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Tag: Willie Obiano

Obiano bags 2017 Governor of the Year award

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has bagged the “2017 Eastern State and Nigerian Governor of the Year Award’’ of the Nigerian-American with Disabilities in the Diaspora and their Public-Private Partners ( P3 ).

Obiano was chosen for the award by the group after a “massive 2014 to 2017 performance evaluation of the 36 Nigerian state governors, including the Minister of Federal Capital Territory’s works.

“Today, Jan. 8, we the Nigerian-American with Disabilities in the Diaspora and our Public-Private Partners (P3), chooses, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, as our 2014-2017 Eastern State and Nigerian Governor of the Year,’’ it said.Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, President of Houston, Texas-based Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International ( ERPDI ), Incorporated in the U.S. made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Read also: ‘Obiano focused on developing Anambra’

They were assessed based on works on Nigeria’s disability-inclusive and accessible urban/city developments ( building of the first Silicon Valley of Nigeria at Anambra State ), progress, peace and unity, economic, trade and industrial developments.

Other areas of the assessment are agricultural developments, social, human, security, democracy and governance, electoral and political, entrepreneurship, job training and placements and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities.

The rest are Disability-Inclusive Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda, especially SDGs 1-5 for women and girls and the late effects of Polio virus infection called Post-Polio Syndrome.

The group said Obiano, broke all records because on November 20, 2017, within less than 48 hours after winning his re-election that took place on November 18, 2017 and also, within 24 hours after he was issued with his re-election Certificate by INEC, he wasted no time to move into positive actions.

It noted that it set to work through his Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr Michael Okonkwo, in collaborations with Nigerians in the Diaspora, led by Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom.

Others members of the group are Iyom Ifeoma B. Oni-Orisan, Mrs Ngozi Pauline Ikebuaku, Mr Polycarp Onyeachonam Ufom, Ms. Chinyelum Ozumba, Mrs Uche Helen Okafor, Iyom Mabel Ozumba, Mr Frances Okeke, Mrs Ngozi Okeke and Mr. Grace Njideke Ojukwu.

The governor introduced “Willie Obiano’s Silicon Valley of Nigeria’’; the Republic of Korea’s KOICA, UNDP and Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD )’s, “Saemaul Initiative Towards Sustainable and Inclusive New Communities ( ISNC ) and A New Rural Development Paradigm and the Inclusion and Sustainable New Community Model Inspired by the Saemaul Undong’’ Institute.

They also undertook Post-Polio Syndrome Clinics and Centres for Diagnostic and Clinical Managements of the late effects of Polio Virus Infection called Post-Polio Syndrome, Employment Developments, Work Readiness and Skills Training, Job Training and Placements.

Also the team developed Therapeutic Recreations, Wellness and Fitness Centres for Micro Enterprise Development, Healthcare’s, sports, social engagements, capacity building and management for all the 36 states of Nigeria.

Other African countries, including Lake Chad Basin Nations, Republic du Niger, Chad and Cameroon, with its headquarters at Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra, as the first projects to be built at the Silicon Valley.

The statement said that the diplomatic meeting where the history was made took place during the UN Africa Industrialisation Day, at the UNDP-Nigeria’s headquarters, Abuja, during a meeting between Anambra, Plateau, Benue, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, ( ERPDI ) Incorporated and other Government/public-private Partners ( P3 ), with the UNDP-Nigeria’s Country Director, Dr Samuel Bwalya.

“Industrialisation is a primary driver of economic growth and job creation, and will be pivotal in efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063.

“This year’s Africa Industrialisation Day highlights the links between industrial development and Africa’s moves towards establishing a Continental Free Trade Area,’’ it said.

The statement said it would also be critical to unleash the capacities of Africa’s young people and to strengthen African institutions.

“Both the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 recognise these imperatives,” it quoted the UN Secretary General as saying on Nov. 20, 2017, at the UN Headquarters New York, during the occasion of Africa Industrialisation Day.’’

