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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Breaking: INEC National Coalition Centre adjourns proceedings

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Coalition Center has adjourned proceedings.

    They will resume on Monday by 11am

     

    Details Later…….

  • I know nothing about Oba-Akoko electoral crises – Olabimtan

    …says Report linking him with ballot box snatching wicked, figment of writer’s imagination

    …that sources quoted by Sahara Reporters fake, fabricated

    A former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon Victor Adekanye Olabimtan has described a report published by a United States based Online News Medium,  linking him with the electoral crises that engulfed the ancient town of Oba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state during the March 23rd 2019 House of Assembly Election as completely fallacious, reckless, wild and a calculated attempt from some cowards and fifth columnists to tarnish his hard-earned name and integrity for political exigency.

    He said contrary to the claim by the report that he led armed soldiers and policemen to Oba-Akoko to snatch ballot boxes leading to the killings of two young persons; he was actually ambushed by the protesting youths of the town while on his way to Akure after casting his vote in his Supare-Akoko country home on the Election Day.

    Speaking while addressing a press conference on Monday in Akure, the state capital, Olabimtan, a former governorship aspirant who once represented Ondo, Edo and Ekiti States in Federal Character Commission said investigations have revealed that all the “impeccable sources” quoted by Sahara Reporters in the report are fake, fictitious and fabricated, challenging the news medium to come up with evidence known to tenets of universal empiricism to prove that he participated in the electioneering exercise in Oba-Akoko.

    The full text of the press statements is reproduced below:

    “Gentlemen of the press, you are invited here to know the truth about what actually happened in Oba Akoko on the 9th of March after the State Assembly election.

    “On Monday, 25th of March, 2019, Sahara Reporters published a malicious, false and unverified story against my person. I believe the fabricated news was sponsored to malign my name and tag me what doesn’t concern me. This press conference is necessary to clear my name and put the record straight.

    “I was in my house in Supare Akoko relaxing after voting in my unit on the 9th of March, 2019. Sometime between 1 and 2pm, I got a call from one Dapo Faseesin that there was crisis in Ose, a suburb of Oba. That election has been concluded in Ose but that INEC officials, himself and ballot boxes are in danger.

    “He said he has tried the Governor’s phone number but could not get through. That I should help him raise alarm so that security can be provided for them in Ose. I inquired to know the cause of the problems. He told me that they were been attacked because they disobeyed the order of Oloba by voting their conscience instead of voting for one particular candidate as ordered. He went further to explain that his house, business and properties were being attacked and destroyed in Oba Akoko because he refused to obey the marching order.

    “I immediately put a call through to the Governor to update him. Surprisingly the Governor was already aware of what was going on in Oba. He expressed his surprise and assured me that security personnel will be sent to Oba to secure lives, property and votes. He told me that Alhaji Dojumo, the Senior Special Assistant on Security will mobilize security operatives to secure Oba and Ose.

    “I told the Governor that it is likely I meet Dojumo and his team on the way, as I was already leaving Supare for Akure to resume my duty at INEC office, as the State Agent for my party. So, I was leaving for Akure in the company of my driver and police orderly. We were just three (3) in the vehicle, contrary to the multitudes reported by Sahara Reporters.

    Read Also: Hoodlums burn INEC office in Osun

     

    “My journey to Akure was hitch free until I arrived Oba Akoko. We ran into several road blocks. I was harassed and attacked because according to them I was going to Ose to assist Faseesin and INEC officials to bring the ballot boxes to collation centre. I made spirited effort to explain to them that I was only going back to Akure. In response, they shot and attacked my vehicle with anything they could lay their hands on. Respite came my way when a police vehicle on random patrol arrived the scene. My driver managed to escape with the vehicle while the police whisked me away in their vehicle to safety.

    “Dojumo and his team were able to assist and secure INEC officials, ballot boxes and all those that were under threat. Unfortunately, immeasurable havoc has been committed to properties of Faseesin and other APC sympathizers before security could arrive Oba Akoko. Even the police station was not spared.

    “After every carnage, the perpetrators always look for whom to blame for their actions. As expected they searched for whom to blame and they found a catching name in Rt. Hon. Victor Adekanye Olabimtan. I have been participating in active politics for more than 40 years. I did not snatch ballot boxes when I was younger, I did not even snatch boxes when I contested election. What will then make me snatch ballot box at over 60 years old?

