The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SOKOTO

  • Governorship: Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Abdulrazak lead

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to be heading for victory last night in the governorship election in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Bauchi States as results began coming in from the various polling booths.

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was looking good in Adamawa, Enugu, Delta, Ebomyi and Akwa Ibom States.

    In Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC who was projected by The Nation as the candidate to beat yesterday, established a strong lead ahead of his closest rival, Jimi Agbaje of the PDP with the majority of the votes   cast in such areas as Ikorodu, Alimoso, Badagry and Lagos Island.

    Sanwo-Olu was the preferred candidate at Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s polling unit in Victoria Garden City, Lekki.

    He got 223 votes there as against the 175 votes polled by Agbaje.

    The ruling party lost to the PDP by a wide margin during the presidential election two weeks ago.

    At PU 007, Anglican Primary School, Iworo, Badagry LGA the APC candidate got 207 while the PDP received 74 votes.

    Prince Dapo Abiodun of APC held firm in most parts of Ijebu, Remo , Egbaland and Otta.

    He also did well in Yewaland although Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM)   seemed to have an edge there, being an indigene.

    Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the APC appeared to have confirmed the uprooting of the PDP in Kwara State with another emphatic win.

    AbdulRazaq won his polling unit at Idigba, Adewole ward with 592 votes as against PDP’s 80.

    He also got 201 votes at Ode Oba Onilu, Ilorin as against the 52 for PDP.

    At press time, there was a wide gap between his votes and what the PDP candidate Razaq Atunwa had garnered.

    It was also clear that Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State had won in most of the polling centres where INEC returning officers had announced results.

    Bagudu got 572 votes against the 7 received by Sen. Isa Galaudu of PDP at Iyan Gwandu polling unit 012, Marafa ward.

    In Nasarawa 2 polling units 002, Bagudu got 526 votes and Galaudi 98.

    At polling unit 008 at GRA Kindi Zauro, Nasarawa ward in Birnin Kebbi, Bagudu scored 354 while Galaudi, scored 87.

    In Garkar Mai-Alelu polling unit 006, where the governor cast his vote, the APC received 745 votes against 23 garnered by the PDP.

    The trend was similar in Sokoto and Bauchi State.

    Official results from polling stations in Adamawa, Enugu, Delta, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom gave it to the PDP candidates.

    The PDP won the governorship election in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s polling Unit 012 of Ajiya Ward of Adamawa North Local Government Area.

    Announcing the results at the unit, the presiding officer declared that the APC polled 99 votes while the PDP scored 161 votes. The ADC candidate scored 51 votes while the SDP candidate got only one vote.

    Similarly, the PDP trounced the ruling APC with a 50 votes margin at the polling unit in front of Adamawa State deputy governor’s office

    According to the announced results, APC scored 63 votes, while PDP got 113 votes. The ADC got 78 votes.

    In the presidential elections of February 23, APC celebrated a victory over PDP at the same polling unit with 187 votes against 167 votes.

    As it was during last month’s presidential and national assembly elections, many top politicians failed to deliver even their polling units.

    President Muhammadu Buhari delivered his Unit 003 s in Sarkin Yara A Ward in Daura Local Government Area of the State for the APC governorship candidate Aminu Masari, with 370 votes.

    Senator Yakubu Lado-Danmarke of the PPD polled 42 votes.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State lost his polling unit to the PDP in the gubernatorial election.

    The All Progressives Congress candidate, Adebayo Adelabu, scored 112 votes while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Seyi Makinde, scored 145 votes.

    A former Oyo State governor, Rasheed Ladoja won the governorship election in Polling Unit 13, Ward 10, Ibadan North Local Government Area for the PDP with 180 votes while APC received 34 votes.

    Dapo Abiodun ,the APC flag bearer in Ogun got 240 votes at his Ward 3 Unit 2, Ita Osanyin, Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area to beat his closest rival, Adekunle Akinlade, of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), who polled 71 votes.

    A factional governorship candidate of the PDP who went into an alliance with Akinlade against Abiodun was roundly beaten  at his polling unit at Ward 5 Unit 4 Wesley Nursery and Primary School, Iperu, Ikenne.

