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Tag: Abuja

  • PDP leads in Airport road, Abuja

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday led in the Presidential and National Assembly elections in many polling units on Airport Road, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that sorting and counting of votes at some of the polling units lasted until 4.30a.m. on Sunday.

    At Pyakasa Unit, Mr Sadiqu Abdulrazak, the Presiding Officer,  said that Mr Atiku Abubakar of PDP scored 1,205 votes while the President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 173 votes.

    Abdulrazak also announced that the senatorial candidate of PDP secured 913 votes against 444 votes got by the APC candidate.

    The PDP House of Representative candidate won with the total of 1,102 votes against the APC candidate who scored 240 votes.

    Similarly, Mr Adetokunbo Semi, the Presiding Officer at Lugbe Market, FCT, Polling Unit 010, announced that  Atiku scored 368 votes while Buhari got 135 votes.

    He also announced that the senatorial candidate of PDP polled 350 votes while that of APC got 107 votes, adding that   the House of Representative candidate of the PDP won with 351 votes while that of  APC scored 130 votes.

    The Presiding Officer at Gidan Mangoro Chief Palace Ward 008 Lugbe, Mr Hilarry Seifegha, announced that the PDP presidential candidate polled 699 votes while that of APC got 334 votes.

    He said that the senatorial candidate for PDP got 699 votes, while APC polled 363 votes, and that the House of Representative’s candidate for PDP won with 672 while his APC counterpart polled  333 votes.

    At the Polling Unit 008A, located at the King of Kings Academy, PDP’s  presidential candidate polled 548 votes while the APC candidate got 164; senatorial candidate for PDP got 699, while that of APC got 363, and House of Representative’s candidate for PDP won with 506 votes  while that of APC polled  275.

    At Kuchingoro Polling Unit 020,  PDP presidential candidate scored 704 votes while that of  APC candidate got 319 votes.

    The PDP  senatorial candidate  got 609 votes from the unit while that of APC secured 350 votes.

    The PDP  House of Representative’s candidate won with 687 votes while that of APC polled 350 votes.

    President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, however, led in Karamajiji Polling Unit 018 with 664 votes, leaving his PDP counterpart with 471 votes.

    The senatorial candidate for APC secured  675 votes from the unit to beat the PDP candidate who polled 490 votes, while the APC  candidate for the House of Representatives won with 658 votes against his PDP counterpart’s 471 votes. (NAN)

  • PDP leads Gwarimpa, Life camp polling units

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) on Saturday led in the Presidential and National Assembly elections at the LEA Primary School, Galadima, polling unit, Gwarimpa and Life Camp polling unit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting ended in the units at 3.p.m., while that of the Model City Gate, Gwarimpa Polling Unit ended at 4:30p.m.

    At LEA Primary School, only the Presidential results were ready with PDP having 707, and APC got 194, out of a total votes of 879, while invalid votes were 112.

    However, the Presiding Officer, Auwal Kundi said that the results for the Senate and Legislature were not ready, adding that they would be concluded on Sunday morning.

    Kundi complained that provisions were not made for food and drink since they came to the unit in the early hours of the burning.

    “Can you imagine that up till now, we have not taken anything,’’ he said.

    Similarly, PDP led the Presidential election in Gwarimpa Model School Polling unit 024 with total votes of 673, with APC having 272, other parties had 30 votes and 45 invalid votes were recorded.

    PDP also won the Senatorial and House of Representative with 645 votes and 621, while APC got 273 for Senatorial seat and 276 votes for House of Representative.

    Similarly, at Gwarimpa Model Gate Polling Unit 013B, the results were – Pesidential, APC- 215, PDP- 973; Senate, APC-233, PDP- 923, House of Representative; APC-227, while PDP got 887 votes,’’ he said.
    At Efab Estate Lifecamp Unit 017, PDP won the senatorial seat with 844 votes ,while APC got 267 votes and for the seat of House of Representatives, PDP got 798 and APC got 270 votes.

    PDP won the Presidential position with total votes of 833 votes while APC got 258 votes, according to the Presiding Officer, Mr Bede Nwankwo.

    Meanwhile, a voter, Mr Anthony Asonaya, at the LEA Primary School, Galadima, Gwarimpa polling unit donated a generator for INEC complete the collation of results, which extended to as late as 9 p.m.

    Asonaya said he had been providing generator in that unit for the past three elections since 2011 to support the process.

    He said that his motivation was to ensure that the process was transparent and went smoothly.

