The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Decides 2019

  • Wild jubilation in Edo over Buhari’s victory

    Residents of Edo State including traders, artisans and youths on Wednesday joined in a wild jubilation to celebrate the victory of President Mohammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s general elections.

    They danced through major streets of Benin City to also shore up support for the All Progressives Congress(APC) ahead of March 9 House of Assembly election.

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, Edo Youth Leader of the APC, Valentine Asuen joined in the victory dance.

    At the Oba Market, traders came out their shops to cheer the APC victory train.

    Speaking to newsmen, Shaibu said the road show dance was to appreciate Edo people for the improvement at the polls.

    Shaibu assured the March 9 House of Assembly elections would be a smooth sailing for the APC

    Secretary to the Edo APC, Lawrence Okah, said the victory of Buhari has shamed many pastors in the country.

    Okah said Nigerians proved the Pastors wrong that Buhari is not a murderer.

    He stated that Buhari’s integrity was the party’s watchword in the campaign.

    He said Nigerians know the difference between a thief and a sincere person.

  • Fayemi: Buhari’s victory, reward for sincere leadership

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his election for a second term in office.

    Fayemi said the re-election of the President is an attestation to the fact that Nigerians appreciate his efforts at making life more comfortable for the people of the country in the last four years.

    He described Buhari as a focused, compassionate and sincere leader with genuine concern for the overall good of the citizenry.

    He said voters have demonstrated that given a choice, they would readily choose a sincere leader who cares for their wellbeing above other considerations.

    According to him, the victory is a confirmation of the people’s trust in President Buhari and the APC-led government, adding that the President would not take the trust for granted.

    Read Also: Buhari condemns attacks in Sokoto, Kaduna

    Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the good people of Ekiti State, the Land of Honour, I heartily congratulate our President for this historic re-election as President for a second term.

    “No doubt, it has been a very tough battle, but the people of Nigeria have spoken in clear terms. They have chosen to reward Mr President’s sincerity of purpose with another term of office.

    “Regardless of what anybody might say, the Nigerian electorate has demonstrated a high level of sophistication. They have shown that they have the capacity to sieve through electoral promises and determine a leader that will serve their interest better.

    “The Nigerian people know President Buhari as a honest leader and have, through their votes, demonstrated their trust in his ability to take them to the next level of development and prosperity.

    “It is a new day and a new season and I congratulate Mr President for the victory and the entire Nigerian people for their courage and steadfastness and for their determination to deepen democracy in the country.”

  • Buhari receives Certificate of Return from INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Abuja presented a Certificate of Return to President Muhammadu Buhari, winner of the Feb. 23 Presidential election.

    The certificate was presented to the President by the Returning Officer of the election, who is also the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    Yakubu first invited the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who in turn invited the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to sign and collect the Certificate of Return.

    INEC had earlier today (Wednesday) declared President Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 2019 presidential election.

    Speaking at the event, the president assured Nigerians that they would soon see “a country moving to the `Next Level’ as the APC-led administration consolidates on its achievements”.

    President Buhari also pledged to continue to engage all parties as his administration would be operating an open government for the general progress of the country.

    He, however, vowed to continue the fight against corruption, saying accumulation of public wealth would not be tolerated.

    The president, who thanked God for the electoral victory, also reiterated his call on all APC supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition, saying “victory is enough reward for your efforts”.

    Personalities at the event included APC State Governors, Cabinet Ministers, Security Chiefs, Heads of Para-Military agencies, Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi.

    Others were the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufa’I, presidential aides and political appointees as well as the chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

    The National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and family members of both the President and the Vice-President also witnessed the event.

  • Buhari’s victory a watershed, says Bello

    Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has lauded the people of the state, for voting to return President Muhammadu Buhari into office.

    The governor on Wednesday during a state wide radio broadcast described Buhari’s second term victory at the last Saturday presidential and National Assembly as a watershed moment.

    He expressed sadness over the loss of lives and pockets of violence recorded during the exercise, saying those behind it will be brought to justice.

    According to him, “The reelection of Mr. President along with his able running mate, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, marks the watershed moment of the 2019 general elections, and in particular, the presidential and National Assembly Elections.

    “I thank the great people of Kogi State for their massive turnout and peaceful conduct. This amply demonstrates your commitment to the democratic process characterised by free and fair elections.

