The Nation Newspaper

Category: Verdict 2015

Election in Nigeria 2015

  • INEC declares Taraba guber poll inconclusive

    INEC declares Taraba guber poll inconclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Monday declared as “inconclusive” the governorship election in Taraba state. 

    The commission ordered a rerun in some polling units in 30 days.

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Darius Dickson Ishaku won the poll in nine local governments areas with 317,198 votes, while Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won six local government areas 262,386 votes to come second .
    But the Returning Officer for Taraba Prof. Mohammed Kyari said since the number of cancelled votes was more than the number of the difference in votes (margin) between PDP and the APC, there was need to re-conduct the election in the affected areas.
    Kyari said: “Since the number of the cancelled votes is more than the difference between the two leading parties, the election in Taraba state is therefore inconclusive.”
    INEC said it cancelled the polls in those areas because of irregularities and pockets of violence.

    PDP won with a difference of 54,812 votes, while the number of the cancelled votes in all the affected polling units amounted to 127,125 votes.

    INEC said there would be rerun in Donga local government area and some polling units in Chanchanji Ward in Takum “where votes were rejected.”

    The rerun in Donga would be across its entire 165 polling units which the PDP earlier claimed to have won.
  • Sambo, Aremu, others congratulate El-Rufai

    Sambo, Aremu, others congratulate El-Rufai

    Vice President Namadi Sambo has on Monday afternoon called Kaduna State Governor – elect, Malam Nasir El-Rufai to congratulate him for emerging victorious in last Saturday’s governorship election.

    El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna Monday, adding that, Governor Yero has also written an official congratulatory message to Malam El-Rufai, even after he had called on telephone Sunday afternoon to concede victory to the APC candidate.

    In the same vein, Secretary-General of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu has congratulated El-Rufai over the victory at the Governorship poll.

    Sambo, according to Aruwan, wished El-Rufai a successful tenure in office and urged him to use his wealth of experience for the peace and development of Kaduna state and Nigeria at large.

    Sambo further appealed to the citizens of the state to give maximum support and cooperation to Malam El-Rufai.

    In his own message, Aremu said, “On behalf of the National Executive members of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) we congratulate the new Governor elect of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on his victory at the Kaduna State Governorship elections held on Saturday April 11, 2015.

    “We commend His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero for conceding defeat and accepting the outcome of the State governorship elections.

    “Given his antecedent in governing a cosmopolitan FCT, we have no doubt that the Governor-elect, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai will deepen the peace process in Kaduna traumatized through avoidable blood-letting in recent times. Peace process must go hand in hand with sustainable development which must start with urgent re-industrialization of kaduna state and mass employment of the army of the youths.

    “We will partner with the incoming administration to take necessary steps to revive the ailing industries in Kaduna State especially the textile industries with a view of creating jobs for the mass of unemployed youths in the state.

    “As a private sector union and affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and a critical stakeholder in the development of the state and the country in general, we wish to pledge our support, and cooperation in the great task of moving Kaduna State and indeed Nigeria to a greater height.”

    Meanwhile, celebration continued at the campaign office of the governor-elect with crowds of party members and supporters dancing and singing into the second day.

  • Nasko Concedes, Congratulates Bello

    Nasko Concedes, Congratulates Bello

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Niger State governorship candidate, Umar Nasko has conceded and congratulated All Progressives Congress (APC) governor-elect, Abubakar Sani Bello for his victory at the polls.

    In a statement signed by one Yahaya Mohammed Usman on behalf of Nasko, the PDP flag bearer wrote, “I congratulate Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on his election on his election as the governor of Niger State”.

    The statement reads, “For now the people of our dear state have decided and I submit to their decision which though not in my favour but for my co- contestant and brother Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of the All progressive congress (APC), for I believe he has the interest of the state just like me, at heart.

    “My hearty congratulations to him and his team for the success recorded, I urge him to always put the interest of the people and the state first above all”.

    He then called on the people of the state to give the incoming government maximum cooperation that will lead it to success, as it is the wish of every government to work hard to better the life of the citizens and the state.

    In same vein the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman said the victory of Bello reflects the wishes of the people of the state and therefore urged him not to disappoint them.

    The Speaker noted that the unprecedented support given to the governor-elect was a clean demonstration of the people’s trust and confidence in him adding that he must strive to carry every one along in the scheme of things irrespective of party, religion or tribal affiliation.

    Usman expressed the believe that the states wide campaign tour by Bello should have afforded him the opportunity to fully understand and appreciate the needs of the people advising that he should tailor his efforts towards the development of the state.

    He stressed that as an entrepreneur, the governor-elect should bring his expertise to bear by providing an industrial blueprint that would revolutionize all sectors of the state economy.

