Live Updates: Nigeria Decides 2023
Sunday 26, February 2023
1:01pm
SOKOTO
SHIYAR SARKIN YAKI, YARKOFA
PU Code: 33/05/01/002
APC – 51
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 214
GADON MATA, GADON MATA
PU Code: 33/05/01/014
APC – 1
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 4
KIRAREN DUTSI, KIRAREN DUTSI
PU Code: 33/05/01/008
APC – 115
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 135
KANTI
PU Code: 33/05/01/034
APC – 35
LP – 1
NNPP – 1
PDP – 114
ASARARA, STADIUM GORONYO
PU Code: 33/05/01/017
APC – 55
LP – 1
NNPP – 0
PDP – 146
BAZZA ISLAMIYA PRIMARY SCH.
PU Code: 33/05/01/027
APC – 52
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 118
FADARAWA DISPENSARY
PU Code: 33/05/05/016
APC – 33
LP –
NNPP – 0
PDP – 53
SHIYAR YAR’ GAIYA
PU Code: 33/05/07/02
APC – 19
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 32
BADAU SH. FULANI SH/ HAKIMI
PU Code: 33/02/05/005
APC – 158
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 55
KOFAR BARGA, SHIYAR BARGA
PU Code: 33/10/01/005
APC – 178
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 213
RUGGAR YARA/DUSTE
PU Code: 33/14/02/007
APC – 180
LP – 0
NNPP – 1
PDP – 102
RIVERS
UMUOTUBE TOWN HALL
PU Code: 32/11/03/023
APC – 3
LP – 83
NNPP – 1
PDP – 4
UMULU TOWN HALL
PU Code: 32/11/03/016
APC – 1
LP – 54
NNPP – 0
PDP – 1
CHOKOTA
PU Code: 32/11/03/006
APC – 2
LP – 253
NNPP – 1
PDP – 4
EETE LUUSUE II
PU Code: 32/14/06/017
APC – 11
LP – 1
NNPP –
PDP – 13
BARAYA
PU Code: 32/14/08/002
APC – 20
LP – 14
NNPP –
PDP – 32
Source: INEC Website
12:37pm
Obi Wins Tinubu’s Campaign DG’s Polling Booth
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
The Director General of Tinubu Campaign Organisation, and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has lost his polling unit 015 Kurumbo ward B of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
The presiding officer of the unit, Sowan Stephen announced that Peter Obi of the Labour Party scored 104 votes, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu got 88 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar polled 8 votes.
Meanwhile, Lalong is contesting Plateau South Senatorial District in the election.
He polled 143 to defeat candidates of other parties in his polling unit
Senate
APC – 143
PDP – 39
LP – 14
Other results:
Reps
APC – 133
PDP – 47
LP – 19
11:35am
Lagos INEC Opens State Collation Centre, Says No Result Yet from LGs
About 24 hours after the opening of polls in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Lagos State, no single result from the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) has arrived at the State Collation Centre.
Prof. Adenike Oladiji, the State Collation Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) disclosed this during the official opening of the centre for final collation of election results in Lagos State at about 12.00 a.m. on Sunday.
Oladiji, who described the collation as a serious assignment, said that the centre was still awaiting results from all the 20 LGAs as at midnight.
The professor said: ”This is a serious national assignment that has brought us together here.
”It is also an assignment that is of international importance, and that explains why we have international observers here with us.
”Our job is simple. If we follow the well laid out procedures of INEC, we know it is very simple and easy.
”It is a call to duty, it is a national assignment and we hope that we will not fail our country. As we can all see, the result are not here yet.
”So that we wont keep ourselves just waiting expecting the results, we are proposing that we reconvene tomorrow (Sunday) at 10.am.
”We know that by that time some of our results will be here and we will be able to process them all in this hall.”
Earlier in his opening address, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, who commended the state collation officer, said that collation was at various stages in the state.
According to Agbaje, at the end, Nigerians will be happy that INEC has done a lot to ensure that people are allowed to vote in spite of few hitches.
”We want to assure Nigerians that their votes will count,” the commissioner said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Collation Centre for the 2023 Presidential Election in Lagos State is situated at INEC Media Centre at the commission’s headquarters in the state.
The Presidential and NASS elections were held simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.
Journalists, observers among other stakeholders, awaited the commencement of the collation on Sunday.
Collation of results was still at various stages, some at the registration areas, federal constituency, senatorial district and local government collation centres.
NAN reports that some security agents were sighted at the centre. (NAN)
11:20am
Snatching of Ballot Box: INEC to Cancel Tsaragi Polling Unit Result
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara, Malam Attahiru Madami, says the Tsaragi Polling Unit 10 result would be cancelled following a case of ballot box snatching by hoodlums on Saturday.
Tsaragi is in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara.
Madami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the cancellation was in line the rules guiding the conduct of the elections.
He attributed late arrival of INEC personnel, and materials to some parts of Ilorin West and subsequent late the commencement of voting hitches at Registration Area Centre (RAC).
“It took us up to 11a.m. before will finished the distribution of logistic and immediately I knew we are starting late. I extended the time of voting until the last person on queue voted”, he said
The REC said out of 2,887 polling units in Kwara only one polling unit had its ballot boxes snatched.
He said it was not true that the commission used vehicles belonging to one of the political parties involved in the election to distribute materials. (NAN)
11:05am
Labour Party Calls for Cancellation of Election Results in Rivers
Emameh Gabriel in Abuja
The National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel all unverified election results in Rivers State, describing the process as not only fraudulent but also fell below expectations.
Abure made the call in statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, expressing shock by the reports of incidents of thuggery and attacks unleashed by agents allegedly working for the state government across various polling units in the state.
He said: “The leadership of the Labour Party is shocked by the revelations emanating from Rivers state after the presidential and national assembly elections which held on Saturday; where thugs believed to be agents of the state government invaded various polling units and collation centres, took away election materials including the results sheets, manipulated the BVAS machines and uploaded fake results in to the Central portal.
Abure noted that the party took particular note of incidences in places like Obio/Akpor, Khana, Eleme, Obigbo, Rumukoro and several other areas where Labour Party was clearly leading in virtually all the polling units with very wide margins.
