The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have warned against any attempt to distort the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls.
While noting that there are no evidence of systemic manipulation of the electoral process for now, both countries however said there are disturbing indications that the collation process—here the votes are finally counted—may be subject to deliberate political interference.
According to a joint press statement signed by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.K. foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said any interference contravenes the letter and spirit of the Abuja Accord, to which both major parties committed themselves.
The statement reads; “Our governments welcome the largely peaceful vote on March 28. The Nigerian people have shown a commendable determination to register their vote and choose their leaders.
“So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process. But there are disturbing indications that the collation process—where the votes are finally counted—may be subject to deliberate political interference.
This would contravene the letter and spirit of the Abuja Accord, to which both major parties committed themselves.
“The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission (INEC), or its Chairman, Professor Jega; or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people.”
The results for last Saturday’s presidential elections have started trickling in from 14 local government councils of Adamawa state.
The collation of the results as released by the Returning Officers at the General Murtala Mohammed College showed that the All Progressive Congress (APC) is leading in nine local councils followed by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP (PDP), which won in five local government councils.
The results showed that APC won in Girei, Maiha, Hong, Mayo-Belwa, Yola South,Yola North, Toungo, Mubi North,and Shelleng, while the PDP won in Madagali, Lamurde, Michika, Guyuk and Song local council areas.
In Girei, APC polled 17,149 votes as against PDP 9,285 votes, in Maiha APC recorded 15,432 votes as against PDP 2,603 votes, and in Hong local government, APC recorded 17,365 votes PDP 1,662 votes.
Also in Mayo-Belwa APC scored 24483 votes as against PDP 17,789 votes, while in Yola South APC polled 39,019 votes as against PDP 10,988 votes and in Yola North, APC scored 47,139 votes against PDP 13,790 votes.
In Toungo the results showed that the APC won the local government with 6,891 votes as against the PDP’s 4,239 votes.
Similarly, in Mubi North, APC polled 20,641 votes against the PDP with 12,964 votes.
The APC won Shelleng with 14,656 votes as against the PDP which scored 9,053 votes.
Meanwhile, the PDP however won the election in Madagali with 4,997 votes against APC 3,331 votes, while in Lamurde, the PDP won with 17,919 votes as against APC 7,322 votes and in Michika PDP won with 6,762 votes against APC 3,527 votes.
The PDP won in Guyuk with 19,808 votes as against APC 9,575 votes and in Song local government PDP also won with 18,495 votes while APC scored 17,354 votes.
As at the time of filing this report, mores results are still being expected at the collation centre while the results for the Senate and House of Representatives are still being awaited.
Senator Suleiman Nazif of All Progressive Congress (APC), has won the Bauchi North Senatorial District seat.
Declaring the result in Azare, headquarters of the District on Monday, the INEC Returning Officer for the Senatorial election in the Zone, Dr Muhammed Adamu said that Nazif polled 197, 919 votes, to beat his opponents, Alhaji Faruq Mustapha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Okolo Jujiana of the NPPP, who scored 97,047 and 974 votes respectively.
In another development, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed-Baba of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has won the Katagum Federal Constituency House of Representatives election.
Returning Officer for the House of Representatives election in the constituency, Mohammed Mohammed, declared on Monday in Azare that Muhammed-Baba polled 38, 151 votes, to defeat his opponent, Alhaji Awalu Gwalabe of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 23, 535 votes.
He described the election as the “most peaceful, free, fair and orderly ever conducted in the country.”APC candidates Nazifi, Mohammed-Baba, win Bauchi North District, Katagum Federal Constituency.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won with wide margins, all the three senatorial seats in Katsina State at the concluded National Assembly elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Returning Officer for Katsina Central, Prof. Aminu Dalhatu saying that the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, polled 375, 360 votes to defeat Alhaji Lamis Dikko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 77, 323 votes.
In Katsina North, the returning officer, Prof. Rashid Hamid, declared that the APC candidate, Alhaji Mustapha Bukar scored 308, 041 votes to emerge winner.
Similarly, Bukar defeated PDP candidate and Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ya’u Gwajo-gwajo, who secured 102,892 votes.
In Katsina South, the returning officer, Prof. Hamza Mani said that APC candidate who is the Senate Minority Whip, Sen. Abu Ibrahim, polled 409, 642 votes to emerge victorious.
