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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Edo poll: KOWA calls for cancellation of results

    Edo poll: KOWA calls for cancellation of results

    • LP, NNPP objects

    The KOWA Party on Thursday called for the cancellation of the Edo State gubernatorial election results following reports of violence and irregularities in certain areas.

    KOWA’s agent at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Benin City, Thompson Osadolor had raised called for the cancellation  following the commission’s cancellation of results in areas where ballot boxes were snatched or card readers not used for authentication.

    He said that since it was obvious that such issues including the open inducement of voters at polling units occurred at different places, INEC should out rightly cancel the entire results and bar parties found culpable from contesting a new election.

    His submission was however countered by agent of the  New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Joyce Edekere and her Labour Party counterpart.

    According to Edekere, NNPP would not back the call for cancellation because it was unnecessary.

    “We’re not joining the call for a cancellation of the elections because we think there’s no justification for such. The elections were fair and INEC gave direct answers to the questions that were raised about elections.”

    Similarly, Labour Party said the elections were generally peaceful, free and fair, insisting that it was baseless to demand cancellation, considering the resources and time put into achieving the outcome.

    “This election was very peaceful. On as much as there were a few issues in some places, INEC has done the accurate thing by cancelling the results of the places affected. We do not see the need for cancellation and we do not support the call.”
    Of the 18 Local Government Areas result announced, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 13 leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with five.

    Earlier, both PDP and Action Alliance (AA) agents demanded that the votes for Etsako Central released by INEC be recounted on grounds that it differed from the copy they got at the collation centres.

  • Edo guber poll: Ambode congratulates Obaseki

    Edo guber poll: Ambode congratulates Obaseki

    …Says Edo people have made the right choice

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday congratulated the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial election, saying that the people of the State have made the right choice.

    Obaseki, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeated his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 319,483 votes to 253,173 votes.

    Governor Ambode, in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the development was not just a victory for democracy but the people who he said would experience continuity in terms of dividends of democracy.

    The Governor, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said the people of Edo have voted for continuity of people-friendly policies and programmes, and urged all the relevant stakeholders in the affairs of the State to accept the verdict of the people and work with Obaseki to move the State forward.

    “Like I said during the grand rally of our great party – APC, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin some weeks back, Edo State, being the heartbeat of the South-South region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, and the decision of the people to speak with their votes in support of Obaseki is a signpost of their readiness for greatness and a testament to the monumental successes recorded in the last seven and half years by the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    “We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Lagos today because of the decision of the people to vote for continuity of good governance and I am glad that the people of Edo have also toed that path and the result will definitely translate to improved social services and welfare of the people,” Ambode said.

    The Governor said judging by the antecedents of Obaseki, he was certain that Edo State is set for transformation and consolidation of the achievements of the outgoing administration in the State.

    According to him, “Governor Oshiomhole has laid the right foundation for progressive governance. He has been responsive, progressive and totally committed to the needs of the people. With the decision to vote Mr Obaseki who is equally people-friendly, reliable, trustworthy, and has the fear of God, the people have made the right choice and I can only urge them to continue to support him to deliver on the campaign promises.

    He also congratulated the people of Edo State for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self-help.

  • Ondo APC congratulates Obaseki

    Ondo APC congratulates Obaseki

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has congratulated the Governor-elect of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on his victory at the just concluded September 28, 2016, Governorship election in the State.

    A statement issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya said the victory is well deserved by the party especially in a keenly contested poll.

    APC lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring the exercise when on smoothly.

    The party noted that the simultaneous Accreditation and Voting system introduced by the commission has largely reduced rigging and violence.

    It therefore, advised INEC not to lose sleep on the new strategy it adopted, but to improve on it for future elections, especially, the November 26thGovernorship election coming up in Ondo State.

    APC appealed to its members in Ondo state to work assiduously for the victory of APC and it candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

  • BREAKING: PDP rejects Edo election result

    BREAKING: PDP rejects Edo election result

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday morning distanced itself from the results of the gubernatorial election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a press conference held at its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s Ugbo Raod residence in Benin City, PDP said the results being announced by INEC, which indicates the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki was in a comfortable lead, were predetermined fabrication.