  • Edo: INEC reschedule election in Orhionmwon constituency II

    Edo: INEC reschedule election in Orhionmwon constituency II

    The Edo state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said election for orhionmwon constituency II which was inconclusive during last Saturday state house of Assembly election following pockets of violence has been slated for Saturday April 18th,2015.

    Edo state, Resident Electoral Commisioner (REC), Mike Igini stated this Monday in Benin city, the Edo state capital at a press briefing where he noted that the success recorded by the commission outweighed the challenges encountered during the conduct of the general and state house of Assembly elections.

    Igini who assured eligible voters in orhionmwon constituency II that their votes must count in the rescheduled election for Saturday 18th April into the state house of Assembly said election will be conducted in 12 Units of Orhionmwom constituency II with a total of 4,813 registered voters.

    “Orhionmwon constituency II was declared inconclusive because there were numbers of polling units cancelled or election not held on account of violence in those areas. Therefore we were unable to make a return. The affected areas here involved are twelve Units in four Registered Areas (RA). We have a total of 4,813 voters in those affected polling Units. It was on account of the fact that the margin of win of the leading candidate was far less to these areas where we have 4,813. On or by Saturday, INEC will be going back to Orhionmwon constituency II to conduct the election,” he said

  • APC’s Bindow declared winner of Adamawa guber poll

    Senator Jibrilla Mohammed Bindow of the All Progressives Congress APC was Sunday night declared the winner of the 2015 governorship elections in Adamawa state.

    His opponents, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Dr Ahmed Modibbo of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, have called him to congratulate him.

    Bindow scored a total of 362,329 votes to defeat the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP,) Eng Markus Gundiri who polled 181,806 votes to come second in the race.

    Declaring the results of the elections at collation Centre at General Murtala Memorial College (GMMC) , Yola, the state returning officer, Professor Geoffrey OKogbaa, Vice – Chancellor , Federal University of Wukari Said Bindow won with a wide margin to emerge winner of the 2015 governorship polls.

    Okugbaa therefore declared Bindow as the winner of the April 11 governorship elections in the state.

    “Senator Jibrilla Mohammed Bindow having satisfied the requirement of law and scored the highest numbers of votes is hereby declared the winner of the April 11 elections in Adamawa state,” he said.

    He also declared that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu scored 98,917 numbers of votes to emerge third position while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), DR Ahmed Modibbo scored 32,985 votes to come fourth in the race.

    Okugbaa said the total numbers of votes cast during the elections was 706092 adding that 684050 votes were valid and 22042 votes were rejected.

    However stakeholders had described the governorship polls as peaceful and hitch- free and also commended the Independence National Electoral Commission for improving on the use of card readers in the election.

    Speaking to newsmen on the polls, the secretary of the APC in the state, Abdullahi Bakari said the credit goes to the Adamawa electorates who found APC worthy and voted the party’s candidate to pilot the affairs of the state.

    According to Bakari, the APC governor elect will not disappoint the people adding that he believed that Bindow will make APC proud because he has done it in his constituency as a senator representing the state Northern Senatorial Zone.

    In his response, the Agent of the SDP who gave his name as Audu said the results have spoken , whether anybody like or not the Adamawa people have decided.

    Barrister Shehu, agent of the PDP at the collation centre expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections.

    He said if he was not satisfied with the outcome he wouldn’t have appended his signature on the result sheets.

    Meanwhile, Mallam Ribadu and Dr Modibbo have congratulated the governor-elect and wish him well as he settles down to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    They urged the people to him the necessary support and cooperation to enable face the enormous challenges confronting the state.

     

  • APC sweeps Sokoto assembly polls

    APC sweeps Sokoto assembly polls

    Candidates of the  All Progressives Congress(APC) have won all the 30 seats in the Sokoto state Assembly elections conducted last Saturday.

    The clean sweep left no seat for candidates of the opposition PDP just as it’s guber candidate, Senator Abdallah Wali lost out in the state governorship polls to APC’s Aminu Waziri Tambawal who polled 647,609 against 269,074 scored by the earlier.

    The results is contained in a release signed and made available to reporters Monday by the Director of Operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Hassan Sidi Aliyu.

    However, some of the candidates were returning for the second time while others were first timers.

  • Al-makura dedicates victory to people of the state

    Al-makura dedicates victory to people of the state

    Nasarawa state Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, Monday dedicated his victory at the just concluded governorship election to the people of the state.

    He was declared winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in Lafia, the state capital.

    ‎He polled 309,746 votes to defeat former minister of Information and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labaran Maku, who scored 178,983.

    The PDP candidate, Yusuf Agabi, polled 119,782,4 percent respectively.

    Hajiya Ambaka of the Labour Party, (LP) scored 2,053 votes and Salihu Mamud of Accord Party, (AP) scored 623 votes while Zakkah Zagi Rabo of ADC polled 1,659 votes.