He defeated the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Faskari of PDP who scored 100,364 votes.
In a related development, APC has won Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency.
The returning officer, Prof. Rashid Hamid said that APC candidate, Alhaji Sani Saidu-Fago, one time Speaker of the state assembly, polled 29,137 votes to emerge winner.
Hamid said that Saidu-Fago defeated Alhaji Sani Lawal of PDP, who scored 9,948 votes during the election.
In Kankia/Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency, the returning officer, Dr. Lawal Abdu-Saulawa said that the APC candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Babba polled 65,768 votes to emerge winner.
Saulawa said that Babba, the incumbent member for the area, defeated Alhaji Sada Yakubu of PDP who scored 16,797 votes.
Alhaji Ubali Shitu of All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged winner of the Jigawa north-east senatorial election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shitu won the election by defeating two other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).
Declaring the result, the Returning Officer, Prof. Adamu Usman, said Shitu scored 193,960 votes to win the election.
Usman said that Alhaji Ahmad Sarawa of the PDP polled 97,196 votes while Alhaji Ahmed Kaugama of the PDM scored 1,266 votes.
“The APC candidate scored the highest votes and returned elected in accordance with provisions of the Electoral Act.’’
NAN reports that Sarawa is the current Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly.
The Jigawa north-east senatorial zone comprises eight local government areas including Auya, Birniwa and Guri, Kafin-Hausa, Kaugama, Kirikasamma, Malammadori and Hadejia
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan is leading in six Local Government according to the results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
The party, as at the time of filing this report has won six local government out of the 13 LGA in the state.
Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari is leading in the election results of the first five local government areas released by INEC on Sunday.
Announcing the results, the Returning Officer for the presidential election in Kaduna State, Professor Ja’afaru Kaura gave the names of the local government area as Soba with APC recording 61,656 votes, PDP 1,998 votes, Kaura APC 7,101, PDP 27,502 votes, Sabon Gari APC 71,022 votes, PDP 10,845 votes, Jaba APC 5,342 votes. PDP 18,314 votes, and Sanga APC 12,817 votes, PDP 22,858 votes.
Kwali:
The Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sidi Ali won in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, beating Sen. Phillips Aduda by 1,035 votes.
He polled 14,645 votes while the incumbent Senator and Chairman, House Committee on Power polled 13, 610 of the 29,320 votes cast.
ADC polled 62 to place third. 13 political parties took part in the election.
Buhari beats Jonathan in Presidential Villa polling units Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari has defeated President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP at the Presidential Villa polling units.
Buhari got a total of 613 votes, while Jonathan polled a total of 595 votes.
11:10
APC wins Senate election in Presidential Villa polling units Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate has also won the election in the two polling units 021 and 022 inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.The total votes scored in the two units showed that APC got 597 votes while PDP garnered 567 votes.
Sorting and counting for the presidential election in the two units is still ongoing.
Reps: PDP loses Presidential Villa polling units
*(A) Reps result for Polling Unit 021, Presidential Villa
(575 accredited out of 2181 registered) APC: 255 PDP: 254 (B) House of Representatives result for polling unit 022, Presidential Villa (770 accredited out of 2278 who registered)
LP: 11 APGA: 45 PDP: 241 APC: 334. Invalid: 16
9:06pm
Results in Jonathan’s unit delayed
Joseph Jibueze, Otuoke
Results are yet to be announced in the Unit 39, Ward 13, where President Goodluck Jonathan voted.
Voting was still ongoing as at 8pm.
When the last person on the queue voted, the electoral officer announced that counting would begin.
But a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, who gave her name as S. Otazi, complained that several people were yet to vote.
She said some went home when there were hitches and could return to vote.
The electoral officer then stopped the counting and returned the ballot papers to the boxes. Only about three more people voted afterwards.
5.00pm
Buhari votes in Daura
The presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has voted in the ongoing presidential and National Assembly elections.
Buhari, accompanied by enthusiastic supporters voted at his Daura, Katsina, country home at about 4.50pm.
He arrived at the polling centre at exactly 4.48pm and expressed delight at the massive voters’ turnout.
Many of the supporters milled around the APC standard bearer, shouting Sai Baba! Sai Baba!! Sai Baba!!!