    At the end of voting APC scored 197 votes, while the APM polled 75 votes.

    The PDP and ADC polled 6 and 2 votes respectively.

    The APC also floored former governor Ayodele Fayose at his unit at Afao Ekiti in Irepodun Ifelodun local government area of the state.

    The APC’s candidate in Irepodun/Ifelodun constituency 2, Alhaji Hakeem Jamiu, beat the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Sunday Omosilade by scoring 168 against PDP candidate’s 26 at St David’s Primary School polling unit in Afao Ekiti.

    Omosilade, who is  Fayose’s Personal Assistant, had earlier in a letter dated March 1 and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, signified his intention to withdraw from the race.

    But the INEC said it was not aware of such withdrawal, saying he should have withdrawn 45 days to the poll.

    Also, at units 15 and 003, Igbemo ward, Jamiu recorded 171 and 335 votes respectively, while PDP polled 0 in the two units.

  • 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 Sokoto with 490,333 votes

    All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari has won in Sokoto state with 490,333 votes against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party who scored 361,604 votes.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state collation officer, Professor Muhammad Yahuza declared Monday evening.

    The results is collated from across 23 LGs of the state.

  • Wamakko wins Sokoto North senate seat

    Northern Senators Forum Chairman and candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2019 polls, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has won five out of 8 local governments that constitute Sokoto North senatorial District with wide margin to defeat his PDP opponent, Senator Ahmed Muhammadu Maccido.

    Not less than 172, 989 votes for Wamakko separated him with his opponent who scored 138, 970.

    Maccido won Gudu, Silame and Binji local governments respectively.

    However, Wamakko returned Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Kware, Tangaza and Wamakko local governments accordingly.

  • Polls: DIG Baraya to police: be professional, avoid inducement

    The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of elections in the Northwest, Mr Aminci Baraya on Thursday urged officers and men of the force in Sokoto to be professional in their conduct and remain alert to situations during the polls.

    He accordingly warned against allowing themselves to be induced by political actors during elections” Don’t allow that. Not even with pure water. Go with your pure water please”, he begs.

    Similarly, the top police officer stressed the need for the police to adequately and urgently ensure all NYSC members on adhoc appointment by INEC were secured and protected accordingly.

    ” We want all on elections duties as well voters be secured and allowed to exercise their franchise under peaceful and friendly atmosphere”, he added.

    Baraya who was on tour of commands under his supervision to assess their readiness said the elections period was a prime and stressful moment for the police as such should endeavour to give out its best.

    ” Our credibility and image is at stake and all we need to do is to exhibit the best possible to lift Nigeria’s image during the elections.

    ” It is our duty to also provide voters enabling environment to cast their votes peacefully and return to their homes. Their security is paramount”, he stressed.

    Baraya who is of the Research and Planning at the Force Headquarters also alerted the personnel that thuggery was a crime that the police would not condone, pointing out that the police is ready to arrest anyone found culpable.

    He, however, noted that” we don’t expect to experience problems during voting but during counting and declaring results at polling units or voting spots. No police should retire until the results and votes gets to the collation centre or point.

    ” DPOs must detail their men to accompany results and must also write reports. You can only stand down three days after results are declared at the state level.

    ” Inexperienced officers like cadets must be deployed to LG headquarters and under the guide and supervision of DPOs in charge”, he explained.

    He further called on political actors to maintain the peace while police in collaboration with relevant security agencies would be fair to all.

    The AIG Zone 10, Muhammad Mustapha reiterated the need for all police personnel to demonstrate and bring to bare their professional skills by showing the world that they are capable and ready to give what Nigeria needed.

    ” You should know that there are international monitors and observers in the country”, he reminded.

    Mustapha further cautioned them against mistakes, adding” it is a national assignment and you should bring out your best”, he insisted.

  • Buhari’s man, others defect to PDP

    BARELY three days to the rescheduled general elections, the Sokoto state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has made a big catch into its fold as Alhaji Sani Muhammad Gobirawa, Northwest Zonal Vice President of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners and top notch of the Buhari Support Organisation(BSO) “Buhari Sak” in Sokoto defects from APC.

