The Nation Newspaper

Tag: State Assembly elections

  • Polls: Bauchi Election Tribunal receives 16 petitions

    The Election Tribunal in Bauchi State said on Friday that it had so far received 16 petitions from individuals and political parties on the just concluded Governorship, National and State Assembly elections conducted in the state.

    The Secretary of the Tribunal, Bello Abdullahi said this in Bauchi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Abdullahi explained that seven petitions were for the senatorial elections while seven others were for the House of Representatives elections conduct on Feb. 23.

    He further explained that the remaining two petitions were for the State Assembly elections held on March 9.

    Read also: I’ll run inclusive government- Bauchi Governor- elect

    Abdullahi said that most of the petitioners were alleging that widespread irregularities were committed during the last general elections.

    He said that other petitioners had complained over alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    The secretary also explained that some petitioners had complained about falsification of educational qualifications by some elected candidates.

  • Anxiety in Kano, Sokoto, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue

    Voters in parts of Kano, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue and Bauchi are heading back to the polling centres today eager to end days of apprehension caused by the March 9 inconclusive governorship and state assembly elections.

    Although, the elections will take place in only a few parts of the affected states, the security agencies are leaving nothing to chances.

    The Police yesterday announced a total restriction of vehicular and human movement in Kano and Plateau states.

    Security is also being beefed up at flashpoints in Benue State with a view to protecting lives property and electoral materials.

    Soldiers in Sokoto State extended their “Show of Force Exercise” to six violence-prone local government areas of the state ahead of the supplementary election.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, which had threatened to boycott the election, announced that it was now ready for the election while the All Progressives Congress (APC) strongman in Benue State, Senator George Akume, boasted that nothing would save Governor Samuel Ortom from losing the election.

    In Kano State, 128,324 voters will decide the fate of the incumbent Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of the APC and Abba Kabir Yusuf of the PDP in the supplementary polls in the state.

    They will vote at 207 polling units spread across 28 local government areas.

    Tension remained thick in the air last night as residents prayed for the election to come and go peacefully.

    Governor Ganduje urged residents to remain calm and expect nothing short of victory for his party.

    He said the PDP candidate and his supporters would be shocked today by the turn of events against them.

    Ganduje further warned that the state government would not tolerate any breach of peace under whatever guise, assuring that his government would not fold its arms and watch people instigate instability.

    According to him, “as the governor of Kano State and the chief security officer of the state, I cannot sleep if any drop of blood is wasted. Brandishing of harmful objects is also abhorred by my administration.

    The PDP governorship candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf was equally optimistic of carrying the day. His spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa said: “We are known to be peace lovers and so we shall remain, as we are very sure of victory during the rerun.

    “Our supporters should not forget that PDP is already leading in the last count of the election and interestingly, the rerun would take place in the strongest areas of our party.

    “We urge everyone to keep hope alive in our quest to rescue Kano from the hands of corrupt leaders and agents of distraction.”

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu Arabi, said three additional RECs from Zamfara, Kebbi and Ogun states had been deployed to Kano to ensure a successful exercise.

    He said: “We are working to make sure that we don’t have any distraction. We have held series of meetings with stakeholders to review our strategies.

    “We have also held meetings with leaders of both political parties, and we have made them to understand that the election is not a war.

    “They have also promised to talk to their supporters to conduct themselves in peaceful manner. Securities agencies have assured us of adequate security.

    “I am sure the Commissioner of Police has been talking to different groups of people, particularly the youths. I am very confident we will have a peaceful election on Saturday.”

    Police Commissioner Mohammed Wakili warned trouble makers to steer clear of the polling centres.

    “I warn that no one should test our might because we would not hesitate to clampdown on anyone who tries to disturb the peace enjoyed in the state,” he said.

    He asked parents, traditional leaders as well as political leaders to ensure that their wards and supporters conduct themselves in a responsible manner during the supplementary elections.

    The Police Command warned that there would be no vehicular or human movement in all the 44 local government areas of the state from 6am to 6pm today.

    It said: “No vehicle, motorcycle or tricycle will be allowed to move between 0600hrs and 1800hrs on that day. Eligible voters are advised to take a walk to their polling stations. Inconvenience regretted, please.”

