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Tag: Inec

  • INEC to ‘curb’ vote buying

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Tuesday that politicians in Ekiti State developed several clever means to buy votes in last weekend’s governorship election in the state.

    However, the Commission commended the security agents for responding to reports sent to them during the election.

    The National Commissioner of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, told journalists in Bénin City, Edo State, that the Commission is taking the issue of vote buying seriously.

    May, who is also the Chairperson of INEC Legal Services Committee, said the electoral body was already considering ways to curb vote buying during elections.

    She said adequate enlightenment and education of the electorates should be carried out to make them understand the need to make their vote counts and not about money.

    She said the Osun State governorship poll would be better because of the state are more “sophisticated than that of Ekiti.”

    She said: “INEC is taking issue of vote buying very seriously. I am just coming as part of the Supervising National Commissioner for Ekiti and these things occur.

    “We are having another conference on electoral offences. Vote buying is another electoral offence and we are looking at ways to curb it. Politicians keep trying their best. Politicians were clever in Ekiti. They have ingenious ways to sort themselves out. We will go back and review it and see how we can stop vote buying with the best of our ability.”

     

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayose faults Buhari on Fayemi’s victory

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for applauding and hailing the conduct of last Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election.

    Fayose said Buhari’s action of endorsing the poll he described as a “charade” shows that the President lacks democratic credentials and is not a democrat.

    Despite the defeat suffered by his deputy and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, Fayose said: “I hold my head high and I can never be suppressed.”

    The Ekiti governor was reacting to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in which Buhari endorsed the victory of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The statement conveying the Presidency’s reaction on the Ekiti poll was entitled “Fayose: In the end, a high-powered nothing.”

    Fayose, in his reaction through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, wondered why Buhari endorsed an election he alleged was marred by violence, use of brute force and harassment of PDP members.

    Fayose accused the Police, Army, Civil Defence Corps and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of criminal alliance to snatch the ‘mandate’ given to Olusola.

    He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari should not be happy and applaud this situation whereby the police, army, civil defence and INEC were used to snatch the collective mandate freely given to the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola and delivering it to the All Progressives Congress candidate which Ekiti people rejected.

    “Can you call that election? Of course not, it was a contest between Olusola and the INEC and security agencies.

    “There was indiscriminate arrest of our party leaders, harassment and brutalisation of voters in a massive scale especially in Ado, Ikere and others areas.

    “The thugs imported by the APC operated freely under the cover of security agencies to snatch ballot boxes, create confusion, cause mayhem and drive away voters in PDP strong holds. Our party agents were driven away with gun.

    “Buhari has demonstrated truly that he is not a democrat, but a dictator who is yet to get over military mentality. Muscling of democracy in Nigeria today by the Buhari administration is not about Ekiti alone.

    “Presidential aspirants and PDP states should prepare to have taste of brutality of this administration. This is why we all need to stand up to rescue Nigeria from Buhari.

    Read Also: Ekiti: We will reclaim mandate in court, says Fayose

    “I am Peter Ayodele Fayose, I hold my head high. I can never be suppressed. I don’t lose battles and I will not lose this. I will laugh last. Those waiting for me, will wait in vain.

    “They should remember what the prophet said to that heady king in the Bible, which applies to them. He that wears the armour should not boast as he that removes it.”

    “It is only Buhari that will pride himself with the security shooting sporadically at polling centres, scaring people to pave the way for the APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes.

    “What Buhari has won as referendum from Ekiti people, Nigerians, and international community is shame. If APC has truly won, why is it that there is no jubilation in Ekiti?

    “The victory of Kayode Fayemi is pyrrhic. We will reclaim the stolen mandate in the court by the power of God.”

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayemi’s victory, call to higher service – APC UK

    The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the victory of Dr Kayode Fayemi in the just-concluded Ekiti state governorship election as “a call to higher service”.

    The chapter stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, following the announcement of the outcome of the election by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Fayemi was APC’s candidate in the governorship contest held on Saturday.

    The statement was jointly signed by Mr Ade Omole the chapter’s leader and Mr Jocab Ogunseye, its spokesman.

