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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Kebbi PDP rejects Presidential/NASS elections

    The Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kebbi State last Saturday were compromised, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged.

    It alleged the elections were marred by irregularities, targeted violence, voter inducement, mutilation of PDP valid votes and open collaboration by security agents.

    The PDP also alleged military men and traditional rulers forced voters to thumb print against their preferences.

    Kebbi state chairman of the party, Alhaji Haruna Saidu, told reporters on Thursday the elections totally abused provisions of the Electoral Act.

    He said: “A template that saw the jettisoning of card readers, massive thumb printing of ballot papers, pre-writing of results, denial of party agents access to polling units, over voting and violence against party members.

    “These were prevalent in Argungu,  Jega ,  and Bagudo Local government Areas.

    “Valid votes gotten by PDP were randomly rendered invalid through double thumb printing.”

    He alleged All Progressives Congress (APC) agents openly shared money to induce voters.

    “This was the case in Bagudo, Suru, jega and Argungu,” adding military men were also used to intimidate PDP agents.

    The PDP chairman said: “On the above premise, we make bold to say that the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Kebbi State was not free and fair.

    “There was widespread irregularities and violence against PDP. The result announced by INEC is not the true reflection of votes cast in Kebbi.”

  • How N450m was shared in Kwara, by Belgore

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Dele Belgore, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he did not personally share the N450million he signed for in 2015.

    Belgore, who was People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign coordinator in Kwara State during the 2015 general elections, said the money was for party men and agents and not for his personal benefit.

    According to him, although he signed for the money at the bank, he did not take it away.

    Belgore was testifying in his defence before Justice Rilwan Aikawa in a money laundering charge brought against him and former National Planning Minister Prof Abubakar Suleiman by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge. EFCC said she is “at large”.

    The prosecution said they “directly took possession of the sum N450million,” adding that they “reasonably ought to have known [that the money] forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    Led in evidence by his lawyer Ebun Shofunde (SAN), Belgore said as coordinator, it was his responsibility to ensure that the money was sent to PDP candidates, party leaders and stakeholders at ward levels.

    “The money was not meant for me. As a matter of fact, there was never any intention for me to collect the money personally,” he said.

    Read Also: Kwara APC, Belgore mourn Bamigboye

    Belgore had earlier testified that he went to the bank to sign for the money along with Suleman but never took it away as his car could not contain it.

    Asked if he went back to get the money with a bigger car, he said: “I did not take any steps regarding collection of the money from the bank, because as I have said, the money was meant for stakeholders. They were the ones who took steps to collect it.

    “My position has always been that I never took possession of the money, either in cash, cheque, bank transfer or any other means. That remains my position till date.”

    Belgore said he told the EFCC operative who interviewed him, Usman Zakari, that he never took the money from the bank.

    “Zakari showed me a copy of a document (acknowledging receipt) and asked me to confirm whether it was my signature on it.

    “I did confirm that it was my signature. I told him that I didn’t have the money and never had it.

    “He said as far as he was concerned, it was my name that was on Exhibit 1A and that I confirmed that I signed it, and therefore I was the one to pay back the money.

    “Again I responded that the money was not meant for me, I never took it, but it was taken by stakeholders – candidates, party officials, agents, etc for the purpose of the 2015 election.”

    Belgore said he told EFCC in one of his several statements that “we left the money in the bank for safekeeping”.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until March 5 when a video of what transpired when Belgore visited the bank will be viewed in court

    He admitted the flash drives containing the clips in evidence.

     

  • PDP demands cancellation of Presidential, NASS elections in Kwara

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state on Thursday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the results of the last Saturday presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

    State chairman of PDP Engr. Kola Shittu said this in Ilorin, the state capital while addressing reporters on the outcome of the election.

    He said the party was ready to employ every legal means to redress what he termed manifest irregularities which he alleged characterized the elections across the state’s three senatorial districts.

    Read Also: Delta PDP petitions police over members’ death

    Shittu, who was flanked by other executive members of the party, said the elections were marred by electoral malpractices, malfunctioning of 90 percent of card readers, multiple voting as well as over- voting.

    He said: “We call on INEC to cancel the election because its outcome does not reflect the wishes of the people.

    “We also received report of how APC agents made use of unclaimed PVCs to vote at some polling units across the State particularity within Kwara Central.