     

    Restrictions in Plateau too

    The Plateau State Police Command also imposed total restriction of movement of persons and vehicles in all parts of the state from 6:00am to 6:00pm today during the supplementary elections.

    The Command said in a statement that it was committed to ensuring that the people of the state exercise their franchise without fear of molestation.

    It said the restriction was aimed at preventing the movement of people from local governments where elections will not be held into areas where election would be taking place to ferment trouble.

    It stated that security personnel will be deployed to enforce the restriction order and urged the people of the state to be law abiding and cooperate with security personnel to ensure the success of the electoral process.

    Read also: Rerun polls: Tambuwal, Aliyu, Ganduje,Yusuf, others locked in fierce battle

    Army extends show of force to six violence-prone LGAs in Sokoto

    The Nigeria Army yesterday extended its “Show of Force Exercise” to six violence-prone local government areas in Sokoto State ahead of the supplementary elections.

    The affected local government areas are Raba, Kebbe, Gada, Goronyo, Sabon Birni and Isa.

    Addressing the motorcade before taking off from Sokoto, Maj.-Gen. Hakeem Otiki, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Army, said the exercise was to arouse public attention to the presence of the military.

    Otiki explained that the exercise was not meant to intimidate the public, but to express army readiness to curtail any form of public disturbance.

    He said further that the exercise would also serve as warning to hoodlums and other disgruntled elements that might plan or intend to disrupt the upcoming supplementary elections.

    The GOC added that similar exercise was conducted for hours in Sokoto metropolis on Thursday and urged the people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ensuring peaceful coexistence in the country.

    Bauchi PDP backpedals, to participate in supplementary polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, which had threatened to boycott the supplementary polls, said yesterday that it was ready for the election.

    The party says it is well prepared as it urged voters to come out en masse to exercise their civic right.

    Addressing reporters in Bauchi, the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam said: “You know we are leading. As it is now, what we want to do now is to cap it up. Insha Allah, by tomorrow (today), even if the Inspector General of Police comes to Bauchi, the people of Bauchi will still decide who they want.

    “We are good to go. PDP is not afraid of election, and more so, we have won this election and we will continue to win”

    Alhaji Akuyam said the party remained committed to the peaceful conduct of the re-run elections.

    They had threatened not to participate in the supplementary election after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, released the date for the rerun.

    Akuyam had told reporters: “The supplementary election is a sham. INEC wants to conduct rerun because 22, 759 people were disenfranchised in 15 LGAs. Meanwhile 139,240 were disenfranchised in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

    “I don’t know what INEC is up to. Maybe they are reading somebody’s script. We are not going to participate in this election.

    “Our legal team will look at this matter, though it is not just about going to court.”

    INEC on why there will be no election in Tafawa Balewa LGA

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday that supplementary election would not take place in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State today owning to an ongoing court case.

    Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Channels Television that the commission would conduct the poll in other affected areas of the state.

    “We are going to conduct an election in Bauchi tomorrow (today) except in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area because of the court action instituted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate,” he said.

    He expressed displeasure at the rate at which politicians were filing litigations in court, and appealed to them to accept the outcome of election whether they lose or win in the contest.

    Oyekanmi said: “As a law-abiding agency, we have to comply with the order. But we are challenging that order. People will be confused as to what is going on.”

     

    Bauchi Finance Commissioner resigns hours to supplementary poll

    The Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Garba Sarki Mohammed Akuyam, resigned unexpectedly yesterday, 24 hours to the supplementary election.

    He said he was leaving on account of “recent developments and political realities of present day Bauchi State.”

    He added: “”During my stay in office as Commissioner for Rural Development and thereafter Commissioner for Finance for a period of almost two and half years, I in all honesty enjoyed working with your Excellency, who has always given me regard, respect and fatherly advice. Indeed, the gesture is of course reciprocal.

    “Therefore it is my privilege and singular honour to most sincerely register my appreciation for the recognition accorded me by his Excellency, Governor Mohammed Abubakar, to serve his government and the good people of Bauchi State as a commissioner, promising to answer another call to serve my dear state ever when called upon to do that in another capacity as the need may perhaps arise.”