INEC preparation: Lagosians express concern
By Muyiwa Lucas
Accreditation started at around 10am in Moses Adebayo Unit, Ojodu, Ikeja LGA. Despite the heavy downpour, the electorates where not discouraged as they stayed put.
However, as at 4:30 pm, two-third of the accredited voters was yet to cast their votes. This is due to the slow process of INEC officials here. The fear now is that a lot of voters may be disenfranchised.
No provision is made for illumination should the voting extend into the night.
In Isheri, Kosofe Local Government Area, the situation is not palatable. As at 4:35pm, not a single vote has been casted in the entire area.
Similarly, in Ward G, Isheri, voters were seen waiting anxiously for ballot papers to arrive. In Wilmer unit, still in Isheri, not a single INEC official was sighted till 4:40pm.
Kayode Oyedele, a voter in Ward G, told The Nation correspondence that it is unfortunate that INEC has shown lack of preparedness for the election regardless of the huge money they were given to conduct the election.
Oyedele and several other voters in the Ward express worries that they might not have a chance to contribute to electing their leader.
“We are sad that INEC has disenfranchised us as a people and as a community. We had a peaceful accreditation; sadly, it is 4:30pm now and we can’t find a single ballot paper in the entire Isheri community which has over 7, 000 voters,” Oyedele said.
Women Arise leader, Dr. Joe Odumakin, in a chat with shortly after casting her vote in Moses Adebayo unit, said so far, reports reaching her across several other places are not impressive.
She said that there have been cases of INEC machines not working in some places like Magodo Shangisha, Mowe Ibafo, etc. “My team has just called from Kogi state now, and we hear that people are finding it difficult to vote in places like Ogori-magongo, Okene, Kabba, Ankpa, amongst others.
It is a worrisome development, but let’s just be calm until the voting is over,” Odumakin said.
3.55pm
INEC extends voting till Sunday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting during the Presidential and National Elections to Sunday in problem areas
It directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners in the country to conduct election on
Sunday in areas where there were hitches.
It said it has also relocated all the contents on its website to another site following hacking by some elements.
It however said it could not still exactly say what went wrong in Otuoke, Bayelsa State which led to the delay in the accreditation of President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.
The Chairman of INEC Committee on Information and Voters Education, Mr. Chris Iyimoga, who addressed the press at the Media Centre of the National Collation Centre in Abuja, said with some hitches in some parts of the country, there was no way the Presidential and National Assembly Elections could be concluded today (Saturday) .
He said: “Each REC has been informed to conduct election on Sunday where there are hitches with accreditation or voting. I cannot say exactly the number of states affected but the problems are not in all the states.”
2.50pm
INEC meets to review performance of card readers
Remi Adelowo
The national leadership of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is presently meeting to review the performance of card readers nationwide.
The resident electoral commissioner in Lagos State, Mr Akin Orebiyi stated this during a brief chat with journalists.
Orebiyi disclosed that the commission is abreast of the failure of card readers in some polling units in some states and would arrive at a decision which he assured would not jeopardise the conduct of the polls.
“i can’t say much now so as not to contradict the headquarters,” Orebiyi said
2.40pm
Voting on in Epe, Lagos
Raymon Mordi
Voting is finally underway in Epe, Lagos State. Ballot papers arrived at 13: 55pm, but voting finally got started at 2.30pm. In the two polling units close to the APC governorship candidate’s homestead, the exercise has been proceeding peacefully.
Akinwunmi Ambode arrived the venue at 2.40pm to cast his ballot with his wife and retinue of followers.
A voter voting at the polling centre
2.30pm
APC seeks more time for accreditation and voting, hail Nigerians
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked INEC to extend the time for accreditation and voting to make up for the delay being experienced across the country by the use of card readers. In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said extending the time for accreditation and voting will ensure that Nigerians who have queued up patiently at their polling units as early as 8 am will not be disenfranchised. It also urged INEC to recognize the letters from the various political party agents, since INEC was not able to fulfill its promise to accredit party agents, which used to be done by the parties themselves.
2.10am
Card readers in Atunrase, Gbagada in Lagos fail to work. INEC officials decline to use voters register for accreditation as at 2.10pm
2.00pm
INEC website back online
1.50am
Voting commences in Ekiti, Katsina, Ogun
Polls: Process peaceful, orderly in Kaduna
….as VP gives pass mark for Card Readers
From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna
The accreditation for the election process has so far been peaceful and orderly in Kaduna with Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo being accredited under two minutes.
