The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inec

  • Absconded Collation Officer will not be paid – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) said it would not pay a Collation Officer for Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Cross River, who absconded.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Frankland Briyai, made this known on Monday in Calabar, while speaking with newsmen after the declaration of results of the polls.

    He said that the collation officer was assigned to Calabar South Local Government Area, but was later discovered to have disappeared.

    He said that he could understand why the official absconded from the job, saying that the fellow was absent at the collation centre and his whereabouts unknown.

    “The fact is that this did not just happen in Calabar South. We had experienced similar incident in the Presidential and National Assembly elections, so, we always have a back-up in case something like this happens.

    “The absence of the Collation Officer has no implications other than that he is not going to be paid,” he said.

    According to Briyai, the Cross River governorship and House of Assembly elections were free and fair.

    “You could see the credibility of the process because after the announcement of the result by the State’s Returning Officer, Prof. Akim Ibhadode, there was no opposition from any political party.

    “To the best of my knowledge, throughout the voting process in the state, nobody died, though we heard some information of people burning houses in Yakurr Local Government Area.

    “Besides that, the security agents performed creditably well.

    “Violence you know is perpetuated by humans; it could happen anywhere. There is no 100 per cent security in any country in the world.”

    On his part, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agent at the State Collation Centre, Mr Asuquo Ekpeyong, told journalists that his party was satisfied with the outcome of the elections.

    “The people have spoken; they have given their mandate to His Excellency, Gov. Ben Ayade, returning him to office for another four years to continue the good works of his administration.

    “The process was extremely transparent and it moved very swiftly since we started the collation process yesterday,” he said.

    In the result declared by the returning officer, PDP won the governorship race with 381,484 votes. The All Progressive Congress (APC), which fielded Sen. John Owan-Enoh as candidate, polled 131,161 votes

  • PDP kicks as INEC suspends Rivers elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the governorship and state assembly elections in Rivers State.

    Rather, the PDP 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 electoral process as manipulative schemes by the INEC and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

    A statement yesterday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, berated 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…”

  • Governorship poll well-conducted by INEC, says CTA Observer Group

    The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), yesterday scored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) high in the conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    It also claimed that the electoral commission has improved its logistics.

    It scored INEC about 90 per cent in logistics  better than the case during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections – adding that voter apathy was due to the fear of violence.

    The CTA, which deployed in 1,000 observers nationwide, made its position known in a situation report presented by its Acting Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi.

    Nwadishi said: “We note a remarkable improvement in the logistical arrangements leading to early deployment of personnel and materials and early commencement of polls. Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) trained and deployed 1000 accredited domestic   observers across the states of the federation.

    “Compared to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, logistics arrangements for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were better organised and this ensured early opening of polls across the country.

    “Reports from field observers from across the county indicate early arrival of INEC officials and materials. Accreditation and voting started simultaneously between 8 am and 8.30 am in many polling units.

    “CTA Observers, in most polling units, reported early arrival of security agents drawn from the police and other security agencies, notably the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, NDLEA and Nigerian Customs Service.”

    The CTA blamed the low turnout on voters partly on the fear of violence.

    Nwadishi added: “Voter turnout was generally poor across the country as compared to the presidential and National Assembly elections. This was attributed to the violence that marred the presidential election in many areas.

    “Voters who came out to vote were of the impression that perhaps the reason why others didn’t come out was  because their votes in earlier elections did not count and didn’t see the point in coming out to vote.

    ”In comparison to the excitement and enthusiasm voters showed during the presidential elections, the elections of 9 March 2019 were marked by a high level voter indifference or apathy.

    “Most Nigerians, who seem to have seen no reason to vote because of their disappointment with the outcome of the last election, reasoned that it was a waste of time coming out to vote when their expectations are marked with uncertainties.

    The Governorship, State Houses of Assembly and FCT council Elections held on March 9.

