The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kuje Area Council chairmanship and councillorship elections inconclusive.
It was the second council after Bwari where Saturday’s polls could not be concluded.
INEC’s Returning Officer for the council, Zainab Gbefwi, told newsmen that the election was declared inconclusive due to electoral violence in Rubochi.
Gbefwi said that because of the violence, the elections in Rubochi ward and some polling units in Kwaku and Kabi where Card Readers were not fully used had to be cancelled.
She added that INEC materials were destroyed and some adhoc staff injured in the course of the violence that occurred.
“At the end of collation, there was no clear winner because the candidate that had the majority votes had one-quarter of two-thirds of the votes cast.
“But the difference between the candidate with the majority votes and the next candidate is very small as compared to the number of registered voters and votes cancelled,” she said.
The returning officer said that re-run elections would be organised in Kabi, Kasa, and other polling units, where over voting occurred.
She said that the date for the re-run would be announced later after consultations with the FCT Resident Electoral Officer.
Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been re-elected in the Surulere constituency l Lagos State House of Assembly election.
In the result announced on Sunday, he scored 15,357 votes, while Benjamin Olasunkanmi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 3,628 votes.
The State Constituency Returning Officer, Dr Bolajoko Dixon-Ogbechi from the University of Lagos, made the declaration at the Surulere Local Government Collation Centre in Lagos.
” Desmond Olusola Elliot of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner and is returned elected, ” she said.
According to her, Mr Shitta-Bey Oluwarotimi of Alliance for Democracy (AD) came third with 116 votes. Mr Dawodu Oluwaseyi of Accord Party came fourth with 65 votes while Mr Makanjuola Olaseni of YP came fifth with 59 votes.
Dixon-Ogbechi stated that the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 134939, accredited voters was 20340, valid votes – 19357 while the total number of rejected votes was 973.
“The total number of votes cast is 20330 while the results of six units at Igbaja/ Stadium with RA number 06 were cancelled. They were cancelled due to over voting.
” So the total number of votes cancelled in the affected areas were 4091, “she said.
Elliot, 45, was first elected into the Lagos House of Assembly in 2015.
Elliot was educated at Air Force Primary School and St John’s College, both in Jos. He later studied economics at Lagos State University and graduated in 2003.
The Kano State Police Command has warned residents of the state against celebrating unofficial results of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abdullahi Haruna, gave the warning in a statement issued to newsmen in Kano on Sunday.
He said the command has observed with concern how some political gladiators in the state have commenced celebration of victory in some places.
Haruna said the warning is meant to forge peace, harmony and avoid breach of peace in the state.
“The command is categorically putting it clear to all and sundry that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) should be allowed to finish collating the results and declare authentic winners before any celebrations,” he said.
According to him, any person found engaging in such celebrations leading to breach of peace will be arrested and prosecuted as provided by law.
NAN recalls that supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate, Mr Abba Yusuf, engaged in celebration of victory on major roads of Kano metropolis on March 9.
APC leads in Kaduna, Lagos, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kwara, Kebbi
Prince Dapo Abiodun: heads for victory in Ogun
Prince Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress appears to be heading to victory in the governorship election held in Ogun state on Saturday, just like his counterparts in Lagos, Kaduna, Kwara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Bauchi States.
Victory is being predicted as results began coming in from the various polling booths.
However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was ahead in Adamawa, Enugu, Delta, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom States.
In Ogun, Dapo Abiodun held steady in the nine local governments east of the state, crushing Abdulkabir Akinlade, the candidate of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and the PDP candidate, Senator Buruji Kashamu.
From early results declared, Abiodun won handily in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu North East. Other early results in the zone also favoured him. The APC has already won Ijebu-Ode, the first House of Assembly election result declared.
In the governorship result, Abiodun polled 13,234 votes to defeat Amosun’s candidate, Akinlade who got 4401 votes. Kashamu of PDP came second with 7289 votes.