    “We have done our best to complement your aspirations by placing the credibility and integrity of the electoral system above any desires to win every contested seat, and by all available means.

    “Despite initial teething pains and some malignancy in the campaigns, we did our best to provide the secure and conducive atmosphere needed by our people to exercise their franchise freely. In the end, the good people of Kogi State spoke loud and clear that despite any shortcomings, government at state and federal levels have acted substantially in line with their mandate.

    “The voice of the people is the voice of God. Our people have resoundingly insisted that while change must now make way for progress, the All Progressives Congress still remains their preferred driver for the journey ahead.

    “As a government, we have been forced to function with only one federal legislator in the entire state, so the outcomes of these elections are a great victory and a precious gift to us by you. By your votes, you have improved our abilities to function well as a government by giving us a majority of the elected federal legislators. It will now be easier for what belongs to us to be harnessed in Abuja and brought home for the benefit of our communities.

    “I am saddened by the pockets of violence which marred the elections in some constituencies and led to loss of lives and properties. I am particularly pained by the death of Mr. Daniel Usman who came out to exercise his civic duty to vote only to have his life cut short by a stray bullet at Anyigba. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all those who may have suffered unjustly in any other manner.

    “Most significantly, I also give them my word that we will ensure they get justice by getting to the roots of the problems and bringing all perpetrators to book. We will ensure that legal action is taken against individuals and institutions which prevented or disrupted the conduct of elections in some polling units across the state.

    “Our stated objective of zero tolerance for crimes and insecurity remain intact, thus we cannot condone such recklessness or neglect to punish them.

    “As we prepare for the state Assembly Elections on March 9, we again urge our people to troop out en-masse and cast their votes. It will help the conduct of government business greatly if our people can also help us again by voting people at all state constituencies who will not delay or totally derail the business of government with unnecessary party politics. Nevertheless, we reiterate that our primary commitment is for everyone to come out and vote their choice without any form of duress.“

  • Observers rate Sokoto elections free, fair

    Domestic Election Observers that monitored Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Sokoto state have rated the elections as free and fair.

    Addressing a news conference on Wednesday in Sokoto, Leader of the observer groups, Mrs Grace Okonkwo, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its efforts.

    Okonkwo from Youth Initiative for Better Nigeria, said in spite of the challenges on card reader inefficiency, security breaches and others, INEC’s performance was remarkably well.

    She however, stressed that the law allowed participating organs to express their grievances.

    She mentioned that disturbances occurred in Dange Shuni, Wurno, Tureta, Rabah, Wamakko, Goronyo and Sabonbirni local government areas.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had rejected the election results won by the All Progressive Congress (APC) across the state.

    The state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, told the newsmen that the party would challenge the election outcome in court.

  • Full text of Buhari’s acceptance speech

    STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON THE OUTCOME OF FEBRUARY 23, 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

    My Dear Nigerians,

    First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God Who has spared our lives to witness another victory for Nigerian democracy and victory for our party APC.

    2. I thank the millions of Nigerians who voted to re-elect me as your president for the next four years. I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to you for judging me worthy of continuing to serve you and for your peaceful conduct.

    3. In particular, I would like to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his masterful leadership as Co-chair of the Campaign Council. I would like to also thank the Party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the Director General of the Campaign Council Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other various Support Groups.

    4. My grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the logistical expenses of the campaign in such a vast country like Nigeria.

    5. I also thank the millions of volunteers, self-appointed overseers, canvassers, agents, escorts and sentries who sacrificed so much of their time and resources to ensure the success of these elections. I do not have the words adequate to thank them.

    6. Although Saturday’s elections were relatively peaceful, troublemakers in a handful of states attempted to disrupt an otherwise orderly process. Security agencies will bring to justice all those arrested in the process.

    7. I am very sad at the grievous loss of lives during these elections. Security agencies will step up their efforts to protect voters in the forthcoming State elections.

    8. I would like to commend our security agencies, as severely overstretched as they are, for handling the difficult task of securing the country during the election period.

    9. I will like to make a special appeal to my supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition. Victory is enough reward for your efforts.

    10. We give thanks also to our Domestic and International observers for contributing to the success of our elections and for their interest in our country and our developing democracy.

    11. The new Administration will intensify its efforts in Security, Restructuring the Economy and Fighting Corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.

