The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Presidency to supporters: don’t incite opposition

    The Presidency has appealed to the supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari not to incite the opposition party to anger as they celebrate his victory in the February 23 Presidential election.

    It also called on all candidates for the governorship and House of Assembly elections to measure their campaign words in order to ensure maintenance of peace better than what was experienced during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Congratulating the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the victory at the poll, Enang said that those celebrating the success should be temperate and humble in order not to do anything that could infuriate the opposition.

    He said, “Let me first of all congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the victory as president and vice president on the Next Level and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “What we as a government and a people should do is to ensure that our statements, our actions, our celebrations and our reaction to those who lost should be tempered, temperate, measured, humble and such that are not capable of inciting the other party to anger.”

    He advised those that won as senators and members of the House of Representatives to talk to their followers to speak less and work more to bring about unity and integration of those who have lost.

    “The real winners in this election are the Nigerian voters; and we are conscious that about 11 million people voted for the other party while 15 million voted for our party.

    “For the incoming members of the National Assembly, first, for the members who have been re-elected; first as Senators and members of the House of Representatives is to congratulate them; for those who are elected new and are coming in, we congratulate and welcome them.

    “We are praying that their actions should also be conciliatory. In the next election we are going in on March 9, next week, we should look at as a party and as a government, the areas and the pitfalls and address them so that there would be peaceful election.

    Read Also: Opposition is jittery, says Oshiomhole

    “I will advise that all those who are going for the election, campaigning, the governorship candidates and the House of Assembly candidates who are going in for the elections, they should also measure their campaign words and they should maintain peace better than was maintained in the presidential and National Assembly elections.” he said

    In the forthcoming governorship and house of assembly elections, he said, tempers would likely go high because the positions are closer to the people.

    “This election is closer to the people; closer to the grassroots and tempers are likely to be higher, so they should measure their campaign actions and speeches,” he said.

    Senator Enang commended the security agencies for maintaining peace during the exercise and appealed to them to maintain the tempo.

    He said “The military agencies did well; they should maintain the tempo as they did so that their neutrality will be sustained; the police, the Army, NSCDC and all other security agencies should maintain absolute neutrality in that exercise; they should sustain that so that the credibility that has been given to this election by the monitors and the international community should be sustained.

    “Finally, I will urge the opposition party which has lost the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) to be measured in their statements and reactions and their decisions. If they have grievance, let pursue the appropriate constitutional channel of a petition.”

  • APC condemns Dickson’s attempts to discredit poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has condemned efforts of the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, to discredit results of elections in some wards in Southern Ijaw and Nembe local government areas of the state.

    The party dismissed as groundless Dickson’s statement against votes garnered in the state by President Muhammadu Buhari and APC candidates.

    The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secrtary, Doifie Buokoribo, also rejected an attempt by Dickson to equate himself with Bayelsa by claiming the state condemned votes polled by APC.

    Buokoribo stressed that Dickson was not Bayelsa, and that the state was neither Dickson nor a political party.

    He advised Dickson to explore the democratic option of seeking redress in the courts if he had any grievances about the poll results, instead of plunging into the realm of reckless and enflaming statements.

    Buokoribo said: “The APC in Bayelsa State considers the government statement as baseless, ill-advised, and reckless. Dickson is not Bayelsa State.  Bayelsa State is not Dickson. Bayelsa State is not a party to the general elections. Bayelsa State Government must not be confused with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: Ondo APC celebrates in grand style

    As a narrow-minded and petty politician, Dickson seems not to realise that he is governor of all, not just PDP. Or are we to assume that APC members in Bayelsa State are from Sudan?

    “The 23 February 2019 elections have taken place, the results collated and winners have emerged. No amount of threat, psychological warfare or fake news can change the results as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “The only option open to any aggrieved party is a democratic court of law. As a lawyer, or even governor who has access to a myriad of lawyers, Governor Dickson should know this basic fact

    “Working in concert with Governor Dickson is the amorphous Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Bayelsa State. Created by the PDP, CUPP is demanding fresh elections in Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Councils won by the APC. Our advice to CUPP: go to court

    “The peace-loving, democracy-minded people of Bayelsa State cannot be made pawns in a crude political game by rogue buccaneers seeking power at all costs”.