    “The election was marked by low voter turnout, violence, intervention of the military in some places, and killing of citizens who had come out to exercise their franchise.  INEC offices in some states were burnt, citizens intimated. In our opinion citizens should not lose their lives for participating in election.”

    On the role of security agents, Nwadishi said they appeared to have conducted themselves well.

    He said: “Security agents appeared to have conducted themselves well in many voting units.

    “Our observers reported that there was adequate deployment of security agents, though in many of the units observed, they acted more like onlookers than law enforcement agents. They failed to act even when electoral crimes were committed in their presence.

    “There is a marked improvement in the welfare of the security personnel in terms of their transportation and early payment of their allowances.”

  • Breaking: Gov Umahi re-elected in Ebonyi

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has been declared winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.

    Declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, State Headquarters in Abakaliki, the Returning Officer, Prof. Chukwuemeka Eze, said the governor garnered a total of 393,343 votes cast across the 13 local governments in the state.

    His closest Challenger, Sonni Ogbuoji of the All Progressive Congress (APC) got a total of 81703 votes cast to place a distant second.

    The candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chibueze Agbo place third will just 10,129 votes.

    Eze said the total valid votes was 48,2018 while 10, 984 votes were rejected bringing the total votes cast for the election to 493002.

     Umahi thanked the people of Ebonyi state for re-electing him.

    Umahi, in in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, declared his unalloyed loyalty to the patriotic citizens of Ebonyi State for re-electing him for a second term.

    He promised to consolidate on the aggressive infrastructural, human development and aggressive industrialization of the state, the tripod on which his administration stands.

    The Governor also reiterated his readiness to hand over power to Abakaliki bloc in 2023 after completing his second term so that power will continue to rotate round the three senatorial zones of the state in the spirit of equity and justice.

    Umahi described the election as a reflection of the wishes of the people who have been resolute and desirous of consolidating on the already achieved development in the state.

    The statement as signed by Uzor also quoted Umahi as saying that the election was the best in terms of credibility and professionalism on both the sides of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and all security agencies and called on those that contested with him to accept defeat as the consensus of the people of the state.

    He promised that his second term projects would include the construction of Ebonyi airport, mega Olympic size stadium and completion of the already started 198km Abakaliki ring road and many more.

    He noted that within the first four years of his administration, over 534km of roads have been constructed on rigid pavement with over 100 year life span, mega shopping mall, International market, Ecumenical Centre as well as new government House.

    He further noted that the stigma on the Abakaliki man was removed by reconstructing and making Ebonyi State the model of development.

    Final Official Results of Ebonyi Governorship election

    Registered voters:  1.2m

    Accredited- 497, 291

    A-122

    AA-45

    ACD181

    ACPN- 103

    AD-92

    ADC-429

    ADP 500

    APC 81703

    APP 284

    ASD 94

    BNPP 474

    CAP 30

    DA 41

    DPC 51

    DPP 75

    FJP 54

    GPN 30

    ID 12

    JNPP 32

    KP 43

    LP 211

    MAJA 114

    MPN 136

    NCP 119

    NFD 87

    NPC 180

    NRM 772

    PDC 376

    PDP 393,043

    PPM 681

    PT 181

    RPM 54

    SDP 10129

    UDP 28

    UPN 41

    UPP 175

    ZLP 294

    VALID VOTES 482, 018

    REJECTED 10,984

     TOTAL VOTES 493,002

  • INEC confirms widespread disruption of Rivers polls

    ….Suspends electoral activities until further notice

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed widespread disruption of polls in Rivers state.

    The commission also raised alarm over the safety of its staff, which according to Festus Okoye appears to be in jeopardy.

    Consequently, the commission suspended all electoral processes in the state until further notice.

    Okoye who announced the suspension of electoral activities in a statement made available to Journalists also noted that the Commission is concerned about the credibility of the process.

    The statement reads: “Based on reports from our officials in the field, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has determined that there has been widespread disruption of elections conducted on the 9″I day of March 2019 in Rivers State.

    “These initial reports suggest that violence occurred in a substantial number of polling units and collation centres, staff have been taken hostage and materials including result sheets have either been seized or destroyed by unauthorized persons.

    ” In addition, safety of our staff appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the Commission is concerned about the credibility of the process.

    Read Also: INEC declares PDP winner of Ondo South Senatorial Poll

    “Consequently, at a meeting held today 10″1 March 2019, the Commission has decided to suspend all electoral processes in the State until further notice. This is in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and Clause 47(e) of the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.

    “The Commission has also established a Fact-Finding Committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours. We appeal to the people of Rivers State, particularly the voters, for their understanding as we look into the circumstances of these disruptions and what further action needs to be taken. “

  • APC sweeps 24 Kwara Assembly seats

    All Progressives Congress (APC) has swept the 24 seats of the Kwara state House of Assembly in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state Electoral Commissioner Mallam Garba Madami announced this on Sunday in Ilorin, the state.

    The candidates and their results include Aliyu Wahab Opakunle of Afon state constituency- 8034, Ambali Ibrahim of Onire/Owode (7,953), Salihu Yakubu of Ilesha/Gwanara scored 11,542 and Mohammed Salihu of Okuta/Yashikra polled 14,929.

    Others are Nadanusa Mohammed of Edu scored 25,276, Ahmed Rufai of Pategi had 17, 844, Abolarin GG of Ekiti constituency had 7,789 while Adetiba Olarewaju of OKe eve to scored 7,090. Salau Ganiyu of Omupo constituency got 9,790, Owolabi Razaq of theShare/Oke-Ode scored 12,870, Aliyu Yusuf of Ilorin East scored 31,190, Suleiman Abdulsalam Ilorin South polled 25,882, Abubakar Olawoyin of Ilorin Central scored 17,338 and Abdulgafar Ayilara of Ajikobi/Alanamu constituency scored 35,823.

    Awodiji Felix of Irepodun scored 15,419, Awolola Olumide scored 6,494; Hammed Baba of Gwanabe/Bani scored 7,728, Abdullahi Danbaba of Kaiama polled 7,096; Bello John Olanrewaju of Lanwa/Ejidongari scored 8,047, while Babatunde Abdulkareem of Olooru/Malete/Ipaye polled 10,588; Saheed Popoola of Balogun/Ojomu scored 9,987; Adeniran Joy of Shao/Essa scored 11,786; Olayiwola Oyebode of Odo-Ogun scored 4,957 and Yusuf Atoyebi Musa of Oke-Ogun polled 5,847

  • Gov poll: APC in early lead in Nasarawa

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Nasarawa State Mr. Abdullahi Sule is leading the results of Saturday’s Governorship elections declared so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The results from three local government areas of the state so far collated by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Bala showed APC in clear lead.

    The APC candidate is followed by David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Labaran Maku of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Read Also: APC wins two House of Assembly seats in Mushin

    Mr Auwal Ibrahim, Returning Officer for Wamba Local Government Area said APC polled 15,706 votes; PDP scored 9,333, while APGA polled 1,772 votes.

    Similarly in Keana Local Government Area, the Returning Officer, Aisha Bello, announced that APC scored 11,759 votes, PDP got 6,579, while APGA came third having polled 2,869 votes.

    According to Awe Local Government Returning Officer, Imam Akwyede, APC polled 29,443 votes with the PDP coming a distant second scoring 9,228, while APGA polled a total 1,801 votes.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more results were being expected as the collation centre had gone on break. 

  • Supplementary election: INEC declares Ondo PDP senatorial candidate winner

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Mr Nicholas Tofowomo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Ondo South supplementary election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tofowomo polled 81,892 to defeat incumbent Sen. Yele Omogunwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 55,610 votes.

    Prof. Kayode Onifade, the INEC Returning Officer for Ondo South, declared Tofowomo winner of the election, having polled the highest number of votes.