    12. I thank you for your support and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Ezekwesili garners 7,223 votes despite withdrawing ambition

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared President Muhammadu Buhari winner of Saturday’s presidential election.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, while announcing the results early on Wednesday in Abuja said Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his main challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 11,262,978 votes.

    Also in the results announced, the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) polled a total of 7, 223 votes.

    The presidential candidate of the party and a former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, had earlier announced her withdrawal from the presidential race, citing lack of support for her vision by the party leadership.

    The party leadership headed by Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Galadima immediately refuted Ezekwesili’s claims, saying that the former minister was rather pursuing a personal agenda and was never serious about her ambition.

    INEC had also said Ezewkwesili’s withdrawal had come too late and that it was not possible for the commission to substitute her name on the presidential list.

    In spite of that, Ezekwesili did not reverse her decision as she suspended all her campaign activities.

    A total of 73 candidates contested the 2019 presidential election which held on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019.

  • Breaking: Atiku rejects Buhari’s victory, heads to court

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has rejected the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23 presidential election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, Wednesday morning, declared President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

    But in a statement Wednesday entitled; Democracy Will Not Be Emasculated in Nigeria, Atiku said democracy was debased in the conduct of the elections.

    “Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court”, Atiku said.

    Stating his objection to the outcome of the election, as announced by INEC, Atiku said, “With regards to the presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.

    “One obvious red flag is the statistical impossibility of states ravaged by the war on terror generating much higher voter turnouts than peaceful states.

    “The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?

    “Another glaring anomaly is the disruption of voting in strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and diverse other states, with the authorities doing little or nothing and in some cases facilitating these unfortunate situations.

    “The militarization of the electoral process is a disservice to our democracy and a throwback to the jackboot era of military dictatorship. In some areas of the country, such as, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states, troops deployed for the elections turned their guns on the very citizens they were meant to protect. This is condemnable and should not be associated with our electoral process in the future.

    “I am a democrat and there are democratic avenues available to present the truth to the nation and the watching world. Already, many international observers have given their verdicts, which corroborate our observations. I am sure more will come in the coming hours and days”.

    The PDP candidate said he would have called to congratulate President Buhari within seconds of being aware of his victory if he had lost in a free and fair election.

    He added that he had struggled over the years with his services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.

    Continuing, he said, “However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

    “2007 was a challenge, but President Yar’ Adua was remorseful. In 2019, it is sad to see those who trampled on democracy thumping their noses down on the Nigerian people.

    “I want to assure my supporters and the entire Nigerian people that together, we will not allow democracy to be emasculated.

    Read Also: ‘Bindow reduced Atiku’s margin in Adamawa’

    “I hope and pray Nigerians will someday summon the courage to defend democracy. That is the only way we can move away from being the world headquarters for extreme poverty”

    The PDP candidate thanked the Nigerian people who trooped out in their millions to perform their civic duty on Saturday.

    “The patriotism of Nigerians is heartwarming and affirms my oft-repeated statement that we are brothers and sisters born from the womb of one mother Nigeria”, he added.

  • Orji Kalu congratulates Buhari on his re-election

    Dr Orji Kalu, the senator-elect, Abia North Senatorial District, said President Muhammadu Buhari deserved his re-election as he has taken Nigeria to enviable heights since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.

    In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, Kalu commended the achievements of the Federal Government under Buhari, describing them as unbeatable and remarkable.

    While acknowledging the goodwill of the president, the former governor of Abia, called on politicians to emulate his worthy qualities.

    Orji further urged Nigerian leaders to join hands with Buhari in rebuilding Nigeria.
    According to him, the future of Nigeria is bright under the current administration.

    He said: “The well-deserved victory of President Muhammadu Buhari did not come to Nigerians as a surprise because of the laudable achievements of the Federal Government.

    Read Also: Buhari thanks Tinubu, Oshiomhole, other Nigerians for victory

    “President Buhari has in the past four years taken Nigeria to enviable heights.

    “Nigeria has taken her rightful place in the comity of nations since President Buhari assumed office.

    “The All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has the welfare of the masses as a priority.

    “With the victory of President Buhari in the poll, it is obvious that Nigerians are happy with the President,’’ Kalu said.
    While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders for ensuring free and fair elections, Kalu urged Nigerians to sustain their support for Buhari and the APC.

  • 2019 Presidential Results

    PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS