The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • Dickson desperate to upturn APC victory in Bayelsa- Sylva

    A former Governor of Bayelsa State and Leader of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, on Monday said the incumbent Governor, Seriake Dickson, was desperately scheming to upturn APC victory in the state.

    Sylva, who dismissed the protest of PDP leaders and aides to Dickson seeking the cancellation of elections in Nembe-Bassambiri and Southern Ijaw, told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to fall victim of Dickson’s antics.

    He said Dickson having seen that his candidates including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lost in Nembe-Bassambiri and in Southern Ijaw, had resorted to propaganda and lies to deceive INEC and rob the APC and Buahri of their victory.

    Sylva, however, claimed that the governor was behind all the violence he accused the APC of adding that the dead casualty in Nembe was a member of the APC.

    He said it had been the style of the governor to be playing the victim while dealing with his perceived enemies noting that it was irresponsible for a governor to be heating up the polity with unnecessary protest.

  • IG orders probe of assault on DCP in Bayelsa

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered assessment of the alleged assault on a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) by suspected political thugs in Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area of the state.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bayelsa State Command, Butswat Asinim, said the IG sent a high-powered delegation headed by the Deputy Inspector of Police (DIG), Fredrick Lekanu, to probe the incident.

    He said the IG asked the team to unveil the identities of persons connected to the incident, arrest and prosecute them.

    Butswat said: “On 24th February 2019, political thugs numbering over four hundred stormed the Government Jetty at Brass Island and assaulted a Deputy Commissioner of Police, who was deployed to supervise the elections in Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

    “This conduct is viewed as a gross affront to the constituted authority and the laws of the land.

    “The DIG, while addressing senior officers at the Bayelsa State Police Command condemned the act in its entirety and in line with the instructions of the Inspector general of Police, ordered for the identification, arrest and prosecution of all those connected, no matter how remote, their proxies and sponsors.

    “The DIG, stated that the IGP was miffed by the the ugly incident, but appreciates the conduct displayed by the officers in the face of obvious provocation.

    “DIG Fredrick Lakanu fdc, also ordered for reinforcement of officers to flash points areas in the State to forestall any break down of law and order and urge the members of the public to be law abiding and not to be tempted to take the laws into their hands”.

  • NYSC DG hails corps members on election duties

    Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Suleiman Kazaure and management of the organisation have hailed corps members who participated as ad hoc personnel for the independent national electoral commission in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections nationwide.

    The NYSC saluted the corps members for the courage, high level of discipline, patriotism and neutrality they showed in the conduct of the elections.

    The organisation in a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, on Monday in Abuja, urged the corps members to display the same qualities in the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for 9th March.

    The statement reads: “Management joins the rest of the nation in saluting your courage, high level of discipline, patriotism and neutrality in the conduct of this historic national assignment. In particular, the resilience you all demonstrated in the face of the initial challenges encountered in matters of welfare in several states has heightened the nation’s confidence in you as an emerging generation of Nigeria leaders.

    “While commending you once more, it is our ardent hope that you will go into the next phase of the electoral duties, i.e. the Governorship and State Assembly elections on 9th March, 2019, with similar zeal, patriotism, and high sense of responsibility.

    “We pray for God’s continued protection upon you as you prepare for the coming phase.

    “Management further wishes to assure all corps members of our commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to promptly address all matters relating to your security and general welfare throughout and after this election season.

    “In this regard, management calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission to, as a matter of urgency, settle all outstanding training allowances and other entitlements of the corps members who participated in the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and to avoid delay in the settlement of their allowances for the next phase of the elections.

    “We also use this medium to appeal to INEC and security agencies to continue to evolve strategies for the protection of all corps members throughout this election period and thereafter.”

  • Wamakko wins Sokoto North senate seat

    Northern Senators Forum Chairman and candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2019 polls, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has won five out of 8 local governments that constitute Sokoto North senatorial District with wide margin to defeat his PDP opponent, Senator Ahmed Muhammadu Maccido.

