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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Nwosu to INEC: don’t declare a winner yet

    The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) Uche Nwosu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold the declaration of the winner of the election until the constitutionally outlined provisions are fulfilled.

    Nwosu, who addressed journalists via a telephone chat, noted the leading candidate, Emeka Ihedioha, to be declared a winner must have met the mandatory 25 percent votes in at least two-third in the number of Local Government Areas where the election held.

    According to  him: “The constitution is clear that for a candidate to be declared a winner he must have the mandatory 25 per cent spread in at least two-thirds of the number of local government areas in the state.

    “In this instance, the candidate of DP did not meet this requirement as he scored the mandatory spread in only 12 whereas it should be 18.”

    Read also: Borno gov- elect pledges security, rebuilding, resettlement

    Nwosu also alleged widespread irregularity in the three local government areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte.

    He wondered why the three local government areas could return such huge numbers in an election marred by voter apathy.

    The AA candidate said: “This result is totally unacceptable and I am calling on INEC to declare the election inconclusive and arrange a fresh election within seven days as stipulated by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    He also frowned at the conduct of INEC officials, who he alleged colluded with the PDP candidate to inflate the figures in the three contentious local government areas.

  • INEC suspends Nasarawa LG results in Kano

    PDP leads governorship poll 

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended icollation of Nasarawa local government area indefinitely, following criminal destruction of electoral materials by suspected thugs.
    Results of 43 local council areas had been declared.
    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, wgo is candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 29 local government areas and Eng. Abba Kabiru Yusuf held firm in 14 local government areas declared so far.
    With the inconclusive results, the PDP candidate maintained strong lead with a difference of 6,608 votes.
    The results of Nasarawa local government area, which is a subject of controversy bewteen the PDP and the APC, has been delayed following cancellation of some polling units in Gama ward.
    Speaking to reporters at INEC collation centre about 4:00 am, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Riskuwa Shehu Arabu, suspension of the collation of the result of Nasarawa local government followed disturbing reports of electoral violence.
    According to him : ” We have received disturbing reports of destructing of results collation of Nasarawa local Governorship polls by some people which led to the destruction of some of the result sheets”.
    Professor Riskuwa noted that INEC could not continue with collation and final declaration of the result due to the commotion that obstructed the compilation of the results.
    He explained that INEC has resolved to referred to it primary and secondary data from the polling units and wards that will confirm those that will be acceptable within the electoral act.
    The INEC REC maintained that the process will be carried out with party agents to ensure transparency, leading to the regeneration of the Nasarawa local government results.

  • APC rejects suspension of electoral processes in Rivers

    The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers state, Tonye Cole has said that the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the announcement of election results in Rivers State was illegal and aimed to give Gov. Nyelson Wike a soft landing, saying the decision was not covered by the nation’s laws.

    Director, Strategic Communication of the Tonye Cole campaign Organisation, Prince Tonye Princewill wondered why the commission failed to deal with areas where violence was reported, but choose to with hold the result of the entire state when the governorship candidate of the AAC and all others backed by the APC were cruising to victory.

    Princewill said the suspension of the announcement of election results in the state will stop the dethronement of the Wike as the Governor of the state.

    A statement signed by Princewill and made available to The Nation in Abuja reads: “INEC’s decision is illegal because it is not supported by law. Section 26 of the Electoral Act cited in the INEC Press Release is not even applicable because that section deals with a situation where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, then the commission may postpone the election.

    “You can see that this provision does not apply to a situation where an election has already been conducted or held, which is the present position in Rivers State.

    “Since the elections in Rivers State have been held Saturday, INEC is bound by virtue of section 27 of the Electoral Act to announce the results. Having admitted in paragraph one of the Press Release that it has conducted elections on the 9th of March in Rivers State, INEC must by virtue of section 27 of the Electoral Act, announce the results.

    “INEC’s decision to postpone the already held elections is ultra vires, illegal and unconstitutional. Such an unlawful decision can now be challenged in court by virtue of section 26 subsection 5 of the Electoral Act. The challenge can be launched by any of the many contestants at a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction and on such a legal challenge, the decision of INEC shall also be suspended until the matter is determined.