According to him, “Governor Nyesom Wike, faced with stark reality of defeat even in the polling units in his compound in Worji, where LP scored 323 votes against APC and PDP’s 5 and 2 votes respectively, he used the soldiers and police to intimidate, harassed and snatched ballot papers.
“Nigerians went into this election based on the assurances by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC that the deployment of BVAS was a perfect antidote to electoral malpractices in Nigeria, but what transpired across Nigeria, if allowed to stand is purely a betrayal of trust by millions of Nigerians on INEC.
“INEC’s staff were intimidated by these thugs in connivance with the military personnel and police officers who were deployed to protect them, into doing their bidding and were forced to manipulate the BVAS, being afraid of the consequences of their refusal. Some of these manipulations happened way into late in the night. We demand that INEC investigate these atrocities against Nigerian voters by the political class.
“We are therefore asking that INEC should rise to the occasion and cancel all the unverified and manipulated results arising from the presidential and national assembly elections in parts of Rivers state particularly in places like Obio/Akpor, Khana, Eleme, Obigbo and Rumukoro amongst others.”
10:56am
KWARA
SOPERE KLGEA SCH
PU Code: 23/11/04/003
APC – 131
LP – 1
NNPP – 0
PDP – 62
OWODE NOM. SCH
PU Code: 23/11/04/006
APC – 91
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 91
GWATTEKUTA KLGEA SCH
PU Code: 23/11/04/001
APC – 353
LP – 2
NNPP – 2
PDP – 168
GURE PANJI OPEN SPACE
PU Code: 23/11/04/012
APC – 111
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 84
DOGARI MARKET
PU Code: 23/02/11/001
APC – 135
LP – 6
PDP – 88
SDP – 10
OPEN SPACE OLOTA’S PALACE
PU Code: 23/07/01/009
APC – 36
LP – 0
PDP – 8
SDP – 3
OPEN SPACE AJOKO
PU Code: 23/07/01/003
APC – 36
LP – 1
PDP – 33
SDP – 1
OPEN SPACE ODE BALOGUN FULANI I
PU Code: 23/07/07/001
APC – 138
LP – 6
PDP – 88
SDP – 10
OPEN SPACE KUSOGI VILLAGE
PU Code: 23/03/08/009
APC –67
LP – 0
PDP – 33
SDP – 11
L.G.E.A SCH SANCHITAGI I
PU Code: 23/03/10/005
APC –138
LP – 0
PDP – 168
SDP – 5
L.G.E.A.SCH.CHIJI
PU Code: 23/03/10/013
APC –40
LP – 0
PDP – 117
SDP – 6
HEALTH CENTER ELEKOYANGAN
PU Code: 23/12/11/009
APC –114
LP – 13
PDP – 34
SDP – 13
SECONDARY SCH OLORU
PU Code: 23/12/08/005
APC –178
LP – 08
PDP – 24
SDP – 30
LGEA SCH. OGUNBO
PU Code: 23/12/02/011
APC –52
LP – 0
PDP – 22
SDP – 18
PLATEAU
L.G.E.A. PRY. SCH RIYOM
PU Code: 31/15/07/001
APC – 48
LP – 157
NNPP – 0
PDP – 78
WERENG KERANA I
PU Code: 31/15/07/005
APC – 46
LP – 136
NNPP – 1
PDP – 135
GOVT. SEC SCHOOL RIYOM
PU Code: 31/15/07/014
APC – 28
LP – 32
NNPP – 0
PDP – 12
MAMMAN BORNO V
PU Code: 31/05/01/048
APC – 5
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 0
ABBA NA SHEHU III
PU Code: 31/05/01/013
APC – 120
LP – 0
NNPP – 17
PDP – 49
YAN TAYA JUNCTION
PU Code: 31/05/03/020
APC – 6
LP – 667
NNPP – 0
PDP – 11
ROCK HAVEN ZARIA RD
PU Code: 31/05/13/052
APC – 8
LP – 653
NNPP – 0
PDP – 24
TIMCWAT PRIMARY SCHOOL
PU Code: 31/10/02/010
APC – 10
LP – 12
NNPP – 0
PDP – 35
Source: INEC Website
9:54am
KANO
UNG. YAMMA II
PU Code: 19/02/01/014
APC – 45
LP – 1
NNPP – 109
PDP – 9
GANDAKANYE
PU Code: 19/02/06/008
APC – 98
LP – 0
NNPP – 177
PDP – 43
FARAGA P.S. (FARAGAI) III
PU Code: 19/02/06/007
APC – 73
LP – 1
NNPP – 154
PDP – 16
FARAGAI JSS III
PU Code: 19/02/06/015
APC – 39
LP – 0
NNPP – 82
PDP – 13
ADAMAWA
PADA II / PRIMARY HEALTHCARE, BAKIN RIJIYA MARARRABA
PU Code: 02/07/09/012
APC – 29
LP – 79
NNPP – 4
PDP – 71
PADA I/G.D.S.S MARARRABA
PU Code: 02/07/09/011
APC – 42
LP – 102
NNPP – 3
PDP – 71
KURMI MAYO-LOPE/ KURMI PRIMARY SCHOOL
PU Code: 02/07/09/009
APC – 15
LP – 12
NNPP – 1
PDP – 50
NJAIRI / NJAIRI PRIMARY SCHOOL
PU Code: 02/07/09/010
APC – 60
LP – 8
NNPP – 2
PDP – 75
MIRINYI FULANI/ KOFAR JAURO FULANI MIRYI
PU Code: 02/07/09/004
APC – 84
LP – 1
NNPP – 1
PDP – 64
MIZUWA/ KOFAR JAURO HAYATU ARDO
PU Code: 02/15/05/007
APC – 49
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 266
MBURIMA/ KOFAR WAKILI JAURO MUSA HAMMAWA
PU Code: 02/15/05/006
APC – 12
LP – 39
NNPP – 2
PDP – 245
Source: INEC Website
9:36am
Election Results: Call Tinubu to Order, Dele Momodu Tells Buhari
Director of Strategic Communications,
Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Dele Momodu, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to order over a “recklessly dangerous publication unilaterally awarding an impossible victory to the APC”, by a newspaper linked to him.
In a statement issued Sunday, Momodu said:
“Our attention has just been drawn to the recklessly dangerous publication unilaterally awarding an impossible victory to the APC Presidential candidate Chief Bola Tinubu. The said newspaper is owned by Tinubu.