The Vice President and his wife, Hajia Amina Sambo were accredited at polling unit 011, Swimming Pool road, by Police College gate in Kaduna.
Sambo who arrived the polling unit at exactly 11:18am was accredited within two minutes with card reader.
Speaking after his accreditation, the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate gave pass mark to INEC for the card reader and called on Nigerians to come out and exercise their franchise.
Meanwhile, the accreditation exercise has been peaceful and orderly at most of the polling units visited.
Though hitches were earlier recorded with the card readers, they have since been working perfectly at all the polling units visited.
However, against the initial fear of voters’ intimidation by security presence in the states, no soldier has so far been sighted at any polling unit. As at the time of filling this report, only policemen were seen at polling units.
Protest as police stop exercise in Alimosho
By Kunle Akinrinade
Protest rocked Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area of Alimosho in Lagos following the stoppage of accreditation exercise by policemen.
The exercise did not commence until 11.15 am following the late arrival of electoral officers.
The card readers at the polling centres; 040,042,045,046 and 039 did not work.
Voters were shocked when a team of policemen stormed the centres and evacuated the INEC officials.
Efforts made by frustrated voters to prevent the policemen from stopping the exercise were met with resistance as the policemen shot sporadically.
Angry voters later embarked on street protest condemning the aborted exercise.
A voter,Mrs Oroja Giwa said: ” I am angry .The conduct of the policemen is questionable because we have been disenfranchised. They have moved the INEC officials to undisclosed location. We suspected foul play because the policemen were accompanied by some PDP loyalists.”
Obasanjo, Amosun, wife accredited to vote
Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Olufunso, were Saturday morning accredited to vote in the general election.
While Obasanjo got accredited at the his ward 11 polling unit 22 situating Oke – Sokori near his Ita – Eko home in Abeokuta North local government, Amosun and his wife had theirs at the Ajura 1 polling unit at St John’s School, Ajura, in Obafemi Owode local government.
Speaking with reporters shortly after his accreditation, Obasanjo said the accreditation went smoothly but complained that some people won’t vote because unavailability of their voters cards.
Obasanjo said: “it is a constitutional issue and every four years whether for all elective officers in Nigeria, we must go through this ritual. What I have gone through is very okay. They checked my card, my finger print and they said it was okay and that I should come back and vote.”
On voters card, the former President said: “some people have not gotten all the cards but at this hour there is not much anybody can do. What we do hope is that the election that will come two weeks now maybe those without cards now will have their cards then.”
INEC battles to re-host hacked website
Dapo Olufade
Computer engineers of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) are battling to re-host the commission’s website that was hacked into earlier today by a group that called itself Nigerian Cyber Army/Team NCA.
Mr.Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman said the message posted on the website by the hackers has been taken down preparatory to the re-hosting of the website.
A short message by INEC on the website said : “ We will be back soon!
“Sorry for the inconvenience but we are performing some maintenance at the moment. We will be back online shortly! Site should be back up soon.”
The hacking occurred midway into the accreditation of voters for today’s elections.
The hackers posted the following on the website: “StruCk By Nigerian Cyber Army | TeaM NCA”
“Sorry xD Your Site has been STAMPED by TeaM Nigerian Cyber Army FEEL SOME SHAME ADMIN!!”
“Security is just an illusion, Remember US GREETINGS OF PEACE TO CITIZEN OF NIGERIA FROM TEAM NCA NIGERIANS No Body Can Give You Freedom No Body Can Give You Equality Or Justice If You Are A Man/Woman YOU TAKE IT”
Poll Advisory on Card Readers
Poll Advisory: Protective film on card readers should be removed for efficient performance. Reports say the approach is working in some centres where the card readers initially failed to recognize voters’ cards.
Card readers working in Matogun
Ozolua Uhakheme
In polling centers 003 and 004 Matogun 1 and 2 Ifo Ifo, Ogun State accreditation is ongoing but started behind schedule. Turnout impressive as voters queue in the sun patiently waiting for their turn. The booths are crowded and two police officers are at the two Centres located at Matogun Primary School maintaining order. So far card readers are working well.
