The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Katsina State

  • Polls: Katsina records two death, three kidnapped INEC adhoc staff

    Two security personnel were killed on Saturday in Katsina state during the governorship and state Assembly elections.

    According to police report, one Civil Defence personnel CA2 Umar Aliyu was killed in Kannada Local Government Area of the state while a police personnel, CPL Mannir Usman was killed in Danmusa another LGA of the state.

    Besides, three adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) were also abducted.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer, Superintendent Gambo Isa stated: “Today at about 13.oohrs armed bandits attacked Santa’s Amadi village polling unit at Kannada LAG of Katsina state, shooting sporadically in the air and later pursued and shot a civil Defence Officer, CA2 Umar Aliyu on the chest. The victim died on the spot.

    “On 9/03/2019 at about 14:00hrs, patrol team on election patrol along Gobirawa Falale – Maidabino feeder road, Danmusa LGA of Katsina state was ambushed by armed political thugs led by one Mani Doro, ‘m’, aged 40yrs of Dunya village, Danmusa LGA of Katsina state (now at large) as a result of which the driver of the patrol vehicle, F/No.504614 CPL Mannir Usman attached to Danmusa Division was shot dead by the hoodlums. 3 INEC adhoc staff on election duty were also kidnapped by the hoodlums.”

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Jubril Zarewa also confirmed the death of police personnel.

    Zarewa said that he was at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina to identify the body of the slain police man.

    The Nation Newspaper had earlier reported the abduction of about 20 people in Danmusa in the early hours of Saturday.

    Though the report is still sketchy as they the REC noted that ten of the people have resurfaced and still hopeful that the remain people will come back.

  • Buhari delivers unit to APC Candidates

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday delivered his polling unit 003, Kofar Baru III (A and B) Daura, Katsina State, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the state, Aminu Masari, with 370 votes.

    The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lado Danmarke, scored 33 votes to come second at the polling unit.

    The result of the State House Assembly at the unit indicated that the APC candidate for the Daura constituency, Nasir Yahaya, got 336 as against 40 votes scored by Lawal Husseini, the PDP candidate.

    NAN reports that the governorship and state house of assembly elections recorded low turn-out of voters when compared to the presidential and national assembly elections held on Feb. 23.

    President Buhari scored 523 votes while his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar of PDP, got three votes and Accord Party scored four votes at the same polling unit 003 during the presidential election on Feb. 23.(NAN)

  • Buhari: I expect Atiku to go to court

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said that he expected the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate at the February 23 election, Atiku Abubakar to go to court.

    The opposition has been challenging the result of the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared Buhari as the winner of the presidential election.

    Going to court, Buhari said was part of the democratic process.

    Buhari spoke with journalists after casting his vote for the governorship and state assembly elections at the Kofar Baru 003 polling unit, Daura, Katsina State.

    Read Also: Atiku’s burden and Buhari’s challenge

    Asked to react to the decision by the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to challenge the outcome of the February 23 presidential election at the election tribunal, he simply said, “I expect that to happen.”

    According to him, security agencies especially the Police were taking care of the flashpoints in the country to make sure that there is hitch-free election in the country.

    On what would be his advice on the flashpoints and reported cases of violence across the country, this week, President Buhari said, “I will leave it to the law enforcement agencies especially the police because they have been meeting virtually on a 48-hour basis to make sure that they have identified the flashpoints, as you mentioned, wherever they are and make arrangements to counter it.”

  • Masari hails 2019 elections in the state as historic

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State on Saturday in Katsina described the ongoing 2019 General Elections in the state as historic having witnessed a massive turn out of voters and violent free campaigns and electioneering

    The Governor who made the declaration while receiving the visiting American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Syminton,said the state had remained peaceful and violent free during the elections even after the declaration of results so far

    He said “We ran a very historic campaigns in Katsina State and vigorously too in the 34 local government areas and throughout there was no violent incidence and no party supporter got killed”

    “We have a responsibility and have taken oath as a government to be fair and just to all manner of people and no matter how good we are, we have 8 years to spend here ”

    Masari further assured his political opponent of a level playing field especially as the state prepared for the Governorship election next Saturday.

    Read Also: SDP guber candidate, 15 others back Masari, Buhari

    The US Ambassador had earlier told the Governor that he was in the state as part of his Government’s effort aimed at promoting a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria .He reiterated his earlier statement that the US has no candidate in the elections

    The Ambassador further urged security agencies and INEC to ensure hitch free elections next Saturday and that the errors discovered in the Presidential and National Assembly elections are corrected this time around

    He said “We have never taken sides in Nigeria’s Elections except that we have taken side with peace. Elections come and go but our nation’s must remain”

  • 2019: How we contained insecurity in Katsina Frontline LGAs – Police

    The Katsina State Police Command on Sunday, revealed that several pre-emptive measures undertaken by the command including increased deployment of Police personnel and equipment as well as regular meetings with community leaders of the Seven Frontline local Government Areas recently threatened by growing insecurity and banditry, paid off in ensuring hitch free elections in the areas

    The Spokesman of the State Command and Superintendent of Police, Gambo Isa, told The Nation during an exclusive interview that those measures proved effective as seen in the outcome of the exercise in the areas

    He said’’ the heads of security Joint task Forces comprising the commissioner of Police, the Brigade Commander 17th Brigade Katsina, 213 forward Operation Base Commander, all visited Batsari and met with all communities’ leaders and Representatives including Majoga and Ajasu that were attacked recently and assured them of their safety and security’’

    ‘’Also there was the deployment of heavy equipment and Armed Personnel and logistics made to forestall any further attack on the communities’’

    Meanwhile investigations by The Nation during the coverage of the elections in the area showed that the exercise went on smoothly in the 7 front line LGAs including Jibia, Safana, Batsari and Sabuwa and so on

    The secretary to Government of the State, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa has cast his vote at Amadi ‘B’ polling unit in Danmusa, Danmusa Local Government.