    Not less than 172, 989 votes for Wamakko separated him with his opponent who scored 138, 970.

    Maccido won Gudu, Silame and Binji local governments respectively.

    However, Wamakko returned Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Kware, Tangaza and Wamakko local governments accordingly.

  • Atiku wins Enugu by landslide

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar on Monday won in Enugu State by landslide in all the 17 local government areas.

    He scored a total of 355,553 votes with President Muhammadu Buhari in far distance with 54,423 votes.

    The State Collation officer, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, said that the results were carefully collated and observers at the collation hall were satisfied with the job done.

    Ahaneku, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, said the state had 1,944, 016 registered voters with total accredited voters of 452,765 for the polls proper.

    He said the total number of valid votes is 421,014 while invalid votes remained 30,049 in the exercise in the state.

    “I will now take the result obtain here to INEC national headquarters to present to the national presiding officer.

    “I thank everybody for being patient and sacrificing to see that we are diligent and meticulous in the entire exercise,’’ Ahaneku said.

    The results of the election as it at the various 17 council areas as follows:

    · In Enugu South council area, PDP got 25, 631 votes, APC gathered 2,350 votes, YPP 245, APGA 84 AND PPA 25.

    · Aninri council area, PDP got 19,062 votes; APC gathered 1,462 votes, APGA 251 and PPA 30.

    · In Ezeagu council area, said that PDP got 15,526 votes, APC gathered 3,103 votes; APGA 166 and APDA 21.

    · In Enugu North council area, PDP got 24, 921 votes; APC gathered 1825 votes; YPP 284, APGA 33 and APDA 32.

    · Isi-Uzo council area, PDP garnered 15,224, while APC got 2336 votes.

    · In Awgu council area, PDP got 16,581 votes and APC gathered 5,857.

    · Oji River council area, PDP gathered 14,893 and APC got 1487.

    · Igbo-Etiti council area, PDP obtained 20,946 and APC got 3045.

    · Igbo-Eze North council area, PDP gathered 16,228 and APC 4,931.

    · In Nkanu East council area, PDP got 12,098 and APC gathered 4,824.

    · Udi council area, PDP gathered 24,544 and APC obtained 2871.

    · Nkanu West council area, PDP got 16982 and APC obtained 5500.

    · In Igbo-Eze South council area, PDP obtained 21693 and APC 1983.

    · Nsukka council area, PDP got 46,265 and APC gathered 2922.

    · Udenu council area, PDP gathered 27928 and APC got 1601.

    · Uzo Uwani council area, PDP got 13,850 and APC obtained 4868

    · Enugu East council area, PDP obtained 22,946 and APC obtained 3291 while YPP secured 191. The council elections had issues in three units with two registration wards.

    The issues included misplacement of result sheets as well as accreditation not taking place.

  • My defeat unfortunate, says Ajimobi

    Despite his loss at the senatorial election, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has thanked the people of the state for their turnout and peaceful conduct during the last Saturday polls.

    Ajimobi, a candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who contested the Oyo South Senatorial District lost to his rival Dr. Kola Balogun, younger brother to the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying the people of the state have shown their love for the APC by voting massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC candidates in the elections.

    From the results released so far nationwide, he said that the APC was coasting home to victory.

    The governor equally congratulated the APC and its candidates in the state, who picked nine out of the available 14 Federal Constituency seats and two out of the three Senatorial seats.

    Ajimobi said: “We appreciate our people for coming out last Saturday, which led to APC winning two, out of the three Senatorial and nine out of the 14 Federal Constituency, seats in the state.

    “The victory has shown the unassailable leadership of the APC in Oyo State. It has also shown that our people are appreciative of the developmental strides of the APC in the state and the country at large.

    “We have taken Oyo State to an unprecedented level in terms of massive infrastructural renewal. Most importantly, we have ensured peace in the state.”

    The governor described the loss of the Oyo South Senatorial ticket seat as unfortunate but noted that no sacrifice was too much for a leader to make.

