The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • Elections: Police arrest 23 in Lagos

    No fewer than 23 persons were arrested for various electoral offences in Lagos State on Saturday, according to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Zubairu Muazu

    Muazu told newsmen after monitoring the exercise with the AIG Mr David Folawiyo that nine persons were arrested for allegedly burning and destroying election materials at Okota.

    The CP said that 10 motorcycles used by the hoodlums to move to Okota were recovered.

    He said nine persons linked to a cult group were also arrested for thuggery in Somolu area and for attempting to cause problems during the elections.

    Muazu said during a stop and search operation by some policemen, two suspects were arrested at Stadium area Surulere in a private car, and one locally-made pistol was recovered from them.

    “At Alakara area of Mushin, three suspects were arrested trying to disrupt the elections.

    “No death was recorded in Lagos State. Although social media says so, in all the areas I visited, I did not see any dead person and none of my officers reported any death to me,” he said.

    Muazu said that the police was investigating the free movement of some persons on motorcycles at Okota where hoodlums disrupted elections.

    “There were some crises at Ijora area, but they were brought under control.

    “The elections were peaceful generally. Voting went on smoothly and ended well in most of the polling units.

    “Those arrested will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation,” Muazu said.

  • Nigeria Decides 2019: Photos from polling booths

    Buhari votes in Daura, Katsina state

    Former president Goodluck Jonathan, wife vote at Polling Unit 39, Ward 13, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State
    Former president Goodluck Jonathan, wife vote at Polling Unit 39, Ward 13, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State
    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun votes at Ward 6, Unit 8, Itagbamgba, Abeokuta South in Ogun State
    Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, wife, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, vote at Popo Ward 001, Unit 002 in Popo, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.
    Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, wife, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, vote at Popo Ward 001, Unit 002 in Popo, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.
    VON DG Osita Okechukwu speaking to reporters
    KWARA: Abdulraham Abdulrasak in picture while casting his vote at ldi lgba ward unit oo4 Adewole area of ilorin
    Awka Catholic Bishop, Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor casting his vote in Awka, Anambra state

    Jimi Agbaje votes in Lagos

    Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu votes at ward 7 unit 002, Alaukwu ohanze in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA.

    Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and his wife, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed voting at Adebiopon Ward 1, Share in Ifelodun Local Govt.
    Former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar casts his vote. Impressed on the turn out of voters. He urged whoever loses to embrace the winner in order to avoid violence
    ONDO: Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state casting his vote in Owo

  • Atiku loses polling unit to Buhari

    The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lost his polling unit to his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Atiku polled 167 votes against Buhari’s 186 at the 012 polling unit of Ajiya Ward in Jimeta, Yola, a few metres from one of Atiku’s houses.

    Atiku had voted at the unit several hours earlier, about a quarter after 10 am, along with one of his wives and a number of children.

    Expectations were high that Atiku would win at the unit, considering the army of supporters that milled around him when he voted, but it became celebration time for Buhari’s own supporters when the ballots were countered and figures announced by the unit presiding officer, Abdulrashid Sarai, just before 5pm.

  • Anxiety as rain disrupts counting of votes in Imo

    Counting of votes was disrupted in Imo state by heavy downpour that continued late into the evening.

    The rain that started at about 3.30pm, flooded most of the Polling stations with voters running for shelter.

    INEC officials and the Adhoc Staff were forced to run away with the sensitive materials to prevent them from the rain, especially in areas where there are no buildings to run into.

    Voters waiting in the queue to be accredited were also dispersed by the rain.

    Read Also: Buhari will accept polls outcome, says Osinbajo

    At Emmanuel College, the entire Polling Units were submerged.

    When The Nation visited the school housing about 6 Polling Units, drenched party agents were seen squatting in a corner, while INEC officials were taken refuge inside the few security vehicles.

  • Ago Palace violence: We’re waiting for PO’s report, says INEC

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos has said it is waiting for a report from the Presiding Officer where voting was disrupted in Ago Palace area in Lagos.

    Deputy Director of Publicity/Protocol, INEC Lagos Office, said the PO’s report will determine the next line of action.

    Asked what options are open to voters in the area, he said: “We received report of violence in Ago Palace. Security operatives are on top of the situation. We’re waiting for the PO’s report.”