     

  • ‘Don’t gloat over victory, humiliate opponents’

    President Muhammadu Buhari was at the Situation Room of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Headquarters in Abuja early yesterday.

    It was his first port of call after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the Saturday 23 Presidential Election at 4.38am.

    His mission was to show appreciation to leaders of the APC and to caution them against gloating over electoral victory and humiliating opponents.

    He reminded that the victory of the party at the presidential election should be enough compensation for their efforts.

    The President arrived at the secretariat around 5.19am.

    Buhari was declared winner by INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who said he scored 15,191,847 votes to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenger, Atiku Abubakar, who polled 11,262,978.

    The President thanked Nigerians for electing him for the next four years. He, specifically, commended the the Co-chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

    Apart from commending the members of the Presidential Campaign Council, he also thanked all those who contributed to his victory.

    Buhari, who also commended the international community for their interest in Nigeria’s development, lauded the security agents for their patriotic roles during the election.

    He said: “First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God, who has spared our lives to witness another victory for Nigerian democracy and victory for our party APC.

    “I thank the millions of Nigerians who voted to re-elect me as your president for the next four years. I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to you for judging me worthy of continuing to serve you and for your peaceful conduct.

    “In particular, I would like to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his masterful leadership as Co-chair of the Campaign Council. I would like to also thank the party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the Director-General of the Campaign Council Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other various support groups.

    “My grateful thanks go to all those who contributed to the logistical expenses of the campaign in such a vast country like Nigeria.

    “I also thank the millions of volunteers, self-appointed overseers, canvassers, agents, escorts and sentries who sacrificed so much of their time and resources to ensure the success of these elections. I do not have the words adequate to thank them.

    Read also: Peaceful polls victory for Nigeria, says Buhari

    “Although Saturday’s elections were relatively peaceful, troublemakers in a handful of states attempted to disrupt an otherwise orderly process. Security agencies will bring to justice all those arrested in the process.

    “I am very sad at the grievous loss of lives during these elections. Security agencies will step up their efforts to protect voters in the forthcoming State elections.

    “I would like to commend our security agencies, as severely overstretched as they are, for handling the difficult task of securing the country during the election period.

    “I will like to make a special appeal to my supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition. Victory is enough reward for your efforts.

    “We give thanks also to our domestic and international observers for contributing to the success of our elections and for their interest in our country and our developing democracy.

    “The new administration will intensify its efforts in security, restructuring the economy and fighting corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.

    “I thank you for your support and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    With the him at the campaign council were: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Tinubu, Osiomhole, Transport Minister & Director-General of the campaign council, Rotimi Amaechi,  among other party supporters.

  • Kwara monarchs endorse AbdulRazaq

    Traditional rulers in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State yesterday threw their weight behind the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, ahead of the March 9 governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

    The monarchs spoke at Ajase-Ipo, the ancestral headquarters of the local government.

    AbdulRazaq resumed a fresh campaign tour of Kwara southern ahead of the polls.

    On behalf of Olomu of Omu Aran, the Chairman of Royal Council in Irepodun, AbdulRahm Oladele Adeoti said: “We started the APC revolution here in Kwara south and there’s no going back. You are going to win by a landslide victory in the election.”

    AbdulRazaq said his administration would be fair to all segments of the state.

    “Our government won’t discriminate against any section of Kwara. We’ll share jobs and appointments fairly,” AbdulRazaq said at the palace of Alofa of Iloffa, Oba Samuel Dada, where several traditional rulers in the region met him.

    The APC candidate presented copies of his manifesto to the monarchs and community leaders.

    Urging Kwarans to give him a chance to serve them, AbdulRazaq said his administration would open up the rural areas for development to boost investments in agriculture, agro-processing factories, provide jobs for youths and halt rural-urban drift.

    The APC candidate promised to rebuild public schools and hospitals, strengthen entrepreneurship and small scale businesses in a bid to boost the state’s internal generated revenue (IGR).

    He also pledged to accord utmost respect to the traditional institutions and ensure that local government areas are allowed to serve the grassroots.