    He enjoined all APC members to gird their loins for the March 9 governorship election, stressing that battle was not over yet.

    Ajimobi emphasised that the loss of Oyo South Senatorial seat would not deter him from his firm resolve and that of the APC to work hard for the party’s victory in the governorship election.

    The governor said: “The results of the Oyo South Senatorial District election have been released by INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) indicating that I lost to the PDP (People’s Democratic Party) candidate.

    “I hereby accept the result announced by INEC. Although there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices, I have decided to let go in the interest of peace. I, therefore, congratulate the declared winner, Hon Kola Balogun and our APC Senators-elect, Abdulfatai Buhari and Teslim Folarin.

    “If I lose the ticket and the party was able to gain, then it is nothing to feel sad about. APC has done well but we can always do better. If we won two out of the three Senatorial seats and we picked nine out of 14 federal constituency seats, then we should congratulate ourselves.”

    “To the teeming members and supporters of our party who came out in their thousands to show their preference for the APC, I thank and urge you to keep the faith especially as we look forward to the governorship and the House of Assembly elections.

    “With the impressive results we currently have, we should proudly go forth with greater sense of confidence and unity of purpose. Let us work together to ensure victory for our governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and all our candidates for the House of Assembly.”

  • Anambra: INEC confirms loss of election results in Obosi violence

    …replaces lost results sheet

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Anambra State has confirmed the loss of results sheets in Obosi ward 1 in Idemili North LGA of the state.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief Nkwachukwu Orji who disclosed this at the collation centre in Awka, however said the situation had been handled.

    He said the commission had to invoke a section of the electoral act that permitted it us to get the duplicate from the police so as to complete collation in the ward.

    “We’ve lost the original copy but have the duplicate which is secured with the police,” he said.

    Orji who announced the presence of the commissioner of Police, Rabu Ladodo invited him to formally hand over the results sheets to the commission.

    “I’m happy the CP is here with the duplicate of the copies to enhance confidence in what we’re doing,” he said.

    Reacting, the CP said no casualty was recorded in the crises, aside a corpse member who sustained injury on the right leg.

    He however said some arrests were made in connection with the crises.

    Expressing regrets over the incident, Ladodo called on the citizenry to resist joining in any act capable of marring the electoral process.

    “I’m ready to give instructions for appropriate action on anyone that wants to foment trouble in the state,” he warned.

  • Kwara is free at last – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says with the outcome of last Saturday’s elections, Kwara is free “from a choking and pauperising political hegemony of a self-imposed dynasty”.

    The Minister, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara, stated this while briefing newsmen on Monday in Ilorin.

    He stressed that never again would the people of Kwara be treated like slaves in their own land.

    “Enough is Enough – O To Ge!,” he said.

    The minister said the official results of last Saturday’s National Assembly elections in the state were a clean sweep for the APC.

    “All three seats in the Senate and all six in the House of Representatives were won by our party.

    “The match between our party and the PDP ended 10-0 (1-0 President, 3-0 Senatorial, 6-0 House of Reps)

    He advised that with the unprecedented victory the state should declare Feb. 23 of every year as the Day of Liberation for Kwara State.

    “I want to ask the incoming Governor of our state to, immediately he is sworn in on 29 May 2019, to declare Feb. 23rd of every year as the Day of Liberation for Kwara State.”

    The minister gave gratitude to God for the victory and thanked the good people of Kwara for coming out to vote for APC.

    “No single individual can claim credit for this victory. It belongs to the people of Kwara.

    “All of us, the party leadership, were fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to lead the process.

    “But the ultimate credit goes to the people who resoundingly said NO to the PDP last Saturday.

    “Fired on by perhaps the most impactful, three-word political slogan ever in the history of party politics in this land –” O to Ge” meaning Enough is Enough”.

    “Kwarans have confirmed the saying that the power of the people is much stronger than the people in power,” he said.