Unlike in the presidential election, Abiodun won with 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.
Abiodun also won the polling unit of Oladipo Adebutu, a factional governorship candidate of the PDP who went into an alliance with Akinlade against Abiodun. The APC candidate took the polling unit at Ward 5 Unit 4 Wesley Nursery and Primary School, Iperu, Ikenne, winning 197 votes, while the APM polled 75 votes.
The PDP polled six votes and ADC 2 votes.
Prince Dapo Abiodun also held firm in most parts of Remo , Egbaland and Ado Odo.
He also did well in Yewaland although Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) seemed to have an edge there, being an indigene.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of APC: also winning
In Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC 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.
According to The Nation, Sanwo-Olu was the preferred candidate at Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s polling unit in Victoria Garden City, Lekki.
He got 223 votes 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.
In Kwara, 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.
The plan to establish the African Central Bank (ACB) by the African Union will likely come to fruition by 2045.
Ms Naglaa Nozahie representing the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), said this while presenting the progress report on the convergence of criteria for the ACB to the African Union on Thursday.
The briefing was part of proceedings at the third session of the Specialised Technical Committee of the African Union (AU) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, holding in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The meeting, which was organised in collaboration with the African Capacity Building Foundation, had as its theme: “Public Policies for Productive Transformation in Africa’’.
Nozahie, who is also a Special Advisor to the Governor, Central Bank of Egypt, said the purpose of ACB was “to build a common monetary policy and single African currency as a way to accelerate economic integration on the continent’’.
She said the AACB held several meetings from 2002 to 2017 and came up with the proposed macroeconomic criteria that must be met by each member state before the African Central Bank could be established.
She said inflation must be three per cent or less by 2038, overall budget deficit must also be less than or equal to three per cent by 2033.
Similarly, she said the ratio of central bank financing to the government must be zero by 2038 and that each country must have foreign reserves to cover at least six months of importation by 2038.
“In addition, the ratio of public debt to GDP must be less than 65 per cent while the ratio of total tax revenue to GDP must be more than 20 per cent.
“The ratio of government capital investment to tax revenue must be greater than 30 per cent,’’ she said.
Nozahie said experts, who worked on the convergence criteria, also agreed that member countries must maintain the stability of the nominal exchange rate at plus or minus 10 per cent.
She further said that analysis of member countries’ performance showed that only 18 countries, out of 52, currently met all the primary criteria for macroeconomic convergence.
It would be recalled that the AU Assembly in January 2005, which held in Abuja, outlined decisions for the establishment of some African financial institutions to improve intra-African trade.
Part of the decisions was that the African Central Bank should be located in Nigeria, the African Investment Bank in Libya, and the African Monetary Fund in Cameroon.
When it is fully implemented, the ACB will be the sole issuer of the African Single Currency and would become the banker of the African Government and Africa’s private and public banking institutions.
The ACB will regulate and supervise the African banking industry and will set the official interest and exchange rates, in conjunction with the African Government’s administration.
Elections are a civil matter the world over and are meant to be conducted in manner that reflect the wishes of all citizens, devoid of fear and intimidation on order to vote in leaders who will be accountable to the people. The Nigerian military, in this very election cycle, has hit a new low even by its characteristically poor standards in engaging with civilians and non-military institutions.
The military ought to exist to protect the territorial integrity of the country from external and internal threats and aggression, but has habitually turned on Nigerian citizens on very flimsy grounds, unleashing violence and dehumanization at scale. The current election season, however leaves Nigerians with a chilling ominous feeling of fear and hopelessness about the future of Nigeria.
It is rather troubling that the military has chosen to make this particular elections in Akwa Ibom state a personal venture in which it has a vested interest from the way and manner it has conducted itself. Even when it maintained a deafening silence over the burning of INEC offices in the state, it has surprisingly turned on innocent civilians spreading the fear and general apathy that has pervaded the air in the last 48hours.