Reacting to the UN Secretary-General’s call to, “unleash the capacities of Africa’s young people and to strengthen African institutions,’’ Obiano said it would be establishing the first Disability-Inclusive Silicon Valley of Nigeria being designed by Mr Michael Okonkwo, an Architect.

He noted the project was in collaborations with Nigerians in the Diaspora, led by Chief Ufom, to ensure nationwide true local Disability-Inclusive economic developments by Nigerians, regardless of their different ethnic and religious groups, language and disability.

The inauguration of Willie Obiano’s Silicon Valley and its Republic of Korea’s KOICA and other projects under it will be taking place on March 18 and March 19, immediately after Obiano’s swearing in ceremony.

It will be followed by Obiano’s economic summit to be held at Houston, Texas and other selected countries around the world to introduce it to “our Ndi Anambra and Nigerians in the Diaspora’’.

NAN

January 10, 2018
Workers resume in Anambra after holidays

Federal and state offices in Awka, Anambra, opened for business on Tuesday after the Yuletide and New Year holidays.

Some of the workers ( in Anambra) told newsmen that they were thankful to God for making them to come this far.

Others said they were hopeful that government would listen to them on their plight by increasing their salaries.

Jerry Obodo, the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Anambra Christians Pilgrims Board, said that it was a thing of joy to be back to work, while calling on fellow workers to be productive.

“It is a welcome development and thanks to God that we are back in our respective places of work.

“Workers should adopt punctuality, increase in productivity by being efficient and effective in service delivery to the general public.

“Workers should be properly remunerated by their employers for embezzlement, looting and lukewarm attitude to work to be a thing of the past,” he said.

Read also: Anambra Central: Has a Daniel come to judgement?

Mrs. Nkoli Okoye, a civil servant, said that workers were happy with the performance of the governor for keeping to his words to give a bag of rice to workers after paying their salaries.

“Gov. Willie Obiano gave us ( workers ) a bag of rice each to celebrate the Yuletide as promised, while promising to look into our salaries as soon as the state internally generated revenue improves.

“Based on these, we workers have no option than to put in our best in supporting the government to make the economy of the state grow,” she said.

Mr. Emma Ibe, a civil servant, called on workers in the state to work hard and pray for their colleagues in other states who were owed salaries.

“We are lucky here that our governor has managed our resources efficiently that our salaries are paid as at when due.

“But in some states, It is not the same for workers there are not finding it easy all I am asking fellow workers to pray for them so that God will touch the heart of their governors to pay them,” he said.

NAN

January 2, 2018
Anambra election boost to investors’ confidence – ANSIPPA

Chief Cyril Enweze, Chairman, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency ( ANSIPPA ), says the success of the Nov. 18 governorship election would further improve the investment climate in the state.

Enweze, who is also the traditional ruler of Umuoji community in Idemili South made the assertion in an interview in Umuoji on Sunday.

The renowned Economist said the political stability during and after the election as well as the economic blueprint of Gov. Willie Obiano who won the poll massively were great assurances that investors’ money were safe in Anambra.

He said the sceptical attitude of some of the investors in the build up to the election had given way and that ANSIPPA had already scheduled a meeting with new investors who had been calling for business talks.

“People who have been waiting to see the outcome of the election but now they have seen that it is 21 local government out of 21, it is unprecedented, they know that the governor is solidly entrenched and that their money is safe in Anambra.

“The investors are already coming back, some of them at some point were very jittery, they were afraid that a new administration will come and demolish everything that had been done, but now they know that the coast is clear.

“What this governor holds dear to his heart is the work of attracting investors.

“The secret is that the more investors we get to set up in Anambra, the more they help him to achieve his security objectives through employment.

“The more investors you can attract, the more you are able to build up your Internally Generated Revenue to compliment the federal allocation.

“These are the funds that will be used to execute development projects, as a visionary, Gov. Obiano is aware of these,’’ he said.