  • A’Ibom Speaker commends INEC over peaceful conduct of polls

    …harps on improved technology

    The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke says the elections have so far been peaceful, saying the electoral process has improved, though it was slow.

    Speaking after casting his vote in Unit 5, Itreto ward, Nsit Ubium local government area, Luke said the election process has improved compared to the last election, except for a little hitch with the card reader.

    He commended the early turn out of voters, and the INEC officials for starting early, adding that the peace experienced during the elections was enough victory for the people.

    “When I came to vote and from the report I have gotten around this community, it has been peaceful. I give glory to God Almighty. For me, the most important thing is not about my personal victory as a candidate in this election. The most important thing is victory for Nigeria, victory for peace in Akwa Ibom state.

    “The only challenge we had was that the card reader and the process was slow which we had asked party and agents to raise concern. The voting process was slow because we did not have enough stamp pads, stamping of the ballot paper and sharing to the electorates to thumb print.

    “In all I want to say kudos to Nigeria, kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission, kudos to the security agencies with the monitoring and distribution of materials from state to ward, to respective units. We give God the glory for the peace enjoyed so far,” he said.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Works, Akwa Ibom State, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen has also applauded INEC for ensuring early arival of materials at polling units across Onna Local Government Area.

    He reported that the setback caused by the card reader was promptly addressed and the card reader replaced.

  • Obaseki votes, hails peaceful polls

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has voted at about 10:30am.

    He arrived the polling unit at 9:55am and waited on the queue.

    Many voters rushed to shake hands with him.

    Speaking to newsmen after voting, Governor Obaseki commended INEC and security for ensuring a hitch free exercise in the state.

    Obaseki said he worked hard to ensure voters were sensitized to see the need to come out en mass to cast their votes.

    “This is my voting unit and it is quite orderly for the past 20 minutes or so that I have been here, it has been quite orderly.

    “I am quite impressed with the presence of the security persons at the polling unit. As I was just diving in here, I saw a lot of security personnel here.

    “It was anticipated but our people at various levels worked very hard to sensitize the people to make them see the need to come out to vote. I think whatever we suffered from the postponement, it is made up of the publicity given.

    “My message is that everybody with their PVC should come out early enough so that we can complete this process early by 2pm”, he said.

    The governor said the government has made adequate security for the elections adding that he is optimistic of a peaceful elections at the end of the exercise.

    “So I am quite optimistic that the process will be peaceful”, he said.

  • Soldiers arrest 20 suspected electoral offenders

    No fewer than 20 men and women have been arrested by soldiers on LASU-Iyana Iba road for wandering.
    According to the soldiers, they were wandering from one place to another without PVCs.
    Two of them were caught with cutlasses.
    One of those arrested said he was having headache and wanted to get paracetamol from a friend living two streets away from his.
    Yusuf Olajide, an Okada rider said, he was on his way to refund the money he borrowed to repair his motorcycle when he was caught by the soldiers.
    Samuel Olatunji said he lives in a nearby street and he was going to meet a friend at the other street when he was arrested.
    The two persons caught with cutlasses said that they were coming from a friend`s farm where they went to assist him to clear the bushes.
    The soldiers, however, said they were lying.
    “What they told us before we arrest them were different from what they are saying now,” one of the soldiers.
    The two admitted lying, claiming that they lied due to their fear of the soldiers.

  • Polls: Ballot Paper confusing – Sani Bello

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has said that the ballot papers were a bit confusing as a result of the number of political parties on the ballot.

    Just as he said that uninformed voters may be confused in selecting the party of their choice.

    Speaking after casting his vote, Bello advised the people to take their time and be patient to identify the party of their choice.

    “One thing I noticed while casting my vote is that the ballot paper is a bit confusing with so many parties on the ballot papers. So if you are not careful you may vote the wrong party of your choice.

    “So my advice is for the electorate to take their time, do not rush, be patient, go through the ballot paper carefully and identify the party of their choice”.

    The Governor who voted alongside his wife, Dr. Amina Sani-Bello expressed satisfaction on the large turnout of voters commending the electorates for their level of maturity, organization and calmness displayed at the polling center.

  • Obasanjo casts vote in Abeokuta

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo finally voted at hid Ward 11 unit 22, within Olusomi compound, Abeokuta, in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, three hours after voting had commenced in most polling units in Abeokuta, the state capital.