    “Also, many of the local observers accredited by INEC to monitor the election were APC members.

    “Additionally, prior to the day of the election, the Federal

    Government backed APC made some retrogressive and undemocratic moves, using state apparatus to intimidate and arrest some of our members and supporters in some parts of the state.”

    Asked if the party was ready to approach the tribunal for reprieve, the PDP boss said once a political party announces its dissociation from an election result there are procedure for such party to pursue.

     

  • Ohanaeze congratulates Buhari

    Igbo apex sociocultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for emerging the winner of the last Saturday’s presidential election.

    The secretary general of the organization, Uche Okwukwu while addressing a press conference Thursday in Enugu said Buhari’s victory was well deserved.

    Okwukwu who was with a chieftain of Ohanaeze, Prince Richard Ozobu insisted that the said endorsement of the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was not the decision of Ndigbo as there was no general meeting in that regard.

    In his words: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo heartily rejoices and congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential polls on February 23, 2019. His victory as exposed by the majority of votes cast has clearly shown that the President has been on the right course in the last four years.

    “Ndigbo are deeply happy that Mr. President secured more votes in Igboland than he got in 2015. We urge all Nigerians and the international community to accept the verdict as the election was adjudged, free, credible, transparent and peaceful and call on all not to heat up the polity through unguarded utterances and actions.”

    He reeled out the situation that led to the disagreement among the hierarchy of Ohanaeze saying that it started with the commissioning of Zik’s Mausoleum.

    He said most members frowned at the insistence of Nnia Nwodo in holding the Imeobi meeting on the day President Buhari was to honour Zik by commissioning the mausoleum at Onitsha.

    “They disrespected Zik and ignored all the governors from the old Eastern Region who were present at commissioning.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze insists on Atiku, restructuring

    “And the worst of it all was that they announced the endorsement on the same day without the general meeting of members.

    “The decision to endorse any candidate should have attracted wide consultations and not a thing to be done in a hurry,” said.

    The Ohanaeze, he said, would soon pay a courtesy visit to the president in which they will congratulate him formally and present their demands.

     

  • Security agencies uncover plot by PDP, others to discredit poll

    Although it has opted for legal action over last Saturday’s election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has other plans, The Nation has learnt.

    With some opposition leaders, the party seeks to discredit the presidential election by:

    • mobilising international and local groups to reject the results; and
    • encourage mass protests

    A former president and some retired generals are believed to be backing the plot.

    The destabilisation plot was hatched at a meeting on Tuesday night in Abuja, according to sources, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.

    It was gathered that roles were assigned to various groups and leaders at the meeting.

    A principal officer of the National Assembly is to “poach INEC” for vital documents.

    The Nation has stumbled on some documents of the Action Plan.

    One, titled:  “Re: Fresh plots by opposition”, coded and addressed to “The Principal” whose identity was not disclosed,  said the defeated presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, might be “in the forefront of the process”.

    The document said: “Deliberate effort to delegitimise the results through the following deliberate effort as suggested by a former President and other principal opposition leaders to deploy these groups: (a) Civil society groups (b) Ohanaeze, (c) Afenifere (d) Middle Belt Forum, (e) Students, women groups, observation groups and (f) other groups, i.e. retired Generals.

    “International organisations with copies of reverse logistics and copies they collected through their agents which is not a true reflection of the result by INEC- EU, AU, ECOWAS, etc

    Other plans include:

    • International and local media to rally round the opposition (Michael Mozysky, etc)
    • Situation room of opposition—The true story
    • Other briefs from the Northern flanks of the centre

    A top security source, who spoke in confidence, said:  “Some opposition leaders met in Abuja on Tuesday night till the early hours of Wednesday on how to disorganise the country. The meeting followed their failed bid to stop the collation of results by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    “We have intelligence clues on their plans. The first peg of the plot by the opposition is to discredit the outcome of the presidential poll at all cost.  They have decided to engage international and local media and support groups in this regard. The second part borders on civil disobedience and protest marches nationwide by commissioned ethnic groups and some civil society organisations. “

    “And a principal officer in the National Assembly has been mandated to obtain relevant documents and other logistics details which can be used at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal and for media propaganda.”