Enweze described investors as crucial stakeholders in an election who read the “economic weather’’ but were now confident that the security, investment-friendly environment and enabling policies that attracted them to Anambra in the last three years were still be obtainable.

According to him, Gov. Obiano has not said that he is going to change his economic policies and blueprints but rather that he is going to strengthen them and as an insider, I am very optimistic about this.

“Like I said, there was this wait-and-see attitude, where investors waited and listened to the tone at the debate where some candidates had said that they would bring down the bridge at Awka, others said that there was no investments in Anambra.

“But there are people who came with their money and invested in the state yet people were denying that fact.

“On a general note, I want to advise that people should not say careless things during election just because they want to win.

“Investors are smart and sensitive people, they are careful about the behavior of candidates in an election as it borders on their business, so Anambra is now more open for business,’’ he said.

The ANSIPPA chairman said that apart from providing market for firms and business, Anambra economy would be virile under Obiano following the major thrust of his campaign promises and their effects.

He expressed confidence that Obiano would deliver on his campaign promises for which he was overwhelmingly voted for a second term in office.

He said the Anambra Airport City, one of the biggest investments in Anambra was already in progress, noting that he was sure it would be completed on schedule.

“Obiano made certain promises during the campaigns; security is one of them, he is not going to let off on that and that is why Anambra is the safest state in the country under his administration.

“The projects are there and he has said that the communities choose your own project will be continued, the first round of that projects has ended and communities are going for the second phase, we can trust him on that.

“Road and infrastructure; he has promised to complete and commence new road projects, work is progressing in that area.

“We also have the Airport City project, the Chinese company executing the project are on ground and have started work at Umuleri.

“Workers salaries and payment of pensions I believe will continue, he is not going to change from `alert governor’ to ‘owing governor’, and you know that provides the best lubricant for any economy.

“Also, the investment drive will be intensified, he has not given us order to stop the drive we are doing, ANSIPPA has set up a meeting at the end of this month,” he said.

NAN

November 26, 2017
I won’t dump APGA, says Obiano

The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Friday debunked speculations that he was planning to dump his party, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

According to him, he has no such plans.

Obiano, spoke with State House journalists after ‘thank you’ visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, for allowing a free and fair gubernatorial poll in Anambra.

Stressing that he would never dump APGA, he dismissed as inconsequential the defection from APGA to APC by Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, the first son of late hero and former leader of the party, Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The governor, who said he has extended hand of fellowship to his opponents to join hands with him to turn the fortunes of Anambra round, said that he was prepared to work and not disappointed the people of the state for the confidence reposed on him.

According to him, the President was excited over his visit and assured him of his respect for the wishes of Anambra people to freely elect a governor of their choice.

He said, “I came to see the President na to thank him for keeping to his word that the election in Anambra will be free and fair and that is exactly how it went. I’m very happy to come to report to him personally on the success of the election.”

Asked if he expected to win such a contentious election, Obiano said, “Well, I thank God it is the Lord’s doing. To win 21 over 21 is not an easy task, it just showed the faith the people had in me and that is exactly why it happened and I thank Ndi Anambra for the confidence reposed on me and reassure them that this will encourage me to work harder.”

On how he intends to unite the people, he said, “Well, I have extended olive branch to my colleagues, my friends that contested with me and as you can see they have all congratulated me and we will hold hands and match on. You see, our private ambitions can never be greater than the interest of Anambra State. I believe we are working on well.”

On the new assurances he got from President Buhari, he said, “Well, Mr. President was excited that the votes of Ndi Anambra counted and that is a legacy he wants to leave behind, that he conducts free and fair elections without any interference from the federal.”

Asked if his relationship with Peter Obi will be smooth now that he has been re-elected, Obiano replied, “I don’t have a problem with anybody. I’m doing well, I don’t have a problem with anybody.”

On how he was going to strengthen his party, he said “My party is very strong in the south east and that you will see very soon in the coming elections and from there we will match on.”