    “This is a calculated effort to spoil my name but they have failed. All faceless people that purportedly granted interview were fake. Their sponsors cannot come out because they know that there is no iota of truth in what they are peddling.

    “I challenge anyone with genuine evidence that I participated in the electioneering exercise of Oba and Ose to come up with such evidence. They are just calling dog a bad name in order to hang it but my God is greater than them.”

     

  • APC wins 3 Senate, 6 Reps seats in Ekiti

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the winner of the 3 Senate and 6 House of Representatives in the State.

    The All Progressives Congress cruised to victory in all the three senatorial districts and House of Representatives seats in the State.

    The INEC returning for Ekiti South Senatorial district, Prof. Laide Lawal declared former Minister, Prince Dayo Adeyeye of the APC as the winner.

    Adeyeye polled a total of 77,621 votes to defeat the Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimiof the APC who recorded 53,741votes.

    In Ekiti Central senatorial district, the returning officer, Prof. Jeremiah Omotola declared Hon Opeyemi Bamidele of the APC the winner having scored the highest number of vote cast.

    He polled 94, 297 to defeat Barr. Obafemi Adewale, who scored 46, 707 votes.

    Also, a former member of the Red Chamber, Olubunmi Adetunmbi of the APC emerged the winner in the Ekiti North Senatorial District poll.

    The returning Officer,  Prof. Fasina Abayomi Sunday announced Adetunmbi the winner with a total  number of 60, 689 votes to defeat the incumbent and candidate of the PDP, Duro Faseyi who polled 49, 209 votes.

    In the House of Representatives results released by INEC, Hon.Yemi Adaramodu of the APC, polled 41,864 votes to defeat PDP candidate, Segun Adekola, who scored 24,707 votes in Ekiti South Federal constituency 1.

    Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, Olarewaju Ibrahim of the APC also beat the PDP candidate with 29,388 votes to defeat Arch. Olusola Omotosho of the PDP, who polled 23, 684 votes.

    Read Also: APC leads in Edo North

    The candidate of the APC in Ekiti Central Federal constituency 1, Sola Fatoba scored 55482 votes to defeat his arch rival, Ayodele Oladimeji of the PDP who scored 27, 836 votes.

    Fatoba was declared the winner by the INEC returning Officer, Prof. Omoleye Ajayi having scored the highest number of votes cast at the poll.

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, expressed gratitude to residents for their peaceful conduct during the election.

    Fayemi, who spoke at the Government House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, where he worshipped along with Prince Dayo Adeyeye (Senator-Elect for Ekiti Central District) and  Hon Sola Fatoba (member –Elect, House of Representatives Ekiti Central 1) and Prof Dupe Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said it is evident that the nation’s democratic institutions have been consolidated.

    He however sympathized with families of victims of election violence as reported in some parts of the country, while urging Nigerians to always seek for peace at all time.

    The governor advised them to see their victory as a product of God’s grace and not as a result of their power or might, urging the winners in the election to be humble and focus on service delivery.

    “We have every reason to thank God for the peaceful conduct of the election in Ekiti State.

    “Two weeks ago, the congregation here raised prayer points concerning the peaceful conduct of the election in our state. And God indeed answered our prayers.

    “The elections held in a peaceful atmosphere in Ekiti. We pray for the repose of the lives lost during the election in some parts of the country and pray that peace will reign supreme in the country.

    “While I rejoice with the winners, I will also urge them to be humble realising that they could not have won by their power or might but by God’s grace.

    “Validation by God and the people in itself is an admonition to continue to do good and to exhibit generosity of spirit,” he stated.

     

  • No cancellation of any election results – Yakubu

    …Ekiti first to conclude collation

     

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu  has said that no cancellation of elections in any part of the country.

    He also revealed that Ekiti state is the first to conclude collation of election result.

    The country went to polls on Saturday to vote in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Meanwhile, the commission has handedover an Eleectoral Officer (EO) to the security agencies over some infractions.

    Yakubu who did not say much about the offend noted that the case is under investigation.

    On the general conduct of the elections, Yakubu said the Commission is happy with the peaceful polls.

  • PDP plotting to declare Atiku winner of election

    The APC Presidential Campaign Council has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the relevant security agencies to immediately activate the provisions of the law on non-official declaration of results, saying the PDP and its agents have completed plans declare Atiku Abubakar as the winner of Saturday Presidential election without waiting for INEC.

