The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Decides

  • Buhari maintains lead

    INEC promises substantial progress

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari is still in the driver’s seat as results of the presidential elections from states emerged at day two in the national collation centre.

    On the second day of the process, Buhari has added Niger, Jigawa, Kaduna and Lagos to the bag of votes he has garnered.

    Atiku, on his part, has won in Anambra, Adamawa and a slim victory in Oyo.

    The results were announced as Chairman of Independent National Electoral commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured of substantial progress in the collation process.

    Yakubu, who spoke at commencement of proceedings at the Collation centre, urged Nigerians to bear with the commission.

    He stressed that INEC will do everything possible to ensure quickly completion of the process, which is expected to end with the announcement of the winner.

    He said: “We will make substantial progress today and our intention is to complete this process very speedily.”

    After the first day, Buhari is leading his closest opponent former Vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in seven of the eleven states while Atiku claims four states and FCT.

    The second collation day commenced with Niger state, which went to the APC with 612,371 votes to 218, 052 for PDP.

    There are 2,375, 568 registered voters across the 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 911,964 accredited voters.

    The state recorded a total vote cast of 896,976 and 851,937 valid votes. 45 votes were rejected while 71,200 were cancelled.

    In Jigawa state, Buhari scored 794,738 against Atiku’s 289,895 votes.

    Jigawa with 27 LGAs has 2 ,104,889 registered voter population of which 1,171,801 were accredited to vote while the state recorded a total vote cast of 1,149,922 .

    The recorded valid vote for Jigawa is 1,106,244 while 43, 678 votes were rejected.

    Kaduna state also went to Buhari with 993,445 votes as against PDP’s 640, 612 votes.

    Atiku fought back in Anambra state with 524,738 votes as against APC’s 33,298.

    He also had a slim victory in Oyo state as PDP scored 366,690 against 365,229 for APC.

    Adamawa also went into the bag of PDP candidate, who hails from there.

    He won with 410,266 votes against Buhari’s 378,078 votes.

    Adamawa with 21 LGAs has 1,959,322 registered voters with only 874,920 accredited voters.

    The total valid vote is 811,534 while rejected votes are 49,222 giving a total number of 860,756.

    Bauchi went to Buhari, who scored 798,428 while PDP scored 209,313. Valid vote 1,024, 307 rejected votes 37,648 and total vote cast is 1,061, 955

    APC also captured Lagos votes as it edged PDP with 580,825 against the opposition’s 448,015.

    The ruling party also followed with victory in Ogun state where it scored 281,762 as against PDP’s 194, 655.

    The registered number of voters for Ogun state is 2,336,887 while 613,399 was accredited and total vote cast stood at 605,938.

    Edo state with 18 Local Government Areas and 2,150,127 registered voters, went to Atiku of the PDP with a vote of 275, 691 as against Muhammmed Buhari who scored 267,842 votes.

    Accredited voters the poll was 604,915 while total valid vote is 560,711. The total rejected poll is 38, 517, given a total vote cast 599, 228.

    The number of cancellation which was carried out in 48 polling units is 42,176.

    The vote of Benue state went to PDP as it pulled a narrow margin victory over the ruling party with a figure of 356,817 as against APC’s 347,668.

    Edo with a voter populations of 2, 391,276 has a total vote cast of 763,872, while the valid vote is 728,912.

    The rejected vote is 34,960 while 122,989 votes were cancelled in 172 polling units.

    Atiku also picked Imo with 334,923 votes as against APC’s 140,463 votes.

  • Polls: PDP rejects outcome, threatens court action in Sokoto

    The Sokoto state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party on Tuesday vehemently rejected in totality the conduct and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections results with a threat to go to court.

    The party described the entire process as one marred by fraudulent actions with the aid of INEC and the police.

    It also called for the outright cancellation as well sought for a reschedule of the exercise where it was rigged as well where elections did not hold.

    Addressing a press conference, the state party Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma said the elections were marred by rigging and unwarranted arrest of its agents, members and supporters across the state.

    According to Milgoma who accused the police, INEC officials and APC for conspiring to deny PDP supporters and leaders to exercise the franchise in accordance with the provisions of the law.

    Read Also: Atiku wins Taraba with 374,743 votes

    “Many of our leaders, supporters and party agents were intimidated, arrested and detained to pave way for APC to have a field day for election rigging.

    “We are aware and have seen police personnel deployed from Abuja to come and carryout the unlawful task of denying voters their rights,” he stressed.