    “Our concerns about INEC and our lack of faith in the REC are continually validated. This was same way they suspended a by election we held a few months ago when it was clear we were winning. Now, the AAC candidate and several house of assembly candidates supported by APC are cruising to victory and they do it again.

    “Can they not just step out of the way and let the will of Rivers’ people prevail?

    Rivers state was largely peaceful. Why not deal with areas where you say you have violence and leave the other results to go through? It’s common sense. Why suspend a whole state? Wike will go. It’s only a matter of time. We always knew this. Now the world knows it too. Not even INEC can save him.”

  • Ayade wins Cross River governorship election

    Governor of Cross River State and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Ben Ayade has been declared the winner of the March 9 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ayade, who won in all the 18 local government areas of the state, polled 381,484.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 131,161, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 4, 818 votes.

    Announcing the results in the early hours of Monday, the returning officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Warri, Delta State, Professor Akii Ibhadode, said the PDP candidate having scored the highest number of votes and fulfilled the requirements of the law, was returned elected.

    According to the statistics he provided, the number of registered voters was 1,486,026, accredited voters 542,115, valid votes 522, 309, rejected votes  11,499 and total votes cast 533,808Governor of Cross River State and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Ben Ayade has been declared the winner of the March 9 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ayade, who won in all the 18 local government areas of the state, polled 381,484.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 131,161, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 4, 818 votes.

    Announcing the results in the early hours of Monday, the returning officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Warri, Delta State, Professor Akii Ibhadode, said the PDP candidate having scored the highest number of votes and fulfilled the requirements of the law, was returned elected.

    According to the statistics he provided, the number of registered voters was 1,486,026, accredited voters 542,115, valid votes 522, 309, rejected votes  11,499 and total votes cast 533,808.

  • INEC declares Emmanuel winner of A’Ibom governorship election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party, winner of the governorship election in Akwa Ibom state.
    Emmanuel polled a total of 519,712 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Obong Nsima Ekere of the All Progressives Congress who polled a total of 171,978 votes.
    Collation officer for Akwa Ibom state in the governorship election and vice chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Osateri Orumasese announced the result of the governorship election.

    Read also: INEC declares Sokoto guber election inconclusive

    Agents of political parties had earlier signed the result except the agent of the APC, Archbishop Sam Akpan who rejected the result and walked out of the collation centre.
    The delay in the release of the final results of the governorship election was caused by the late arrival of results from Essien Udim.

  • INEC declares Plateau gov polls inconclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship elections in Plateau inconclusive.

    Prof. Richard Kimbir, the Returning Officer for the election in the state announced this on Monday in Jos, after collating results from the 17 local government areas of the state.

    Kimbir, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, said the total number of votes cancelled is more than the difference in the number of votes the the two major candidates got, “hence was constrained to declare the polls inconclusive”.

    The returning officer said Mr Simon Lalong of the All Progressive Congress (APC) scored 583, 255 votes while his closest opponent, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 538, 326 votes in Saturday’s governorship elections.

    Kimbir said the total number of votes cancelled in the state is 49, 347, which is above the total difference of 44, 929 in the votes scored by the two major candidates.

    “In line with section 179, subsection two of the 1999 constitution as amended I am constrain to declare this election inclusive.

    “This is because the total number of cancelles votes is above the difference that exist in th votes pulled by the two major candidates.

    “So, in line with the electoral act, a supplementary elections will be conducted in the affected areas in 21 days, ” he declared.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LGAs were votes were cancelled include Shendam, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos and Kanam.

    Others affected include Jos North, Langtang South, Mangu and Pankshin. (NAN)

  • Bagudu re-elected governor of Kebbi

    Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the  Saturday’s governorship election in Kebbi by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The results was announced at the State Collation Centre for  2019 Governorship Election by the Collation Officer for Governorship and State Assembly Elections, Prof. Hamisu Bichi, on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi.

    He said Gov.Bagudu of APC scored 673,717 votes, while Sen. Isah Galaudu of PDP polled 106,633 votes.

    “Atiku Bagudu of APC, having certified the requirement of the law and scored the highest votes is hereby returned elected and declared the winner of the March 9, Saturday governorship election in the state,” he said.