    At the briefing were the state chairman, Dan Orbih, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Ize-Iyamu and Henry Duke Tenebe. Orbih said the official results from INEC were at variance with the result collected by their agents at the polling units, insisting that the PDP was the winner of the election. He claimed that from the results available to them, the PDP won the election with at least 30,000 margins.

    “It was too early to pass comment yesterday (Wednesday) without reports from agents. We have since received reports from party agents across 192 wards and all polling units in Edo State. The results being announced by INEC are not true reflection of the election.

    “INEC started the process of announcing results in the election at their headquarters in Benin. They suspended the announcement at some point and promised to continue this morning.

    “We took time to look at results from our agents and independent observers. From the results, PDP clearly won the APC in all the local government areas of the state with a minimum of 30,000 votes. But, we have compared them with INEC’s figures and observed there is a wide difference between the figures from party agents and independent observers with INEC’s

    “The result by INEC has confirmed our statement less 48 hours to the election that the Edo State Governor was telling his party members and leaders that they have written the results of the election. Everything the PDP said is playing out.

    “INEC disregarded results from various polling units. Decided to announce the one they wrote before election was held. While we continue to study this results still coming in from riverine areas, we are going to reject the result currently announced by INEC officials.

    “Even areas we won, they have removed most of the votes with claims that card readers did not function in those areas. I wonder what the incident forms are meant for. They were supposed to address such problems. But in this instance, it is convenient for INEC to cancel all the results in areas we won.

    “INEC should take full responsibility for malfunctioning card readers. What they are doing at the INEC is in line with what we said before election. All INEC officials are working in collaboration with Edo State Government who has taken pains to go into INEC office for no cause.”

    Similarly, Ize-Iyamu condemned the results being released by INEC, accusing the commission and security agencies of connivance with APC, describing the outcome as a rape of democracy. The PDP candidate raised serious allegations against the ruling party, claiming that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s government spent not less than N3billion to buy votes at polling units.

    He said: “Contrary to claim that PDP brought in 8,000 militants, the election showed that PDP are law abiding and did not involve in illegality. The delays in announcing official result by INEC was in order to announce predetermined fabricated results.

    “The Figures being announced by INEC do not represent the massive turnout. We have told our agents to bring all the results issued at the polling units. We do not want to rely on the messages they sent. In the next three or four days, will have complete record. From findings, it is clear a lot of manipulation has taken place.

    “At George Idah Primary School, thugs came in, shot into the air and carted away election materials. Till now he has not been apprehended nor declared wanted. At Ward 10 Ikpoba Okah, APC thugs carted away materials. At Ohrionwon LGA, a PDP agent was arrested on the instruction of INEC because she complained about illegality.

    There were over 300 non-Nigerians, whose names were put in the register at Ohrionwon to vote. We wonder why non-Nigerians would be allowed to vote in Edo election. At Etsako East, security agencies were shooting and driving people to perfect rigging plan.

    “The results being announced by INEC were obtained by fraud and use of arms, ammunitions. There was no election at Etsako Central. Materials were seized. We talked about it, condemned it but yet, the results were accepted.

    “The arrest of the journalists I invited from Abuja to cover the election was clearly an orchestrated plan to ensure PDP does not only lose the election but wouldn’t have the evidence of malpractices.

    “INEC used the same result sheet whose serial numbers were disclosed on September 8 before the postponement of the election. These same result sheets were deployed to bring in fake results. Ballot papers and sensitive materials have been thump printed and shifted into the government house since two days.

    “INEC has failed, connived and in conjunction with security agencies, betrayed the confidence of Nigerians. What transpired in Edo is rape of democracy. Everyone is aware that Edo government spent not less than N3b to purchase votes at polling units. PDP does not have that kind of resources at its disposal.

    “A night before the election, APC members were caught with 3,000 PVCs and N15m but nothing happened to them. Within INEC, we have got calls from people who said we should protest the manipulation. Dissatisfied with outcome.”