    The party described Ekiti people as the “wisest for electing a thorough-bred and respected individual” like Fayemi as their governor, adding that they would not be disappointed by the governor-elect.

    “We are confident that Fayemi will not disappoint the teeming followers and the general public of the state who have reposed their trust in his ability and experience to provide good governance for the state.

    “Fayemi has done it before; he has also worked in the higher level,” it said.

    It said that while he served as Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Fayemi ensured that the moribund Ajaokuta Steal Company was revitalised.

    It added that with Fayemi as governor, the people of Ekiti state should anticipate a new era different from the days of “stomach infrastructure”.

    Read Also: Ekiti Governorship election: INEC declares Fayemi winner

    The APC chapter stated that the people of Ekiti would now have an era devoid of hooliganism and deceit in governance that had eroded the value of true governance and era that would not celebrate mediocrity.

    “There is no doubt, expectations are great, the ceiling has been raised, the altitude is higher, and the people of Ekiti cannot afford to live in darkness as they have done in the past four years,” it said.

    It, however, advised the governor-elect to provide an all-inclusive government irrespective of party affiliation “now that the election had been concluded”.

    The chapter acknowledged that everyone had played a role in entrenching democracy in the state especially, and must therefore, be valued and respected.

    In the result of the election as announced by INEC, Fayemi got 197, 459 votes to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent and closest, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, who scored 178,121 votes.

  • Ekiti Governorship election: INEC declares Fayemi winner

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has been officially declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti state.
    Fayemi was declared governor-elect by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Idowu Abel Olayinka at 7.59 am on Sunday.
    Olayinka, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, declared the poll’s outcome after party agents signed the official result sheet.
    Fayemi polled 197, 459 votes to defeat the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and incumbent Deputy Governor, Professor Kolapo Olusola who garnered 178, 121 votes.
    The former Minister’s  declaration was greeted with the chants of APC Change! APC change! APC change!!! by party faithful at the state collation centre.
    According to Olayinka, total number of valid votes cast is 394, 594.
    Total number of rejected votes is 18, 857 while total number of votes cast is 403, 451.

    Other results declared by Olayinka include Accord, 250;  Action Alliance, 41;  ACD, 1149; AD, 216;  ADB, 1082;  ADA, 107;  AGAO, 31; ANRP, 125;  APA, 1199;  and APDA, 464.

    Also declared were  APGA, 70;  ANPP, 14;  DA, 14;  DPC, 147;  DPP,181;  FJP, 42;  GPN, 20;  I.D, 31;, KOWA, 23;  LP, 280;  MMN, 35;  MPN, 23;  NDLP, 44;  NPC, 353  PANDEL, 74;  and PGC, 1242.

    Others are DPA, 632;  PPN, 107;  SDO, 367;  UDP, 29;  UPN, 33;  YDP, 31 and YPP, 49.

    Olayinka said the  total valid votes in the election was 384,594 while  total votes cast was 403,451, with 18,857 votes  invalidated.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner,  Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji,   expressed satisfaction with the conduct and integrity of the exercise.
    Raji said: “We kept our promise and we have kept to our promise.”
    APC agent, Mr. Sunday Adunmo, said Fayemi’s victory is an assurance that better days are ahead.
    He said: “This is victory for Ekiti men, women, young and old. We thank God that we have reclaiming our land and restoring our values.
    “The light is back again, darkness is over in Ekiti.”
    Fayemi’s declaration as governor-elect has sparked jubilation in many towns and communities.

    The PDP, however, rejected the results, saying the election was marred by irregularities and attacks of its members and supporters.

    The party’s agent at the collation centre, Mr Sunday Olowolafe, urged the commission to stay action on the declaration of a winner until a re-run was conducted where there were established cases  of violence, vote-buying and ballot snatching.

    Fayemi is expected to take over from the incumbent, Mr Ayo Fayose,  on Oct. 16, 2018.

     

     

  • Ekiti poll: INEC set for release of results, mounts electronic board

    As residents  anxiously await the result  of  Saturday’s governorship election in  Ekiti, preparations  for the final collation and announcement of the outcome of the crucial poll reached a feverish pitch at the headquarters  of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) on New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the venue reports that stern-faced security operatives had mounted a check point some metres away from the  INEC headquarters.