    Garba Sarki, who was the Director General of the campaign team of Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar in 2015, added that he remains in the ruling APC.

    Ortom will lose, Akume vows

    The APC leader in Benue State, Senator George Akume, was confident that Governor Samuel Ortom would lose today.

    Speaking with our correspondent, Akume, a former governor of the state said: “Find out from this man (Ortom) precisely what are your achievements? Sometimes I look at this and laugh because one of the achievements he claims is a private initiative in my village, a privately-owned soya processing factory.

    “Those who go to Benue will weep for that state. This is a state that has all the potentials of feeding the entire West Africa sub region.

    “Recently I heard that he bought 50 tractors to distribute to farmers and what is 50 tractors?

    “When I went to Government House during President Buhari’s visit, I saw ten tractors and I don’t know whether it is just for show man ship but when Sokoto bought 2000 tractors over two years ago, Kebbi got 1,500.

    “The Benue farmer is very hard working, the Benue man is an intelligent person but they also need an enabling environment to enable them express themselves maximally and efficiently in agricultural sector in particular, but it is not happening.

    “The schools in Benue state, if not because of school feeding, primary schools would have been dead; the teachers go there, they don’t teach because they are not being paid.”

    ‘We’ve won already – Ortom

    However, Ortom’s representative at the INEC Collation Centre, Mr. Alex Ter Adum, told The Nation that the supplementary election is just a formality for the governor.

    “It is no supplementary election; it is only complementary election for our victory,” Adum said.

    He added: “As I stated earlier, I am saying that the returns by the Returning Officer for the election were not in accordance with the requirements of Section 179, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “It is also not in conformity with requirements of Section 26 of the Electoral Act; neither does it comply with the provisions of Regulation 47 of the Guidelines for the Conduct of this election; they ought to have isolated this issues in the ways specified in the Guidelines.

    “In places where elections were held and result s were mutilated thereafter when results have been declared at the polling units, they ought to have entered zero scores for all the political parties and voided all the results.

    “In areas where the Smart Card Readers was deployed and resisted by voters, and where manual accreditation was done, they ought to have voided those votes and declared zero for all the political parties.”

    “So, if you take the deductions from all these areas which occurred in Ukum, Guma, Gwer East, Okpokwu and Konshisha local government areas, the margin of lead for my candidate which is 81, 000 votes ought to be more and above the margin of places where elections were cancelled or did not hold.

  • APC vows to challenge state assembly results in Ebonyi

    House of Assembly candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi have vowed to challenge the outcome of the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections in the state.

    The leader of the coalition, Mr Jude Okpor disclosed this on Sunday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on their position following the release of the election results.

    Okpor said that all 24 state assembly candidates of the party rejected the results as they were not reflections of the wish of the people.

    He commended the governorship candidate of the party, Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji for the assistance he gave to all state assembly candidates of the party, adding that such was unprecedented.

    The leader said that though the elections had come and gone but certain facts could not be overlooked.

    “The governorship candidate of the party substantially and singlehandedly funded most party activities all through the pre-election and election phases.

    “Ogbuoji gave supports including but not limited to financial support to all the 24 state assembly candidates and we expected a free, fair and credible election but the reverse was the case,” he said.

    Okpor alleged that the elections were characterised by massive irregularities which included but not limited to multiple voting and intimidation of members of opposition parties across the 24 state constituencies.

    “Although we contested against a desperate and brutal incumbent governor who threatened to crush opposition elements, we also had internal sabotages by APC party leaders within and outside the state.

    “Most federal appointees from the state played little or no role towards the electoral fortunes of the party in the state,” he alleged.

    Okpor said that they had implicit confidence in Ogbuoji and urged the national leadership of the party to ignore ongoing smear campaign against him.

    “This smear campaign coming from within and outside of the party is with the intention of paving way for Gov. Dave Umahi to join APC.

    “We condemn this in the strongest terms.

    “We, therefore, state that the APC House of Assembly candidates are solidly behind Ogbuoji. We believe in him and we will continue to work and support him.

    “We support the position of our gubernatorial candidate for the cancellation of the March 9 gubernatorial and state assembly elections in the state.