  • Edo poll: Oyegun accredited for voting

    Edo poll: Oyegun accredited for voting

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun has been accredited at ward ll, unit ll for voting at the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Edo.

    Oyegun who came out at about 10:45A.M said that was the best time to vote at his Polling Unit, adding that democracy has become widespread.

    He also observed that the election has been peaceful so far while commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the security operatives.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”#EdoDecides” count=”5″ show_more=”on”]

  • I’m happy card readers worked – Ize-Iyamu

    I’m happy card readers worked – Ize-Iyamu

    The People’s Democratic Party Candidate in the Edo gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Wednesday praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the organisation of the polls at his polling unit in Iguododo, Orhiomwon Local Government Area (LGA).

    The PDP candidate said the card reading machine was functional and described the elections as peaceful in the areas he visited.

    “The process has started, the turnout is impressive, the security people are around, INEC officials are around, so we’re praying to God that what we’re seeing here is what is playing out.

    “I’m happy that at least in my place the card reader has worked. We hope it’s working in other places too.
    So, with what I’ve seen here I’m impressed, even though because of network difficulties I’ve not been able to find out what is happening elsewhere.

    “But now that I’ve voted we’ll try and phone all those places just to know what is happening. Here, at least, you can see that it’s very peaceful, orderly, the turnout is impressive.”

  • Supreme Court to decide Tambuwal’s fate Dec 9

    Supreme Court to decide Tambuwal’s fate Dec 9

    The Supreme Court has scheduled judgment for December 9 in an appeal by some members of the All Progressives Party (APC) challenging the emergence of Aminu Tambuwal as the candidate of the party for the last governorship election in Sokoto State.

    A panel of the court, led by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour fixed the date Tuesday after parties adopted their written briefs in the case.

    Respondents in the appeal are the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    The appellants Alhaji Umaru Dahiru and Barrister Aliyu Abubakar Sanyinna, who were also governorship aspirants of the APC in 2015 are challenging the propriety of Tambuwal’s nomination by the APC as its governorship candidate.

    They alleged that delegates list for the primary election of the APC conducted on December 4, 2014 at Giginya Stadium,  Sokoto was swapped.

    The appellants want the court to, among others, determine whether Tambuwal was nominated in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and the APC 2014 guidelines for the nomination of candidates for elective offices.

    While adopting the appellants’ brief, their lawyer, Ikoro M. Ikoro urged the court to reverse the decision of the Court of Appeal

    The Court of Appeal had held that the appellants’ suit had become academic exercise by virtue of the election of Tambuwal in the April 11, 2015 governorship poll.

    He argued that the Appeal Court erred in law by holding that their joint suit has no life to sustain it simply because of the conducted general election.

    He further argued that the April 11, 2015 general election cannot take life out of their case or render it academic exercise because the suit had been filed on January 27, 2015 long before the general election was conducted.

    Ikoro, who gave a background to his client’s case, alleged that the respondents delayed the hearing of the case at the trial court through frivolous applications.

    He contended that since the delay was at the instance of the respondents, they (the respondents) should not be allowed to benefit from the delay which made expeditious hearing of the case impossible at the trial court.

    The appellants prayed court to invoke its power under Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act to resolve the issues in contention as a court of first instance in the circumstances of the case.

    Tambuwal’s lawyer, Sunday Ameh (SAN) argued that the reliefs sought by the appellants at the trial court have been overtaken by event since the election has been held and Tambuwal declared as winner of the April 11, 2015 election.

    Ahmeh urged the court to dismiss the appeal on the ground that it had become pure academic issue without any live.

    Lawyer to the APC, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) argued in similar manner.

  • #EdoDecide: PDP caucus alleges APC, INEC of conspiracy to rig

    #EdoDecide: PDP caucus alleges APC, INEC of conspiracy to rig

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and some personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are conspiring to rig Wednesday’s governorship polls in Edo state, the caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has alleged.