On insinuations of plans to dump APGA for APC, Obiano said, “No. Never. That is totally unfounded. I will never leaver APGA, I’m the leader and the BoT chairman of APGA and again by God’s grace the governor and governor-elect.”

Asked if he has plans to woo back Ojukwu’s son he replied, “He is of no consequence I’m sorry to say.”

November 24, 2017
Buhari congratulates Obiano, says electoral reform paying off

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra on his re-election, and urged him to rededicate himself to building on his achievements that endeared him to the electorate.

The President’s congratulatory message is in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday.

Buhari assured the governor that the Federal Government was ready to work with him for greater harmony, peace and development of not only Anambra but the entire country.

He wished the returning governor a successful new term in office.

He also commended the people of Anambra, other governorship candidates, as well as security agencies and other stakeholders, on the peaceful conduct of the Nov. 18 gubernatorial election in the state.

He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) and election observers for the smooth conduct of the election.

According to him, the processes leading to the election and its peaceful conduct and outcome have shown that the nation’s electoral reform is bearing positive fruits.

“This is very encouraging and I am determined to give Nigeria free and fair elections, no matter which way the results swing,’’ he added.

He particularly expressed delight at the conduct of the candidates post-election results, describing it as “heart-warming and a renewal of confidence in the sanctity of the ballot which deepens our nation’s democracy.”

President Buhari urged INEC to improve on areas of logistics as the nation braces for coming governorship elections and the main general elections in 2019.

NAN

November 21, 2017
Okorocha congratulates Obiano over his re-election

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has congratulated the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ) in the Nov. 18 Anambra governorship election, Gov. Willie Obiano, over his re-election.

in the Nov. 18 Anambra governorship election, Gov. Willie Obiano, over his re-election.

Okorocha gave the congratulatory message in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemedo, on Monday in Owerri.

The governor said that Obiano’s victory was too clear to be contested or questioned.

He, therefore, advised candidates of other political parties who took part in the election to congratulate the winner and avoid going to court to question his victory.

Okorocha, who is also the Chairman, All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Governors’ Forum, expressed regret over the loss of his party in the election.

He attributed the loss to internal wrangling and the lack of genuine commitment on the part of the party’s leadership in the state.

He, however, expressed the hope that with the election, the future of APC in the South-East was bright.

He said that before now, nobody would have thought that APC could do better in Anambra.

The governor urged Nigerians to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC led-government “for allowing level playing ground for all candidates.

“The Anambra election shows that the APC has what it takes to strengthen the nation’s democracy.”

Okorocha thanked the people of Anambra for the peaceful election and for not yielding to IPOB’s threats or listen to the group’s call for boycott.

A total of 37 political parties presented candidates in the Nov. 18 Anambra governorship election.

Some of the candidates were the incumbent, Gov. Willie Obiano, with his Deputy, Nkemakonam Okeke, who contested on the platform of APGA, while Oseloka Obazie of PDP had Chidi Onyemelukwe, a woman as his running mate.

Tony Nwoye of APC had Dozie Arinze, a woman, as his running mate.

NAN

November 20, 2017
Bello congratulates Obiano, lauds Buhari for good poll conduct

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Sunday congratulated Mr Willie Obiano on his re-election as the Governor of Anambra.

He described Obiano’s re-election as a ”well-deserved victory”.

In a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Onyegbule, in Lokoja, Bello commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring a level playing ground for all candidates in the election.

He said that the president’s action was a proof by the APC-led Federal Government to ensure credible, free, fair and peaceful elections and respect for the rule of law under his leadership.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Kogi State, I congratulate the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Willie Obiano, for a well-deserved victory.

“I equally congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, on the peaceful, free and fair election in Anambra State, acceptable to all.

“Ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election is a testament to the fact that President Buhari embodies and exemplifies the Change Mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The voice of the people spoke loudly and it has resonated for all to hear. This is the singular most prominent feature of a democracy which allows people to choose their leader out of many contestants,” he said.