    The combined team of  security agents had  insisted on all visitors disembarking while they were  screened before entering the premises of the collation centre.

    NAN  learnt that the security beef up followed speculations that some hoodlums might  be planning to disrupt activities at the venue of the final collation exercise,  prompting the deployment of more security  personnel to the INEC headquarters.

    Already, INEC had dismissed the purported results of the election posted on the social media, saying the figures did not emerge from the commission.

    The Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC),  Prof.  AbdulGaniyu Raji, made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday evening.

    “Our attention has been drawn to illegal release of results of the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State on the social media.

    ” Consequently, we wish to inform the general public  that the Ekiti state governorship election   is still ongoing.

    “Counting of ballots is still in progress, collation of results is equally going on in some areas.

    ” All the floating news in the social media in respect of the results  of the election should be discountenanced by the public.

    “The announcement of the election result would be made by Independent  National Electoral Commission  (INEC) at the appropriate time,” Raji said in the statement.

    NAN also reports that a giant electronic screen board had already been mounted on a pavilion to display the results of the election  held in  2,195 polling units spread across 177 wards in the 16 local government areas of Ekiti.

    Some members of staff of the commission were also sighted making last minute preparations to ensure that the pavilion  was  ready for the announcement of the final results.(NAN)

  • Ekiti poll: Ignore social media results, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) on Saturday urged Nigerians  to ignore the purported   Ekiti governorship election results making the rounds on  the social media.

    The Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC),  Prof.  AbdulGaniyu Raji, made the plea  in Ado-Ekiti.

    “Our attention has been drawn to illegal release of results of the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State on the social media.

    ” Consequently, we wish to inform the general public  that the Ekiti state governorship election   is still ongoing.

    “Counting of ballots is still in progress, collation of results is equally going on in some areas.

    ” All the floating news in the social media in respect of the results  of the election should be discountenanced by the public.

    “The announcement of the election result would be made by Independent  National Electoral Commission  (INEC) at the appropriate time,” Raji said in the statement. (NAN)

  • Ekiti Decides: Voting commences as European Union lauds process 

    …..Arise alleges multiple voting 

    ….Not possible, Omotoso, PDP Chieftain, INEC Official

     

    Voting has commenced in the Ekiti governorship election as voters turned out in  numbers to exercise their civic responsibility .

    At Irona , Oke ori omi , St Michel primary schools, Unit 4 at Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti metropolis and  voters were conducting themselves in peaceful and orderly manner.

    At unit 07, 04 and 06 in Oye-Ekiti, voters are on queue waiting to vote.

    In the areas visited, the card reader machine have been working well and there are no cases of malfunctioning of the machine.

    A voter at Ifaki Ekiti, Kunle Ajibade  who just exercised his franchise commended the smooth process of the election.

    “Yes,i just cast my vote and i am comfortable with the process so far. Everywhere is peaceful and the police are here.

    ” I just hope everything will be peaceful till the end”

    Our correspondent, who is monitoring the poll observed that as early as 7am, voters had moved out to their respective voting points .

    Voting begin in most of the units at exactly as 8am with INEC  Ad-hoc staff accrediting and giving ballot papers to voters.

    As promised by the Inspector General of Police,Ibrahim Idris , 5 police officers are stationed at each polling units and voting points.

    Also,men and officers of the Police, Army and other security agencies are seen at different  points.

    At unit 07 in Oye-Ekiti, voters are on queue waiting to vote.

    As at the time of this report, voting is on going in a peaceful atmosphere.

    At Ayegbaju Ward 4, unit 002,  the European Union Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr Keti Karlsen hailed the peaceful manner with which the election commenced.

    Karlsen said : “As at 9.17 am, the election has been peaceful . I have been to five polling units and the process has been credible enough.

    “This election is going to be a litmus test to 2019 elections . This election is a precursor to the 2019 elections and its success is very crucial to us.

    “The EU have been supporting INEC win voter education, how to encourage people with disabilities among others.

    “We have seen large turnout of people and the enthusiasm for people to elect a governor that can represent them well.