    “We further call on the national leadership of the APC to investigate the role played by some of our party leaders and federal appointees in the just concluded elections in the state,” he said.

    Okpor said that appropriate sanctions should be meted out where necessary. (NAN)

  • Voter apathy mars election in Abia

    There is voter apathy in the Governorship and State Assembly Elections in Abia State as some voters were stopped from casting their votes in some places by hoodlums who asked the voters the candidate of their choice before allowing them into the polling units.

    In most of the polling units visited, our reporters noticed that election materials and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officers, including ad hoc staff, were on ground for the election, but the voters were nowhere to be seen.

    It could be noticed that in most polling units visited in Aba by 10.30am, even though INEC officials and materials were ready, there were very few voters waiting to vote which may affect the results of the elections.

    One of the electorate, who gave his name as Chidi Anyatuonwu, told newsmen in Aba that some indigenes of the city were asking people to tell them who their candidates are before going in to vote.

    Anyatuonwu said the action of the youths of the area has made voters to stay back in their homes as they were being threatened to be dealt with if they fail to vote for their candidate.

    In his Onuaku ward in Uturu Local Government Area, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Uche Ogah, said there is a noticeable improvement from the last election.

    Ogah said he is sure of victory but regretted that reports reaching him from some parts of the state showed that some hoodlums have been busy snatching election materials and harassing people.

    In his reaction, Chief Ikechi Emenike, a chieftain of APC in Abia State, who voted in his Umukabia, Ohuhu polling unit, expressed joy with the turnout of voters and improvement in the organisation of the exercise.

    At Umuogele Ntigha, in Isiala Ngwa North Council Area, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Reagan Ufomba, said he was impressed with the large turnout of voters for the election.

  • Polls: Heavy security, restriction of movement effective in Lagos

    Heavy security and restriction of movement were noticed in parts of Lagos state on Saturday as residents of the state prepare for the conduct of the Governorship and the State Assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stern-looking army officers were seen took their positions along several roads as early as 6 a.m to effect the restriction order.

    This is unlike the Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly election, which had only a few  areas blocked by the army officers and commercial vehicles drivers were seen  manoeuvring their way.

    NAN correspondent monitoring the exercise reports that the soldiers shunned all appeal by almost all motorists to pass, as only officials of INEC and those on official duty were allowed to pass.

    Some of the areas blocked include Abesan Gate, Ipaja, Mosalashi area, Alimosho, Idimu Road, Ikotun area among others.

    Many people were, however, seen walking while others stood in groups in the frontage of their houses, yet some on the streets ready to move the polling units exercise their civic responsibility As from 8.00a.m.

    At polling unit 1 to 13 polling units situated at Gowon Estate in Alimosho Local Government Area, INEC officials were seen as early as 6.45a.m with their election materials.

    While some INEC officials were busy moving materials and personnel out of their various Registration Area Centres (RAC) at about 7.00 a m, some were found at their various polling units.

    Meanwhile, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Mr Sam Olumekun, had told NAN that the electoral body was good to go and ready to give residents of the state free and fair elections on Saturday.

    Olumekun gave the assurance while speaking on the readiness of the commission for the exercise in the state, in an interview with NAN Friday night.

    In Lagos, the electorate will go to the polls to elect a Governor and 40 members of the state House of Assembly on Saturday.

    Supplementary elections will also take place in six federal constituencies in the state where the National Assembly elections held on Feb. 23 were inconclusive.

    NAN reports that 45 governorship candidates across various political parties will be vying for the number one seat in the state.

    Also, 640 candidates of various parties are eying the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly in the election. (NAN)

  • Tension as hoodlums set ablaze INEC office in Akwa Ibom

    Suspected hoodlums on Thursday night set fire to an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Akwa Ibom State ahead of today’s governorship and state assembly elections.

    Burnt was the INEC office  in Ibesikpo Asuntan local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Some electoral materials, including card readers, were destroyed in the incident.

    But the  ballot papers are intact,according to the  Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mike Igini.

    He said: “In the wee hours this morning, I got a call that one of the areas offices had been gutted by fire, or rather, fire was ongoing there, So we had to call the fire service and the DPO around that area.