    Compromising INEC staff, issuance of sensitive materials including result sheets before elections and alteration of card readers, among others  are the means to be employed to carry out the rigging, the leader of caucus, Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) said at a briefing Tuesday.

    “INEC surreptitiously and in conjunction with APC compiled names and list of INEC staff and persons sympathetic with APC to superintend over election to skew same in favour of APC.

    “Thus, INEC staff earlier listed for the elections was all replaced majorly with people from a particular section of the country, claiming that most people from the South-south are pathetic to the PDP.

    “There was an arrangement to issue sensitive materials such as results sheets and incident forms to the APC before the election to enable them originate fake results and submit same with the assistance of security men.

    “Some top APC members were arranging with ICT experts and some INEC officials to alter the card readers to be used for the election to give an inaccurate figure, which was not generated from the legitimate accreditation in the field.

    “Additionally, INEC unlawfully agreed with some security agencies to move collation centres to police station, saying the action was to give the APC, who are ill-prepared and indeed not capable of winning any free and fair election in Edo State, the covering to bring in compromised results for the Returning Officers to announce,” he said.

    Ogor, who was accompanied by several members of the caucus, said the APC in the State, in conjunction with some security agencies have consistently harassed PDP members in the various local governments of the state ahead of the election.

    The security report which was used as excuse to postpone the election would also be deployed as grounds to militarise Edo to ward off any anti APC voter, Ogor alleged.

    The caucus however appealed to the electoral umpire to live above board, saying, “We urge INEC as an independent and unbiased umpire to forestall these evil arrangements and uphold its integrity. The issues raised herein should be taken seriously and acted upon by civil society, the Nigerian public and the press to give credibility to the electoral process”.

  • Edo polls: INEC relocates Oredo collation centre

    Edo polls: INEC relocates Oredo collation centre

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has relocated the Oredo local government collation centre from the Urhokpota Hall to Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre.

    This is because Urhokpota Hall and its environs is being prepared for the coronation of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.

    It is the place called Eko-Ohae (bachelors camp) where Prince Erediauwa is expected to stay immediately he leaves his Palace at Uselu as part of his journey to the Benin ancient throne.

    A huge tent has been erected at the premises of Urhokpota Hall which is adjacent the Oba Market.

    Electoral Officer for Oredo, Mr. Utong Awajionyi Christian, who confirmed the relocation, said the Imaguero College Hall that was earlier selected was rejected by politicians for security reasons.

    Mr. Utong said materials have been deployed to all the rack camps in the 12 Wards in Oredo.

    He explained that the purpose was to ensure election begins early.

  • Edo poll: We don’t envisage any problem – INEC

    Edo poll: We don’t envisage any problem – INEC

    …Says election going to be historic
    With all the arrangement put in place ahead of Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it was not envisaging any problem that could lead to an inconclusive election.

    The election which was earlier scheduled for September 10th was however postponed on the advice of the security agency to Wednesday.

    Speaking to our Correspondent, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi said report from all quarters have been encouraging, despite the allegations by both parties.

    Oyekanmi also based the confidence of the commission on the assurances from the security agencies that Edo election will be historic.

    He said, “My dear brother, by the special grace of God there shall be no incident that will lead to inconclusive election. We have assurances from security agencies. The Nigerian police has promised to deplore 25000 men and they also have other agencies that are also co tributing men for the purpose of the election and I believe in the new commissioner of police in Edo, who gave assurances yesterday that they will decisively deal with anybody that tries to engage in any act that is capable of derailing the election in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “And so far we have not seen any intention of from the political gladiators to cause mayhem. There has been exchanges here and there, allegations and also of that, but we hope that this will not degenerate.

    “From the point of INEC, we have prepared for this election since March, remember that September 10th was the initial date, and we were for the advices from security agencies that persuaded us to postpone the election.

    “So we are really keen and hoping that as I speak, a lot of deployment is going on, a lot of personal and materials deployment. We are monitoring everything in real time and there had been no problem and I hope that tomorrow we will have a fantastic time and it will be a historic election. So we don’t envisage any problem.”