    “Above all, my love for the country has made me to help INEC in the exercise,’’ he said.

  • Abba Kyari pleased with polls

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, on Saturday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the professionalism exhibited in the conduct of the election process at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

    Speaking with State House Correspondents after voting, Kyari also expressed satisfaction at the large turnout of voters.

    He said that the conduct of voters during accreditation and voting, which commenced around 9:20 am at both Villa Polling units of 021 and 022, was impressive.

    Former Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe, also commended voters for their patience during the process.

    According to her, she brought to the attention of the INEC officials the need to educate the illiterate voters on how to differentiate between the colours of the card for presidential, which had red features, black for senatorial and green for the House of Representatives to avoid any mix-up.

    Read Also: Abba Kyari: A man for all seasons

    She also expressed dismay that voters arrived before the INEC officials and that they took a longer time than necessary to set up.

    Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe encouraged those with PVCs that were yet to come out to vote, to do so as the process was safe and peaceful.

    Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) attended to the enthusiastic voters who queued at six different points for the exercise as directed by the officials.

    The son of the President, Yusuf Buhari also participated in the voting process.

  • NiMet predicts sunny, hazy weather for Saturday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny, hazy and partly cloudy weather conditions with thundery activities over most parts of the country on Saturday.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook on Friday, in Abuja, predicted partly cloudy conditions over central cities with day and night temperatures of 33 degrees celsius to 38 degrees celsius and 17 to 28 degrees celsius.

    It also predicted prospects of thunderstorms over Nassarawa, Lokoja, Abuja and Makurdi in the afternoon and evening periods.

    The agency predicted that Northern states would experience sunny and hazy morning with sunny conditions in the afternoon and evening and day and night temperatures of 33 degrees celsius to 40 degrees celsius and 17 to 24 degrees celsius.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts hazy weather

    According to NiMet, Southern states will experience partly cloudy and cloudy conditions over the inland cities in the morning hours.

    It further predicted chances of localised thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening periods with day and night temperatures of 33 degrees celsius to 39 and 19 to 27 degrees celsius.

    “Sunny and hazy conditions are anticipated over the Northern region.

    “Partly cloudy and cloudy conditions are probable over the central and Southern cities in the morning with localised thunderstorms over South region later in the day,” NiMet predicted.

    NAN

  • CBN confirms licences of 898 Microfinance Banks

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed the licenses and operation of 898 Microfinance Banks (MfBs) spread across the 36 states of the Federation and Federal capital Territory, Abuja.

    The number is far less than the 1,028 MfBs confirmed by the apex bank in May last year after the regulator withdrew operating licenses of some operators late last year.

    The report on approval, posted on CBN website, also showed that the apex bank confirmed the operations of two regional banks, and three banks with Holding Company structures, five merchant banks, one non-interest bank and 19 commercial banks, as at last year.

    As part of efforts to enable speedy disbursement of its several intervention funds including the Agribusiness/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), the CBN has said it will in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) start the operation of a National Micro Finance Bank (MFB) this year.

    The new MFBs are expected to further enhance financial inclusion and credit to fund the agricultural sector and small and medium scale (SME).

    The national MFB would leverage on the existing NIPOST presence in 774 local and aid the CBN and the bankers committee effort in accessing the Anchor borrowers fund, SME fund and other initiatives tailored towards SMEs, farmers and the CBN’s financial inclusion drive.

  • Kogi East: Court orders NASS to swear-in Alfa

    …Rejects fresh suit by Aidoko

    A Federal High Court in Abuja finally laid to rest on Thursday the protracted dispute over who between Air Marshal Issac Alfa and Attai Aidoko was the actual candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Kogi East Senatorial District in the 2015 election.

    Justice Anwuli Chikere, in a judgment on Thursday upheld an earlier judgment by Justice Gabriel Kolawole (formerly of the Federal High Court, Abuja) which found Alfa as the actual candidate for the seat, and ordered the Clerk of the National Assembly to swear him (Alfa) in to replace Aidoko, who the court ordered to vacate the seat.

    Justice Chikere’s judgment was on a fresh motion by Aidoko, in which he prayed the court to, among others, determine the validity or otherwise of the judgment delivered by Justice Kolawole in 2018 following a retrial ordered by the Supreme Court.

    Aidoko had appealed the judgment by Justice Kolawole up to the Supreme Court, but lost.

