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Tag: bye-election

  • 1,500 security officers for Rivers bye-election

    …CP pleadges violence free polls
    No fewer than 1,500 security officers are expected to Mann tomorrow’s Port Harcourt Constituency 3, state House of Assembly bye-election in Rivers state.
    The state commissioner of Police,  Zaki Ahmed disclosed this in a news statement in Port Harcourt,  the state capital yesterday.
    The seat was declared vacant shortly after the former occupant,  Victor Ihunwo emerged winner of the June 16, 2018, state Local Government Council elections for Poet Harcourt Local Government Area, and was consequently sworn -in as the mayor of Port Harcourt.
    Ahmed said the operatives would ensure peaceful, free and fair exercise and appealed to all residents to cooperate as those concerned carry out with their civic responsibility.
    He said, “… and most importantly to brief you and indeed the general public on the preparedness of the command in synergy with other sister agencies for the forthcoming bye-election into PHALGA constituency 3, state House of Assembly holding on Saturday, August 18, 2018.
     “As  Command,  we have made adequate deployments for the exercise, to the nature that the bye-electiin is free,  fair, credible and devoid of violence.
    “Consequently, the command with the supports of other security agencies suprintending the election have agreed that there will be restriction of movement of persons,  vehicles,  on  land and water  within the areas concerned,  and between 6 am to 6 pm.
    “The restriction if movement is only limited to mile 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the following description, Abonnema Wharf,  Karina Street,  Omoku,  Mile 3, UST,  Ship flyover, Eagle Island and mile 1 market.”
    The security Boss also warned politicians and the high and mighties in the state against going to the voting centres in the company of their security details, urging them to comply with the provision of the electoral Act, by restricting their movements within their voting centres only to avoid unpleasant encounter with security agencies.
    “The Police and security agencies will be monitoring the exercise, to ensure that there is due compliance to this directive. Therefore any person or group of persons in default will be arrested and prosecuted.”
    He further noted that all entry and exit points to the stated areas of restrictions will be closed throughout the period of the exercise.

  • INEC fixes June 2 for Ibarapa bye-election

    Following the untimely death of the Ex-speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, late Michael Adeyemo, who represented the Ibarapa state Constituency, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday fixed Saturday, June 2nd for the bye-election to fill the vacant seat at the hallowed chamber.

    INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State, Mutiu Agboke, made the disclosure at the Agodi, Ibadan, state headquarters of the Commission during a press briefing, on Tuesday.

    Michael Adeyemo died on Friday, April 27. He was aged 47.

    Agboke, a lawyer, called on political parties interested in fielding candidates for the election to ensure they conduct their primaries between Wednesday and Saturday 19, May, just as he assured voters in the area of conducting a credible election.

    He said the Commission arrived on the date after putting all legal and administrative tendencies into considerations.

    The REC, who remarked that the election would be conducted in 140 polling units of the constituency, said political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders had been invited to discuss the timetable and activities that would lead to the election.

    He said machinery was set in motion to fulfil extant laws as soon as the House of Assembly informed the commission formally of the death of Speaker Adeyemo and the consequent vacancy of his position as a lawmaker.

    Read Also: INEC to redistribute 1.4m unclaimed PVCs in Lagos

    He disclosed that the permanent voter cards (PVCs) for those who freshly registered in the 2017 continuous voter registration had been produced and were ready for collection from Monday next week.

    However, he added that the PVCs for those who registered in 2018 had not been produced, explaining that they would be ready for use in the 2019 elections.

    He said, 630, 853 PVCs were yet to be collected in the state, disclosing that the commission had embarked on a series of advocacy campaign and engagement with stakeholders to ensure make the owners of the cards claim them.

    He said, “The total number of new registrants under CVR is 290, 960 comprising 149, 554 males and 141, 406 females. Incidentally and quite disturbing as at today, 630,853 Permanent Voters Cards are yet to be collected by their owners.”

    He explained further that the commission had taken the campaign to churches and mosques, urging those yet to collect their PVCs to do so at the INEC local government offices in the 33 local government areas of the state.

  • APC wins Lagos bye-election

    Mr  Noheem Adams, Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday defeated eight opponents to emerge winner of the Eti-Osa Constituency I bye-election in Lagos State.

    The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Oyeyemi Oyedola, made the declaration at the votes collation centre, Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

    Oyedola said that Adams polled 4,204 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Arubiewe Abogun of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 1,652 votes.

    According to Oyedola, Action Alliance had 10 votes, Alliance for Democracy, 128 votes; Better Nigeria’s Peoples Party, five;  Democratic Alliance, one  and Progressive Peoples Alliance  eight votes.