Bello, however, applauded the candidate of APC, Mr Tony Nwoye, for putting up a good fight, and described him as “a winner through whom the APC has become entrenched in Anambra State.

“As a people, we shall continue to consolidate on the gains we have made over the past 16 years as we break new progressive frontiers.”

Obiano of APGA won the election with 234, 071 votes ahead of APC who scored 98, 752 votes and Oseloka Obaze of PDP with 70, 293 votes.

Thirty-six candidates contested the election.

NAN

November 20, 2017
Anambra guber poll records impressive turnout

The Anambra governorship election has witnessed impressive turnout of voters at most of the polling units.

Correspondents who monitored the exercise on Saturday in the three senatorial zones of the state, report that voters were seen in most of the polling units visited as early as 7.30 a.m. waiting to be attended to by the electoral officials.

Security officials were present in all the polling units visited.

At Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, the country home of Gov. Willie Obiano, the governor said he was happy with the massive turnout of voters.

Obiano urged the people yet to come out to do so, noting that effective participation by the people was the only way they could support the advancement of democracy.

The APC governorship candidate, Dr Tony Nwoye, also told newsmen that the turnout was high and impressive.

In Oyi, Orumba North and South, Awka South local government areas as well as Onitsha, our correspondents report that the turnout was high in the polling units visited.

However, the turnout in parts of Orumba north and south was poor because of late arrival of materials and officials of INEC.

At Aroma Junction, Agu Oka Polling Unit 004 in Awka South Local Government Area, Mr David Anyamele, a Local Election Observer, described the exercise as peaceful and smooth.

Anyamele, a member of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, told NAN that he was impressed by the turnout of voters in most of the polling units he visited.

But at Fagge Area of Onitsha, the turnout was not very impressive.

Igwe Nneamaka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, said that the unimpressive turnout in Onitsha was because majority of people working and doing business in Onitsha were not residents of the area.

“Most of them live in Nkpor, Obosi, and Idemili areas, but only come to Onitsha to work and do business.

“The Obi in Council had earlier met and directed the town criers to go round the various communities and announce to the people to participate in the election,’’ Achebe said.

He described the conduct of the Nov.18 governorship election as smooth, peaceful and fair.

Meanwhile, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ) Election Working Group, in Onitsha said that the poll began on a good note.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr Adewale Ademola, said that the materials arrived and all the materials, including ballot boxes, card readers and results sheets were intact.

Ademola said the card readers were all in good working condition and that the election was smooth.

NAN

November 18, 2017
Anambra poll: Gov Obiano, Chidoka vote

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has called on the people of the state to come out en masse to exercise their franchise and ensure that their votes count.

Obiano spoke shortly after casting his vote at Eri Primary School in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area at 9:50 a.m.

He said he was okay with the conduct of the governorship election so far in the state.

“I am okay with the election and I am confident of securing victory in the poll,” he told newsmen.

Obiano commended the people in the council area for their impressive turnout for the poll.

Also, UPP governorship candidate, Chief Osita Chidoka, voted at Obosi Central School at 10:05 a.m.

Chidoka, however, decried the late arrival of officials and materials to some polling units.

The PPA governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, also spoke in similar vein.

He said he had been out to his Umuchu Ward 2 since 8 a.m., but the electoral officers had yet to come, hours after.

NAN

November 18, 2017
Live updates of Anambra governorship election

The Anambra guber election took place across the state Saturday and results have started trickling in bits.

The election has been widely described as peaceful with no fewer than 37 candidates including Governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ) participating.

Below are the election updates:

Counting of votes have started in some polling units where elections commenced on schedule in the Anambra governorship poll.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting ended at exactly 2 p.m, and counting of votes immediately commenced in the polling units where accreditation and voting commenced between 8 a.m and 9 a.m on Saturday.

NAN reports that INEC has 4,608 polling units across the 21 local governments areas.