    The party chairman further alleged that evidences of vote buying by APC and nobody, was arrested except members of the PDP.

    ” There were so many other cases of arrest on our agents in Wurno, Kebbe, Tambuwal, Dange Shuni, Shagari, Sokoto North and South”, he enumerated while citing the arrests of Sokoto North local government chairman, Aminu Ibrahim a.k.a ” No delay” and one Alhaji Muhammadu who was allegedly charged for causing injuries and attempted murder.

  • Buhari wins Kebbi with 581,552

    President Muhammad Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged winner in the last Saturday’s presidential election in Kebbi state.

    Buhari won with a total of 581, 552 votes to defeat his closest rival Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who got 154,282.

  • Saraki wishes winners good luck despite inadequacies

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has stated that in spite of the reported inadequacies that attended last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kwara State, he is wishing the candidates who emerged from the election the best of luck.

    Dr. Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu stated that while the election was generally peaceful there are inadequacies like the card readers not used in over 70 percent of the polling units while there were multiple voting, over-voting and other discrepancies that were reported by agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) across the state. He added that the state chapter of his party will take a position on the right response to these inadequacies.

    “However, whatever the final outcome of the election, I wish the candidates that have emerged all the best in their attempts to serve our people. It is my prayers that the good people of Kwara State will always have the best from any government both at state and federal levels.

    Read Also: Saraki denies congratulating Oloriegbe

    “As a product of a family and a political structure that is, from its foundation, devoted to the service and development of our state and its people, it is my wish that our people will always have a good deal at all times. The new development will even provide the people the opportunity to compare and contrast. After all, the people who have emerged from last Saturday’s election are not my enemies. They are fellow Kwarans.

    “As we prepare for the March 9, 2019Governorship and House of Assembly elections, let me reiterate my position that the candidates of the PDP in the election represent the best materials for our dear State, Kwara. Therefore, I enjoin our people to come out en mass on Election Day and vote for them. I am going to work with our party leaders to further sell the PDP candidates to the general public.

    “I thank all Nigerians for their goodwill and to enjoin all of us that as we patiently await the outcome of the Presidential election, we pray for peace, unity and genuine development in our country. It is also our prayers that at all times, the wish of the people will always prevail in the choice of the leadership and the electorate will always enjoy the benefit of good governance”, Saraki stated.

  • Atiku wins in Cross River

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has won the presidential elections in Cross River State.

    Atiku scored 295, 737 votes to beat Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came second with 117, 302.

    The results were confirmed at the State Collation Center for the presidential election by the Returning Officer, Prof. Ibhadode Akin.

    The results collated were however from 17 out of 18 local government areas in the state as elections in Etung local government area was cancelled due to violence.

    A statement on the Etung situation is yet to be made by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

  • APC defeats PDP in Bauchi with 798, 428 votes

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) polled 798,428 votes to beat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which scored 209,313 votes in Bauchi State in last Saturday’s presidential election.

    Prof. Alhassan Ghani, the State Collation officer, announced the result after collation from the 20 local government areas of the state on Tuesday in Bauchi.

    He said that the state had 2,453,512 registered voters, out of which, 1,075,330 were accredited for the election.

    Ghani added that a total of 1,061,955 votes were cast, out of which APC scored 798,428 votes and PDP scored 209,313 votes.

    According to the collation officer, the exercise records a total of 1,024,307 valid votes and 37,648 invalid votes.

    Read Also: Anambra APC Reps candidate congratulates winner

    He commended the electorate, stakeholders and party agents for the peaceful elections, commitment and cooperation throughout the exercise.

    Meanwhile, Col. Umaru Tilde (rtd) and Alhaji Salihu Yau, agents of the APC and PDP accepted the result and signed the documents on behalf of their parties.

  • Barde wins Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency in Kaduna

    The incumbent member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Umar Yakubu Barde has been reelected to represent his constituency for the fifth term.

    Hon. Barde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who is the minority whip at the green chambers garnered total votes of 92,547 to defeat his closest opponent Barrister Bashir Yahaya Wushiri of APC who scored 34,022 and Ekene Abubakar Adams of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) who polled 16,813 votes.

    In the keenly contested election, Hon. Barde polled 69,416 votes in Chikun local government area and 23,131 votes in Kajuru local government area.

    Barrister Wushiri of the APC scored 23,505 votes in Chikun local government area and 10,517 in Kajuru local government area.

    Mr. Adams got 11,636 votes in Chukun local government area and 5,177 in Kajuru local government area.

