The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • Buhari leads comfortably in Kaduna

     

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained lead in the Saturday presidential election in Kaduna State.

    Buhari defeated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP’s) Atiku Abubakar in 12 of the 19 local governments results so far collated.

    According to the results collated at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kaduna State headquarters by Professor Bello B. Shehu, Buhari has so far won in Kubau, Makarfi, Kudan, Sabon Gari, Ikara, Kauru, Giwa, Soba, Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Zaria and Kaduna South local government areas.

    Meanwhile, the PDP candidate has emerged victorious in Zango Kataf, Kaura, Kajuru, Kagarko, Jaba local, Chikun and Jema’a local government areas.

    As at the adjournment of the collation exercise at 4:00pm on Monday, results from the rest four local government areas, which include; Kaduna North, Kachia, Sanga and Lere were being awaited.

    The exercise is expected to resume by 4:30pm today.

    The results of the presidential election local government by local government are as follow:

    1. KUBAU LG

    APC: 67,140

    PDP: 13,296

    2. MAKARFI LG

    APC: 36,625

    PDP: 14,494

    3. IKARA LG

    APC: 44,021

    PDP: 14,464

    4. KAURA LG

    APC: 6,907

    PDP: 33,647

    5. JABA LG

    APC: 6,400

    PDP: 22,758

    6. KUDAN

    APC: 30,577

    PDP: 11,697

    7. ZANGO KATAF

    APC: 10,411

    PDP: 62,622

    8. SABON GARI

    APC: 58,467

    PDP: 22,644

    9. SOBA

    APC: 51,548

    PDP: 10,656

    10. KAURU

    APC: 33,578

    PDP: 27,041

    11. KAGARKO

    APC: 16,663

    PDP: 21,605

    12. KAJURU

    APC: 7,888

    PDP: 31,446

    13. GIWA

    APC: 45,574

    PDP: 9,838

    14. IGABI LG

    APC: 97,308

    PDP: 20,281

    15. JEMA’A

    APC: 19,412

    PDP: 61,763

    16. BIRNIN GWARI

    APC: 33,786

    PDP: 8,206

    17. K/SOUTH

    APC: 92,637

    PDP: 41,004

    18. ZARIA

    APC: 111,082

    PDP: 21,882

    19. CHIKUN

    APC: 21,930

    PDP: 82,909

  • Atiku wins at Kaduna Deputy Governor’s LG

    … Buhari wins in Makarfi’s LG

    As the collation of the Presidential election results commenced at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) headquarters in Kaduna, the Deputy Governor, Arch. Barnabas Yusuf Bala has lost his Kaura local government area to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Meanwhile, two terms Governor of Kaduna State and former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi also lost his local government to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election.
    Returning Officer from Kaura local government, Professor Nafiu Abdul while presenting the results said the PDP polled 33,647 votes to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which scored 6,907 votes.

    Read also: APC candidate wins Kwara South district

    Deputy Governor Bala is also the Senatorial Candidate of the APC in Kaduna South Senatorial zone.
    But, as at the time of filing this report, results of the Senatorial and House of Representatives elections were not ready.
    Also giving the results from Makarfi Local Goverment Area, Returning Officer, Professor Dangana Kula said APC polled 36,624 to defeat PDP, which scored 14,494.
    As at press time, only three local government’s results had been declared, with APC winning two of the three.

  • PDP insists on results from polling units

    …alleges plots to alter election results

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted on the official release of results already delivered at the various polling units for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    A statement last night by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, cautioned that Nigerians will not accept any figures except what was declared and collated from the polling units.

    The PDP further alleged that the Buhari Presidency has been mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and dispatching officials to change results in Rivers, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Bauchi, Cross River, Borno, Yobe and Edo states among others, in a frenzy to allocate fictitious figures for President Buhari.

    “Pathetically, the Buhari Presidency is also threatening the South-East state governors to change results and carve a 25% for Mr. President, a scheme that has already failed.

    “In Bauchi state, we are aware of the plots to move thump-printed ballot papers and fabricated results from Bauchi to Dass Local Government Area to upturn PDP’s victory in the results already delivered and announced at the polling units in the area.

    “This is why the electoral officials have been delaying moving the results for final collation and announcement. If this plot fails, the APC plans to void the results for Dass.

    “In spite of all these, our party assures Nigerians that the hope for a new government led by Atiku Abubakar, is already manifest.

    “Our agents and indeed, Nigerians, already have the results as delivered at the polling units and are not ready to accept anything to the contrary. President Buhari and the APC should therefore quietly come to terms with the fact that they have been defeated.

    “The PDP therefore cautions INEC to respect the laws and electoral guidelines by upholding and declaring results from the polling units as expressed by Nigerians on Saturday”.

  • Buhari defeats Atiku at El-Rufa’i’s polling unit

    As results of the presidential and National Assembly have started trickling in from polling units across Kaduna State, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defeated Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at polling unit 024 Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna

    At the polling, which is Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s voting point, APC scored 369 votes, as against PDP’s 44 votes.