    The council, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Festus Keyamo that the plan of the opposition is to create confusion leading to pockets of protests by hired thugs across the country in other to attract the sympathy of the international community.

    Keyamo said as part of the plot, a video recording has already been made by one of the PDP campaign spokespersons, Buba Galadima announcing Atiku as the winner of the election.

    While calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Buba Galadima, adding that the world is watching and waiting on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to say something on the video by Alhaji Buba Galadima.

    The statement reads: “Devastated by authentic results filtering out of polling units nationwide, our usual sources within the camp of the PDP have informed us that an emergency meeting of the main opposition party has been summoned for today somewhere in Abuja.

    “Top on the agenda of the PDP is to activate the last strand of their Dubai strategies that have since collapsed like a pack of cards: they plan to release fake results of the Presidential Election later today or early Monday morning that they claim to have compiled themselves.

    Read Also: Ambode loses ward to PDP

    “Our information is that they aim to create crises and confusion that will lead to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar claiming victory in a day or two from today ahead of the official announcement of the results by INEC. Then, what would follow will be some carefully choreographed protests by pockets of hoodlums in some parts of the country. The ultimate aim is to curry the sympathy of our foreign friends and push us to the Venezuela situation.

    “Our call is therefore to INEC, NIGERIA BROADCASTING COMMISSION and all law-enforcement agencies to continually warn the PDP and all their surrogates like the amorphous CUPP and their likes that anyone who flouts the law on announcement of official results will be made to face the law. Opposition does not confer immunity on anyone to flout the law.

    “In preparation for this reckless move, some PDP social media agents are already flying some kites on-line as to the number of States allegedly ‘won’ by PDP. In fact, Alhaji Buba Galadima, an official spokesperson for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has made a short video announcing PDP as the ‘winner’ of the Presidential Election.

    “As an official spokesperson, he is clearly acting on behalf of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and on his instruction. We, therefore call for the immediate arrest, interrogation and prosecution of Alhaji Buba Galadima in this regard. The world is watching and waiting on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to say something on the video by Alhaji Buba Galadima.

    “Consequently, we urge all well-meaning Nigerians, the International Community and even reasonable members of the Opposition not to be bought by these cheap antics of the PDP. Let’s restrain our wards from being used by these unscrupulous elements. Nigeria will continue to exist after this election.

    “Over the years, the PDP had been declared ‘winner’ of Presidential elections under controversial circumstances. On those occasions, President Muhammadu Buhari never took laws into his hands and declared himself President. He also never declared parallel results. He availed himself of constitutional means to address his grievance by approaching the law courts.

    “Their latest devilish plot against the country is a clear indication that their apology to the Nigerian people was just a hoax. They have learnt nothing and they have forgotten nothing as they just cannot win any election fair and square.”

     

  • Tension as officials, agents flee Ogbomoso collation centre

    There was pandemonium on Sunday at the Ogbomoso North Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office when officials and agents of political parties hurriedly fled and relocated following reports that armed hoodlums were planning to invade the collation center.

    Ogbomoso North, one of the five local government areas in Ogbomoso zone, has 10 wards and 183 polling units, the largest in the zone.

    The tensed atmosphere, which later forced others outside the INEC office to seek protection elsewhere, halted the collation exercise.

    Top officials of the independent National Electoral Commission ordered that collation process should be stopped immediately.

    The Returning Officer, Professor Rasheed Okunola and other collation officers were forced to leave the INEC office at Ogbomoso North Local Government.

    Read Also: Protests over Oyo/Ogbomoso road

    Okunola was reconciling the results of the 10 wards in the local government when the report of security threat was received.

    Officials of INEC accompanied by security agents on receiving reports that hoodlums were set to cause violence, moved all the results to the town hall, at the palace of Soun in Ogbomoso popularly known as Ojude Oba.

    A senior police officer arrived the INEC office earlier in a Police van to inquire from the presiding officer the situation of things.

    Okunola had told the senior police officer that he was rounding off and announcement would be made shortly.

    The results will be announced at the town hall, which has now been heavily guarded by soldiers.

  • APC’s Adeyeye, Adetunmbi win Ekiti South, North senate seats

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Prince Dayo Adeyeye of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Saturday’s election conducted in the Ekiti South Senatorial District.

    INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Laide Lawal, announced the result early hours of Sunday in Ikere.

    While the winner scored 77,621 votes, the incumbent Biodun Olujinmi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) polled a total of 53,741 votes.

    Apart from the APC and PDP, the other parties that participated in the election were Democratic Alliance (DA), Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN), NAC and others.

    The APC candidate won five out of the six local councils that make up the Senatorial District.

    Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Sunday Abayomi Fasina, declared the Sen. Adetunmbi of the APC the winner of the Ekiti North Senatorial District poll.

    Sen. Adetunmbi polled 60,689 votes to defeat the incumbent Senator Duro Faseyi of the PDP who recorded 49,209 votes.

    In the same vein, the candidates of the All Progressives in both Ekiti South constituency 1 and Ekiti North constituency II, Hon. Yemi Adaramodu and Olarewaju Ibrahim were declared the winner with a wide margin of victory respectively.

    Hon. Yemi Adaramodu of the APC won with 41,864 as against the candidature of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Mr. Segun Adekola who polled 24, 707.

    While All Progressives Congress candidates in Ekiti North constituency II, Olarewaju Ibrahim polled 29,388 votes against the PDP flagbearer, Arch. Olusola Omotosho who garnered 23,684 votes.

  • Hoodlums burn INEC office in Osun

    PDP candidate, declared winner of Oriade/Obokun federal constituency

     

     

    Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ijebu-Jesa at Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State was burnt down by hoodlums.

    An INEC official, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the office attacked at about 3am on Sunday.

    The hoodlums were said to have besieged the office, shooting and destroying property within the premises.

    Two generating sets, ballot papers and boxes were among items they destroyed.

    Read Also: Fear in Osun communities over political attacks

    Meanwhile, the INEC has declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Oriade/Obokun federal constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, winner of the Saturday National Assembly election.

    The returning officer for the federal constituency,  Prof. Rasaki Adebayo of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who declared the result said Oke won with over 25 thousand votes against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Siji Olamiju, who polled over 19 thousand votes.

  • Akala plans to manipulate Ogbomoso results, APC alleges

    The Oyo chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has cried out over alleged connivance of Action Democratic Party (ADP) with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate election results in Ogbomoso area of the state.

    The APC Chairman, Ogbomoso North Local Government Alhaji Bukola Badmos raised the alarm at the INEC collation centre for Ogbomoso North where collation of results is currently going on.

    The ADP, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala’s party, which cleared most of the polling units in Ogbomoso main town, was accused of working with some INEC Presiding Officers to manipulate results.

    Read also: El-Rufai votes after four hours on queue

    There was mild drama when the result sheets were badly shaded by INEC presiding officers, making it impossible to get clearly a picture of what the results are.

    The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Rasheed Okunola, had a hectic time dousing the tension when the party agents threatened mayhelm at the collation centre.

    The APC Ogbomoso North Chairman alleged that the malpractice which was orchestrated by ADP would not be acceptable to the APC.

  • Breaking: Thugs set INEC office on fire

    A section of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Office in Ijebu-Ijesha Oriade Local Government, in Osun has been gutted by fire.

    The incident occurred around 3 am on Sunday.

    It gathered that some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs allegedly set a section of the building ablaze along with some election materials.

    An electric generator owned by the commission was also burnt.

    Some of the staff at the building, however, fled the scene.

    Confirming the incident to NAN, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, said it was a minor incident.

    Agbaje said the fire did not affect Saturday’s election results.

    “What happened was purely criminal and does not have any political undertone.

    “Some of our staff heading to the office met some yahoo-yahoo boys on their way.

    “On getting to our office, they discovered that the hoodlums were after them.

    Read also: NEC yet to commence collation in Edo South

    “Our staff dropped the election materials and the generator with them and fled.

    “The hoodlum thereafter poured the petrol on the generator on the election materials and set them ablaze.

    “What I heard was that the hoodlums said someone called them a nickname which angered them but whosoever called them the nickname is not one of our staff.

    “But I can authoritatively confirm to you that the election results were not affected and the building was not razed,’’ Agbaje said.

    The REC added that the collation officer for the Local Government was already at the INEC State Headquarters collation centre in Osogbo with the election results.

    Agabaje also said that no lives were lost. (NAN)