    The Supreme Court had, in its last judgment on the case, on January 23 this year, dismissed Aidoko’s appeal on the grounds that it was unmeritorious and statute barred.

    The apex court upheld an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which affirmed the judgment by Justice Kolawole, in favour of Alfa.

    Read Also: INEC begins deployment of electoral materials in Ekiti

    Rather than accept his fate, Aidoko, again, went back before the Federal High Court to have the court reverse Justice Kolawole’s judgment, which has been upheld up to the Supreme Court.

    In her judgment on Thursday, Justice Chikere was of the view that based on the principles of stare decisis, (the hierarchy of courts) it would amount to judicial rascality for her to sit on a case that had been decided by the Supreme Court.

    Justice Chikere proceeded to strike out Aidoko’s motion and reaffirmed the judgment by Justice Kolawole.

    She also ordered the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently swear-in Alfa to replace the sacked Aidoko.

  • FG to deportees: You won’t suffer for crimes you never committed

    The Federal government on Thursday assured Nigerians recently deported from Ghana that they would not be made to suffer for crimes they did not commit.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the assurance while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to her, the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Olufemi Abikoye, was on top of the situation, stressing that the matter would soon be resolved.

    She said “The story of hundreds of Nigerians being deported from Ghana is disturbing and worrisome. The good thing is that Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana is on top of the situation. Now, he met with the Comptroller General of the Immigration in Ghana and they both had a very productive discussion.

    “But here is the situation, if indeed you commit a crime you have to face the penalties. But what we are saying is that a bad apple should not spoil the bunch. Let every case be treated on its merit. That’s what our ambassador is demanding and that’s what Nigeria is asking for.

    “It’s important that both nations look at this situation, not gloss over it to ensure that our relationships continue to get better and not retrogress. So, we appeal to Nigerians that wherever you are, you are the number one ambassador of the country.

    “The assurance of the Nigerian government is that wherever any Nigerian is deemed to be improperly treated by any country the matter will be taken up.

    “Nigerian Ambassador in Ghana is on top of this situation; he’s meeting the relevant bodies and briefing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria will not gloss over this.

    “We want to appeal to Nigerians to stay calm, be law abiding and at the same time, Nigeria will not tolerate indecent treatment of its citizens. One bad apple should not spoil the whole bunch.

    Read Also: Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s latest move

    “So we should not treat one badly because another one committed a crime. If you commit a crime, you pay the penalty. We will continue to see how it goes but I’m glad that the Ambassador to Ghana is on top of the situation.” she added

    On the crimes allegedly committed by the deportees, Dabiri-Erewa said “Don’t forget we have issues with the traders which we resolved with Mr. President Intervention.

    “So, this too will be resolved. Everything will be done to ensure, like I said, you will not suffer for a crime you did not commit. If however you commit a crime, then you have to face the penalty. Nigeria and Ghana have agreed on this. We will look at each case on its own merit.”

     

     

  • Nigeria to consider reducing oil output for higher prices – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday pledged the cooperation of Nigeria to the effort to reduce oil output in order to attract higher prices in the global market.

    Speaking at an audience with Mr Ahmad Qattan, Minister of State for African Affairs and Special Envoy of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and King of Saudi Arabia, at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari said as a responsible member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria was willing to go along with the Saudi initiative in limiting output so that prices would go up.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said output cuts had always been difficult for Nigeria considering the country’s peculiar circumstances of large population, huge expanse of land and state of under-development, adding, “I wish we can produce more.”

    He, however, said: “I have listened carefully to the message. I will speak with the Minister of State Petroleum. I will call for the latest production figures. I know that it is in our interest to listen. We will cooperate.”

    President Buhari explained that higher oil prices will make both nations stronger and their citizens more prosperous.

    He commended King Salman for his leadership in global oil matters, assuring that Nigeria will continue to accord respect to the Kingdom in that regard.

    The Special Envoy said he had brought special greetings from King Salman and the Crown Prince, and expressed their best wishes for Nigeria as the country goes into general elections.

    Read Also: Buhari swears-in eight permanent secretaries

    Mr Qattan said the important reason for which King Salman sent him was to make a request to President Buhari to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with quotas assigned in January by exiting previous exemption from output cuts.

    He said his country had reduced its own output by 1.4 million barrels per day to ensure that prices went up, stressing however, that Saudi Arabia alone cannot bring stability to the oil market and shore up prices.

    The Special Envoy called for greater adherence to production cuts by Nigeria and hoped that he would take a positive message back home.

