The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Decides

  • NYSC DG hails corps members on election duties

    Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Suleiman Kazaure and management of the organisation have hailed corps members who participated as ad hoc personnel for the independent national electoral commission in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections nationwide.

    The NYSC saluted the corps members for the courage, high level of discipline, patriotism and neutrality they showed in the conduct of the elections.

    The organisation in a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, on Monday in Abuja, urged the corps members to display the same qualities in the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for 9th March.

    The statement reads: “Management joins the rest of the nation in saluting your courage, high level of discipline, patriotism and neutrality in the conduct of this historic national assignment. In particular, the resilience you all demonstrated in the face of the initial challenges encountered in matters of welfare in several states has heightened the nation’s confidence in you as an emerging generation of Nigeria leaders.

    “While commending you once more, it is our ardent hope that you will go into the next phase of the electoral duties, i.e. the Governorship and State Assembly elections on 9th March, 2019, with similar zeal, patriotism, and high sense of responsibility.

    “We pray for God’s continued protection upon you as you prepare for the coming phase.

    “Management further wishes to assure all corps members of our commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to promptly address all matters relating to your security and general welfare throughout and after this election season.

    “In this regard, management calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission to, as a matter of urgency, settle all outstanding training allowances and other entitlements of the corps members who participated in the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and to avoid delay in the settlement of their allowances for the next phase of the elections.

    “We also use this medium to appeal to INEC and security agencies to continue to evolve strategies for the protection of all corps members throughout this election period and thereafter.”

  • Kwara is free at last – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says with the outcome of last Saturday’s elections, Kwara is free “from a choking and pauperising political hegemony of a self-imposed dynasty”.

    The Minister, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara, stated this while briefing newsmen on Monday in Ilorin.

    He stressed that never again would the people of Kwara be treated like slaves in their own land.

    “Enough is Enough – O To Ge!,” he said.

    The minister said the official results of last Saturday’s National Assembly elections in the state were a clean sweep for the APC.

    “All three seats in the Senate and all six in the House of Representatives were won by our party.

    “The match between our party and the PDP ended 10-0 (1-0 President, 3-0 Senatorial, 6-0 House of Reps)

    He advised that with the unprecedented victory the state should declare Feb. 23 of every year as the Day of Liberation for Kwara State.

    “I want to ask the incoming Governor of our state to, immediately he is sworn in on 29 May 2019, to declare Feb. 23rd of every year as the Day of Liberation for Kwara State.”

    The minister gave gratitude to God for the victory and thanked the good people of Kwara for coming out to vote for APC.

    “No single individual can claim credit for this victory. It belongs to the people of Kwara.

    “All of us, the party leadership, were fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to lead the process.

    “But the ultimate credit goes to the people who resoundingly said NO to the PDP last Saturday.

    “Fired on by perhaps the most impactful, three-word political slogan ever in the history of party politics in this land –” O to Ge” meaning Enough is Enough”.

    “Kwarans have confirmed the saying that the power of the people is much stronger than the people in power,” he said.

    The minister said the victory in Kwara was achieved in the sweetest way because the election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

    He said: “not a single shot was fired throughout Kwara, no one snatched ballot box rather it was an atmosphere of conviviality.”

    Mohammed said the election was a sharp departure from what used to be in the state.

    ‘It confirms what we have been saying, that when there is adequate security, there will be a level playing ground for all the parties, and for all Kwarans.”

    The minister thanked the security agencies, all the party members, supporters and leaders of the party across the state.

    He urged the party members to note that the job was not completed yet, until they deliver the March 9 governorship and State House of Assembly elections for APC.

  • APC claims all NASS seats in Niger

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)) has officially declared the Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Mohammed Sani Musa and Mohammed Bima of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) as senators-elect in Niger State.

    The results were announced at the various senatorial collation centers across the state.

    The Niger South Senatorial zone was won by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullah of the APC, who polled 161,420 against PDP’s Honorable Muhammad Sani Duba 77,109 votes.

    Mohammed Sani Musa of APC won the Niger East Senatorial zone polling 229, 415 votes ahead of the PDP candidate Barrister Ibrahim Ishaku, who polled 116,143 votes.

    Mohammed Bima of APC won the Niger South senatorial zone with 160,614 votes defeating PDP Baba Shehu Agaie who polled 90,978.

    APC also won the seats of the Federal constituency however results for four federal constituencies are still being expected.

    For the Rijau/Magama Federal Constituency, Shehu Sale of APC polled 39,889 while Garba Dukku of PDP polled 23,747.