“Only yesterday, we all saw how thugs of the APC Chieftains and his allies took over the streets of Lagos burning ballot boxes and documents and generally misbehaving in other to disenfranchise the determined electorates. Despite all of these ugly attempts at stealing victory, the APC suffered its worst cataclysmic loss in most of the polling centers in Lagos. The same happened in Kano. Incapable of ever being sobered by the crushing humiliation in its traditional territories, we woke up this morning to read about the pathetic and illegal lies cooked up by the Tinubu media goons.
“Tinubu remains the only mainstream candidate whose homebase of South West was decimated by opposition parties in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti. Most of the Northern Governors he also expected to help him garner votes in the Northern regions failed spectacularly to deliver the badly needed votes. He failed in the South East and South South.
“The only candidate with the national spread is the PDP Presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. But as a responsible citizen and respected statesman, he will never rush to the media to claim his well deserved victory and glory after a long and torturous journey.
“We hereby call on INEC and the Federal Government to cage these troublesome APC Chieftains. We have all been witnesses to their unruly behaviour as they did everything to bully and blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari in order to chicken out of the currency swap policy. We also witnessed how they practically intimidated the President to the extent of forcing him to publicly display who he voted for in yesterday’s elections. It was quite a bizarre, unfortunate and unprecedented scene to watch. We advise the President to find the courage to call the bluff of these desperate politicians who feel they can buy the whole of Nigeria…”
8:31am
RIVERS
CENTRAL SQUARE AMADI-AMA V
PU Code: 32/22/20/028
APC – 8
LP – 143
PDP- 28
KATSINA
FED. COL. OF ED – FECOLED
PU Code: 20/02/01/020
APC – 67
LP – 04
NNPP – 11
PDP – 132
BATAGARAWA LOW COST PRI. SCH. ‘B’
PU Code: 20/02/01/029
APC – 3
LP – 0
NNPP – 8
PDP – 6
BATAGARAWA PRI. SCH. ‘B’
PU Code: 20/02/01/022
APC – 48
LP – 2
NNPP – 25
PDP – 97
ADAMAWA
MAIDUGURI/ KJ MAIDUGURI
PU Code: 02/03/03/001
APC – 50
LP – 35
NNPP – 9
PDP – 156
JATAU I JATAU PRI. SCH I YALAKI OPEN SPACE NEAR MKT
PU Code: 02/03/01/013
APC – 70
LP – 0
NNPP – 2
PDP – 83
DANGANA PRY SCH II (TEKERE NAYA/KJ T.NAYA)
PU Code: 02/03/01/011
APC – 40
LP – 0
NNPP – 0
PDP – 63
*Source: INEC Website
Saturday 25 February 2023
10:49 PM
Saraki Delivers Ward to Atiku, Lai Mohammed Wins Polling Unit for Tinubu
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki Saturday delivered his Ajikobi ward 005, Ilorin in Ilorin West local government area of Kwara state for Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other party’s candidates during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
In the results obtained by our correspondent last night in Ilorin, in the presidential results, PDP polled 225 votes to defeat APC which polled 75 votes .
In the senatorial election, PDP polled 231 and APC polled 71 votes while in the House of Representatives results, PDP polled 231 while APC scored 72 votes.
Also, the Information and Culture Miniter, Alhaji Lai Mohammed delivered his polling unit 006 Oro Ward 2, Irepodun local government area of the state to the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the results announced by INEC returning officer in the ward, APC and its presidential candidate Bola Tinubu scored 148 votes while the Labour Party came second with 38 votes.
The Social Democratic Party polled 30 votes while the main opposition People Democratic Party came a distant fourth with 19 votes.
10:27 PM
Kwara Gov, Buhari’s CoS Deliver Polling Units to Tinubu
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has won his polling unit by a landslide, with APC winning in the presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives elections.
The Governor voted at Idigba Polling Unit 004 of Adewole in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.
APC polled 201 votes in the presidential ballot.
It garnered 198 and 192 votes in the senate and House of Representatives elections respectively.
PDP came a distant second with 42 votes in the presidential ballot, 55 in the senate election, and 56 in the House of Representatives ballot.
Also, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari won his polling unit 05 Open space Fate roundabout, Ilorin South local government.
In the presidential results obtained by our correspondent, APC 101, LP 95 while polled PDP 33.
Also at the Ilorin East Zango ward, Bolanta polling unit 20, presidential result-PDP- 76, APC- 56
Senatorial – PDP- 74, APC- 56
HoR – PDP-86, APC-40, SDP-14.
Results of 041 Ajikobi ward
Senatorial- APC 54, PDP 92, ADC 01, SDP 04 and Invalid 12
HoR- APC 49, PDP 96, SDP 3, ADC 2
LP 1, Invalid 5.
President – APC 59, PDP 92
In Baruten local government –
Presidential- Lata Arabic primary school PDP 114, APC, 64, SDP 25,
LP 2, APM 1, APGA 1.
10:21pm
Obi Wins Presidential Villa Polling Units
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has won in all the nine polling units within and around the State House in Abuja.
Obi won the polling units while Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) came second and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third.
The units where Obi won included PU 121, 131, 021, 130, 126, 128, 122, 06 and 123
Below are the results as declared by INEC at the polling units
ONE
PU 121 –
APC – 31
PDP – 32
NNPP – 1
LP – 58
AA – 1
Invalid – 3
TWO
PU 131
APC – 6
PDP – 3
NNPP – 1
LP – 17
Invalid – 2
Total = 29
THREE
PU 021
LP – 58
APC – 31
PDP – 32
FOUR
PU 130
APC – 26
PDP – 24
LP – 113
FIVE
PU 126
LP – 42
APC – 11
PDP – 12
SIX
PU 128
LP – 12
APC – 1
PDP – 0
SEVEN
PU 122
LP – 105
PDP – 16
APC – 29
EIGHT
PU 06
LP – 8
APC – 5
PDP – 2
NINE
PU 123
LP – 86
APC – 44
PDP – 21
9:38pm
Gombe APC Gov Loses Polling Unit to Atiku
From Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Gombe State Governor,Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of the APC and Northeast Coordinator of Tinubu/Shettima National Campaign Council could not deliver his polling unit to his party as Atiku Abubakar, PDP’s presidential candidate polled 215 against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC presidential candidate that polled 186 votes.
