve of the election.

    “This is a situation that would have spelt doom for the state but salvaged by the police,” he said.

    The police spokesman assured that all issues related to security breaches during the polls would be thoroughly investigated.

    He described the election as generally peaceful, attributing it to the proactive measures put in place by the police and other security agencies

  • Taraba: Atiku wants security officials replaced

    Taraba: Atiku wants security officials replaced

    Former Vice President of Nigeria and one of the national leaders of the APC, Atiku Abubakar wants all INEC and security officials who compromised last Saturday governorship election in Taraba state replaced in the rerun election in the state.

    The former Vice President who lauded the decision by INEC to declare the governorship election in the state inconclusive said elections in the country should not be militarized as the nation was not in a dictatorship, but democracy.

    Atiku said that all those implicated in the scam in the state be removed and replaced with new personnel for peaceful conduct of the rerun election.

    While expressing disappointment with the widespread reports of irregularities in some local governments of the state, he said “these irregularities included using armed personnel to intimidate voters.”

    He alleged that armed soldiers were attached to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha; Joel Ikenya, a current minister; as well as Senator Anthony Manzo, chief of staff to senator David Mark, adding that these soldiers engaged in brazen acts that violated the electoral act including ballot-box snatching.

    “Elections should not be militarized Nigeria is a democracy, not a dictatorship. Citizens should be able to go out and vote without fear of being threatened with nuzzle of a gun,” the former Vice President said.

    According to him, these election violations were noticeably perpetrated in Southern Taraba, specifically in Wukari, Takum, Kurmi and Donga local councils and also in the North, particularly in Lau and Yoro where Manzo hails from.

    Atiku noted that thousands of troops were deployed to these areas and electoral officers were heavily compromised.

    He said further “These people should not be allowed to go back during the rerun election. No troops should be allowed nearby”.

    Atiku also called on the Inspector General of Police to replace security personnel in Taraba with new teams from neighbouring Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa, during the period of the rerun elections.

  • Abia guber re-run holds April 25

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abia state has scheduled the governorship re-run for the state for the 25th of April

    The re-run is to take place in the affected polling units and wards in 9 local government areas of the state.

    The local government areas affected are; Aba North, Aba South, Bende, Isiala Ngwa South, Isiala Ngwa North, Umuahia South, Bende, Arochukwu, Ohafia and Osisioma.

    In a similar vein, Saturday the 18th of April has been slated for a re-run into the Umuahia North state constituency which is the only house of assembly election left for INEC to make the result public.

    It will be held in three wards in Umuahia North state constituency, which has not been concluded.

    These re runs are due to the inconclusive elections in the affected areas, which has left the entire state in a political limbo since the governorship election was held last weekend.

  • Rivers elections: Observers demand arrest, prosecution of REC

    Rivers elections: Observers demand arrest, prosecution of REC

    Independent observers, under the aegis of the Coalition of INEC Accredited Election Observer Groups, have demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Rivers State, Dame Gesila Khan, over the fraudulent general elections.

    They also insisted the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers state did not hold about ten local government areas.

    The observers, led by Kalu Victor, Wednesday at a news conference in Port Harcourt, accused Khan, who hails from Bayelsa State as President Goodluck Jonathan, of  truncating the efforts of the President to give Nigerians credible and peaceful elections.

    They maintained that elections did not hold in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, Khana, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Bonny and Etche LGAs of Rivers state.

    The observers said: “There was encouraging voters’ turnout for the elections across that state. There was no election when our teams visited at various times, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, and Khana LGAs. We could not sight a polling unit where elections took place in the areas.

    “Voters were peacefully accredited in Ahoada-West, Ahoada-East, Bonny and Etche LGAs, but voting could not hold, as armed thugs in their good number were freely patrolling the areas, intimidating voters and carting away ballot boxes.

    “The election was marred by snatching and stuffing of ballot papers and ballot boxes respectively, and intimidation of voters by thugs, especially in Obio/Akpor and Omuma LGAs.”

    The independent observers also stated that the behaviour and conduct of the REC of INEC in Rivers state during the elections defined her as being partisan, which they described as a violation of her oath of office and the constitution of Nigeria, regarding her position.

    Khan, however, insisted that the March 28 and April 11 elections in Rivers state were free, fair, credible and peaceful.

  • INEC presents Certificate of Return to election winners in Edo

    INEC presents Certificate of Return to election winners in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission Wednesday began the issuance of Certificate of Return to candidates who won the National Assembly elections in Edo State.

    Those who collected their Certificates of Return were Engr. Clifford Ordia (Edo Central) Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South) Ehiozuwa Johnson (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha) Joseph Edionwele (Esan West/Central/Igueben) Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama (Oredo) Patrick Aisowieren (Orhiomwon/Uhunmwode).

    Others absent at the certificate presentation were Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) Peterson Akpatason (Akoko-Edo) Sergius Oguns (Esan North East/Esan South East) Philip Shaibu (Estako) Pally Iriase (Owan) and Omosede Igbinedion (Ovia).

    Speaking at a brief presentation ceremony, a National Commissioner of INEC, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, advised aggrieved candidates and political parties to go to the election tribunal to seek redress over any grievances on the outcome of the National Assembly elections.

    Igbani noted that the commission was ‘very satisfied with the conduct of the elections. If anybody has missed feelings, there is a process.

    “The process should be followed. If you are not happy, you go to the tribunal.‎”

    He charged those returned elected to lead in accordance with the aspirations of the people of their respective constituencies.

    Senator-elect for Edo South, Matthew ‎Urhoghide praised INEC on the conduct of the exercise and promised to provide true representation ‎at national level.

  • El-Rufai receives Certificate of Return

    El-Rufai receives Certificate of Return

    Kaduna State Governor-elect, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Wednesday received Certificate of ‎Return from INEC, saying he has to work twice hard to make Kaduna recover the last eight years of stagnation and enable it meet up with it neighbours.

    He said, ‎he has no time to exult in his victory, as there is much to do to make Kaduna great again; therefore he has to swing into action immediately.

    El-Rufai in ‎his acceptance speech to Kaduna people after receiving the certificate amidst huge crowd at INEC headquarters reaffirmed his commitment to do his best to restore Kaduna to a state that works for its people.

    According to him, “We shall be doing so under serious constraints. Our state is heavily indebted at a time when oil prices are low. Our state has not seen significant development in the last eight years. We must work twice as hard with half the resources of the last eight years just to catch up with our neighbors. We must be disciplined, focused and prudent to do so.

    “In accepting my election as governor of Kaduna state, I pledge to do all that is humanly possible to move our dear state forward, beginning from today. As soon I am sworn into office and constitute a state executive council, we shall begin work to meet your expectations of positive change.” he said.

    While noting that he is aware of the people high expectation, which he described as justifiable, the Governor-elect solicited for patience, sacrifice and support to enable his government reform the state’s institutions to instill a culture of probity that insists on value for money, that ensures that government procurement occurs at the most cost effective level and encourages personal responsibility.

    “We will do whatever is humanly possible to fulfill the promises in our manifesto, the Kaduna Restoration Programme that we have published, circulated and discussed with diverse constituencies of the state. Our commitment to transparency will be manifest as we reform the public sector to be an efficient deliverer of services.

    “The APC takes seriously its responsibility to build a harmonious society in Kaduna State. We are committed to fostering a secure, peaceful environment that gives the confidence to all the residents of the state to make the most of their talents. We will uphold the rule of law and the equality of concern for all citizens. We intend to work with all communities in Kaduna state without fear or favor. We are all equal partners and stakeholders in this state. There will be no discrimination in Kaduna State on the basis of gender, ethnicity or religion. Appointments and nominations into the incoming cabinet and government will be primarily on the basis of integrity and determined strictly by competence, capacity and capability.

    “We shall be a listening government, and we shall be decisive in implementing our agreed agenda for change. We shall lose no time in reforming education and healthcare, local government, the public service and leading the processes that will create jobs and economic opportunities for our people.” he promised.

    While taking his time to express appreciation to the entire Kaduna State people for electing General Muhammadu Buhari as their President and him as Kaduna State Governor, El-Rufai particularly commended incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero who called to congratulate him even before the official declaration of the election result.

  • INEC issue Certificate of Return to Kogi National Assembly members-elect

    INEC issue Certificate of Return to Kogi National Assembly members-elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday issued Certificate of Return to winners from the March 28 National Assembly election in Kogi State.

    The INEC Commissioner in-charge of Kogi, Nasarawa and Plateau states, Dr Abdulkadiri Oniyangi did the presentation at a short ceremony in Lokoja.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) won the three senatorial seats. It also won five out of the nine House of Representatives seats, while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won three.

    Election in one federal constituency- Dekina I was declared inconclusive.

    The three senators that were presented their certificates of return are: Hon. Dino Melaye (Kogi West), Senator Mohammed Salami Ohiare (Kogi Central) and Abdulrahman Abubakar a.k.a Railway (Kogi East).