    Apparently in line with the plans, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) announced yesterday that it will start a protest against the release of the results.

    Addressing a briefing in Abuja, the CUPP 1st National spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said the mass action was informed by the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is a “carrier of stolen mandate.”

  • Delta PDP petitions police over members’ death

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police to investigate the murder of its members during last Saturday’s elections.

    A statement by the chairman, David Oghenekevwe, said the deceased members – Messrs Michael Chubiuke and Jeffrey Otevane – went to vote when they met their death.

    He accused Moses Ogodo, a House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his gang of masterminding their death.

    Read also: Security agencies uncover plot by PDP, others to discredit poll

    The statement reads: “Between 13:00hours and 14:00hours on February 23, at unit 15 ward 9, which is very close to Moses Ogodo’ residence, Ogodo and his cohorts came out armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

    “According to an eyewitness, Ogodo shot and killed Michael Chubiuke, while Shaldrack Nebragho killed Jeffrey Otevane, and they continued to shoot sporadically.

    “This untoward behaviour is unacceptable; we condemn it and call on the Commissioner of Police and other security agents to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “Those who committed this crime are well known; we call on relevant security agencies to take necessary action and bring the culprits – Moses Ogodo, Shaldrack Nebragho and others to book.”

  • Disquiet in PDP as Jonathan loses senatorial district to Sylva, APC

    There was loud silence in the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the inability of former President Goodluck Jonathan to deliver his community and senatorial district to the party in the just-concluded elections.

    Results of the elections showed poor performance of the PDP in Jonathan’s Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area and his entire East Senatorial District comprising Ogbia, Nembe and Brass local government areas.

    The senatorial district fell to a former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, who worked assiduously to deliver the senatorial candidate of the APC, Mr. Degi Eremienyo Wagara and the candidate for Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, Isreal Sunny-Igoli.

    Results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Wagara scored 43,303 to defeat the candidate of the PDP, Ipigansi Izagara, who polled 32,363 votes and the ADC candidate, Senator Nimi Amange with 16,936.

    Also in the Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, the former President was said to have done nothing to deliver the PDP candidate, Marie Ebikake, who scored 19,279 against 41,150 polled by the APC candidate.

    It was gathered that Jonathan would have lost his entire Ogbia to the APC but for the efforts of Governor Seriake Dickson’s appointees, who went extra miles to rescue the PDP.

    Party sources said it took the efforts of the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, to avert the defeat of the PDP candidate for the Ogbia Federal Constituency, Fred Obua, by the APC.

    Iworiso-Markson was said to have worked with the newly appointed Special Adviser on Grassroot Mobilisation, Captain Ozu; the Senior Special Assistant on Youths, Osaanya B. Osaanya to deliver Obua, who scored 12,048 votes to win the APC candidate, Samuel Ogbuku, who got 7,995 votes.

    The PDP leadership in the state was said to have bemoaned the former President’s attitude saying it justified an allegation  by a group, Ogbia Renaissance, that Jonathan, his wife, Patience and A.J. Turner were working against the candidates of the PDP.

    Read Also: Rivers official, PDP chieftain, others paraded

    A top member of the PDP, who spoke in confidence, said what transpired on the election day was brazen anti-party by Jonathan’s loyalists in the PDP and some disloyal appointees of the governor.

    “The Ogbia Renaissance raised the alarm days before the election accusing the former President and his loyalists in the PDP of working against the candidates of the party in Ogbia and the Eastern Senatorial District.

    “Despite denying the allegations and pouring invectives on the group, the anti-party played out in the election as these individuals openly backed and sponsored the APC and the ADC House of Representatives candidates.

    “There associates, who are PDP appointees in Dickson’s government also worked against the PDP candidate. It took special efforts and commitment of some loyal appointees of the governor such as Daniel Iworiso-Markson to avert the defeat of our House of Representative candidate in Ogbia Local Government Area.

    “We are watching them and we have noted the roles each of them played. The PDP in the state had already established a disciplinary committee and the names of these people have been penciled down.

    “They will be invited after the election to face the committee. It is shameful that under the watch of former President Jonathan, PDP lost a senatorial district to the APC in an area that is supposed to be a stronghold of our party. This is what anti-party can cause”.