    AbdulRazaq said: “But to do this, we urge you to vote for APC. We don’t want to be in the opposition in Kwara. We have a lot of great programmes for our people. Importantly, we won’t disrespect our traditional institutions. We will honour our royal fathers.

    “We’ve had enough of bad governance and the bleeding of public resources. O To Ge! Let’s try something new and different. Our opponents have run out of ideas.

    “We’ll bring development. We’ll take special interest in the security of life and property. At the moment, there’s hardly any functional bank from Ekiti to Offa.

    “Where there’s no banking institution, development will be hard, whether you are into saw mailing or agriculture.”

  • ‘Victory ends dominance of few’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Dr Olusegun Osinkolu, has said the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s poll has ended the tyrannical tendencies and dominance of few cabals in the country.

    Osinkolu said the few politicians who had been dictating the pace and holding Nigerians by the jugular had been politically retired to their ‘family fortress’

    He noted that that the President’s re-election victory testified to the fact that Nigerians were appreciative of the monumental achievements of the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The party chieftain said Nigerians had spoken through their votes that the present government is people-oriented.

    The Director General of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation congratulated members of his council in Ekiti State for delivering the state to the President.

    He hailed Nigerians for showing their desire for a more prudent, decent and masses-oriented party, like the APC, to lead the people for another four years and rid the nation of corrupt tendencies.

    In a congratulatory message yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, especially to the APC political family, Osinkolu praised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for allowing the votes of Nigerians to count in a transparent electoral process.

    “On behalf of the campaign council in Ekiti, I congratulate President Buhari for this resounding victory. It signposts the end of tyranny and political dominance of a few cabals in our dear nation, especially those who have been dictating the pace and holding Nigerians by the jugular.

    “With this well amplified appreciation shown by the masses to President Buhari’s presidency, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must have swallowed its pride and much-touted mantra that the present government under Buhari’s watch was incompetent and not intellectually-inclined to drive Nigeria to success.

    “We felicitate with Nigerians at this auspicious time that they have decided to revalidate the government they put in place in 2015.”

  • It’s over for Saraki politically, says Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday mocked Senate President, Bukola Saraki for losing his re-election bid.

    He said though the ruling party had been planning to impeach the Senate President, it was better his constituents retired him politically from the Red Chamber.

    He spoke with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari who was declared winner of last Saturday’s election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Oshiomhole also pointed out that there was apprehension before the February 23 presidential election over who was going to win the election.

    He said President Buhari’s statement that the ruling party should be magnanimous with the victory was what was expected of a statesman.

    According to him: “Even in victory, he sowed humility and hand of fellowship to those who share commitment to the future of Nigeria and contested against him. But in every race, there would always be a winner.”

    Apparently referring to Saraki, who lost his bid to return to the Senate, Oshiomhole said: “People who came to the senate with less than a 100,000 votes and began to hold the country to ransom, their own people have recalled them home.

    “While we were saying that we will impeach them, their people said they would rather bury them.

    “Politically, now, they are out. It shows the power of democracy, it’s a leveler, an equalizer.

     “You cannot be bigger than the people.  Our people say that a politician is likened to an Okro tree. It should never grow taller than the person who planted it.

    “And those who plant the political okro tree are the Nigerian people. I think, a couple of lessons have been learnt.

    “This game is for those who are humble, those who believe in the people. There are no dynasties, the people are the sovereign.

    “When they borrow you the power, remember, it is only lend to you, and it will expire, and it will require renewal. If you don’t behave, thy will remove you.”

    On false prophesy about Nigeria, he said: “For those analysts who have been active since 1999 in his fourth republic, this is the most keenly contested election and my joy is that first, in the electioneering season, given all issues about security in Nigeria, there is no incident of terrorists attack except one or so in maybe Yobe or somewhere. That for me, to God be the glory.

    “The second is people who had predicted that Nigerians are going to fight, are going to war and that we are preparing for a Second World War. I am sure again, they have been put to shame.

    “I know that Nigerians believe in their country, we appreciate our friends but we also know that those friends will never accept us as citizens of their country.

    “The only country we cannot be deported, the only country we don’t need visa to stay, no matter who you are, no matter what you do, is Nigeria.