    Bichi said 1,789,975 voters were registered; 820,078 accredited while 814,084 votes were cast; with 793,388 valid votes and 20,696 votes rejected.

    According to the results, Bagudu polled 30,720 votes while Galaudu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured 4,526 votes in Gwandu LGA.

     

    In Birinin Kebbi, APC ascored 79,092 while PDP polled 6,019.

    In Argungu LGA, APC scored 30,101 while PDP polled 23,397 votes, while in Shangal, APC scored 27,012 and PDP, 3,506 votes.

    In Aliero, APC scored 21,923 against PDP’s 3,479, while in Suru, APC secured 39,359 votes and PDP got 5,198.

    In Kargo, APC got 21,899 while PDP scored 805 votes, and in Augie, APC secured 28,479 and PDP polled 11,875.

    In Bunza, APC won with 23,980, while PDP polled 2,114 votes, and in Dandi, APC got 33,315 while PDP polled 5,921.

    In Sakaba, APC had 19,182 while PDP got 1,746, and in Zuru, APC won with 25,507 while PDP polled 4,578.

    In Jega, APC got 53,807 votes while PDP got 1,774. and in Maiyama, APC secured 40,217 over  PDP’s 1,477.

    In Bagudo, APC polled 41,556 and PDP, 2,581 while  in Ngaski   APC won with  20,817 while PDP polled 3,516.

    In Fakai, APC had 14,722 while PDP got 3,729  votes, while in Danko/Wasagu, APC polled 29,635 against PDP’s 4,609.

    APC polled 31, 392 in Koko/Besse, and PDP,  1,216.

    In Yauri LGA, APC polled 25,011 while PDP secured 1,574. And in Arewa LGA, APC scored  35,991 while PDP secured 10,994.

  • Abiodun extends lead in Ogun with one LGA to go

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ogun State, has released results of the Governorship House of Assembly elections in 19 Local Government Areas(LGAs) with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) leading in 11 LGAs.
    Abiodun’s closest rival, Hon.  Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied People’s Movement(APM) leads in five LGAs, Gboyega Isiaka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leads in two LGAs while Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDPC) captures one.
    However, the result  for Ado/Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun state is being awaited.
    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Abdul – Ganiu Olayinka Raji, adjourned for 90minutes to await Ado/Ado/Ota result.
    Below are scores of the four major political parties – African Democratic Congress(ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied People’s Movement (APM) and Peoples Democratic party (PDP) from results of the released 19 LGAs.
    Ijebu – Ode LGA
    ADC – 349
    APC – 13,234
    APM- 4,401
    PDP – 7,289
    Collation Officer  Adewale Salau, FUNAAB
    Odogbolu LGA
    ADC -1001
    APC -12,529
    APM -7,516
    PDD – 3,418
     Collation Officer, Rasheed Adejoro, Federal College of Education, Osiele
    Odeda LGA
    ADC -4,327
    APC -8,030
    APM – 6,454
    PDP -1041
    Collation Officer Sunday Akinyele,
    Federal College of Education Osiele.
    Ijebu North East
    ADC – 541
    APC – 7,268
    APM -2,785
    PDP -3,482
    Collation Officer, Dr. Ayotunde Adebambo (FUNAAB)
    Ewekoro LGA
    ADC – 4,241
    APC -6,492
    APM -7,588
    PDP – 1,418
    Dr. Olubode Olufemi(FUNAAB)
    Sagamu LGA
    ADC -2,486
    APC -23,737
    APM -14,469
    PDP – 4,415
    Collation Officer Adeoti AbdulRateef (FUNAAB)
    Abeokuta South LGA
    ADC – 13,572
    APC – 19,414
    APM – 18,767
    PDP – 1,770
    Collation Officer Sikiru  Olowole(FUNAAB)
    Ijebu East LGA
    ADC – 574
    APC – 10,726
    APM -5,147
    PDP -5,296
    Remo North LGA
    ADC – 947
    APC – 7,437
    APM- 4,897
    PDP – 930
    Ogun Waterside LGA
    ADC – 497
    APC – 8,957
    APM- 5,803
    PDP – 3,211
    Collation Officer: Dr. Jide Olaiya(FUNAAB).
    Abeokuta North LGA
    ADC – 10,453
    APC – 12,130
    APM- 16,708
    PDP – 951
    Imeko – Afon LGA
    ADC – 15,273
    APC – 2,657
    APM- 7,401
    PDP – 529
    Ikenne LGA
    ADC – 653
    APC – 15,109
    APM- 6,553
    PDP – 1,040
    Yewa/Egbado South
    ADC – 9,935
    APC – 8,804
    APM- 13,622
    PDP – 1,721
    Obafemi Owode LGA
    ADC – 5,046
    APC – 13,660
    APM- 8,303
    PDP – 2,233
    Yewa/Egbado North LGA
    ADC – 17,046
    APC – 7,742
    APM -12,208
    PDP – 1,590
    Collation Officer: Dr. Abayomi Adebayo
    Ipokia LGA
    ADC – 3,334
    APC – 12,890
    APM – 26,491
    PDP – 1,846
    Collation Officer: Jamiu Azeez (FUNAAB)
    Ijebu North LGA
    ADC – 1,189
    APC – 10,574
    APM – 7,477
    PDP –  21,851
    Collation Officer : Dr. Gabriel Adewunmi (FUNAAB)
    Ifo LGA
    ADC – 7,260
    APC – 15,642
    APM – 17,614
    PDP – 2,684
    Collation Officer : Dr. Shogunle (FUNAAB)