Hackers strike INEC website
By Dapo Olufade
Suspected hackers have blocked the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Commission however said it was aware of the hacking and was investigating the matter.
The hacking occurred midway into the accreditation of voters for today’s elections.
The hackers go by the name Nigerian Cyber Army/Team NCA and posted the followingon the website: “StruCk By Nigerian Cyber Army | TeaM NCA”
“Sorry xD Your Site has been STAMPED by TeaM Nigerian Cyber Army FEEL SOME SHAME ADMIN!!”
“Security is just an illusion, Remember US GREETINGS OF PEACE TO CITIZEN OF NIGERIA FROM TEAM NCA NIGERIANS No Body Can Give You Freedom No Body Can Give You Equality Or Justice If You Are A Man/Woman YOU TAKE IT”
I have faith in the electoral process- Senator Tinubu
Despite standing for over two hours, awaiting the arrival of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to commence accreditation of voters for the presidential and national assembly elections, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said she still has faith in the electoral process.Tinubu, the incumbent Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, got to her 034 polling unit along Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, at about 7:55am and expressed her displeasure at the lateness of the INEC officials.“You can see that we are ready. The people have been standing here since morning waiting for INEC to commence the process but we have not seen them yet.“But I am hopeful and still believe in the process because I know my people are enlightened and they will wait patiently and exercise their rights.“The system is not working and by God’s grace Nigeria will be where it’s supposed to be with this election. It is a shame and the world is watching us.“But I still have faith in the credibility of the process because I know the people will do the right things so that at the end of the day, the election will be acceptable to all.“I am really not surprised at the delay because it was expected. Obviously INEC is ready only on paper. Practically they are not ready. It is a good thing that the people are here and have remained orderly. If the voters were not on ground, they would have said it is slow start but we will wait,” she said.Photo: Tinubu being accreditedNational leader APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu being accredited.
10.55am
Jonathan, wife finally accredited
Joseph Jiibueze
President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife have finally been accredited to vote in the election.
They were both accredited through the voters list following the failure of the card reader to recognize their cards.
President Jonathan had earlier left Unit 39 in Ward 13, Otuoke where the card readers failed to read his Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
It was an awkward situation as two of the cards readers in the unit failed to read the president’s PVC.
The machines also could not verify his wife’s PVC.
Electoral officers battled to make the cards work, but to no avail.
They were even overheard arguing among themselves.
One of them said: “Go and bring another card reader from a close-by unit.”
The officers sent for another card reader from a nearby polling unit, which eventually worked, but still could not read the president and his wife’s PVCs.
Only President Jonathan’s mother and his ADC were accredited.
The president arrived at about 9.20am for accreditation, and stood till about 10.05 am when he addressed the media and left with his wife and aides.
The president continued to smile as he stood waiting for the machines to work, but none did.
Tired, his wife Patience sat down, fanning herself.
The president arrived in a motorcade at 9.20am, and chided the electoral officers for not starting the accreditation on time.
As at the time he arrived, no one had been accredited.
The president told the presiding officer: “I decided to come in a little late. I don’t need to be the first person to be accredited. You should have started before now. By 8am you should have started.”
President Jonathan stood patiently for over 45 minutes without asking for a seat.
After his mother was successfully accredited, he spoke to her in his local dialect, apparently urging her to keep her PVC intact.
When his PVC could not be read by the machine, the president said: “Try my wife’s own.”
He later asked his wife, who put on her sunglasses, if she had been accredited, and she said no.
“Why is it that they didn’t start on time,” the president asked again.
Jonathan’s ADC handed him a phone, and he was overheard saying: “Chairman, have you been briefed about…? Across the country what’s the situation?”
After listening, he ended the call and handed the phone over to his ADC.
However, after the President left, the card readers were able to verify the PVCs of other registered voters.
The president did not fill any form before leaving. He is expected back at his unit for voting.
10.02am
Be patient with INEC officials – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged voters nationwide to be patient with INEC officials despite the hitches with card readers and other logistics.
Jonathan who was not accredited after about 20 minutes of waiting said he was hopeful that the election will go well nationwide.
“There may be hitches since this is the first time we are using the card readers. If we have problems with my own case and that of others, as long as we able get it right nationally it is okay.