The peace loving people of Akwa Ibom state are by this medium urged not be allow their spirits to be dampened, but to continue to be peaceful and go about their lawful business having successfully cast their votes. We call on the military high command to call its men and officers deployed in Akwa Ibom state to order and withdraw them immediately as there is no war or threat of war in the state.
Even as we are compiling a comprehensive report on the atrocities of the military personnel in Akwa Ibom state, we call on the international community and friends of Nigeria to pay more than usual attention to Nigeria and Akwa Ibom in particular with a view to ensuring justice is done to all who have put Akwa Ibomites in harm’s way.
The SING Foundation wishes to express the gravest concerns over reports of violence being
meted on certain political figures in the Niger Delta by security agencies. It will be recalled that
we had called attention of the entire world to the ominous trends we had seen in the region and
the dangers it portends for the continued corporate existence of Nigeria as a united entity.
Our observers in the field, during the presidential elections of 23rd February, 2019, brought to
our notice the unusually high presence of military personnel in the Niger Delta and the palpable
fear this generated among the people. Our observers also reported that some military personnel
provided cover for thugs and mercenaries to foment violence, hijack election materials and
prevent voters from exercising their franchise in many parts of Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom
states. The media in the last few days has been flooded with images of the people of Abonnema,
in Akuku Toru Local Government area of Rivers state fleeing for fear of attacks by soldiers.
The SING Foundation can also confirm the invasion of the homes of some notable politicians in
in Omuma, Gokana, Ikwerre and other Local Government Areas in Rivers State on the night of
Thursday 7
th March 2019, just less than 48hours to the Gubernatorial and State Assemblies
elections by Men of the Nigerian Army. The News of the invasion and the manner with which
the operations were carried out is already causing fears among the people living in those
communities on their safety during the elections on Saturday.
It is worrying that the security agencies have chosen to act in a brazen manner to unleash violence
against the very citizens whose taxes keep them running. While we do not in any shape or form
discountenance the importance of security and law enforcement in a society, we are worried that
the rules of engagement do not point towards a desire to deliver justice in a professional, open
and transparent manner that is above board.
We condemn this new normal in its entirety and call for immediate withdrawal of military
personnel from security functions that are purely policing ones. We condemn the silence of the
Federal Government over the avoidable loss of lives in these elections and their failure to
reassure the survivors of their safety or even to provide relief for those who have suffered losses.
The Federal Government has shown itself to be unbothered about the sanctity of citizens
exercising their rights as enshrined by the constitution they swore to defend.
Democracies are sustained by popular participation and the poor number of voters that come
out to participate ought to be a source of concern to a nation that is confronted with a number
of security challenges such as kidnapping, insurgency, terrorism and banditry among others that
have left our country with a lot of ungoverned spaces. We call on the politicians to be on notice
that no attempt to prevent the people from exercising their freedoms overtime can become the
norm and there are historical references to support this position.
We are concerned that institutions of state, which ought to display an unequivocal neutrality,
have come to bear the semblance of instruments in the hands of government officials. This is also a call to the international community who cannot afford to stand aloof at a time such as this,
but must begin to explore diplomatic and international legal options to deploy against those who
seek to unleash violence against the hospitable and peace loving people of Nigeria, especially in
The Vice President in charge of Women Development at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mrs. Jummai Oluyede, has called for all women to rise above the challenges of doing business and other stumbling blocks faced by them in pursuit of professional careers.
Mrs. Oluyede in her Women’s day message also asked them to be relentless and not give up, in spite of the fact that women have not received due recognition for the great contributions they have made to the economic development of Nigeria.
She further noted that women must look beyond the challenges of the Nigerian business landscape and summon courage from within as well as from other women to draw the strength needed to create an ecosystem around them, that will foster and grow revolutionary ideas.
According to her, this type of tenacity must be intentional and will require a forward thinking approach, that disrupt “business as usual”, and remove barriers which prevent women from achieving success in their businesses and careers.