    The minister said the victory in Kwara was achieved in the sweetest way because the election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

    He said: “not a single shot was fired throughout Kwara, no one snatched ballot box rather it was an atmosphere of conviviality.”

    Mohammed said the election was a sharp departure from what used to be in the state.

    ‘It confirms what we have been saying, that when there is adequate security, there will be a level playing ground for all the parties, and for all Kwarans.”

    The minister thanked the security agencies, all the party members, supporters and leaders of the party across the state.

    He urged the party members to note that the job was not completed yet, until they deliver the March 9 governorship and State House of Assembly elections for APC.

  • APC claims all NASS seats in Niger

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)) has officially declared the Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Mohammed Sani Musa and Mohammed Bima of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) as senators-elect in Niger State.

    The results were announced at the various senatorial collation centers across the state.

    The Niger South Senatorial zone was won by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullah of the APC, who polled 161,420 against PDP’s Honorable Muhammad Sani Duba 77,109 votes.

    Mohammed Sani Musa of APC won the Niger East Senatorial zone polling 229, 415 votes ahead of the PDP candidate Barrister Ibrahim Ishaku, who polled 116,143 votes.

    Mohammed Bima of APC won the Niger South senatorial zone with 160,614 votes defeating PDP Baba Shehu Agaie who polled 90,978.

    APC also won the seats of the Federal constituency however results for four federal constituencies are still being expected.

    For the Rijau/Magama Federal Constituency, Shehu Sale of APC polled 39,889 while Garba Dukku of PDP polled 23,747.

    In Borgu-Agwara Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Jafaru Mohammed Agwara polled 32,840 votes against PDP candidate, Abdurahman Bala Gambo, who polled 20,357.

    In Bida-Katcha-Gbako Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Abdullahi Saidu Musa polled 57,746 as against PDP candidate, Sharu Mohammed Baba 37,993 votes.

    In Suleja-Gurara-Tafa Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Abubakar Lado polled 54,224 votes while PDP candidate, Mukhtar Iya polled 38,732 votes.

    In Chanchaga Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Mohammed Umar Bago polled 39,391votes while PDP candidate, Abdullahi Buba polled 17,869 votes.

    In Kontagora-Mariga-Mashegu-Wushishi Federal Constituency, APC won with 95,454 votes but the name of the candidate was not announced due to court case while the PDP candidate, Sa’adatu Kolo polled 25,182 votes.

    Results are still being awaited from four federal constituencies, Bosso-Paikoro, Shiroro-Munya, Lavun-Edati-Mokwa and Lapai-Agaie.

    However, the collation of the presidential election results shows that APC is maintaining lead so far, winning 21 out of the 25 local government areas collated as at 4.30pm.

    The collation of the result of the presidential election is still ongoing.

  • Abdulrazaq: Saraki’s defeat has moved Kwara from Egypt

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman has said that Saturday’s historical electoral feat for the APC has taken the people of the state many miles away from Pharaoh’s Egypt.

    He attributed the victory to the resilient people of Kwara state, congratulating “all our lawmakers-elect for their deserving victory.”

    Mallam Abdulrazaq told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital adding that “together with our people, we have fought a good and noble fight in defence of our people’s dignity.

    “We have gone down in history as the breakers of the long-standing political jinx in Kwara.

    “We have also proven that our people, with their massive votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, believe in good governance, probity and decency.

    “Our feat is now being acknowledged across the world and that

    underscores the historical relevance of this development in our state.

    “But we mustn’t relent. It is not over until we repeat the same feat

    100% on March 9 during the governorship and House of Assembly polls.

    Let’s continue to educate and mobilise our people to understand that the job is only half-done at the moment. Total liberation comes only when we take over government in Kwara State through the ballot box and then use same to restore sanity and good governance in our state.

    “We thank the security agencies and the electoral commission officials for standing firm in the face of some last-ditch efforts to suppress people’s votes. We look forward to the same patriotic action before, during and after the March 9 elections.”