  • Ambode congratulates Sanwo-Olu, 40 APC Assembly members

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as well as the 40 House of Assembly members-elect of the party for their resounding victory at the polls on Saturday.

    Sanwo-Olu was declared winner of the election and Governor-elect of Lagos by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, having polled a total of 739,445votes to defeat his closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje who got 206,141votes.

    Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the feat was a reward for the vigorous campaign embarked upon by the APC candidate and his running mate across the length and breadth of the State.

    “Lagosians have spoken loud and clear with their votes and have overwhelmingly voted for a government they believe will continue the trajectory of growth that we have experienced in the last 20 years under the APC.

    “It is therefore with great pleasure that I congratulate our great party for a resounding victory yesterday.

    “Again, the people of Lagos have decided to stay on the path of infrastructural drive, economic growth and all round development.

    “While I congratulate the Governor-Elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on their well-deserved victory, let me also thank all Lagosians for keeping faith with the APC,” Ambode said.

    The Governor also congratulated all the 40 candidates of the APC in the State Assembly elections for emerging victorious, adding that it would ensure a seamless relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

  • PDP kicks as INEC suspends Rivers elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspending the Governorship and Assembly elections in Rivers State.

    Rather, the PDP has called on the electoral body to announce the results of the polls, which it said had already been won and lost.

    The main opposition party described the suspension of the elections as manipulative schemes by the INEC and the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.

    A statement on Sunday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, flayed the suspension order by INEC, saying the results of the elections had already been collated.

    The statement said: “The PDP alerts that this is a premeditated plan by the APC-led Federal Government to use the instrument of INEC and security agencies to truncate the wishes of the Rivers people as already delivered at the polling units.

    “Our party contends that elections have been concluded in Rivers state; results of the Governorship and House of Assembly polls have been declared at the various polling units, wards and local government collation centres and all returning officers and political parties in the ballot conclusively have the figures.

    “It is therefore directly incumbent on INEC to declare the final results instead of deliberately creating openings for the subversion of the final process; a development, which exposes the Commission’s complicity with the Buhari Presidency and the APC to enmesh the election into unnecessary crisis.

    “Our party cautions INEC to note that a lot of innocent Nigerians have already been killed by the APC in its desperation to forcefully take over Rivers state.

    Read Also: Breaking: Mob sets INEC office ablaze in Imo

    “The commission should therefore save the state from more bloodletting by immediately declaring the results.

    “Furthermore, the PDP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to reflect on the bloodlettings that have characterized this election, which many Nigerians believe, would have been averted if he had signed the Amendment to the Electoral Act.

    “Mr. President should immediately call the security agencies (who have been annexed as departments of the APC) to end their siege to our electoral process. Any further delay is a recipe for escalation of crisis in our nation”.