    “So they all moved in there, and responded, and they were able to evacuate the entire ballot papers that had been delivered to the local government intact. But because the storeroom behind the building is very close to the fence, obviously we saw some footprints because of the rain yesterday , so it was very clear where they came in through to do the sabotage.

    “So, what were destroyed there were just card readers, the registered voters list and ballot boxes. So that is what happened. But the good news is because the entire ballot papers are intact, so what we are trying to do is basically trying to mop up our card readers as I speak to you, from the entire polling unit. You know, we have already recovered from our reserves, we have already got that.

    “So what we are contending with, which is not a problem really, is the voting point, and within the neighbouring state, even Abuja has called to provide some of the card readers. We have taken care of that.

    “Then the entire register that has been burnt, we have reproduced the register 30 minutes ago. They are ready. Beyond that, we are good to go. There is just one local government area out of 31 local government areas.

    “So we are good to go, the configuration of the card reader is currently ongoing, and I am very sure that before 5:00, we are done.”

    He hailed residents who raced to the scene to help put out the fire.Igini said they did a good job

    His words:”In fact, I must commend the first responders for the good job because that would have been an issue, but I can confirm to Nigerians and Akwa Ibomites that all the ballot papers are intact.

    The State  Police Command  said it was investigating the incident.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Odiko MacDon said:”The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Kaoje, is aware of the incident and has detailed senior police operatives to investigate the incident.

    “We are investigating to ascertain whether it is a clear case of arson, and when the investigations are completed, we will let the people know .”

    He said the findings would be made public while anyone  found culpable will be made to face the law no matter how highly placed.

    The command spokesman said security had been beefed up around all INEC offices

    Meanwhile, Mr Igini yesterday said that the burning of its Local Government Area Office in the state would not stop Saturday’s polls.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hoodlums set fire to the INEC office in Ibesikpo/Asutan local government area of Akwa Ibom.

    Reacting to the incident, Igini said that the  heinous act would not deter the commission from carrying out its duties, as most of the sensitive materials for the conduct of the elections were still intact.

    The REC, who went on the spot assessment of the incident, said: “there is no going back on the March 9 elections in Akwa Ibom.

    “Election will hold as scheduled, no matter the plot.”

    He revealed that some card readers, electricity generators, computers and other office equipment were burnt.

    Narrating how the incident occurred, INEC Director of Public Affairs in the state, Mr Don Etukudoh, said the fire started at about 3:00 a.m on Friday.

    According to him, an explosive device was thrown into the building which ripped the roof open and substantial damage done to the wall with several card readers burnt.

    “From our findings, the place was attacked with explosives because we noticed huge damage done to the walls and the roof completely shattered.

    “We have been able to order several cards readers from the neighbouring states and we are presently configuring them in readiness for the elections,”  he said.

    The Electoral Officer (EO) for Ibesikpo/Asutan, Mr Victor Inyang, said that the polls would go on as planned because no ballot paper was destroyed by the fire.

    “They thought the election materials were kept in the store,” he added.

    The incident, he reiterated, would not deter the conduct of the polls in all the 177 polling units in Ibesikpo Asutan as other sensitive and non-sensitive materials other than the card readers were not affected by the inferno.

    The fire was extinguished by men of the state fire service.

  • CAIDOV calls for peaceful, credible elections

    A call has gone to the leadership and officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as its ad hoc staff “to ensure the 2019 gubernatorial and state assembly elections are well conducted according to electoral rules and regulations.”

    The security agencies were also called upon to discharge their duties without fear or favour in the interest of peaceful and credible elections.

    The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV), in a press release signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, made the calls in Lagos yesterday after a meeting on today’s elections.

    The group warned politicians to eschew violence before, during and after the polls, stressing that they should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

    The CAIDOV boss advised Nigerians to come out to exercise their civic duty by voting during the elections to choose those that will direct the affairs in our states, adding that credible people who can deliver on their promises should be elected as governors and lawmakers.

    The group further said: “It is imperative we urge our people to go out and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice without violence. What we as a centre is asking for is violence-free, peaceful and credible elections that will stand the test of time.  We want to warn our political actors not to see the contest as a do-or-die affair, but a sport where one person will emerge victorious.