    Read Also: Atiku promises Katsina people’s jobs, security

    The SGS who arrived the polling both around 12 noon was accredited and issued with 3 ballot papers by the Presiding officer to vote Candidates of his choice. There was massive turn out of both males and females electorates in Danmusa Local Government.

    Similarly, the SGS Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa has expressed his happiness over the peaceful conduct of the elections in the front line Local Governments in the state.

    Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa who also monitored the exercise in Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari and Dandume LGs said Government has taken decisive measures to ensure that people of the affected areas were not disfranchise by the activities of kidnappers and armed bandits. He reiterated the commitments of Governor Masari led Administration to end the heinous crimes in the same way cattle rustling became history in the state.

    At Gidan Ruwa, Korea kudu and Nuhu model primary polling booths in kankara electorates commended INEC for making for making adequate arrangements for a hitch free exercise.

  • Buhari wins polling unit

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday won his polling unit PU003 at Sarkin Yara ward A, Daura, Katsina State with a landslide.

    Buhari scored 523 votes while the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar got only 3 votes.

    But another candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the senatorial seat in the area was not as lucky.

    Read Also: 2019: I will emerge winner – Buhari

    For Katsina North senatorial district, incumbent Kaita Baba-Ahmad lost the unit to the candidate of Accord party, Lawal Nalado.

    Mr. Nalado scored 263 while, Mr Kaita scored 248 votes.

    The candidate of the major opposition party, the PDP, Usman Mani scored only two votes.

     

  • Breaking: Buhari, Aisha vote in Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, voted in Daura, Katsina State in the Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

    The wife, Aisha, voted before the president at 8.06 a.m., while the president voted at 8.10 a.m.

    at the Kofar Baru, Sarkin Yara  “A” ward in Daura.

    After voting, the president expressed satisfaction with the state of affairs and said he was optismistic of winning.

     

  • President Buhari arrives Katsina for polls

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday arrived in Katsina en route to Daura, his hometown, to participate in the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.

    The presidential aircraft conveying the president, his wife, Aisha, and some of his aides landed at Umar Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, about 3.25p.m.

    The president was received at the airport by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, members of the National Assembly from Katsina State, heads of Federal Government agencies in the state and other government functionaries.

    The president left the airport in a presidential helicopter for Daura at about 3.50p.m.

    Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: Vote govt of your choice

    While in Daura, Buhari, the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Saturday’s elections, is expected to join other eligible voters at Kofar Baru 003 polling unit, Sarkin Yara ward, Daura, Katsina State, to cast his vote.

    Buhari on Feb. 14 rounded off his nationwide campaign in Katsina and later proceeded to Daura for the Feb. 16 Presidential National Assembly elections before it was shifted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Feb. 23.

    The Governorship, House of Assembly, Federal Capital Territory  Area Council elections were also shifted from March 2 to March 9.

    NAN

  • Postponement: Buhari apologizes to Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday apologized to Nigerians for the postponement of the 2019 general elections by one week.

    He felt bittered that many Nigerians must have spent their resources in moving from one location to the other towards voting in the postponement elections.

    Buhari, who returned to Abuja at 1:15 pm from Katsina State, spoke with journalists at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Asked why he was disappointed over the postponement of elections, he said “Yes I am disappointed because INEC has got all the time and resources needed and therefore supposed to work according to their programme.

    “They were given all the resources, they had all the time and they kept on telling us up to the last minute that they were ready.

    Read Also: Why Buhari is Nigeria’s best choice, by Tinubu

    “The fact that they are not ready means there is some inefficiency along the line.” he said

    On his message to Nigerians and his supporters, he said “They should be patient, let them come out a week from today and vote.

    “I apologise for this inefficiency because they have to use their own resources to go back to their various polling units at their own expense if they are all that committed.” he said

  • Buhari expresses disappointment over shift in general elections

    *To immediately return to Abuja

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Daura, Katsina State expressed his disappointment over the postponement of the 2019 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Buhari was in his home state since Thursday for the All Progressives Congress Presidential campaign rally and to vote for the presidential election earlier scheduled for Saturday.

    But INEC, in the early hours of Saturday had announced postponement of the elections by another one week due to some challenges.

    The President in a statement on Saturday said “I am deeply disappointed that despite the long notice given and our preparations both locally and internationally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections within hours of its commencement.

    “Many Nigerians have traveled to various locations to exercise their right to vote, and international observers are gathered.

    “INEC themselves have given assurances, day after day and almost hour after hour that they are in complete readiness for the elections. We and all our citizens believed them.

    “This administration has ensured that we do not interfere in any way with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission.”

    He urged INEC to ensure that materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands.

    He also charged the electoral umpire to do everything to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement.

    Read Also: Buhari’s statement on postponement of elections by INEC

    Buhari tasked INEC to ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates.

    He added “While I reaffirm my strong commitment to the independence, neutrality of the electoral umpire and the sanctity of the electoral process and ballot, I urge all political stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment in our democratic journey.

    “I, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from all civil disorder and remain peaceful, patriotic and united to ensure that no force or conspiracy derail our democratic development.

    “I have decided to move back to Abuja to ensure that the 14.00 hrs meeting called by INEC with all stakeholders is successful.