Releasing the results at the Yahaya Umaru unit 010, the Presiding Officer, Meshach Thomos, disclosed that NNPP polled 10 votes while LP polled 4 votes.
There was however wild jubilation as the results were announced.
9:32pm
LP Vice Presidential Candidate Loses Polling Unit to Atiku
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party ( LP) lost his PU 021, Tudun Ward, Zaria LGA, to Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP).
A total of 272 voters were accredited.
The PDP scored 102 votes, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 98 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) scored 54 and 11 votes respectively
9:30pm
Atiku Wins Polling Unit in Kaduna Govt House
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won one of the polling units- 013 in Government House, Kaduna.
The result signed by Kalu Micheal, the presiding officer, showed that the PDP scored 69 votes, APC – 40, Labour Party- 48, while NNPP scored 11 votes.
9:25pm
El-Rufai Delivers Polling Unit to Tinubu
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
Nasir El- Rufai, Governor of Kaduna state has delivered his Polling Unit 024, Anguwan Sarki GRA, Kaduna North LGA to Bola Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),
Tinubu polled 173 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 134 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP), got 20 and three votes respectively.
8:05pm
KADUNA: 7:45pm. Sorting of votes at PU05, NDA, Sabon Tasha GRA, Chikun LGA. Voting started by 1pm due to late arrival of voting material.
7:38pm
PDP Wins Bauchi Gov’s Polling Unit
From Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has won in the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives election at the Polling Unit of the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.
THISDAY reports that Governor Mohammed had earlier cast his votes at the Bakin Dutse Polling Unit in Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State alongside his wife, Aisha.
According to the results announced, the PDP won in all the three elections.
Presidential
APC 4
PDP 44
NNPP 1
Senatorial
APC 8
PDP 31
NNPP 1
House of Representatives
APC 8
PDP 42
NNPP 1
7:33pm
INEC: Elections in 141 Polling Units in Bayelsa Where Voting Was Disrupted Continue Sunday
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that elections in the 141 polling units in Bayesla state where voting were disrupted today would continue Sunday.
INEC chairman stated this while giving an update on the voting process nationwide.
He also revealed that despite Boko Haram attacks in Gwoza, Borno state, voting process continued, adding that there was no attack on INEC facilities and no casualty recorded.
7:24pm
Polling Units results in Wuse, Life Camp Area of FCT
Efab Estate International School Polling Unit 137
Presidential APC 10, PDP 4, LP 131
Senate APC 1, PDP 13, LP 191
House of Representatives APC 14, PDP 11, LP 117.
Efab Estate by Police State Polling Unit 131
Presidential PDP 19, APC 35, LP 123
Senate LP 110, PDP 22, APC 31
House of Representatives PDP 21, APC 30, LP 117
Efab Estate by Police Station Polling Unit 132
Presidential LP 154, APC 25, PDP 18
Senate LP 133, APC 22, PDP 38
House of Representatives, LP 137, APC 27, PDP 29.
Efab Estate by Police Station Polling Unit 135
Presidential APC 17, LP 246, PDP 16.
Senate, LP 206, APC 21, PDP 33.
Efab Estate by Police Station Polling Unit 136
Presidential LP 195, APC 16, PDP 6.
Senate , LP 163, APC 16, PDP 23
House of Representatives, LP 174, APC 17, PDP 20
7:10pm
Obi Wins APC National Chair’s Polling Unit
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, lost his polling unit to Labour Party after the ballots were counted on Saturday.
Abdullahi cast his vote around 1:30pm at the Angwan Rimi Ward Polling Unit 010 Keffi GRA, Nasarawa State at 1:30pm.
The LP scored 132 votes while the APC followed with 85 votes.
For the other positions: Senatorial – APC (55), PDP (22), LP (42), NNPP (4), SDP (184), ADC (1), ZLP (3), while invalid votes were seven (7).
House of Representatives: APC (46), PDP (41), LP (30), NNPP (4), AA (21), SDP (159), ADC (2), APGA (1), while invalid votes were sixteen (16).
Speaking earlier with journalists, Abdullahi, expressed delight over the turnout of voters in the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday.
He said the fact that the people defied the hardship occasioned by the naira and fuel scarcity was an indication that people were enthusiastic to elect their preferred leader.
He also expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements put in place by the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the military and other agencies.
The APC National Chairman said his party would win the election based on the competence of its candidate and the impressive performances of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year administration.
He said, “The turnout of the voters is highly impressive inspire of the problems of fuel and naira scarcity. I never thought the people would come out like this.
“The APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will win the election going by all the indications on ground and enthusiasm of Nigerians to return the APC to government again.”
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, Maiyaki Muhammed Baba, said the state was generally peaceful as there was no case of violence from any of the three senatorial districts.
He said, “So far, we’ve visited Nasarawa – Eggon, Akwanga and Lafia among other places. All the security agencies are on ground and there was no case of any ugly incidence
“We have about 7, 000 unifirmemd men on ground and they have been very efficient. No case of rigging or vote buying from any where.”
6:49pm
Kaduna: PU001 Warf Road, Anguwan Sarki Ward, Kaduna North LGA
Total number of accredited voters 221
Invalid vote – 1
PRESIDENTIAL –
PDP 82
LP 56
APC 53
NNPP 25
SENATE
PDP 88
APC 64
LP 42
NNPP 15
REPS
PDP 80
APC 64
LP45
NNPP 26
6:25pm
Atiku, Tinubu Score Zero Vote in Obi’s Polling Unit
By David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu respectively failed to score any vote in the polling unit of the candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi.
In the result declared by INEC officials at Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019, Obi scored 236 votes, out of the total 244 valid votes cast.
Though the PDP and APC candidates had representatives, they failed to score any vote in the area.
Meanwhile, there was massive jubilation among voters in the centre, and several other centres, after the declaration of the results.
Many supporters of Obi took to the streets in while jubilation in the centres.
In Amatutu ward two, APGA presidential candidate, Prof Peter Umeadi who is also from Anambra State scored three votes, ADC, one vote, YPP one vote and AAC, one vote.