    “We want to appeal to the INEC to carry its task out without any form of compromise. A credible election is a pointer to good governance and credible representation.

    Our police should discharge their duties without let or hinderance. They should ensure the protection of lives and property. They should perform their duties professionally”.

    The group called on all parties to accept the results of the elections or approach the courts when necessary and not resort to self-help.

  • Polls: Buhari arrives Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari arrived his home town of Daura on Thursday ahead of the Governorship and State Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday,  March 9.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari landed at the Daura Helipad in a Presidential Chopper marked NAF-541 at 6:50 p.m. in company with his aides and close family members.

    The President was received by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar, his kinsmen, and hundreds of well-wishers.

    NAN further reports that the President’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, is to host a thanksgiving dinner for women and youth organisations in Daura.

  • Abia APC in final push for Saturday polls

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State is in a final push to secure victory in Saturday’s governorship and state Assembly elections.

    Leading the mobilisation is Chief Ikechi Emenike, a prominent factional member of APC in the state.

    He spoke in a statement yesterday by his Media aide, Sir Mike Ozoemena: “We are making the final push for victory… Emenike has, after campaigns in all 17 local governments, scheduled final meetings in all councils.”

    The statement went on: “The meetings to be held on the last day of the governorship election campaigns, being Thursday (today), will be hosted by selected leaders of the party in all councils.

    “Council leaders to host the meetings are: Aba North, Sir Mike Ozoemena; Aba South, Deacon Obinna Atuonwu; Obingwa, Grant Nwaogu; Ugwunagbo, Justice Onwumelu; Osisioma, Chief Aham Clement; Isiala Ngwa South, Chief Ngozi Nwoko; Isiala Ngwa North, Solomon Alozie; Ikwuano, Chief Chinedum Adindu; Umuahia South, Dr Bob Uwaga; Umuahia North, Obilor Ogbonna; Arochukwu, Chief Uche Okoro Orji; Bende, Dr Kingsley Ononugbu; Ohafia, Chief Onu Onyioha; Isuikwuato, Chief Oby Ndukwe; Umunneochi, Fabian Okonkwo.”

    The statement added that the meetings would hold simultaneously  in all councils.

    “They are geared towards mobilising and sensitising party leaders and faithful at the polling units, wards, and councils for victory on Saturday,” it said.

    Expected at the meetings are party chairmen and executives in the councils, ward chairmen and executives, youth and women in the wards.

    “Also invited are the leadership of the personal structures of Chief Ikechi Emenike in the wards and councils namely: Emenike Youth Vanguard; Emenike Teenagers; Emenike Daughters and Emenike Mothers (different from party women leaders).”

    Emenike urged Abians to “Nigerians on the Next Level of progress for the country under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari by voting for APC candidates on  Saturday”, the statement said.

  • APC, PDP ready for elections in Zamfara, as INEC distributes materials

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara said they are ready for Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agents of the two parties disclosed this to newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday at the unveiling and distribution of election materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    NAN further reports that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Asma’u Maikudi led the distribution of sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The APC Agent, Alhaji Umar Abbas said his party is satisfied with the arrangements by the INEC ahead of the elections.

    Abbas, who is the State APC Collation officer for the 2019 general elections, said, “We are here to witness the distribution of the materials by the INEC, we are satisfied with the arrangements, the REC is seated with us monitoring the exercise, security agencies are also present.”

    He debunked the allegations against his party by other political parties that the APC was conniving with INEC to divert some election materials.

    He said, “I don’t want to comment on this, let them prove the allegations.”

    The State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Abubukar Maradun said the party was set to participate in the governoship and state assembly elections in the state.

    “We have challenged the commission’s mode of distribution of election materials so that the happenings at the last Presidential and National Assembly elections would not be repeated in the state.

    Read also: Electoral materials in safe custody, INEC assures Lagosians

    “We have made adequate arrangements, we have qualified agents across the 14 local government areas of the state.

    “You know in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, materials were not allocated appropriately, in Kaura there was a polling unit with 1000 voters but they were given 100 ballot papers.

    “We insisted that before any materials will be moved from here, we must know the number allocated to each of the local government areas, especially the ballot papers and broadsheet,” he said. (NAN)