    “I believe this election will be credible if it ends like this,”  he said.

    Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti State, Senator Ayo Arise has alleged multiple voting by suspected youth in some Voting points in Oye Local government area.

    Arise, who voted at his Ward 1 unit 5 Oye-Ekiti alleged that the youth are moving from one unit to another with different permanent voters card(PVC).

    Responding to the allegation,the presiding officer in one of the unit, Sani Nafisat denied any cases of multiple voting.

    She said the card reader machine would not allow any form of multiple voting.

    A member of the state house of Assembly and PDP chieftain in Oleje-Ekiti, Dr. Samuel  Omotosho dismissed the allegations of multiple voting.

    Omotosho,who disclosed that there are some areas where the card reader machine were malfunctioning commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

  • Ekiti 2018: INEC monitors movement of election materials to local govt

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Ekiti State Prof. Abdul Ganiy Olayinka Raji has said that the usage of the latest official vehicle tracker has assisted the commission tremendously during the process of transporting all the sensitive materials for the Saturday election to all the 16 local governments in the state.

    Raji disclosed this while speaking with journalists in his office noting that the materials were collected at the Central Bank in the presence of all the political parties before dispatched to its various destination accompanied by eight senior INEC officials.

    According to him, the materials were monitored directly in his office through official vehicle tracker connected to a giant television screen which indicate the movement of the materials until all got to the respective 16 local government headquarters of the state.

    The commissioner disclosed that Ekiti state has 913,334 voters out of which 646, 000 collected their PVC cards while about 250,000 are yet to collect their cards.

    He explained that all the process used by the commission was transparent with the involvement of all the representatives of all the parties participating in the election.

    “We have 35 political parties participating in this coming, gubernatorial election, though 40 political parties initially notified us of their participation, but at the last minutes only 35 parties are participating.

    He explained that the commission did not face any challenges because the fear of how the sensitive materials will get to the final destination was addressed through improved technology that assisted the commission to monitor, track and even listen to all the communications going on in all the vehicles deplored.

    He explained that Ekiti is calm and all hands are on deck to conduct credible, fair and free election in the state.

  • Reps to investigate “assault” on Fayose

    The House of Representatives Thursday resolved to mandate all relevant committees in the House to investigate an alleged assault on the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose by men of the Nigerian Police,

    The House also condemned the alleged assault and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to request the Police to apologise to Nigerians over the incident.

    Additionally, the Lawmakers urged the Chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that the Ekiti election is conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

    The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance by two members, Hon. Yusuf Tajudeen and Kingsley Chinda.

    Read Also:Buhari’s Executive Order splits Reps

    Tajudeen had in the motion noted that with just a few days to the 2018 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, “some men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies completely barricaded and took over the Ekiti State Government House, Ado Ekiti.

    “Also noted that heavily armed Policemen and other security agencies locked up, all entry points, prevented the free movement of people into and out of the Ekiti Government House and shot sporadically with aim to instill fear in the people, ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections.”

    Aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with its statutory mandate had fixed the 2018 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State for Saturday 14th July, 2018.

    Also aware that the Nigerian Police is empowered under S.4 of the Police Act, Cap. P19, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other things, for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due‘ enforcement of all laws and regulations with Which they are directly charged.

    Tajudeen said Nigeria is a democratic State and the complete take over and barricade of the Ekiti state Government House and violent assault on armless civilians, including a serving Governor of the State does not fall within the contemplation of the general duties of the Police-under 8.4 of the Police Act “and indeed the tenets of true democracy and the Rule of Law. ”

    He expressed concern that what is playing out in Ekiti State “clearly portends great danger for us all, particularly in View of the 2019 general elections and the heightened insecurity in the country.

    “The said action of the Police is clearly an illegality and constitutional breach which must not happen or continue in a constitutional democracy,” adding that “democracy would be heading for total failure.”

    When the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a vote in the motion, it was passed and referred to the relevant committees which were given 4 weeks to report back to the House for further legislative action.

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Distribution of election materials (Photos)

    Ahead of the Ekiti 2018 Governorship election, INEC begins distribution of materials at CBN headquaters in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.