  • APC reps candidate rejects result in Cross River

    The candidate of the All Progressive Congress for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency of Cross River, Mr Victor Abang, has rejected the announcement of the result by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in which the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Chris Agibe, was declared winner.

    INEC had declared Agibe of the PDP winner of the election with 38,456 votes as against Abang who got APC 29,977 votes.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Calabar by the Director General of Abang’s Reality Campaign Network, Prince Eka Williams, the group alleged the result was false, based on what was gotten from the polling units.

    “The attention of the Reality Campaign Network of Sir Victor Abang has been drawn to a purported announcement of the winner for the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency election by INEC.

    “This is inspite of mass irregularities and sharp practices which characterized the election. The announcement was done in contravention of the electoral act and guidelines for the election.

    “INEC admitted while presenting the Presidential result that 26,000 votes in Boki Local government area were affected by either cancellation or non-voting.

    “While we were expecting announcement for a rerun election, the contrary was done. In view of the above and several other evidences at our disposal, we reject the said announcement.

    Read Also: APC’s Odebiyi wins Ogun West

    “We call on our supporters to remain calm as appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that we are not cheated.

    “We wish to also thank all the good people of Ikom/Boki for the support they gave to us through their prayers and actual voting,” he said.

    He thanked his supporters and urged them not to despair, but to keep hope alive and come out en masse to support the APC in the governorship and state house of assembly elections on March 9.

    The DG congratulated all APC members in Ikom/Boki for the overwhelming victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election.

     

  • Video: Buhari’s reaction after INEC declared him re-elected

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday was declared winner of the 2019 Presidential election by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Returning Officer for the 2019 presidential elections, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the declaration at exadtly 4:37am.

    He polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the presidential poll conducted on February 23 who had 11,262,978 votes.

    Buhari in a video posted by Bashir Ahmad, his personal assistant on new media, the president was seen seating calmly while the INEC chairman announced him the winner.

  • Different strokes, different folks

    •Winners rejoice, losers complain

    Winners and losers are speaking out on the outcome of the National Assembly elections, report our correspondents.

    PDP to APC: meet us in court

    over Dogara’s re-election

     

    Alhaji Hamza Akuyam, the Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go to court if the APC have issues with the re-election of Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    Akuyam threw the challenge yesterday in Bauchi while reacting to Monday’s news conference by the APC where it alleged that Dogara’s re-election was marred by irregularities.

    He said that the re-election of Dogara in Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Dass Federal Constituency in Saturday’s National Assembly election was done in line with electoral guidelines.

    Akuyam observed that no adverse report was issued either by international or domestic election observers or security agencies during the polls.

    He therefore wondered where APC might have gotten its own facts that the polls were marred by irregularities.

    Akuyam said that APC under the leadership of Alhaji Uba Nana raised various issues just to simply discredit the election.

    According to him, Nana simply addressed journalists to cause mischief and to subvert the PDP’s ideals.

    The PDP chairman further observed that in spite of false claims by APC, there was no petition written either by the party or individual to disclaim Dogara’s victory.

    He challenged APC chieftains in the state to seek legal redress if they felt strongly about the re-election of Dogara.

     

    PDP rejects Katsina State

    presidential election result

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the presidential election result from Katsina State over alleged irregularities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an indigene of the state, polled 1,232,133 votes to beat Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who scored 303,056 votes in the poll.

    Alhaji Salisu Majigiri, the state PDP Chairman, disclosed the party’s position at a news conference on Tuesday in Katsina.

    He alleged that there were some election irregularities committed in some local government areas of the state during the poll that were unacceptable to the PDP.

    “Like in Kankara Local Government Area, some uncustomised result sheets are used to enter results, even though, they are from INEC, but are not the ones specifically supposed to be used for 2019 elections.

    “In other places, there are over voting which we also observed, we are not satisfied with the result, that is why we rejected it and refused to sign.

    “We raised objections on these issues during collation, but we are overruled.

    “We will also raise these issues in Abuja during the final collation,” he said.

     

    Reps seats for APC in Zamfara

     

    The Returning Officer for Kaura-Namoda/Birnin-Magaji Federal Constituency, Salisu Sabo, has declared the candidate of APC Ibrahim Mohammed winner of the election with 35,795 votes beating the PDP’s candidate, Alhaji Sani Umar who scored 23,672 votes.