5:38pm
Tinubu Wins Makinde’s Polling Unit
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has won the polling unit 1 of ward 11 in Ibadan North East local government where Governor Seyi Makinde, of Oyo State cast his vote.
Tinubu polled 104 votes while Labour Party has 82 votes
ADP 2 votes; PDP 27 votes; APGA 2 votes; AA 01 and 27 void
4:54pm
Labour Party Loses Obasanjo’s Polling Unit to APC
James Sowole in Abeokuta
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has failed to deliver his polling unit for his preferred presidential candidate, Peter Obi of Labour Party.
After counting the valid votes in the Ward 11, Unit 22, Abeokuta North Local Government where Obasanjo voted, the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu defeated Obi with 56 votes, while the Labour Party had only 9 votes.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, scored only 7 votes, while the African Democratic Congress, ADC, scored 8 votes. A total of 10 votes, were voided in the unit..
In the senatorial results in the polling unit, the PDP scored 31 votes, while the APC scored 37 votes. Obi’s Labour Party scored 1 vote.
4:50pm
Lagos Police Overwhelmed as Thugs Destroy Ballot Papers in Many Polling Units
Sunday Ehigiator
The men of the Nigerian Police attached to some polling units across Lagos State appeared to be overwhelmed by thugs who disrupted the voting process in many polling units in the state.
According to reports, it took the intervention of the military to restore peace and order in some of the affected polling units.
It was reported that voting was disrupted in polling units around Surulere, Ikate, and Ajah after thugs attacked the area and threatened voters that won’t vote for the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to leave the polling units while policemen could not stop them.
It was also reported that at Ikate, popular Nigerian Rapper, Falz, had his phone stolen from him by thugs in the presence of policemen, while the thugs also scattered the ballot boxes and poured the ballot papers in the gutter.
At Ogombo Primary School, in the Lekki area of the state, it was reported that thugs chased everyone out, locked the gates, while policemen could not stop them.
At the polling unit located at Ojota Senior Secondary School, voting was reported to have been marred by vote buying just as thugs kept threatening voters not to vote for other parties aside the APC in the presence of policemen.
The new commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa opted to fly over Lagos in a helicopter instead of being on ground visiting areas with his men on patrol to motivate his them
4:34pm
Osinbajo Votes At Ikenne, Lauds Voting Process
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday voted in the presidential and national assembly elections at his country home in Ikenne, Ogun State alongside his wife, Dolapo.
Osinbajo, according to a release issued by his media aide, Laolu Akande, voted at the Egunrege Polling Unit of Ward One in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State and praised INEC officials and other agencies for an efficient voting process.
On arrival at the Polling Unit soon after 10am, the Vice President and his wife were accredited and proceeded to vote immediately.
Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote, the Vice President lauded the voting process which saw him voting in a matter of minutes.
According to him: “Well, this polling unit in Egunrege is very peaceful, the exercise has been conducted in my view, very well, very professionally, and I think that everything has been done right.
“And I hope that this is the same all across Ogun State and Nigeria,” according to the Vice President.
Right across from the Polling Unit, Osinbajo and his wife later interacted with two elderly women in the community.
The duo, Madam Habibat Oluwatomise and Hajaratu Adeoye (the Iya Sunar of Ikenne Central Mosque) prayed for them and the nation as well.
Leading the prayer, Madam Oluwatomise said to the Vice President “you have reached the top; you will never go down in Jesus’ name. You are the glory of this community. Those coming behind you will also be successful. You will not falter in the name of Jesus.”
Osinbajo then retired to the Legacy Center in Ikenne. The Center is the engine room of some of the charity organisations championed by the Vice President and his wife including The Women’s Helping Hands Initiative and also Project Ayodele, a programme in memory of Mrs Ayodele Soyode née Awolowo.
4:04pm
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State casting his vote at Oredo ward 4, unit 19
4:00pm
Stakeholders in Taraba Laud Speed of BIVAS
Political stakeholders in Taraba State Saturday lauded the efficiency and speed of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Governor Darius Ishaku, who voted at his polling Unit PU 004 in Takum at about 12:20 p.m, lauded the speed of the device.
Ishaku, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Taraba South Senatorial District, however, appealed to INEC to extend the voting time in the locality following the incident of missing electoral results sheets, which delayed the commencement of voting in the area.
“I appeal to the INEC to extend the voting time in Takum to enable voters in areas where electoral materials arrived late to exercise their franchise.
“We had hitches regarding the distribution of election materials and it was sorted out late.
“Most areas received their voting materials late and I want to appeal to INEC to extend the voting time beyond 2 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Usman Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Taraba Command, confirmed the missing result sheets but said the issue was later resolved.
“Presidential and National Assembly election results form ECE8 were declared missing in Takum, forcing security agencies to recall all vehicles, which left to various wards in Takum Local Government Area to return to Takum late last night to sort out the missing result sheets.
“The election result sheets were declared missing and the Electoral Officer was held in custody, but the result sheets were later found,” he said.
Mr Danjuma Shidi, the candidate of the Taraba South Senatorial district of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who voted in Wukari, also praised the BVAS device, saying it was going to change the game for those that specialise in election rigging.
Shidi expressed confidence that though his candidacy was still being challenged at the Supreme Court by Mr David Jimkuta, the APC would defeat the incumbent governor, who is the senatorial candidate of the PDP.
Also, Lt. Col. Kefas Agbu (rtd), the PDP governorship candidate in Taraba, who voted in his home town, Wukari, hailed the efficiency of the BVAS machine.
He commended the voter turnout in the area and expressed confidence that his party would emerge victorious. (NAN)
3:48pm
Voting Ends, Sorting Begins in Obi’s
Polling Unit
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Voting has ended in Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019, the polling unit of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Voting stopped at exactly 3:20pm, while sorting of votes commenced immediately.
The INEC official, who addressed voters to announce the end of voting, thanked them for their orderly behaviour.
3:43pm
Sule, Al-Makura Hail INEC’s New Electoral Process
Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia
The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and the senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial zone, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) BiVAS electoral process in the ongoing general election.
Sule and Al-Makura, who spoke in separate Interviews with journalists on Saturday at the headquarters of Akwanga and Lafia Local Government Areas of the state, both described the Presidential and National Assembly elections as the best ever conducted in the history of the country.