    “It is the only home we can truly call our own. Even for those who have multiple passports of various nationalities because their real country is Nigeria.”

  • Ogun APC rally: Police arrest six suspects

    Six persons suspected to be among those who mobbed President Muhammadu Buhari during the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) mega rally in Ogun State have been arrested, the police said on Wednesday.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Police Command Wednesday evening and signed by spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP).

    According to Oyeyemi, Olaoye Tunde, 43, Bashiru Alli, 40, Ayoola Muyiwa, 50, Yakubu Wahab, 28, Opeyemi Omiyefa, 31, and Akeem Biliaminu, 38, had since been arrested and were being prosecuted before a Chief Magistrates’ Court II, Isabo in Abeokuta.

    Oyeyemi said: “The ugly incident of Monday February 11 during the APC Presidential campaign has been viewed with all seriousness, as any act of that nature under any guise will not be tolerated

    “For the information of the public,  six amongst the hoodlums namely:- Olaoye Tunde, 40, Ayoola Muyiwa, 50, Yakubu Wahab, 28, Opeyemi Omiyefa, 31, and Akeem Biliaminu, 38, who partook in that incident have since been arrested and were currently being prosecuted at Chief Magistrate Court II Isabo Abeokuta.

    Read Also: Buhari defeats Atiku in Ogun

    The command is using this opportunity to warn anybody who might have the intention of fomenting any form of trouble to stay clear of Ogun State as such person or group will be decisively dealt with according to the law of the land.”

    He said Police Commissioner Ahmed Illiyasu praised the people of the state for conducting themselves well during the elections, adding that the peaceful conduct of the exercise showed high level of political maturity, tolerance and enlightenment on the part of the people.

    “On our part as an institution saddled with the responsibility of protecting life and property, we wish to reiterate our commitment to provision of adequate security before, during and after the remaining elections coming up on March 9.

    “Since another round of campaign has commenced, the command hereby appeals to the actors in the field of politics to play the game in accordance with laid down rules and regulations as any act of violence, thuggery and hooliganism will not be tolerated.”

     

  • Edo agog as Shaibu leads Buhari’s victory celebration

    Chieftains and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) trooped to the streets in Benin City, on Wednesday, to celebrate the victory of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the party in the February 23 presidential election.

    The entourage was led by the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, who expressed appreciation to Edo people for the improvement in the showing at the polls, and said that the state government appreciates them for their faith in the party.

    He added that the state government is even more reinvigorated to deliver on its promise to the people, noting that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government will continue to prioritise the interest of the people over all else in the state.

    The deputy governor led the supporters on behalf of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is in Abuja on official assignment, through different parts of Benin City, including Oba Market, Kings Square, Airport Road, to celebrate and thank Edo people for supporting the re-election bid of the president.

    Notable dignitaries in the entourage were chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Anselm Ojezua; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., Representative-elect, Ovia Federal Constituency, Dennis Idahosa, Youth Leader, Edo APC, Valentine Asuen, among others.

    The result of the presidential election in the state released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), showed that the APC secured 267,842 votes while the PDP polled 275,691. The party’s performance is an improvement from the previous presidential election in the state.

    Read Also: Senator Urhoghide re-elected in Edo

    Earlier, in a congratulatory message to the President, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said: “I salute the renewed resolve of Nigerians to cast their ballot for uprightness and honesty, exemplified by your leadership and for endorsing the people-centred programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under your guidance.”

    He explained that another four years of president Buhari’s leadership “will provide the much-desired impetus for good governance, the ongoing war on corruption, completion of ongoing infrastructural projects and boost our new image in the comity of nations.”

     

  • Eyengho demands cancellation of Warri Fed. Constituency poll

    The All Progressives’ Congress (APC) candidate for Warri Federal constituency Alex Eyengho has called for the “outright cancellation” of the elections in the entire area.

    Demanding that he be declared winner, he alleged the votes awarded to the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Thomas Ereyitomi were fraudulent.

    Speaking during a press conference in Warri on Wednesday, Eyengho described the electioneering process as “rogued and crooked” as well as trailed with all manner of electoral malpractices, including ballot box stuffing, vote buying among others.