    Sabo said other candidates who took part in the election are- Ahmad Rabiu of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who got 430 votes and Aminu Isa Sakajiki of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) who got 1,383 votes among others.

    The APC’s candidate for Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abubukar Hussaini-Moriki has also been declared winner.

    INEC Returning Officer, Dr Ahmad Galadima said Hussaini-Moriki won with 32,915 votes against the PDP’s candidate, Alhaji Bello Hassan who polled 16,638 votes.

    He said the candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 3,231 votes, while the candidate of National Rescue Movement (NRM) got 3012 votes.

    Speaking shortly after, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Lawal Liman commended party supporters and the entire people of the constituency for electing the party’s candidates.

    Liman said APC has retain its position as the strongest party in the state.

    “This indicate that people of Zamfara state are satisfied with the APC administration led by Gov. Abdula’ziz Yari and President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

     

    Akume remains my

    leader, says Senator-elect

     

    The Senator-elect for Benue North Senatorial District, Rep Orker Jev, has said nothing will diminish his respect for outgoing Sen. George Akume, whom he defeated to emerge a senator on Saturday.

    Jev, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 157, 726 to defeat Akume of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 115, 422 votes.

    Speaking to reporters in Makurdi, Jev attributed his victory to zoning and the benevolence of Benue people.

    He described himself as a product of zoning, saying political offices in the state are usually zoned.

    The senator-elect said the people of Buruku Federal Constituency, whose turn it was to field candidates for the slot, loaned it to Akume, who allegedly failed to return it to them for more than 12 years.

    “It is nothing personal; he still remains my political leader. We both presented ourselves to the people to make choices and they preferred me. The senate seat is about service and I am prepared to do that,” he said.

    He said as a Rep member, he was not new to the processes of representation and pledged to enact laws that would benefit the rural populace.

    The senator-elect said he was conversant with the needs of his constituents as he had been involved in carrying out rural projects.

    He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the credible conduct of the polls but appealed for prior notice whenever contemplating a shift in election dates.

     

    Uduaghan faults Delta

    South Senatorial election

     

    Former Governor of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for the cancellation of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

    He made the call in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr Monoyo Edon, yesterday in Warri.

    Uduaghan, who contested for the Delta South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the election was marred with irregularities.

    “I wish to state that the election was fraught with a lot of electoral malpractices and ballot stuffing.

    “It was also crippled with electoral violence in some parts of Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri North and Isoko North Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    “I have already petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the irregularities during collation and final announcement of result at the Senatorial Collation Centre in Oleh, Isoko South,” he said.

    Uduaghan, however, appealed to APC supporters and the people of Delta South to remain calm as further directives would be communicated soon.

    He thanked them for their loyalty throughout the electioneering period.

    According to the result announced on Tuesday by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Oladipupo Adesina, Sen. James Manager polled 258,812 votes to defeat Uduaghan, who scored 125,776 votes.

     

    APC accuses REC in

    Cross River of compromise

     

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, Mr Frankland Briyai, of compromise in Saturday’s presidential election in the state.

    The party’s agent for the election, Mr Obono Obla, made allegation while speaking with newsmen in Calabar yesterday after the collation of the results.

    In the result announced by the Collation Officer for the election in the state, Prof. Akim Ibhadode, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 295,737 votes to defeat All Progressive Congress (APC), which got 117,302 votes.

    He announced that the state had 1,512,915 registered voters, out of whom 461,033 were accredited for polling, adding that the election recorded 421,889 valid and 24, 145 voided votes.

    Obla alleged that the REC had on the eve of the election said that APC had no candidate in the state, and described the statement as “orchestrated’’.

    He said the pronouncement was calculated to affect the impact of APC during the election by making the electorate disenchanted with the party.

    According to Obla, it is not the place of the REC to make statements on legal issues; as long as I am concerned, APC has no issues in the state.

    “I think the REC is compromised because I do not see any reason why he should make that pronouncement which affected the fortunes of APC in the election in Cross River.’’

    Obla also alleged that the election in Central Senatorial District of the state was characterised by violence generated by PDP agents.

    “You saw what happened; there was no election in Boki and Etung Local Government Areas. In Yakurr, there were thugs everywhere which made the whole place unconducive for election to take place.

    “I saw it and I am not impressed; we will investigate and thereafter we will issue a statement,” he said.