    Announcing the result at the collation centre at Kujama headquarters of Chikun local government area of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, Professor Emmanuel Bamidele from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, said, “Yakubu Umar Barde haven satisfied and scored the highest votes cast is hereby declared winner and returned elected.”

  • APC clears Senate, Reps seats in Kwara

    Candidates of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Kwara won all the three Senatorial and six House of Representatives seats in the state.

    The official results of the elections were released to the News Agency of Nigeria by Jacob Ayanda, Head of Department, Voter education and Publicity on Monday in Ilorin.

    The Senatorial seat for Kwara Central was won by Yahaya Oloriegbe who polled 123, 808 votes to defeat the incumbent Senate President Bukola Saraki that got 68, 994 votes.

    Also the Kwara South seat was clinched by an Architect, Lola Ashiru who got 89, 904 votes to unseat the incumbent Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim of PDP that polled 45, 176 vote.

    Umar Suleiman Sadiq became the Senator-elect for Kwara North Senatorial District with 98, 170 votes to defeat Zakari Mohammed of PDP that polled 33, 364 votes.

    The House of Representatives seat for Ilorin West/Asa was won by Alhaji Abdulyekeen Alajagusi with 68, 585 votes to 42, 068 polled by Abdulrasaq Lawal of the PDP.

    Read Also: APC claims all NASS seats in Niger

    Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo emerged the Reps member-elect for Ilorin South/Ilorin East by polling 56, 496 votes to defeat Ayinde Mohammed of PDP who polled 27, 737 votes.

    The Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency seat was won by Tijani Kayode with 54, 401 votes as against 19, 449 votes polled by Olerinoye Tope of PDP.

    The incumbent Reps member for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero, Hon Olawuyi Abdulraheem of the APC polled 33, 386 votes to retain his seat by defeating his closest opponent, Bolade Rafiu of the PDP who got 22, 954 votes.

    The House of Reps seat for Baruten/Kaiama was won by Mohammed Bio with 39, 914 votes to 14, 476 votes polled by Abubakar Musa of PDP.

    Ahmed Ndakenne polled 58, 054 votes to secure the Patigi/Edu/Moro Federal Constituency seat by defeating Hassan Mahmud Babako of the PDP that got 19, 144 votes.

  • INEC shouldn’t be crucified for electoral irregularities – Ngige

    Minister of Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige on Monday absorbed the Independent National electoral commission (INEC) over certain irregularities experienced during elections.

    He said the involvement of non-permanent staff of the commission makes it impossible for electoral irregularities not to be witnessed in any election.

    Fielding questions from journalists at the INEC collation center in Awka, the Minister attributed most of the problems to the ad-hoc staff recruited for the exercise.

    He said, “You see when we talk about INEC, I like to be fair to them. INEC has both permanent and ad-hoc staff.

    “Lots of these problems emanate from the ad-hoc staff and you know they don’t owe deep loyalty to the commission.

    “Government has tried to find a way around it by insisting they use federal government civil servants and lecturers in federal universities.

    “So if these ones misbehave, they can be punished according to civil service rules.”

    Ngige however canvassed for early training for the ad-hoc staff and continuous training for the permanent ones as a way of mitigating the challenge.

    On the presidential results so far released by the INEC, the Minister said he was not surprised at the outcome, expressing confidence that President Buhari would be reelected.

    “What else do you expect? We’re expecting to clear more states, especially those with big votes,” he asserted.

    He however asked those who eventually emerge winners to be magnanimous with victory while those that lost should accept defeat in good faith.

    He said, “We expect that as a game, those who lost will try next time, and for those who win to be magnanimous with victory.“

  • US envoy lauds peaceful conduct elections

    The United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, W Stuart Symington on Monday commended the peaceful conduct of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.

    In a statement, the envoy said the preliminary report he got from the many observers groups that worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that for a few isolated cases, the elections were peaceful.

    Symington therefore urged the major political gladiators that signed the peace accord to prevail on their followers to eschew post-election violence.

    He said: “I congratulate the tens of millions of Nigerians who stood patiently in long lines to vote this week and the hundreds of thousands who worked together with INEC to conduct the elections.

    “As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, this election was predominantly peaceful, and it was proof of the Nigerian people’s resolute commitment to choose their leaders.

    “The peaceful achievement of millions was shadowed by the violence of a few. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, and we urge all candidates to honor the Peace Accord they signed.

    “All should convince those who support them to refrain from using force or violence to interfere with INEC.

    “No one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final.

    “Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results.”