    The five APC winners in the House of Representatives election that received the Certificate of Return are Abdullahi Bello (Okene/Ogorimagongo), Lawal Idris (Ajaokuta), Hassan Omale (Ankpa/Omala), Buba Jubril (Lokoja/Koto-Karfe) and Kabiru Mohammed Ajana (Okehi/Adavi).

    The three PDP reps-elect that received their certificates of return are: Emmanuel Egwu (Idah/Ofu/Igalamela/Ibaji), Sunday Karimi (Yagba) and Tajudeen Yusuf (Kabba/Ijumu).

    Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly members-elect, Hon. Dino Melaye pledged their commitment to service.

    He added, “I want to say it that we are all going to be senators and House of Representatives members in our respective capacity, but we will work together for the collective interest of Kogi State.

    “We will not work as APC or PDP elected representatives, but as representatives of our people and show that change has truly come.”

  • PDP wins 16 Assembly seats in Ebonyi

    PDP wins 16 Assembly seats in Ebonyi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won sixteen out of the eighteen House of Assembly election conducted at the weekend in Ebonyi State.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made this known in a release Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    According to the results released by the commission, PDP won in Onicha West and East, Afikpo North West, Afikpo South East and West, Ohaozara East and West, Ivo, Ezza South, Ikwo North and South constituencies.

    Others are Izzi West, Ishielu North, Ishielu South, Ebonyi North East and West.

    PPA won Afikpo North East constituency while LP won Izzi East.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike when contacted said five state constituencies are inconclusive.

    They include; Abakaliki South, Ohaukwu North and South and Ezza North East and West.

  • Polls: Edo police arrest 13 over electoral offences

    Thirteen persons have been arrested by the Edo State Police command over several electoral offences committed during the conduct of April 11 State House of Assembly elections.

    Spokesman of the police, Joseph Edogiawerie, who disclosed this in an interview, said the suspects were arrested at various locations in the state for ballot snatching and other electoral offences.

    Edogiawerie noted that 10 of the suspects were arrested at Auchi while three were arrested at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South- West local government areas.

    It would be recalled that eight suspects were arrested during the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections in the state for electoral offences.

    Edogiawerie said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.

    Meanwhile, Edo state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Patrick Aisowerien of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency.

    Aisowerien polled a total of 21,759 votes to beat his closet PDP opponent, Larry Ogieva who scored 16,519 votes.

    James Idonigie, the returning officer of the election declared the APC candidate as the winner of the election.

  • Guber polls: Okorocha vows to defend victory

    Guber polls: Okorocha vows to defend victory

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Tuesday vowed to defend his mandate in the last governorship election against all forms of manipulations by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Imo Governor who addressed a press conference at the Government House, urged INEC to adopt the results of the six wards in Oru East, which were earlier rejected by the Commission over alleged irregularities and declare him winner.

    According to him, the figure of registered voters in the areas that elections were cancelled, which was earlier put at 144715 by INEC has been corrected as 127000, “INEC has given the correct figure of registered voters in the areas they were claiming elections did not hold to 127000. By the time they consider those that collected their PVC, the number will further reduce and by the time they finish accreditation, the number will go down still. So INEC should stop delaying the people’s victory and announce the winner.”

    The Governor also noted that if any of the results were to be rejected, it should be those of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Local Government Areas, where he said figures were falsified by the PDP, “the PDP candidate allocated over one hundred thousand votes to himself in the three LGAs, where elections never held so if there is any result that should be rejected, it should be the ones from those areas.”

    He further advised the candidates from the opposition parties to take a cue from President Goodluck Jonathan and accept their defeat in good fate so that they could join hands with his administration to develop the state.

    Meanwhile another round of protest rocked Owerri, the Imo state capital, where youths barricaded major roads in protest of the refusal of INEC to declare the winner of the governorship election.

    The youths numbering over four thousand, accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Gabriel Ada of conniving with the PDP to undermine the will of the people.

    They alleged that the REC in his game plan to declare the PDP candidate winner, had accepted all the results from the areas the PDP allocated fraudulent number of votes to its candidate and deliberately rejected results from areas where APC convincingly won.

    One of the youths who did not want his name mentioned for obvious security reasons, warned that the stalemate in the state currently may snowball into full blown crisis if INEC fails to do the right thing or undermine the will of the people in anyway.

    In another breath, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, staged a peaceful protest with hundreds of his supporters against the conduct of the governorship election, which he demanded should be cancelled.