    In Borgu-Agwara Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Jafaru Mohammed Agwara polled 32,840 votes against PDP candidate, Abdurahman Bala Gambo, who polled 20,357.

    In Bida-Katcha-Gbako Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Abdullahi Saidu Musa polled 57,746 as against PDP candidate, Sharu Mohammed Baba 37,993 votes.

    In Suleja-Gurara-Tafa Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Abubakar Lado polled 54,224 votes while PDP candidate, Mukhtar Iya polled 38,732 votes.

    In Chanchaga Federal Constituency, APC candidate, Mohammed Umar Bago polled 39,391votes while PDP candidate, Abdullahi Buba polled 17,869 votes.

    In Kontagora-Mariga-Mashegu-Wushishi Federal Constituency, APC won with 95,454 votes but the name of the candidate was not announced due to court case while the PDP candidate, Sa’adatu Kolo polled 25,182 votes.

    Results are still being awaited from four federal constituencies, Bosso-Paikoro, Shiroro-Munya, Lavun-Edati-Mokwa and Lapai-Agaie.

    However, the collation of the presidential election results shows that APC is maintaining lead so far, winning 21 out of the 25 local government areas collated as at 4.30pm.

    The collation of the result of the presidential election is still ongoing.

  • There’ll be no run-off UK, US-backed observer YIAGA predicts

    There’ll be no run-off UK, US-backed observer YIAGA predicts

    A civil society organisation, the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement ( YIAGA ) Africa, has said there will be no run-off in the presidential election, adding that a clear winner will emerge.

    In a statement on Monday on voter turnout and results, the group, which undertook the Watching The Vote (WTV) project, said no candidate will receive over 55 per cent of the votes.

    YIAGA Africa has as its technical partners the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the US-based National Democratic Institute.

    It deployed 3,906 observers throughout the country including 3,030 Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) observers deployed in pairs to a random, representative statistical sample of 1,515 polling units where they remained throughout the day.

    “With this methodology, YIAGA Africa is able independently verify the accuracy of the official presidential election results announced by INEC,” the group said.

    In the statement by WTV Working Group Chair Dr. Hussaini Abdu and YIAGA Africa Executive Director Samson Itodo, YIAGA added: “Although YIAGA Africa currently has a stable estimated range for the election outcome, it is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that has the mandate to announce results.

    “However, based on currently received observer reports, there will be no run-off for the Presidential elections because a clear winner will emerge. YIAGA AFRICA’s PVT shows that no candidate will receive more than 55 per cent of the vote share.”

    YIAGA Africa said preliminary estimates indicate that turnout for Saturday’s presidential elections should be between 36 per cent and 40 per cent based on official turnout figures collected from the PVT’s representative statistical sample of polling units across the 774 LGAs in the country.

    “If INEC’s official turnout falls within WTV’s estimated range then it accurately reflects the ballots cast at polling units.

    “Only INEC has the legal mandate to announce the election results and return a candidate as a winner.”

    The group added: “We urge all stakeholders to respect the commission’s constitutional power and refrain from declaring election results. YIAGA Africa enjoins citizens to remain calm and maintain the peace as INEC collates the results.

    “YIAGA Africa continues to monitor the results collation until the final completion.

    “As soon as INEC announces the official results, YIAGA Africa will convene a press conference to share its own statement on the accuracy of the election results.”

  • Protesters march on INEC Headquarters in Makurdi

    It took a firm and timely response from armed soldiers to stop two groups of protesters from storming the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters along One Jang Road in Makurdi, Benue state on Monday afternoon.

    Shouting no Akume, no Election and other slogans, scores of angry youths insisted on storming the collation centre within INEC complex where results were being collated.

    Another group which claimed to be members of the PDP descended on the area, insisting on forceful entry into INEC office to foreclose the possibility of incumbent Senator George Akume declared as winner.

    “We believe that they (INEC) can do whatever he wants but there are disputes over election figures in Akume’s Zone B ( Benue North-West senatorial zone) and he must be stopped,” one of the PDP youth who gave his name as Terseer Tyav told The Nation.

    However, one of those leading the pro-Akume group, Clement Iordaar, alleged that there was a mischievous ploy to deny Akume reelection.

    “Suswam and Abba Moro of PDP have won two of the senatorial seats but they are insisting on truncating Akume’s victory so that another PDP member, Orker Jev can take the seat and fulfill Ortom’s boast about retiring Akume from politics,” he said.

    However, alert soldiers effectively blocked the two groups of protesters from entering the INEC compound.

    Collation of the presidential results was still ongoing during the protest and results from fifteen local government areas had been declared.