    The ruling APC also won the Senate and the House of Representatives seats.

  • Kaduna killings:Aisha Buhari donates relief materials to survivors

    …says, culprits won’t go unpunished

     

    Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to survivors of the recent killings in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state.

    This was as she described the violent crisis that claimed lives of many citizens of Adara and Fulani communities as unfortunate, praying that such does not occur again.

    Presenting the relief materials to the survivors at Maraban Kajuru and Railway Crossing, all in Kajuru local government area, Mrs. Buhari assured that, the perpetrators of the crime will be fished out and be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Represented by one of her close associates, Hajia Binta Muazu, the First Lady told both the Fulani and Adara communities affected in the crisis that, God in His wisdom has reasons for bringing them together, therefore, they must live together in peace and harmony.

    According to her, “Her Excellency, wife of the President, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari feels your pain. She is touched by the unfortunate incident that happened here in Kajuru. She has asked me to express her condolence to you and bring to you some relief materials.

    “We understand what you are going through, you have lost loved ones, property and you have been displaced. We know that, what we have brought is nothing compared to what you have lost, but because Her Excellency feels your pain, she has asked us to bring these relief materials, which include food items and clothing materials.

    “She also asked me to tell you that, God in His wisdom has reasons for bringing us together in different tribes and religions, therefore, we must learn to live together in peace and harmony.

    “She also asked me to assure you that, the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be fished out by the authorities and will be made to face the most severe punishment according to the law of the land”.

    Also speaking at the event, wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Aisha (Ummi) Garba El-Rufai expressed appreciation to the President’s wife, and admonished the people of Kajuru local government to live in peace.

    Receiving the items on behalf of the people of Kajuru, Chairman of local government council, Hon. Kafra Caino Boaz expressed dismay that, the image of Kajuru was being soiled by incessant crises.

    He, however, told the people of the area that, the crises have denied the local government area meaningful developments and progress.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Halima Augustine thanked the President’s wife for the gesture and appealed to the government to help them apprehend killers of their kinsmen.

    Items donated included trucks load of 25 kilograms bags of rice and other food items, as well as clothing materials.

  • Why my husband picked a muslim running mate – Mrs. El-Rufai

    …says, El-Rufai will win guber poll

     

    Wife of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Aisha (UMMI) Garba El-Rufai on Wednesday justified the choice of her husband’s Muslim running mate, saying that, contrary to insinuations, the Governor’s choice was based on competence and ability of Dr. Hadiza Balarabe to deliver.

    Mrs. El-Rufai stated categorically that, insinuation that the governor picked a female Muslim running mate to spite people of other faith is incorrect, but purely because the running mate has proven to be a woman with capacity to contribute meaningfully to growth and development of the state.

    The Governor’s wife who expressed confidence that, her husband can go and sleep, he will win the governorship election, said people of Kaduna state now understand that Governor El-Rufai’s programmes and policies are people-centered.

    The wife of the governor who is the Coordinator of the ‘APC GIDA-GIDA’ (APC HOUSE-HOUSE) campaign in Kaduna State stated this during a parley with journalists in Kaduna. She further said, the need to again clarify the matter on the choice of her husband’s running mate was important particularly for those who think the governor picked a woman and a Muslim as his running mate to spite Christians.

    According to her, “I appeal to the good people of Nigeria and Kaduna State in particular to take a closer look at the choice of the running mate of Malam Nasir El-Rufai with open heart.

    Read Also: El Rufai: we’ll investigate alleged electoral malpractices

    “The governor that I know works with people based on competence and on the basis of what they can deliver and bring to the table and not on the basis of religion or ethnicity.

    “The governor should not be accused of bias because he is not moved by religious affiliation. In any case, our diversity should strengthen us rather than divide us”.

    While urging all and sundry to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor El-Rufai and all other All Progresive Congress (APC) candidates across the board, she called on the good people of Kaduna State to remain calm and shun all forms and acts of violence, election malpractices, votes buying and hooliganism.

    “One of the core objectives of our great party APC and the ‘Gida-Gida’project is to foster peace and unity in Kaduna State and the nation at large.

    “Our main goal and objective is to engage the electorate on issue-based campaign as peace ambassadors, we believe Kaduna State is a great state that has the potential to promote peace and unity among its diverse populace. I, therefore, urge us all to come out en-mass to vote all APC candidates in order to ensure victory at all polls slated for 23rd February and 9th March 2019.” She emphasised.

  • Kajuru Carnage: Death toll rises to 130 – El-Rufai

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state says the death toll as a result of the communal clash in the Kajuru Local Government Area of the state has risen to 130 as against the previous figure of 66.

    El-Rufai stated this when he spoke to State House correspondents after briefing a security meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    The governor had on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that 66 people were killed by unknown attackers in Kajuru Local Government Area.

    El-Rufai, who alongside the governors of Borno and Adamawa briefed members of the security committee on security situations in their respective states, frowned at those who questioned the initial casualties’ figures of 66.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that several individuals and organisations including the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) and Human Rights Lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu had expressed doubt over the occurrence of the killings of the 66 persons.