    He added that United Democratic Party polled two votes, while New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) secured five votes.

    Oyedola said that the total number of registered voters was 183,551,  accredited voters, 6,280; valid votes, 6,015 and rejected votes, 154, while the total votes cast was 6,169.

    He said that the percentage turnout of voters was 3.42 per cent.

    ”I, Prof. Oyeyemi Elijah Oyedola , hereby certify that I was the Returning Officer for the Eti-Osa Constituency 1 bye-election held on Sept. 30, 2017

    ”That the election was contested; that Mr Adams Noheem Babatunde of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected, ” he said at 10.10p.m.

    Some of the party representatives who spoke to NAN expressed mixed feelings.

    A PDP representative at the collation centre, Mr Adesina Aderemi, said that INEC did a good job of conducting a fair election, adding that it should keep it up.

    ”The security agencies should be commended because it was a violence-free election.

    ”However, the problems in the country made the people shun the election, ” he said.

    The winner, Adams, told NAN  at the centre that he was satisfaction with the process, and commended the residents for having  confidence in him.

    ” I did not know why my people love me so much; during the primary election, my victory was a landslide; the same thing is being witnessed here.

    ”I will make myself available to them as well as live up to my mandate, ” he pledged.

    Adams hailed his closest rival for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship, and promised to work with him to move the constituency forward.

    NAN reports that the bye-election resulted from  the death of Mr Kazeem Alimi, who represented the constituency at the State House of Assembly.

    Alimi died  on July 18.(NAN)

  • PDP wins Gombe bye-election

    PDP wins Gombe bye-election

    The peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Kawuwa Malala has been declared winner of Dukku North Constituency bye-election in to the Gombe State House of Assembly.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed announced the results in Malala, Dukku Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

    He said Malala polled 7,060 votes to defeat his opponent of the APC, Alhaji-Alhaji Inuwa, who scored 4,023 votes.

    Said further said the candidate of ADPM, Yakubu Abubakar, scored 31 votes while Sirajo Mohammed of LP scored 29 votes.

    The returning officer also disclosed that Mohammed Hashidu of GPN scored 29, Mohammed Mohammed of AA got 08 votes while Abubakar Hashidu of AP got 08 votes.

    He said that PDP candidate, having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored highest number of votes, was declared winner and returned elected.

    Siadu said three polling units with 1,700 votes cast were affected by  irregularities and had those votes cancelled.

    According to him, the cancellation will not affect the election, based on the electoral law.

    Malala expressed his happiness and assured his constituents of good representation at the Assembly.

    He solicited for the maximum cooperation and advice of the people to enable him achieve his electoral promises for the development of the constituency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was conducted in 103 polling units across the six political wards of the area,

    The wards are: Hashidu, Jamari, Lafiya, Malala, Wuro-Tale and Zaune.

    Malala replaces late Alhaji Gambo Kabade of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who died in June 2017.(NAN)

  • Update: Osun bye-election result

    Update: Osun bye-election result

    Final collation of results of Saturday’s bye-election for Osun West Senatorial district has commenced at the office of  the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Already the official result of  Iwo Local Government has been announced with the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Mudashiru Hussain  polling 12,205  votes, while Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had -12,547 votes.

    Other official results of the election conducted in ten council areas  are as follows :

    Ede North APC 2,784     PDP 18,559

    Ede South APC 2,096     PDP 13,406

    Ejigbo        APC 12,229    PDP9,723

    Irewole     APC 8,952       PDP9,096

    Ola-Oluwa APC 5,316      PDP5,618

    Ayedere     APC 5,360      PDP5,789

     

     

  • Osun West bye-election: Police arrest 3 suspected thugs

    Osun West bye-election: Police arrest 3 suspected thugs

    Three suspected political thugs were arrested during the Osun West Senatorial bye-election on Saturday.

    The thugs were arrested after they allegedly unleashed   mayhem at Igbokiti Unit  Ward 10 Polling Unit in  Okinni, Egbedore Local Government Council Area of the State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The state Police Commissioner, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, confirmed the arrest to journalists in Osogbo.

    It was gathered that the thugs, who invaded the polling unit with cutlasses, injured  some voters and some adhoc electoral officers.

    Many of the voters were said to have fled as the thugs  stormed the polling unit.

    The police, however, said three of the thugs were arrested and had been detained.

    “It is true we arrested three suspected thugs in Egbedore and their case is currently under investigation,’’ Adeoye  said.

    He  said that the police would not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anybody  who may want to thwart the electoral process  irrespective of  their status, religious  or political  affiliation.