    Those of the National Assembly elections were being awaited.

  • Former Governor Orji wins Abia Central Senatorial seat

    Abia State former Governor and Senator representing the Abia Central senatorial district, Chief Theodore Orji, has been declared the winner of the just concluded senatorial election.

    The returning officer Prof. Yusuf Omeh declared him winner on Monday at the Independent National Electoral Commission office, Adelabu road, Umuahia the State capital.

    According to Prof. Omeh Orji polled 55,461 to defeat his closet rival and the candidate the All Progressive Congress (APC) Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu.

    The Returning Officer also announced that Nwaogu scored 29,860 Votes to come second in the election while the candidates of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Chidi Ajaegbu who polled 19,534 votes to clinch the third position.

    In related development the member representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Johnson Onuigbo has been declared the winner of the Houses of representatives’ election in the constituency.

    The Returning Officer Prof. Georgina Ugwuanyi declared him winner after announcing that he polled 30,669 votes to defeat the All Progressive Congress candidate Mr. Ikechukwu Apugo who scored 23,279 votes.

    Ugwuanyi also announced that the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance Chief Markdonald Uba scored 10,312 votes.

    Also the member representing Arochukwu/ Ohafia Federal Constituency Chief Nko Nkole of the People s Democratic Party was declared winner of the seat.

    He scored 7,072 to defeat the APC candidate Chief Iroh Orji who polled 5496 votes.

  • Gov Al-Makura wins senate seat as Adamu returns

    Nasarawa state governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has defeated Senator Suleiman Adokwe to pick the ticket for the Nasarawa South Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Al Makura polled a total of 112,485 votes to defeat Sen. Adokwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 104,246 votes.

    The governor defeated the three-time senator in Lafia, Awe and Keana local government areas while Adokwe won in two, Doma and Obi.

    In Awe local government, the APC polled 22,180 to defeat PDP which polled 10,699 votes. In Keana local government, it was a close contest as the APC got 9,714 votes while the PDP got 9,141 votes.

    Also, Senator representing Nasarawa west, Senator Abdullahi .Adamu has been declared winner of last Saturday’s National Assembly election.

    Adamu of All Progressives Congress(APC) was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation officer Professor, Ahmed Yakubu Ashuku of Federal University, Lafia having polled 115,298 to defeat Alhaji Bala Ahmed Aliyu of PDP, who scored 85,615 votes and Dr. K’tso Nghargbu of APGA with 28,857 votes respectively.

    The Returning Officer put the total votes cast at 238,000, valid votes 232,494 while the rejected votes stood at 5,506.

    According to Prof. Ashuku, the total registered voters were 696,877 while 249,877 stood for accredited votes.

  • INEC declares Ogun East Senatorial election inconclusive

    The election result of Ogun East Senatorial District was on Monday declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

    The Returning Officer for Ogun East, Prof. Chris Onwuka of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), said that the decision to declare the election inconclusive was based on the principle of INEC.

    He said the election was cancelled because of over voting in Ajebandele Ward in Ijebu East Local Government where total vote cast were more than the number of accredited voters.

    There was protest within the collation centre at Ijebu-Ode Local Government Town Hall when Onwuka was about declaring Sen. Lekan Mustapha of All Progressive Party (APC) as the winner of the election.

    Mustapha polled a total vote of 84,929, his closest rival, Mr. Adeola Sosanwo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), polled 82,457 votes.

    The returning officer said that there was alleged case of discrepancies in the election results.

    Onwuka said, “And if election is being conducted, it can sway decision in any direction. Based on the principle of INEC, the election is going to be declared inconclusive.

    “I have given you the logic, because the officer said he cancelled some polling units, but 13,000 is reflected here.

    “Please, the election remains inconclusive until this is cleared.”

  • Final result of presidential election in Enugu

    APC 54,423
    PDP 355,553

    Total no. of votes 451,063
    Accredited voters 452,765
    Invalid votes 30,049

    Announced by the State collation officer, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku.

  • APGA wins Anambra East/West Federal Constituency

    The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), Mr Chinedu Obidigwe has been declared winner of the Anambra East and West Federal Constituency election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Obidigwe polled a total of 28,657 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ernest Nwoye of the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 9,574 votes.

    Announcing the result of the election at INEC Collation Centre, Otuocha, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, said the APGA candidate had satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the contest.

    He described the election as free and fair and in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and the electoral act.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the announcement, Obidigwe expressed gratitude to God for using the people of the constituency to actualize his political aspiration.

    He pledged to translate the victory to quality representation of his constituents at the green chamber of the Senate.