The governor, who spoke immediately after casting his vote at the Motor Park 002 Polling Unit of his Gudi country home in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, said the exercise was peaceful.
According to him, “There has been a lot of aspirations, a lot of expectations and what we have seen in my polling unit of Gudi in Akwanga Local Government Area is very smooth. It took me and my family few minutes to complete our accreditation and voting processes.
“I want to thank the people of Nasarawa State for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the election. I also want to thank INEC and the security personnel for the way they carried out the exercise. From what you can see, everything is going on smoothly.”
On his part, Al-Makura, who is seeking re-election to represent his Nasarawa Southern Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, said he was impressed with the painstaking effort INEC had taken to ensure a seamless process.
“It has helped so much in making the exercise very peaceful, simple and transparent. And what impresses me the more is the spirit in which this exercise is executed.
“I believe this election will go down in history as one of the best organised elections. INEC needs to be commended in this exercise. Besides that, the electorate also got substantial sensitisation and enlightenment before the election,” Al-Makura maintained.
Similarly, the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the state, Alhaji Aliyu Bello, who voted at Kofar Alhaji Bello Polling Unit in Lafia, commended the peaceful conduct of the election in the state.
He, however, added: “The only problem we are facing is that some voters were recently migrated to other polling units and they are finding it difficult to access their new polling units.
“There are also a lot of PVCs that have not been printed and the people are not allowed to cast their votes. This is serious disenfranchisement and we want the authority to take immediate action and address it.”
Bello, therefore, called on INEC to address those issues in order to enable the affected electorate vote in the next election.
3:17pm
Thugs Snatch Ballot Boxes in Lagos Polling Units, Fire Gunshots
Rebecca Ejifoma
There was pandemonium at Ebutte-Meta, Surulere and in the Agboola Obisanya junction areas of Lagos state as voters and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scampered to safety.
Some distraught voters captured the incidents on videos that have gone viral on Instagram and Twitter with no military personnel in sight.
In Agboola Obisanya, voters were seen running helter-skelter as sporadic gunshots were heard. There were claims that some thugs snatched ballot boxes, leaving some in the drainage.
3:08pm
It’s Now Possible to Vote Without Inducement, Says Sen Arise
By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Former member of National Assembly, Senator Ayo Arise has said that the conduct of today’s Presidential and the National Assembly elections has demonstrated the the possibility of voting without being induced with monetary gains.
Though, expressed worry over the low turnout of voters in his areas, describing it as not too impressive but peaceful based on his observation so far.
Arise who is a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and epresented the Ekiti North Senatorial District at the Senate between 2007-2011 said he was able to garner unalloyed support for his party and candidate due to his goodwill and evergreen contributions to the development of his communities.
He subscribed to the idea of providing social amenities that would benefit the citizens which he described as lasting rather than giving out tokens.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Candidate in the Ekiiti North Federal Constituency 1 on the platform of the Social Democratic party(SDP), Hon.Bimho Daramola lamented that his party agents were chased away from the polling units.
Daramola, a former member of the National Assembly lauded the conduct of the poll by INEC saying the political moneybags had failed to compromise the elections as voters came out willingly to exercise their franchise without being induced with money.
3:01pm
Adebule Laments Late Arrival of Election Materials at Polling Unit
*Says INEC’s conduct short of voters’ expectations
Segun James
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos West Senatorial Candidate, Dr Idiat Adebule, lamented the late arrival of voting material to her senatorial district, even as she urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve on the logistics surrounding electoral process.
The former Deputy Governor of Lagos state said the voting process had not been smooth and short of the people’s expectations.
Adebule, who arrived early at the Polling Unit 029 at Iba, was surprised that the INEC officials didn’t turn up until 10:40am.
She appealed to the aggrieved electorate who had been at the centre as early as 7:30am to be patient.
“Majority of voters are more agitated. It has not always been like this. I’ve been voting here for quite a while. The turnout of voters during this election is commendable. It was better than the previous polls. People are eager to vote.
“INEC should tidy up preparation and logistics early enough and be responsive to the people. People have been waiting here from 8am and voting didn’t commence until 11am. The electorate are not happy about it. I’m sure the INEC can improve on this.”
2:57pm
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya voting at his polling unit ( Yahaya Umaru 010) Jekadafari Ward.
02:55pm
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his wife casting their votes at their home town Yelwan Duguri 008 Bakin Dutse Polling unit
2:50pm
Gbajabiamila Votes, Confident of APC Victory
Ugo Aliogo
The Speaker House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed confidence of his party’s victory in the Presidential and National Assembly election.
Gbajabiamila, who casta his vote at the Polling Unit 014, Ward 08, Fowler Memorial International School, Masha, Surulere Local Government Lagos State said his party track records would be the yardstick for victory at the presidential poll.
The Speaker, who disclosed this in Lagos after voting, noted that so far the election had been fair, peaceful, credible and expressed confidence it would remain so across the federation.
On how confident is he about APC and its various candidates, he responded that elections come and go everywhere in the world, adding that everything is in God’s hand. He said man proposes but God disposes, but hinted that he is confident that the party would triumph at the end of the day.
According to him, “So far from what I can see, it looks very peaceful, very orderly and it looks very fair. For me, it is free, fair and very credible. People have come out to exercise their franchise and this is what democracy is all about and it is exciting that we are going through this process; and I hope it continues like this till the polls close.”
Responding to journalists on how critical this exercise was to his party and the nation, Gbajabiamila, said election everywhere in the world remains a turning point, adding that every election is very pivotal.
Continuing, he added: “Every election is always critical and it is always a turning point. Are we going to move on or are we going to go back into reverse? Anywhere in the world people make their decisions and make their determination on where they want to go, pitch their tents. So, this is a defining moment for us as Nigerians.
“Well, my advice is that Nigerians should not be swayed by a lot of what we see especially half truth. But they should be smart enough to look at what has happened and what every candidate has to offer. But what is most important in any democracy, even in the most advanced democracy that we strive to be like is the track record of the candidates and that is the most important thing to look at nothing less. We have candidates who are vying for different positions and they are bringing something to the table.”