    “In the riverine areas, particularly in Warri North and Warri South West, there were life-threatening intimidation and violence.

    “Before the election started, some group of youths from the bush invaded the community, Ijaghala in Ugborodo, and attacked people. The INEC officials out of fear scampered for safety.

    “It was after my calls to the Army headquarters that they (INEC officials) returned hours later.

    Read Also: Three killed, 20 injured in Warri

    “In other places it was worse. Most of the votes counted were not recorded by the card readers. It is only accredited votes that should be counted,” he recounted.

    Eyengho also fingered INEC’s staff, ad-hoc staff and security agencies as the marred exercise.

    Congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari for his victory in the presidential polls, he stated it shows the President “is a man of the people and not a tiny cabal”.

    Assuring constituents he will employ all legal and peaceful means to regain his stolen mandate, he thanked them for their support throughout the exercise.

    Responding to reports that his defeat is as a result of his failure to campaign in the area, the APC candidate recalled “vicious lies, propaganda and de-marketing” his campaign suffered in the build up to the elections.

    He stated that he campaigned in all three council areas of the federal constituency, including visiting the traditional rulers.

    “It is preposterous and laughable. It is there for the electorates to see. They demonstrated that right by giving me the physical votes,” the APC candidate added.

    The PDP candidate was declared winner, Tuesday, having a total of 152, 874 votes, against Eyengho’s 18, 443.

     

     

  • Different strokes, different folks

    •Winners rejoice, losers complain

    Winners and losers are speaking out on the outcome of the National Assembly elections, report our correspondents.

    PDP to APC: meet us in court

    over Dogara’s re-election

     

    Alhaji Hamza Akuyam, the Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go to court if the APC have issues with the re-election of Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    Akuyam threw the challenge yesterday in Bauchi while reacting to Monday’s news conference by the APC where it alleged that Dogara’s re-election was marred by irregularities.

    He said that the re-election of Dogara in Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Dass Federal Constituency in Saturday’s National Assembly election was done in line with electoral guidelines.

    Akuyam observed that no adverse report was issued either by international or domestic election observers or security agencies during the polls.

    He therefore wondered where APC might have gotten its own facts that the polls were marred by irregularities.

    Akuyam said that APC under the leadership of Alhaji Uba Nana raised various issues just to simply discredit the election.

    According to him, Nana simply addressed journalists to cause mischief and to subvert the PDP’s ideals.

    The PDP chairman further observed that in spite of false claims by APC, there was no petition written either by the party or individual to disclaim Dogara’s victory.

    He challenged APC chieftains in the state to seek legal redress if they felt strongly about the re-election of Dogara.

     

    PDP rejects Katsina State

    presidential election result

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the presidential election result from Katsina State over alleged irregularities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an indigene of the state, polled 1,232,133 votes to beat Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who scored 303,056 votes in the poll.

    Alhaji Salisu Majigiri, the state PDP Chairman, disclosed the party’s position at a news conference on Tuesday in Katsina.

    He alleged that there were some election irregularities committed in some local government areas of the state during the poll that were unacceptable to the PDP.

    “Like in Kankara Local Government Area, some uncustomised result sheets are used to enter results, even though, they are from INEC, but are not the ones specifically supposed to be used for 2019 elections.

    “In other places, there are over voting which we also observed, we are not satisfied with the result, that is why we rejected it and refused to sign.

    “We raised objections on these issues during collation, but we are overruled.

    “We will also raise these issues in Abuja during the final collation,” he said.

     

    Reps seats for APC in Zamfara

     

    The Returning Officer for Kaura-Namoda/Birnin-Magaji Federal Constituency, Salisu Sabo, has declared the candidate of APC Ibrahim Mohammed winner of the election with 35,795 votes beating the PDP’s candidate, Alhaji Sani Umar who scored 23,672 votes.

    Sabo said other candidates who took part in the election are- Ahmad Rabiu of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who got 430 votes and Aminu Isa Sakajiki of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) who got 1,383 votes among others.

    The APC’s candidate for Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abubukar Hussaini-Moriki has also been declared winner.