9.49am
President Goodluck Jonathan has not been accredited
9.35am
Card readers malfunction in Jonathan’s unit
Joseph Jibueze, Otuoke
Card readers have malfunctioned in Unit 39, Otuoke, where President Goodluck Jonathan is to be accredited.
The president arrived at about 9.20am for accreditation, but as at the time of writing, he is still standing and waiting on the officials.
Card reader not updated
Olukemi Dauda
At the polling station 005″ Junction Disu Adeigbe, Isele 1, Ikorodu, Lagos, voters are not happy that the car reader dedicated for the polling station was not updated. The machine is reading Feb 14,2015′.
The INEC officials there said they are waiting for their senior officials to attend to the machine.
Voters accredited with register in Katsina
Adekunle Yusuf, Katsina
At a polling booth in Amis Gidan Baran, a remote village in Mashi LGA, the card reader recognized on two voters for accreditation. But there’s problem as voters are being accredited using voters register.
At all 14 in bumbum, a rural setting in maiadua LGA, Katsina state, accredidate is going on well without any problems.
At gojogojo in maiadua LGA, Rt honorable speaker of katsina state house of assembly, alhaji Yay gojogojo, who is contesting for senatorial seat under PDP, has just been accreditted.
9.02am
I like the integrity of the system- Buhari
Tony Akowe, Katsina
APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has commended INEC’s arrangement for the election.
Speaking after being accredited at his polling booth in Daura, Katsina on Saturday, Buhari said he liked the integrity of the system.
“ I am very pleased about it. That means that if people are allowed to vote, rigging will be virtually impossible.
“I think that INEC have done very well and I have said it to your colleagues elsewhere that from their presentations to the National Council of States which I happened to be a member, this time around, INEC has done extremely well.”
Buhari being accredited in Daura
9.00am
Anxious voters wait for INEC officials in Alimosho
Kunle Akinrinade
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were not on duty in several parts of Alimosho Local Government Area as at 9am
They were not in sight at various polling units around Iyana Ipaja, Akowonjo, Egbeda axis of the council area.
Anxious voters lamented the absence of the officials while a number of them engaged in discussion about the situation.
The situation was the same at a polling unit on Idimu Road,Egbeda, where the Deputy Governor of Lagos State,Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire was expected to vote.
8.54am
Voting materials arrives Jonathan’s unit
From Joseph Jibueze, Otuoke
Voting materials have arrived the polling unit where President Good Jonathan will vote.
The materials were brought to the unit in Ogbia Ward 12 by 8.24am.
There are two polling units in Otuoke, one directly across the president’s country home.
As at 9am, electoral officers were still sorting out and arranging the materials.
Even before the materials arrived, journalists, including foreign media, had arrived the venue, awaiting the electoral officers’ arrival.
No fewer than 50 journalists are in Otuoke to cover President Jonathan voting.
Everyone is now waiting for accreditation to begin and for the president to come out for accreditation.
Security agents include men and women of the Department of State Security (DSS), police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are guarding the unit.
8.53am
APC presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari has been accredited to vote at his polling booth in Katsina
Photo: Accreditation begins at Buhari’s
Accreditation begins at Buhari polling unit in Katsina, Tony Akowe
polling unit
Reps election postponed in Jigawa
Yusuf Alli
INEC has postponed election into the House of Representatives in Jigawa State because of problem of logistics including inadequate result sheets and ballot papers.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State is stranded as result sheets for Senatorial Election in the state were still in Abuja. INEC official sent to the commission’s headquarters missed his flight and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja air space is already shut.
Early turn out of voters recorded in Abuja underscoring Nigerians interest in the presidential race.
Empty roads
By Joe Agbro Jr
07:44 am
The country woke on Saturday, ready for the 2015 presidential elections. In Lagos, as early as 5am, the usual morning rush was absent. Only few motorists and people were seen on major roads across the metropolis.
Ipaja road, Iju road, Oba Ogunji road, Oba Akran road, Kodesho Street, and Mobolaji Bank road were virtually empty. Even commercial buses stayed off the roads as only very few were sighted.
At Ikeja Under Bridge, the only noticeable buzz was the activities of newspaper sellers who scurried to distribute the newspapers to waiting vendors.
While army personnel placed barricades at spots in Agege and Iyana Ipaja and searched booths of vehicles moving before the 7am restriction of movement, police officers gathered in formation, ready to ensure a hitch-free polls.