    “Having satisfied the law by having the highest number of votes in a concluded election, I hereby declare Tofowomo of the PDP winner and he is hereby returned elected,’’ he said.

    Read Also: INEC shocks politicians with late swap of Collation Officers in Imo

    NAN reports that Tofowomo had earlier polled 79,029 against Omogunwa who scored 51,993 at the Feb. 23 National Assembly election.

    The INEC returning officer had declared the election inconclusive over various irregularities in 56 polling units, saying that the cancelled 28,047 votes were higher than the margin of 27,036 votes between Tofowomo and his closest rival.

  • Ogun: Anxiety as results from seven LGAs arrive INEC office

    Anxiety mounts at the 2019 General Elections State Collation Centre within the State Headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Magbon, Abeokuta, as results for the Saturday governorship election in Ogun State have started arriving in bits from the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) preparatory to their being announced.

    Many within and outside the INEC Office are anxious to get the results first from the Commission, to authenticate or disprove what they were picking from unauthorised quarters.

    Already, results from seven Local Governments have arrived the collation centre and in no time, they would be announced one after the other by the respective LGA Returning Officers.

    At least 40 political parties fielded candidates for the 2019 gubernatorial poll in the state but the major contenders have remained the quartet of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Allied People’s Movement (APM) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Feelers from the field across the state’s 20 LGAs indicated that Prince Adedapo Abiodun of the APC, is leading the pack of contestants and is most predicted to coast home to victory.

    Abiodun, a successful entrepreneur, real estate player and Oil magnate appeared to have dominated the Ogun East, his Senatorial district in his performance while also making an audacious presence in both Ogun Central with the help of party leaders and chieftains like former Governor Olusegun Osoba and Ogun West, the constituency of his running mate, Engr. Noimot Salako – Oyedele.

    Other major contenders are Senator Buruji Kashamu (PDP), Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s preferred candidate; Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade(APM) and Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (ADC), a third time contestant and each time, on a different political platform.

  • INEC shocks politicians with late swap of Collation Officers in Imo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State, on Saturday shocked politicians with the unannounced withdrawal of recruited Collation and Returning Officers at the tail end of the election.

    The Collation Officers who had converged at the INEC Headquarters in Owerri, waiting for deployment to the respective Local Government Areas, were not aware that they have been sacked until they were ordered out of the premises by security agents.

    It will be recalled that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, had accused the Adhoc Staff that worked during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of colluding with politicians to compromise the election.

    The REC disclosed during a media parley with journalists to review the Presidential and National Assembly elections that, “most of the Adhoc Staff compromised the election, most of them sold their appointment letters to politicians and switched off their phones. So we had disturbing situations where political thugs posed as Collation Officers and manipulated the results.

    “It is worrisome that one could sabotage such sensitive national assignment without considering the outcome but we have taken measures to ensure that it will repeat itself”.

    So the sudden sack of the Collation and Returning Officers who were recruited from the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) may not be unconnected to the measures taken to flush out the corrupt Adhoc Staff and ensure that the governorship and House of Assembly were not manipulated.

    The development however resulted in the late collation of results across the State as the new Collation Officers were not deployed to the respective Council Areas until 3am Sunday morning.

    The late arrival of the Collation Officers according to a reliable source within the Commission was a deliberate ploy to shield them from politicians who may be waiting hijack them.

    Meanwhile the drama started after the news filtered in that the Adhoc Staff from FUTO had been dropped and replaced with Staff from Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.

    Shortly after the news was broken, politicians activated their plans. A particular governorship candidate using his contact, reached out to some of the new Adhoc Staff and thereafter there was heightened scramble by politicians to hijack the Collation Officers.

    While they were still waiting to be posted, another set of Adhos Staff from Nnmadi Azikiwe University Awka were driven into INEC Office under tight security.

    Immediately after that, those Staff earlier brought in from Abia State were ordered out of the premises by security agents at the order of the REC.

    The new set of Collation Officers were kept incommunicado and their phones temporarily seized to prevent any form of contact with politicians.