2:43pm
Buhari: I Voted for Tinubu
.Predicts APC victory from Daura to Lagos
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari in rare show of loyalty on Saturday in his country home, Daura, Katsina State, displayed his ballot paper, with thumb print for All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying after campaigning for the political leader in many parts of the country, he has reaffirmed on his preferred successor.
President Buhari, who voted alongside his wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari, and other family members, at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, assured that he had always supported the candidature of Asiwaju Tinubu, and the show of his ballot paper to the media and the public further shows his commitment to the party and the national leader.
According to him: “I am very impressed because I have seen how the people turned up. I am very impressed and very happy. Well, the candidate I voted for I have already mentioned him in many states in Nasarawa, Katsina and Sokoto.
“All over the places I mentioned my favourite candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, and I believe my constituency will elect him 100 percent”.
President Buhari advised Nigerians to ensure that their rights to vote were always respected.
“Nigerians should make sure that they are respected; that means that the candidate they want to vote for they are allowed to vote for him.
President Buhari expressed concern and pity that only one female emerged as gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Aisha Ahmed Binani, urging support for the candidate.
His words: “It is a pity there is only one female candidate from Adamawa State so the electorate should kindly follow our party.”
Asked how he felt that it was the first time since 2003 that he was not on the ballot paper, the President said, “it is very exciting. I look at those who are competing and some of them are so agitated and they didn’t know that I tried three times and ended up in the Supreme Court three times.
“The fourth time I said ‘God dey’ and God sent technology, Permanent Voters Card, so no fraudulent person can claim anything,’’ he stated.
According to the President, “APC will win, from Daura to Lagos.’’
The President’s family members and staff also voted at the polling unit.
2:14pm
INEC: Collation Starts Sunday
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said the collation of results will start on Sunday.
The chairman disclosed this Saturday while giving updates on the voting process nationwide.
He also said this was the first time that the general election was not postponed since 2011.
Yabuku said while the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) worked optimally in most of the states across the federation, the commission had recorded some challenges.
He said one of the challenges was the inability of the Commission to open the polling units at the appointed hour of 8:30am in a number of places.
He also decried insecurity in some parts of the country, but assured that no Nigerian would be disenfranchised.
1:57pm
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji casting his vote at his Unit 3, Ward 6, Okelele, Ikogosi Ekiti….
1:56pm
Kaduna: Voters in Some Polling Units Call for Extension of Voting Time
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
In Kaduna, voters in many polling units in Chikun and Kaduna South LGAs are calling for extension of time, due to late arrival of election materials.
For instance in Kaduna South LGA, voting started between 10:30am and 11: 30 am in PU062 Barnawa Complex, PU022 Barnawa Complex and PU025 Federal Housing estate Barnawa.
Also in Chikun voting commenced by 11:30am in PU 015, Pu016, PU051 and PU052, Anguwan Megero, as well as PU 058, Akut Street Sabon Tasha GRA
and PU013, Anguwan Yelwa.
Some of the voters who spoke with THISDAY in an interview said it will be unfair if the time for closing of voting was not extended.
1:54pm
Absence of Security Personnel Raises Fears Among Voters in Sokoto Metropolis
By Onuminya Innocent In Sokoto
Absence of security personnel in most polling units within Sokoto Metropolis has created fear of attack by political thugs among voters.
A voter who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonimity said he’s a supervisory agent of a political party. He noted that most of the polling units he visited within the Sokoto town had no security agents.
Confirming the situation the APC state chairman Alhaji Isa Sadiq Acida told THISDAY that the reports he got from the party agents across the state stated that there were absence of security personnel in most of the polling units in the state.
At the time of filing this report, he was trying to call the situation room of INEC.
Acida urged the people of the state to remain calm saying even if it’s takes three days, those on the line will be allowed to cast their votes.
1:31pm
Sokoto PDP Guber Candidate, Umar, Votes, Prays for Hitch free Exercise
The Sokoto State PDP Governorship Candidate, Mallam Saidu Umar FCNA (Mallam Ubandoman Sokoto) has cast his vote at Polling Unit 022 Sabon-titi opposite Borehole, in Kofar Atiku area.
Nafiu Muhammad Lema,
New Media Aide to the Governorship Candidate, in a statement said Umar, while addressing journalists immediately after exercising his franchise, said he was impressed by the level of voter turnout which according to him is a good prospect for the nation’s nascent democracy.
The governorship candidate of the ruling party in the state, while commending the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC for deploying ad hoc staff and materials in time, also called on the voters to exercise their civic rights peacefully while also praying for a hitch-free exercise around the state, and the nation at large.
Umar who arrived at the Polling centre at exactly 12pm was accredited 20 minutes later, and cast his vote at 12:20 pm.
1:02pm
El- Rufai Laments Poor Voter Turnout in Kaduna
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has expressed concern over low voter turnout in the Presidential and national assembly elections in Kaduna state.
Speaking in an interview with journalists while waiting to cast his vote at his PU 024, Anguwan Sarki GRA, Kaduna North LGA, the governor appealed to the people to come out and vote.
He commended INEC for improvement in the electoral process, stressing that “so far everything appears orderly across the state; all the reports we are getting are positive”.
The governor however said, “This morning, we got report of one incident in Southern Kaduna where BVAS and ballot boxes were snatched and in Soba where two ballot boxes were also snatched”.
While lamenting the poor turnout of voters, El-Rufai said, “My only concern is low voter turnout, people are not coming out to vote. And I want to appeal to everyone to please come out and vote, because you have once in four years opportunity to pick your leaders and you should take it seriously.
“It is the leaders that you select today that will run the affairs of your country for the next four years. So, please don’t stay back at home, come out and vote. And remember anytime you don’t come out to vote, you are giving opportunity to people you don’t like two more votes, because your vote will reduce the gap by one, but if you don’t come out, you are giving them by default two more votes.”
12:57pm
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, cast their votes at the Polling Unit Open Space under kolanut tree, Awolowo road, Egunrege, Ikenne in Ogun State
12:46pm
Voting Priority Accorded the Elderly Unsettles Youth Voters
Sunday Ehigiator
As voting commenced in many parts of Lagos, the decision by the Independent Electoral Commission to prioritise the Elderly, alongside Persons With Disability (PWD), Pregnant Women and Nursing mothers seems not to have be going down well with youth voters in many polling units.