    INEC Returning Officer, Dr Ahmad Galadima said Hussaini-Moriki won with 32,915 votes against the PDP’s candidate, Alhaji Bello Hassan who polled 16,638 votes.

    He said the candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 3,231 votes, while the candidate of National Rescue Movement (NRM) got 3012 votes.

    Speaking shortly after, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Lawal Liman commended party supporters and the entire people of the constituency for electing the party’s candidates.

    Liman said APC has retain its position as the strongest party in the state.

    “This indicate that people of Zamfara state are satisfied with the APC administration led by Gov. Abdula’ziz Yari and President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

     

    Akume remains my

    leader, says Senator-elect

     

    The Senator-elect for Benue North Senatorial District, Rep Orker Jev, has said nothing will diminish his respect for outgoing Sen. George Akume, whom he defeated to emerge a senator on Saturday.

    Jev, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 157, 726 to defeat Akume of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 115, 422 votes.

    Speaking to reporters in Makurdi, Jev attributed his victory to zoning and the benevolence of Benue people.

    He described himself as a product of zoning, saying political offices in the state are usually zoned.

    The senator-elect said the people of Buruku Federal Constituency, whose turn it was to field candidates for the slot, loaned it to Akume, who allegedly failed to return it to them for more than 12 years.

    “It is nothing personal; he still remains my political leader. We both presented ourselves to the people to make choices and they preferred me. The senate seat is about service and I am prepared to do that,” he said.

    He said as a Rep member, he was not new to the processes of representation and pledged to enact laws that would benefit the rural populace.

    The senator-elect said he was conversant with the needs of his constituents as he had been involved in carrying out rural projects.

    He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the credible conduct of the polls but appealed for prior notice whenever contemplating a shift in election dates.

     

    Uduaghan faults Delta

    South Senatorial election

     

    Former Governor of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for the cancellation of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

    He made the call in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr Monoyo Edon, yesterday in Warri.

    Uduaghan, who contested for the Delta South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the election was marred with irregularities.

    “I wish to state that the election was fraught with a lot of electoral malpractices and ballot stuffing.

    “It was also crippled with electoral violence in some parts of Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri North and Isoko North Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    “I have already petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the irregularities during collation and final announcement of result at the Senatorial Collation Centre in Oleh, Isoko South,” he said.

    Uduaghan, however, appealed to APC supporters and the people of Delta South to remain calm as further directives would be communicated soon.

    He thanked them for their loyalty throughout the electioneering period.

    According to the result announced on Tuesday by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Oladipupo Adesina, Sen. James Manager polled 258,812 votes to defeat Uduaghan, who scored 125,776 votes.

     

    APC accuses REC in

    Cross River of compromise

     

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, Mr Frankland Briyai, of compromise in Saturday’s presidential election in the state.

    The party’s agent for the election, Mr Obono Obla, made allegation while speaking with newsmen in Calabar yesterday after the collation of the results.

    In the result announced by the Collation Officer for the election in the state, Prof. Akim Ibhadode, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 295,737 votes to defeat All Progressive Congress (APC), which got 117,302 votes.

    He announced that the state had 1,512,915 registered voters, out of whom 461,033 were accredited for polling, adding that the election recorded 421,889 valid and 24, 145 voided votes.

    Obla alleged that the REC had on the eve of the election said that APC had no candidate in the state, and described the statement as “orchestrated’’.

    He said the pronouncement was calculated to affect the impact of APC during the election by making the electorate disenchanted with the party.

    According to Obla, it is not the place of the REC to make statements on legal issues; as long as I am concerned, APC has no issues in the state.

    “I think the REC is compromised because I do not see any reason why he should make that pronouncement which affected the fortunes of APC in the election in Cross River.’’

    Obla also alleged that the election in Central Senatorial District of the state was characterised by violence generated by PDP agents.

    “You saw what happened; there was no election in Boki and Etung Local Government Areas. In Yakurr, there were thugs everywhere which made the whole place unconducive for election to take place.

    “I saw it and I am not impressed; we will investigate and thereafter we will issue a statement,” he said.

    The PDP agent for the election, Mr Asuquo Ekpeyong, said the party was satisfied with the election result from the local government areas except in Etung where it was cancelled.