    Gobirawa who currently is at the vanguard as Vice Chairman of the Aminu Waziri Tambuwal(AMATA) Support Group exclusively told The Nation in Sokoto Wednesday that his defection along with others in the BSO was voluntary and based on their conviction that PDP is the most fulfilling political platform that symbolises the democracy for Nigeria to work again.

    ” Our decision to join PDP was purely based on our firm conviction of the ability and capability of Governor Aminu’s reality and myth, as such, we don’t need the approval or inclination of any family to actualize our political aspirations”, he pointed out.

    According to the Pensioners top echelon who similarly seized opportunity to clear the air on some misinformation on his defection, said ” I have to put it straight to the people of the state and to shame doubting Thomases that as a Nigerian and an adult with my senses, I can decide on which party to join without associating my actions to any family.

    Read Also: Buhari’s directive against ballot snatchers patriotic, says ex- Speaker

    ” This clarification has become necessary for Sokoto people to discountenance insinuations from some quarters associated with family issue”, he explained.

    The political opinion leader and elder who also holds a traditional title of ‘ Wakilin Gwiwa and Walin Dabagin Ardo’ in the state continued, ” when I joined BSO I did not seek the permission nor associated my membership to any family.”

    Gobirawa however, urged the public to focus on issues and not personality as to the issue of choice in a democratic setting where a citizen has the right to freely associate and express his wish as to his or her aspiration.

    He said his group remain determined and focused with resilience for the success of PDP and for the reelection of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    ” I wish to reaffirm the commitment of our group and we remain firm and resolute behind the PDP under Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from the grassroots up to the National level for the good of the people and the coming generations yet unborn. I also urge the people of Sokoto state to continue to extend their support to the Governor so that he can transform the state and return it’s lost glory.“

  • 25,000 SDP members defect to APC in Sokoto

    Following the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its flag bearer, the party’s state and local government executives in Sokoto state on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with no fewer than 25, 000 other members.

    Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the former acting State Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Malami Alhaji Kyahe and the former Chairman of the Forum of Local Governments Chairmen of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, said that, they defected to the APC without any strings attached .

    They said, “We ditched our former party because of its lack of justice, equity, direction and commitment to Nigeria’s even socioeconomic development.

    “We are extremely satisfied with the indelible and invaluable achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, while we are truly determined to ensure his re-election for a second term.

    “This is to ensure the consolidation of these tangible achievements like bolstering security, doggedly fighting corruption, improving the economy, while Boko Haram has been totally decimated, among others.”

    The duo further described President Buhari as incorruptible, pious and strongly patriotic, as well as religiously committed to the Nigerian project.

    They also recalled the two tenures of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as Governor of Sokoto state between 2007 and 2015, saying, “He had delivered the dividends of democracy across the twenty three local governments of the state.

    “Even now as a Senator, he is living above board and he considers the entire state as his single constituency.

    “We are also totally optimistic that, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and his running mate, Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo, are qualified enough to be elected , while we are of the strong belief that , they will emulate Senator Wamakko, if elected .”

    Read Also: PDP hails Supreme Court’s ruling on Rivers APC

    Also speaking, the former Chairman of the SDP in Yabo Local Government, Alhaji Zayyanu Umar, described APC as the party to beat in Nigeria and promised all the defectors will work assiduously and selflessly to ensure the success of the candidates of the party, at all levels.

    In her remarks, the former Woman Leader of the SDP, Hajiya Rabi’atu Alhaji Yaro said that, women in the state are totally behind APC and all its candidates, at all levels.

    She averred that women in the state have since armed themselves with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), saying, “we will use them to massively vote in the candidates of APC, at all levels, during the forthcoming general elections.”

  • Bafarawa lashes Wamakko, others for snubbing Sultan

    FORMER Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa on Thursday berated his successor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for not honouring a peace meeting summoned by Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad.

    Bafarawa spoke at the state PDP rally for the reelection of Governor Amninu Waziri Tambuwal in Wamakko town.

    According to the former governor, the revered leader organised to meet with all candidates and chieftains of political parties with a view to advise them to ensure peaceful political rallies and conduct of elections but the APC contingents snubbed the meeting.