4:30pm: Votes being counted at former Governor Peter Obi’s Agulu ward. APC 5, APGA 40, PDP 145

4:20pm: Bishop of Awka Diocese casting his vote

4:00pm: Sorting and Counting has been concluded at PU04/01/07/013, EKEMEZIE SQUARE, EKWULOBIA II, AGUATA LGA

3:23: Obaze just voted

1:30pm: The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Tony Nwoye has raised the alarm over the systematic clampdown of the Chieftains and supporters of the APC.

Nwoye who spoke with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Ofianta Polling Unit 002 in Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area, alleged that the Police is colluding with ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to compromise the exercise.

12.40pm: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Henry Oseloka Obaze is yet to vote as the time of filing this report by 12.40pm.

As at 12.30pm, when The Nation called at polling unit 001, Civic Centre, Ward 1, Umuchu, where the governorship candidate of the PPA, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, is registered to vote, voting materials had not arrived and there was no INEC official on ground. Whereas voting started at 11am at the unit next to his.

Ezeemo expressed frustration over this development, saying it is a deliberate attempt to deny his supporters the opportunity to vote.

He said: ”I am not desperate to be governor, but I’m worried about way we are treating ourselves. I’m worried about this nation. The ruling class wants to impoverish this nation.

11: 31: Voting have started according to schedule across most polling stations in the Anambra state, irrespective of threat by proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Turnout at the various polling units visited by The Nation, was impressive contrary to anticipated low turnout.

At Ofianta polling unit 11 in Anambra East Local Government Area, where the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Tony Nwoye, accreditation and voting commenced at about 9.27 am, as against the 8 o’clock takeoff time fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

11:30am: More voters are turning out in Unit 14 in Ogbaro where People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Oseloka Obaze expected to vote.

An All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) agent Enebeli Augustine said the process has been peaceful.

“I have not seen anyone harassed or intimidated,” he said at about 11am.

11:02am: An elderly man has just been arrested at the Community Primary School Amawbia, sharing money to prospective voters from Ghana must go sack. INEC commissioner Chief Solomon Soyebi who witnessed the incident said he will be dealt with.

Soyebi agreed that the process started slowly but that it has picked up.

10:40am: Voters lined up in ward 8 to cast their votes

10:32: Line up of voters at Aguleri

At a polling unit at Aroma roundabout in Awka. The process is taking off slowly. At 8.20am, they are setting the stage for the election. Few prospective voters standing, waiting for the exercise to kick off.

10:30am: Contrary to expectations, the process has been peaceful so far in the the Awka area. People were initially not the eager to come out and vote., due to fear of violence. The process started late in some polling units, but generally it us proceeding smoothly and peacefully as at 10 30am, but with usual problem of card reader failures. There was a slight commotion at one of the units at Community Primary School, Arabia when electoral officials refused to provide incident forms for people who experienced card reader failures. They said they were waiting for their supervisor to give the go ahead. As a result, people queuing up to vote revolted, because the queue stopped moving.

10:00am: Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano just voted, he said PVC worked but had a glitch with finger print recognition.

9:45am: officials yet to arrive at PU:04/19/05/006 (Obu Okofia, Awa Ward, Orumba North)

9:40am: At Ilodibe Awada Onitsha North LGA Ward 9 PU 003, no INEC officials, no security officers.

9:35: Amawbia 2, Unit 1. Accreditation and voting ongoing peacefully and orderly.

9:30am: INEC officials just drove in

9:28am Ward 2 Udeozor Primary School, Awka South INEC officials are setting up

Update: Voting is yet to start at different polling units visited so far in the capital. At another polling unit near the Secretarial junction at Aroma, the officials are huddled together, fiddling with the card reader. The polling unit is filled with policemen, election monitors and reporters, with only three prospective voters waiting.

8:02am INEC officials ready at Mbosi WARD Ihiala, Polling unit -P S/S 1 009. Polling Officer addressing the scanty crowd to start voting now.

November 18, 2017