    Ekpeyong said that Card Readers were not used in two wards in Abi Local Government Area, adding that PDP had demanded a review of card readers used in the central part of the state.

    “What happened in Abi is a travesty. The people were robbed of their mandate and we must look into the results of those wards and the processes that led to the results.

    “PDP won fair and square across the LGAs; we were cheated in Abi even though we won in the presidential election there. All we are asking for is a review of the wards in Abi LGA’’.

    The REC had said that INEC was ready to conduct a re-run in the wards that had issues, but that the result would first be presented to the commission’s National Headquarters.

     

    APC lauds INEC for

    peaceful elections in Ekiti

     

    The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state and the country.

    The party made the commendation in a statement signed by the State party Chairman, Mr Paul Omotoso yesterday in Ado-Ekiti.

    Omotoso, while reacting to the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections lauded INEC for conducting free, fair and credible polls for the nation.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters in Ekiti give kudos to INEC for peacefully conducting the presidential and national Assembly elections in Ekiti in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

    Omotoso also applauded the Ekiti residents, civil servants Local Government workers, teachers and artisans among others for coming out en masse to cast their votes for all APC candidates during the polls.

    He appreciated the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for his support for the party as well as delivery of dividends of democracy to the state within the shortest period of assuming office.

    The APC chairman also commended the media and other stakeholders for their support and professional coverage of the elections.

     

    ‘Saraki’s selfishness

    caused his defeat’

     

    A member of the National Assembly, Senator Abu Ibrahim, has attributed Dr Bukola Saraki’s defeat in Saturday’s National Assembly polls to his selfishness.

    He told reporters yesterday in Abuja that the Senate President’s defeat was a clear indication that the people rejected him due to his crave to satisfy self above people’s interest.

    According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity, the people have become wiser that is why they decided to vote him out.

    “I said we were going to retire Saraki and we have done it. We carried out enquiries at the grassroots and then continued to pray that he should lose. I want to congratulate the people of Kwara for demystifying Saraki.

    “Saraki is very selfish. It is always Saraki first before others. He only cares about himself. The people only showed that they have become wiser,” he said.

    Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated Saraki in Kwara Central in the Saturday election.

    On complaints by Saraki that there were irregularities in the election that led to his defeat, the lawmaker said “those were only the consolation of a defeated man.”

    According to him, Saraki’s defeat only shows he has lost grip of the people.

    “This shows that Saraki no longer has strength. If he feels there were manipulations, it clearly shows that he was always manipulating election results but now that he is weak he can longer manipulate.

    “Wherever he went he was called ole (thief), even on social media,” he said.

    On outcome of the presidential election, the lawmaker said that he was optimistic that President Muhammad Buhari would be declared winner.

    He cautioned that the APC should put its arts together this time to determine leadership of the 9th National Assembly, adding that such step would prevent the controversies that characterised the 8th Assembly.

    Ibrahim congratulated all candidates that emerged winners in the national assembly election, particularly APC candidates.

    He assured that the crop of persons that would make up the 9th Assembly were experienced and would contribute immensely to national development.

    “From what I have seen in the outcome of the election, more experienced hands are coming to the 9th Assembly.

    “The APC has to take control from the onset to provide leadership.

    “The party should come out and decide who will become leaders of the National Assembly.

    “It should not be free for all like the 8th Assembly. I believe there should be a better outing in the 9th Senate.’’

     

    Umeh seeks cancellation

    of Anambra Central

    Senatorial election

     

    Senator Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called for the cancellation of Saturday’s National Assembly election for Anambra Central Senatorial District over alleged irregularities.

    Umeh, who represents the people of the senatorial district, made the call yesterday at a news conference at Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area.

    The senator said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lost control of the election due to its inability to declare a winner three days after the conduct of the poll.

    According to him, it was obvious that the card readers did not work in majority of the places in the senatorial district.

    “In Awka North Local Government Area for example, the card readers did not work in more than four or five polling units.”

    Umeh contested the poll with Mrs Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Sylvester Okonkwo of the All progressives Congress (APC) with Ekwunife declared the winner.