    “I recall the Sultan called for a peace meeting to ensure violent- free polls in the state. The reason was that we are all indigenes and should be up to the task of achieving peace.

    “But to our dismay, the absence of the APC gubernatorial candidate only portrayed that he is working on the instructions of his boss (Wamakko).”

    Bafarawa noted the state needed peace not violence, pointing out “Everything has time. My time and Wamakko’s had passed and we ought to know that by coming together to build the state.”

    He assured the people of Wamakko town that Tambuwal’s government was set to bring succour to all in the state” he will do better the way I did in my days as governor.”

    Read Also: Travel ban: I have been acquitted, says Bafarawa

    The former governor assured that youths would be considered in the scheme of things if Tambuwal was reelected, saying “the youths need to be supported and empowered to lead.”

    He commended Tambuwal for the relative peace enjoyed in the state, noting the ban on youths bearing arms during political rallies was commendable.

    “Tambuwal will prioritise peace, security, employment and infrastructural development of the state,” he assured.

    Governor Tambuwal, who thanked supporters for consistently standing by him and the party, promised to reposition the state and reward all by ensuring the spread of dividends of democracy and good governance.

  • Thugs attack refugee commissioner, officials in Sokoto

    Political thugs believed to have sympathies for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday attacked the Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP), Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouk and her team in Gandi town, Rabah local government area of Sokoto state.

    It took the intervention of security operatives to rescue the officials whose vehicles were smashed.

    Newsmen at the venue also escaped by the whiskers as one of the vehicles conveying them was smashed.

    Mrs. Farouk was in Gandi town to flag off distribution of assorted relief materials to victims of bandit attacks camped in the town when the thugs appeared at the venue singing and chanting slogans” Nigeria sai Atiku! Sokoto sai Mutawalle!”

    They also sang political music of the opposition PDP to disrupt the all- important event.

    The incident started midway into the programme of events when security operatives left with no choice than to fire gunshots into the air.

    Read Also: Behind the growing menace of political Thugs

    This dispersed the crowd, making way for the government officials and her team to escape.

    The thugs, armed with local weapons and stones, smashed a number of vehicles including that of the council’s Sole Administrator.

    They destroyed the tents and other colourful designs for the occasion.

    Inaugurating the distribution of the items which included 630 bags of grains, 221 gallon of oil, 233 mosquito nets, 233 wrappers and children cloth as well as drugs and wheel chairs among others, Farouk assured the victims of more relief materials from the federal government.

    According to her: “This is the first batch of materials with more assistance coming with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We are here on the directive of President Muhammad Buhari to assist and commiserate with you on the attacks as well as condole with the families of those that lost their loved ones.

    “We have brought with us food stuffs, drugs, confectioneries and clothing materials in order to assist and ease the suffering of the victims.”

    She said already the Commission had assigned its officials to assess the situation for government to arrange more materials for the victims.

    The Commissioner further said relevant skills acquisition and vocational training programmes would be introduced to comprehensively engage the internally displaced persons with a view to encouraging self- reliance among them.

    Farouk assured the victims of Buhari’s commitment towards ensuring more security in the area for lasting peace while urging the committee that will share the materials to fear God and ensure every victim takes something.

  • Buhari condoles APC in Jigawa, Sokoto over loss of supporters

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of his supporters in Jigawa State in an auto accident on their way to attend campaign events.

    Four persons reportedly died and six others were injured in an accident involving party supporters who were going to attend All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Jigawa.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also expressed his condolences to the families of two other victims who died in a stampede in Sokoto State.

    He assured that the sacrifices of the deceased will not be in vain.

    Read Also: Buhari sends new National Minimum Wage Bill to NASS

    He said “The death of any party supporter touches me because these were poor Nigerians who made sacrifices to make Nigeria a better country by identifying with my change agenda.

    “I would never forget the sacrifices of these ordinary Nigerians who travelled long distances to attend my presidential campaign rallies.”

    “These ordinary Nigerians were the pillars of our democracy because without them, we, the politicians, become irrelevant.” he said

    Meanwhile, following the unprecedented wave of popularity of the President’s outdoor events, the Presidency has ordered for increased structural integrity testing of all erections and fabrications such as dais, tents, stages, including electrical and other equipment.