Any forward thinking approach, must balance on the 21st century principles, which are skills focused around critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation (the “four Cs”), undergirded by technology. These are very important and critical ingredients necessary for challenging the norm, breaking barriers, building transformational businesses and achieving social transformative gains for Nigeria.
Women cannot afford to lag in these areas and it was for this purpose that the WINDEP platform was established.
For those not familiar with WINDEP; WINDEP is the acronym for Women Industries, Development, Entrepreneurship Program. The platform was created and launched in December 2018.
WINDEP’s primary role is to explore innovative means of developing women (both entrepreneurs and career women) in all industries in Nigeria, to enable them attain all the indices of being successful and who can contribute to the positive development of Nigeria and Africa.
The WINDEP platform captures the essence of the statement “think equal, build smart and innovate for change”, which is the United Nation’s (UN), theme for International Women’s day 2019.
Mrs. Oluyede reiterated that this type of deliberate focus and direction is what will eventually help us “EMPOWER THE WOMAN AND BUILD THE NATION!”.
Whilst she recognizes that this is an ambitious objective, Mrs. Oluyede believes it is not impossible to achieve.
There will be abundance, surplus and serenity across Nigeria in President Muhammadu Buhari’s second-term, according to 100 Inter-faith Clerics.
These 100 clerics had earlier predicted Buhari’s re-election at the February 23 polls after holding a 40-day prayer and fast last year.
As forecasted, the incumbent emerged victorious, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In its usual trend of accurate and unbiased prophecies, the religious leaders have predicted enormous gains in the next four years.
The 100 clerics who are members of the National Inter- Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace made the declaration at the grand-finale of the 3- Days Thanksgiving and Salat Al- Shukur held in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Islamic clerics, Sheik Ibrahim Bulama expressed that the co-inhibition of both religions is a testament of president Buhari’s impeccable personality.
“ We prayed and fasted for 40 days seeking the face of God for divine direction for Nigeria in our quest for greatness. We identified with President Muhammadu Buhari with a firm conviction that he would take Nigeria to the promised land. We also backed up our belief with prayers and supplements to Allah the most merciful and beneficent.
“ And he heard our prayers and supplication by granting unto us our heart desires by the resounding victory recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari at the elections. Consequently, I say we have all done nobly.
“ I want you all gathered her that there would indeed be a reward for the sacrifices in making supplications on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari for his success at the polls.
“ In our actions, we have exhibited a resolve that Nigeria under Muhammadu Buhari is on the path to glory. In our prayer sessions, Allah indeed made us understand the uniqueness of the personality of Muhammadu Buhari in terms of his uprightness and sincerity of heart and purpose.
“ We have so far exhibited that resolve to identify with an upright man whose integrity is unquestionable. Those who submit themselves completely to Allah and do good have grasped the Firmest Handhold. The result of all affairs is with Allah. (Surah Luqman: 22)
“ Muhammadu Buhari has submitted himself entirely to Allah, and this much has been exhibited in his words and actions since 2015. We are grateful to Allah for the rare gift of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria in whom we are pleased.
“ My brethren, the uniqueness of this occasion is the fact that we have displayed a love towards one God and one nation in the interest of peace and tranquillity. And the anointing on President Muhammadu Buhari has reinforced our belief that we are on the right track on the journey towards greatness in this country.
Speaking on behalf of the Christian clerics, Arch Bishop (Dr) Julius Ediwe, added that anyone opposed to the president is challenging God’s authority.
This is because Mr Buhari is the anointed choice for Nigeria as revealed during the 40-day prayer and fast.
The cleric, Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, was particularly critical of some naysayers in disguise as prophets who forecasted defeat for the incumbent.
“ Brothers and Sisters, let me make it clear here about statements coming from some supposed men of God describing the elections as rigged and not in the interest of the people. I am taken aback with such a statement, and in my capacity as the Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, I abhor such statement because God is not a man that he should lie,” he stated.