    “With our vigilance and commitment to ensuring  peaceful conduct of the exercise, we are very happy that there is peace and there is no significant case.

    “We will sustain the peace and ensure effective security till the end and even after the entire electoral process,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, collation of results  has commenced  at INEC’s office in Iwo while there was anxiety in the state as both PDP and APC supporters awaited  the final results of the election. (NAN)

  • Low turn out for Lagos by-election

    Low turn out for Lagos by-election

    The bye-election in Ojokoro area of the Ifako/ Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State is going on smoothly, though low turn out was recorded.
    Some of the adhoc staff like National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) arrived the venue of their primary assignment early on Saturday morning.
    The security situation was normal with movement on a skeletal note. The turn out of voters has not been too impressive. At The African Church, unit B polling station, Ojokoro, out of 400 registered voters only 10 had registered and voted as at 11 am.
    Most of the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) were waiting for voters at press time.

  • 5,000 security personnel for Lagos bye-election

    5,000 security personnel for Lagos bye-election

    No fewer than 5,000 security agents have been deployed by the police ahead of Saturday’s bye-election for Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos state.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni made this disclosure during a stakeholders meeting held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

    Owoseni disclosed that there would be restriction of movement in the election area from 12am, warning trouble makers to stay away.

    According to him, the 5000 security personnel were drawn from the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC).

    The bye-election was sequel to the death of the former representative, Adewale Elijah in August.
    He said: ”This meeting is an opportunity for candidates to sign an undertaking for a peaceful exercise. As candidates and leaders to be, you must be able to control your supporters and agents.

    ”The Police, Military, NSCDC and DSS are collaborating to secure the election. We are going to use 5,000 officers and men.

    ”Political office holders are warned from moving freely with their security aids during the election. No vehicle is parmitted to go close to any polling boots.

    ”The accreditation and voting commence same time. Anyone with observation should reach the officials and not take laws into their hands.”

    In his remark, zonal supervising officer, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chief Shoyebi Adedeji said all sensitive materials have been distributed to the wards.

  • Bye-election: Kano state govt warns trouble makers

    The Kano State Government says it is committed to ensuring free, fair and peaceful election during the forthcoming State House of Assembly bye-election in Minjibir.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner of Information, Youths and Sports, Malam Mohammed Garba, and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday.

    According to Garba, the state government would collaborate with all security agencies in the state to ensure free, fair as well as peaceful elections in all the 158 polling units across the constituency.

    “This is in fulfillment of one of the cardinal objectives of any government of protecting lives and property of the citizenry,.

    “To ensure the exercise of their civic responsibility and fundamental right to freely choose their leaders as well as promote democratic principles in the state.

    The statement, therefore, urged the electorate in the constituency to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility, be law-abiding and conduct themselves in an orderly and peaceful manner during the elections.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, government will not fold its arms to allow anybody or group of people to perpetrate violence and illegality at the expense of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of the constituency and the state in general.

    “Government is not unaware of moves by some unpatriotic disgruntled elements to cause chaos during the elections for personal and selfish interests.

    “The prevailing peace in the state and sanctity of lives of the people at all times is non-negotiable and beyond the personal interest of anybody,” the statement added.

  • High turnout of displaced persons for Yobe bye-elections

    High turnout of displaced persons for Yobe bye-elections

    The bye election held in Yobe State on Saturday had more displaced people coming to votes than residents of Damaturu the state capital.
    Our correspondent who went round the metropolis saw a multitude of intending voters at both Government Day Secondary School and Phase I, two designated voting centres for the IDPs from Gujba Local Government.
    The situation was however a contrast across other centres meant for residents of Damaturu as many people were not keen to vote in the election.
    As at noon, many polling units in the town have recorded less than fifty votes in their polling units. At Ajari I, II & III, the presiding officers informed that only 15, 24, and 19 people were accredited and voted.

    The National Assembly seat for Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu and Tarmuwa Federal Constituency was left vacant by the minister of state foreign affairs Hon. Khadija Bukar Ibrahim.
    Meanwhile, the election was held amidst tight security with streets of Damaturu and other affected council areas deserted. Businesses were also shut down in the four local council area to allow security operatives ensure a hitch free election.
    Elections officers arrived polling stations in good time as accreditation and election commenced on schedule.
    Khadija Bukar Ibrahim while casting her votes at the Emir of Damaturu polling station commended INEC and electoral officers for the conduct of the exercise.
    She also praised the conduct of the electorate who she said conducted themselves in orderly manner.
    The National secretary of the All Progressives Party, Mai Malla Buni, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and Hon. Bukar Goni were all in the state to cast their votes.