    He said: “The last report we got is that over 130 people were killed not even 66 and the Fulani leaders have provided the names of all these people.

    ”We have the list, we can release it to the Press and I don’t want to be gross but we can release pictures of the people killed and how soldiers have to be there to help bury them, two days after they were killed because the bodies were decomposing.

    ”Whoever still doubts that this did not happen is being grossly irresponsible.’’

    The Ag. Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who also spoke to the correspondents, said the police were ready to protect eligible Nigerians following resolution at the meeting that adequate security be provided within the country.

    Adamu said: ”Today, members of the security community and intelligence community came and briefed Mr President on the security situation in the country.

    “We deliberated on the consequences and came up with the resolve to further provide adequate security within the country so that the electorate will come out and cast their votes without any fear of molestation.

    “Every Nigerian is encouraged to come out on the Election Day and cast his or her vote without any fear of molestation,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari, El Rufai ‘ll return to office – Kaduna deputy gov

    According to him, security personnel are ready and prepared to protect everybody.

    He further warned that, “anybody that feels that he can come out and disrupt process should have a rethink because that situation will not be allowed.

    “If you plan and allow yourself to be used as touts, whatever happens to you, you will take it.

    “Ballot snatching, ballot buying, thuggery will never be allowed, anybody that is planning to snatch ballot boxes or planning to be used as a tout, will have his or herself to blame on the Election Day. So you better don’t allow yourself to be used.”

  • 66 dead in fresh Kaduna crisis

    No fewer than 66 persons have been confirmed killed in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Friday.

    Kaduna state government confirmed the incident and warned all communities against instigating attacks or reprisals.

    A government statement by Samuel Aruwan, media aide to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i on Friday in Kaduna, said that security agencies have been deployed to the area, while arrests have been made.

    “Security agencies today reported the recovery of 66 bodies that were killed in attacks by criminal elements on various dispersed hamlets in the Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru LGA.

    “The settlements affected include Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka and Ruga Shuaibu Yau.

    Read Also: Police deploy 12,500 personnel for election in Kaduna

    “Among the victims were 22 children and 12 women. Four wounded persons rescued by the security agencies are now receiving medical attention.

    “Government condemns the attacks and commiserates with the families of the victims. Security agencies have been deployed to the area and arrests have been made.

    “Government urges community, traditional and religious leaders in the area to encourage residents to avoid any reprisal attacks and to leave the matter in the hands of the security and law enforcement agencies.

    “The killings are being investigated and residents are assured that indicted persons will be prosecuted.

    “Residents of Kaduna State are enjoined to uphold peace and harmony, shun violence and allow the elections to be held in an atmosphere of calm.”

    According to the statement, any suspicious activity should be reported to the security agencies in person or through the following lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999.

  • El-Rufai meets foreign Observers, assures them of security

    *’They asked about my previous comment’

     

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Friday met with observers from the International Republican Institute, United States of America, ahead of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections and assured them of adequate security during and after the polls.

    El-Rufai whose recent warning to foreign observers against interfering in the elections sparked controversy told his guests to “feel free while moving in the state.”

    Speaking to reporters yesterday at the end of the meeting at Government House, Kaduna,the governor said: ” We invited them to feel free and if they need additional security,we will provide for them. We told the foreign observers to feel free while moving in the state.

    “They asked me about my comment on the NTA live programme, the security situation in the state and I explained to them.

    “The last security review we did was on Friday with all security agencies. All the paramilitary like the Immigration Service, Prisons, Civil Defence and the Nigeria Customs, will all go out to provide security. The security agencies are ready for the task to assist the police.

    “As you observed we have a history of violence during elections in Kaduna State. We have made it very clear that vigilance groups will not be allowed to provide security tomorrow.

    “I call on all voters to come out and vote.We are confident that everything will go well. No one should be involved in taking another person’s life. So we are confident that the elections will go smoothly.“

  • Alleged N90bn assets: Defendants seek recall of El-Rufai to witness stand

    A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned till May 2, for motion on notice seeking the recall of Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai for further cross-examination in the suit he instituted against the Union Newspapers.

    The court is also expected to receive the assets declaration documents of El-Rifa’i on the same date.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gov. El-Rufai had in 2017 opened and closed his case challenging the report by the newspaper in which it said he had declared N90 billion in his assets declaration form to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    The adjournment on Wednesday followed the oral application made by the defence counsel, Mr H. A Abuul.

    Also, Counsel to the CCB, Mr Temitope Adeyemi had requested for another date to enable the bureau carry on the process of producing the assets declaration document of the governor.

    The Judge, Justice Mairo Mohammed, said the court would consider the motion on the next adjourned date.

    During Wednesday’s sitting, Chairman of the CCB, who was ordered to be arrested by the court for failing to honour its summons, was represented by Adeyemi.

    Adeyemi informed the court that the chairman is new in office, as he only assumed duty in late November 2018, and had no prior knowledge of the subpoena, as such requested for new date to produce the assets documents.

     

     

    NAN