  • INEC officials colluding with Gov Emmanuel, Akpabio alleges

    Former Akwa Ibom Governor Senator Godswill Akpabio has alleged some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were colluding with Governor Udom Emmanuel to compromise the forthcoming elections.

    He accused some of the INEC officials of being not completely independent, alleging they have been compromised by Governor Emmanuel.

    Akpabio told newsmen in Abuja the governor has deployed huge sums to entice voters and electoral officials.

    The former governor alleged Emmanuel has no single project to show and has consistently told the people that there is no money in the state, even after collecting refunds spent to construct federal roads by his government.

    He, however, expressed confidence President Muhammadu Buhari will emerge victorious in Saturday’s rescheduled presidential elections.

    The former Senate Minority Leader said: “You know that INEC is an Independent body but some of its officials are not totally Independent.

    “In some states, we have noticed some unholy alliances with the government in power in those states.

    “For example, in a place like Akwa Ibom, we have seen the body language of the government, which clearly shows that they will not be able to conduct free and fair elections, giving all the parties, particularly the APC, a level playing field.

    “This is very easy for you to see and from the body language of people they have recruited to run the affairs, including the ad hoc staff and other support staff for the election.

    “This can be seen from the body language and the kind of things that the trainees are being told. What the National Chairman observes about opposition against APC does exist.”

    He went on: “There are two things happening in my state. One is a lot of fake news coming from the opposition and secondly, is massive deployment of funds to buy people.

    “James Hardley Chase said in one of his books that fear is the key that opens the wallet of the rich.

    “He told the people that there was no money to do project and so, there is nothing on the ground in the state.

    “They have not been able to commission a single project. All the big me that come to my state, they take the churches to pray.

    “When former President Obasanjo came, they took him to church to pray but when they go to other states, they commission projects but nothing to commission in my state.

    “So, now that people are clamouring for change, money is now flowing all over the state. Fear opens the wallet of the rich that is what is happening to the opposition in my state.

    “You can only rig election in a place where you are popular. Today, the APC is all over Akwa Ibom state.

    “80-90 percent of the people are APC. So, when you go to rig election and you don’t succeed, you bring anarchy.”

    On the chances of Buhari, he said: “Nigerians know the difference between apples and oranges. The reality is that this President has done very well considering the fact he took us out of recession.

    “He met many projects on ground and is completing them such as the railway lines. He has invested in massive infrastructure never seen before.

    “I have been a governor and I know that federal budget usually contain 70 and sometimes 80 percent of recurrent expenditure and sometimes, what is left is less than 20 percent for capital projects.

    “But this President has been able to block the loopholes in the system and free more money for developmental purposes.

    “The TSA is a major innovation and as you know, some ministries were operating more than 50 accounts.

    “Today, we have been able to mobilise those funds into one account and over 30 percent of the budget now goes for capital projects. Nigerians are clamouring for infrastructural change and better educational facilities.”

  • Polls: IGP warns troublemakers

    *Says ballot box snatchers will face grave consequence

     

    The Acting Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Mohammed Adamu on Tuesday warned politicians and other Nigerians that it is fully prepared to deal with anybody planning to snatch ballot boxes or make trouble during the forthcoming elections.

    He gave the warning while briefing State House correspondents after security meeting Presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting had reviewed security situation in the country, especially towards the general elections.

    Adamu assured that the police is ready to protect every eligible Nigerian to exercise his or her civic responsibility.

    Anybody that tries to disrupt the elections by engaging in ballot boxes snatching, he said, would have himself or herself to blame.

    He also said that any act of thuggery and touting during the polls will be met with grave resistance.

    He said, “Today, members of the security community and intelligence community came and briefed Mr. President on the security situation in the country.

    Read Also: We are ready for Saturday elections, APC boasts

    “We deliberated on the consequences and came up with the resolve to further provide adequate security within the country so that the electorate will come out and cast their votes without any fear of molestation.

    “Every Nigerian is encouraged to come out on the election day and cast his or her vote without any fear of molestation. The security personnel are ready and prepared to protect everybody.

    “Anybody that feels that he can come out and disrupt process should have a rethink because that situation will not be allowed. If you plan and allow yourself to be used as touts, whatever happens to you, you will take it.

    “Ballot snatching, ballot buying, thuggery will never be allowed, anybody that is planning to snatch ballot boxes or planning to be used as a tout, will have his or herself to blame on the Election Day. So you better don’t allow yourself to be used.” he said