    Announcing the result at the INEC headquarters in Lafia the state capital amidst tight security, the State Returning officer, Professor Abdumumin Hassan Rafindadi stated that the total number of accredited
    voters for the governorship election stood at 650, 572 of 1.203,099 registered voters for the state, while valid votes cast was 613,508 and 9, 771 votes were rejected.

    Governor Al – Makura, when reacting to his victory at the government House, Lafia, governor Al-makura, said that the outcome of the election was the true reflection of the feelings of the masses yearning for development.

    He said that his re-election would spur him to continue with the development programmes he has embarked upon in the last four years in the state.

    Al – Makura said: “My victory is victory for all the people of Nasarawa state. It is victory for all the people that contested with me because by their participation in this exercise they have endured due diligence in the process of democracy and I think they should also be appreciated for having faith in the system to participate in it.

    “I believe all of us are working towards one goal for the purpose of taking this state to the next level for the betterment of the people of the state.”

    There was wide celebration on the streets of Lafia. Shouts of Ta’ Al rented the air.

    The roads leading to Government House and other adjoining streets were filled with supporters of the governor.

    However, the state Secretariats of the PDP and APGA were deserted.

  • Ibori’s daughter wins Delta Assembly seat

    Ibori’s daughter wins Delta Assembly seat

    Daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Erhiatake won the Ethiope West Constituency into the Delta State House of Assembly.

    Erhiatake of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) polled 32, 700 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate who scored 1, 709 while the Labour Party candidate recorded1, 429.

  • May 29: Transition committee begins work

    May 29: Transition committee begins work

    To facilitate smooth handing over of government on May 29th from the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan (Peoples Democratic Party) to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (All Progressives Congress), the Transition Committee on Monday started its assignment.

    Jonathan had conceded defeat to Buhari in the March 28th Presidential election.

    The maiden meeting of the committee chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo started few minutes past 12noon on Monday at the Vice President’s conference room.

    Among those at the meeting are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, Head of Service of the Federation, Daniel Kifasi.

    Others include the Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda and the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelil Adesinyan, NAFDAC DG, Paul Orhii.

  • Al – Makura floors Maku, wins in 12 out of 13 LGAs

    Al – Makura floors Maku, wins in 12 out of 13 LGAs

    Nasarawa state governor, Tanko Al- Makura has won the governorship election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lafia, the state capital.

    The governor, who won 12 out of the 13 LGAs, polled ‎309, 746, to defeat former Minister of Information and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labaran Maku.

    Maku came a distance second with178983, ‎ while the PDP candidate, Dr. Yusuf Agabi polled 119782.

    The results were announced by the returning officer for the Governorship election, Prof. Hassan Rafindadi, in Lafia, the state capital.

    Agents of APC, PDP and other parties signed the result sheets except that of Accord Party and APGA, who left the collation centre before th‎e APC candidate was declared winner at about 5AM on Monday morning by INEC.

    Gov. Almakura won in Wamba, Obi, Akwanga, Keffi, Karu, Keana, Kokona and Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, Lafia, and Doma local government.

    The APGA candidate, Labaran Maku won in Nasarawa Eggon, his home local government. The PDP did not win any local government in the state.
    Below are the results from the 13 local governments as announced by the returning officers are:

    Wamba

    APC 14, 872

    APGA 2, 842

    PDP 5, 043

    Keana

    APC 9, 505

    APGA 3, 231

    PDP 4, 432

    Keffi

    APC 23, 308

    APGA 4, 174

    PDP‎ 6, 243

    Akwanga

    APC 18, 234

    APGA 5, 427

    PDP 6, 268

    Karu

    APC 23, 336

    APGA 12, 665

    PDP 10, 300

    ‎Kokona

    APC 25, 419

    APGA 12, 864

    PDP‎ 9, 701

    Nasarawa Eggon

    APC 7, 804

    APGA 49, 285

    PDP 5, 837

    Obi

    APC 25, 153

    APGA 15, 662

    PDP 10, 442

    ‎Nasarawa

    APC 43, 842

    APGA ‎11, 386

    PDP 21, 405

    Toto

    APC 21, 915

    APGA 5, 084

    PDP 8, 788
    Awe

    APC 17, 364

    APGA 1, 978

    PDP 9, 592

    Doma

    APC 15356

    APGA 7, 733

    PDP 10, 286

    Lafia

    APC 63, 638

    APGA 46, 652

    PDP 11, 465

    Returning officer, Prof. Hassan Rafindadi

    ‎Reg voters 1, 203, 099

    Acc voters 650572

    ‎Apc 309746, 12

    Apga 178983, ‎ 5

    ‎Pdp 119782, 4

    Total valid votes 613508

    Total votes cast 623279.