    The PDP agent for the election, Mr Asuquo Ekpeyong, said the party was satisfied with the election result from the local government areas except in Etung where it was cancelled.

    Ekpeyong said that Card Readers were not used in two wards in Abi Local Government Area, adding that PDP had demanded a review of card readers used in the central part of the state.

    “What happened in Abi is a travesty. The people were robbed of their mandate and we must look into the results of those wards and the processes that led to the results.

    “PDP won fair and square across the LGAs; we were cheated in Abi even though we won in the presidential election there. All we are asking for is a review of the wards in Abi LGA’’.

    The REC had said that INEC was ready to conduct a re-run in the wards that had issues, but that the result would first be presented to the commission’s National Headquarters.

     

    APC lauds INEC for

    peaceful elections in Ekiti

     

    The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state and the country.

    The party made the commendation in a statement signed by the State party Chairman, Mr Paul Omotoso yesterday in Ado-Ekiti.

    Omotoso, while reacting to the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections lauded INEC for conducting free, fair and credible polls for the nation.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters in Ekiti give kudos to INEC for peacefully conducting the presidential and national Assembly elections in Ekiti in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

    Omotoso also applauded the Ekiti residents, civil servants Local Government workers, teachers and artisans among others for coming out en masse to cast their votes for all APC candidates during the polls.

    He appreciated the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for his support for the party as well as delivery of dividends of democracy to the state within the shortest period of assuming office.

    The APC chairman also commended the media and other stakeholders for their support and professional coverage of the elections.

     

    ‘Saraki’s selfishness

    caused his defeat’

     

    A member of the National Assembly, Senator Abu Ibrahim, has attributed Dr Bukola Saraki’s defeat in Saturday’s National Assembly polls to his selfishness.

    He told reporters yesterday in Abuja that the Senate President’s defeat was a clear indication that the people rejected him due to his crave to satisfy self above people’s interest.

    According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity, the people have become wiser that is why they decided to vote him out.

    “I said we were going to retire Saraki and we have done it. We carried out enquiries at the grassroots and then continued to pray that he should lose. I want to congratulate the people of Kwara for demystifying Saraki.

    “Saraki is very selfish. It is always Saraki first before others. He only cares about himself. The people only showed that they have become wiser,” he said.

    Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated Saraki in Kwara Central in the Saturday election.

    On complaints by Saraki that there were irregularities in the election that led to his defeat, the lawmaker said “those were only the consolation of a defeated man.”

    According to him, Saraki’s defeat only shows he has lost grip of the people.

    “This shows that Saraki no longer has strength. If he feels there were manipulations, it clearly shows that he was always manipulating election results but now that he is weak he can longer manipulate.

    “Wherever he went he was called ole (thief), even on social media,” he said.

    On outcome of the presidential election, the lawmaker said that he was optimistic that President Muhammad Buhari would be declared winner.

    He cautioned that the APC should put its arts together this time to determine leadership of the 9th National Assembly, adding that such step would prevent the controversies that characterised the 8th Assembly.

    Ibrahim congratulated all candidates that emerged winners in the national assembly election, particularly APC candidates.

    He assured that the crop of persons that would make up the 9th Assembly were experienced and would contribute immensely to national development.

    “From what I have seen in the outcome of the election, more experienced hands are coming to the 9th Assembly.

    “The APC has to take control from the onset to provide leadership.

    “The party should come out and decide who will become leaders of the National Assembly.

    “It should not be free for all like the 8th Assembly. I believe there should be a better outing in the 9th Senate.’’

     

    Umeh seeks cancellation

    of Anambra Central

    Senatorial election

     

    Senator Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called for the cancellation of Saturday’s National Assembly election for Anambra Central Senatorial District over alleged irregularities.

    Umeh, who represents the people of the senatorial district, made the call yesterday at a news conference at Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area.

    The senator said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lost control of the election due to its inability to declare a winner three days after the conduct of the poll.

    According to him, it was obvious that the card readers did not work in majority of the places in the senatorial district.

    “In Awka North Local Government Area for example, the card readers did not work in more than four or five polling units.”

    Umeh contested the poll with Mrs Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Sylvester Okonkwo of the All progressives Congress (APC) with Ekwunife declared the winner.