“ When it was revealed during the 40 days’ prayers and fasting that President Muhammadu Buhari would win the elections, where were they? Or are they insinuating that they have a monopoly of the Kingdom heritage?
“ My brothers and sisters, I stand before you as a servant of God to say that God is indeed on the throne and for those that think otherwise should have a rethink. I say this with all authority that President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed Gods choice for Nigeria because I prayed and heard him clearly when he stated that Buhari is the chosen one to take Nigeria to greatness.
“ I want to assume here today that one of the reasons for the display of anger because President Muhammadu Buhari won the elections might be as a result of the victory rally that was aired on the television stations across the country.
Both groups, however, enjoined other Nigerians to pray and support the president to lead the country to greatness.
The South-South Coalition for Credible Leadership has described as a welcome the deployment of military troops to the region ahead of the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections.
The coalition said the action would further boost the confidence of electorate during the polls.
Briefing newsmen on Thursday, Success Timothy, the Coordinator General of the group, said the deployment is necessary following the success of the troops in some south-southern states during the national assembly and presidential election on February 23.
According to him, the presence of troops during the elections proved to be the right decision in view of the fact that acts of politically motivated violence were limited to a few instances.
Success said the he pockets of violence witnessed in some parts of Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers state would have been more widespread but for the presence of troops.
According to him, “Interestingly, the Niger-Delta, where political leaders clamored most against military presence for the election, recorded more of the instances of violence and ballot snatching during the exercise. It is logical that soldiers should be withdrawn from areas that were largely peaceful during the polls of two weeks ago to allow for the deployment of higher number of troops to the places that recorded violence.
“Meanwhile, we observed that the personnel of the Nigerian Army were able to maintain peace and prevent political brigandage while adhering to acceptable rules of engagement. They fear of abuse and intimidation of the civilian population, which opponents of military deployment had used to back up their argument, turned out to unjustified as law abiding citizens had nothing to be apprehensive about. Only attackers that had intended to deprive other people of their right to life were gunned down in exchange of gunfire with troops in Rivers state.
“
The South- South Coalition for Credible Leadership therefore passes a vote of confidence on the Nigerian Army and its personnel. They have the capacity to support security operations in the regions towards ensuring that elections hold without citizens being afraid for their lives or worrying that their votes will not count because ballot box snatchers. Their presence in the entire Niger-Delta region will ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order by any group of persons.
“We passed this vote of confidence cognizant of the campaign of calumny being waged against the deployment of the military for the elections. It does not take long to decipher the intent of those opposed to troops being in the Niger-Delta during this period. These people comprise of opposition political parties that lost in the presidential and National Assembly elections because they were unable to use thugs to snatch and stuff ballot boxes just as they were unable to intimidate voters.
“The other sets of people opposed to seeing troops in the Niger-Delta are the militants and sabotage economic infrastructure in the region as well as those that have their sight set on kidnap for ransom. These are backed up by separatist elements, including those that belong to groups that the courts have outlawed. They are apparently scared that the presence of the military in the area will yield credible intelligence that can be used to dismantle their non-election related criminality.
“It is most unfortunate that the criminal intentions of the aforementioned groups are being hidden behind the façade of ‘the opposition’ and for marshalling weak arguments against the deployment of troops to secure the country during the elections. The fake news they are peddling is that the Army is the region to favour particular candidates. This must rank among the greatest lies told so far in 2019.
“We note the charge by the Chief if Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, to troops and commanders to do better during their deployment for Saturday’s election. Such decisive and responsive leadership has contributed to the sterling performance that the Nigerian Army displayed during the previous elections. His acknowledgement of the few instances of violence and a commitment to correct these errors is laudable for this gives the assurance that there will be improved voters’ turn out once the electorate are reassured that they are safe.”