THISDAY gathered that at Kosofe Local Government and some parts of Ikorodu, the youth are claiming that it is a ploy to disenfranchise the youth who they say form the largest parts of the voting population.
Speaking with THISDAY at Ward 10, Unit 50 under Kosofe, Owode Onirin delimitation, a youth who simply identified himself as Obinna described the situation as very concerning.
According to him, “Many of us the youth have been here since 6:30am. They gave us number. I am number 21. Most of the Elderly are just coming and they are attending to them first. This is very concerning.
“Are they trying to disenfranchise us? Why will they be attending to just the Elderly since 8:30am that they started voting and this is already past 12pm and they are yet to attend to one single youth.”
Also speaking with THISDAY at Ward 10, Unit 35, in Ajegunle, another youth Ms Olasunbo said “We have just been made to wait endlessly on the queeue without being attended to. They are only attending to elders as if they are the only ones they want to vote and not the youth.
“And i heard voting is ending by 2:30pm, when will they now attend to us. This is sad.”
12:30pm
Obi Votes, Confident of Victory
By David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has voted at his Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019, Agulu community in Anaocha Local Government Area.
Obi who voted at about 11:45am expressed optimism of his victory.
He told journalists that he was satisfied with the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission, so far in the election, and hoped that the same was happening in other places across the country.
“This election is very important to Nigeria, and I have confidence of victory.
“I have the mental capacity, energy and drive to lead this country. We need to get things right in Nigeria,” the presidential candidate.
12:16pm
Kaduna: voters at PU062, Barnawa Shopping Complex, Kaduna South LGA, waiting for INEC officials
12:15pm
Ekiti REC Confirms Massive Turnout, Assures Voters of Acceptable, Credible Outcome
By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Ekiti State Prof. Abayomi Salami has assured voters in the state that the outcome of the election will be credible and will be acceptable to all concerned.
This is just as he confirmed large turnout of voters for the exercise, which he commended.
The Commissioner gave the assurance during election monitoring of the presidential and national assembly polls, currently going on nationwide.
Salami, who noted that’ votes would count, said all the gadgets the commission provided for the smooth conduct of the election were all working perfectly at the polling units so far visited by his team.
He added that reports reaching him from across the State, also alluded to the fact that officials of the commission, handling them are doing quite well, as expected of them.while places where lapses are observed are being attended to with speed.
He said he was highly impressed at the massive turnout of the electorates and the conducts of the INEC officials at the PU.
Though report said there were little hitches in accessing the BIVAS machine in some areas, INEC technicians, detailed for such emergencies, were promptly called to salvage the situation, especially at ward 10, unit 2, St. Mango Oke-Isha Ado -Ekiti and Iyin Ekiti unit 003, ward B Eyelori Compound but was normalised within about an hour following intervention of the REC.
12:11pm
Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai waiting on the queue to cast his votes at his PU024, Anguwan Sarki GRA, Kaduna North LGA.
11:48am
INEC Officials Yet to Arrive Polling Units Some Areas of FCT
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
At the News Engineering junction of Dawaki as at 11.15 am, voters were protesting the non arrival of INEC officials and voting materials. The number of the voting centre is 073.
Also within the same area at voting centre 074 within Dawaki, INEC officials arrived at 11.25 am. No reason was given for the late arrival.
At the Faith Academy voting area in the FO1 of Kubwa, voting started late, but voting was orderly. Only two security officials of Civil Defence and Federal Road Safety officials were on ground.
Between Kubwa and Berger junction within the FCT, there was restriction of vehicular movement, security officials stopped vehicles that were not authorised to be on the road.
In most of the places visited, there was peaceful conduct of voters, except visible protests over late arrival of INEC officials and voting materials.
11:43am
Electorate Eager to Vote, Wait for Election Materials, INEC Officials in FCT
The electorate at most polling units in the Apo Resettlement Area in Abuja have decried the non-arrival of electoral officials and materials as at 9.30 a.m.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the polling units are the Primary Health Centre Polling Unit 129, Apo Senior Secondary School Polling Unit 123, near chief palace and Town Hall Polling Unit 128, among others.
The electorate were seen at the various polling units waitingfor the arrival of officials and materials.
An electorate at the Health Centre, Mr Amos Kobe, said: “This is my first time of coming out to vote. I am determined and the delay will not deter me.
“We need change in this country and that change will begin from me. So, I came prepared to wait and ensure my vote will count.’’
At the Apo Secondary School, Mr Pedro Ajayi expressed disappointment that the electoral process was yet to commence in all of Apo Resettlement area.
Ajayi said: “I came here since 7.30 a.m and all we have been able to do is take numbers, no sign of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
“So many people have been coming and leaving angrily. I hope they will return to exercise their right.”
Also at the Town Hall unit, the electorate were seen hanging around without any sign of the officials.
At the Apo Village, the INEC officials arrived at about 9.30 a.m and more than 1,000 electorate who had taken numbers were sited hanging around to cast their votes.
Miss Ginika Ebere expressed excitement on seeing the INEC officials, saying: “Thank God I will be able to vote today for the first time.”
Mr Aaron Abram said: “The voting process is supposed to start by 8.30 and imagine when the officials are arriving.
“I don’t see the process ending at 2.30 p.m. because there are so many people here.
“The only interesting thing is that no matter how much time they waste, Nigerians are prepared to vote and ensure their vote counts.’’
NAN observed that most shops and malls within the resettlement area were closed, although some mini shops were doing skeletal sales to customers. (NAN)
11:36am
Voters Complain About Inability to Find Names at Polling Units in Ogba Area of Lagos
Ayodeji Ake
While some polling units in Ogba, Ikeja havw began voting process, confusion and arguments rocked some polling units over misinformation and some voters are yet to find their names at the designated polling units.
When THISDAY visited polling unit 020, Kayode Street , Ifako Ijaiye local government at about 10:30am , a heated argument was recorded among voters who couldn’t find their names at the designated polling unit.
Some claimed they got a text from INEC that their previous polling units had been changed and getting there they couldn’t find their names.
A female voter who pleaded anonymity told THISDAY she had been voting in Haruna axis of Ogba in previous elections but got a message from INEC that her polling unit has been changed to 020 and she has been looking for her name for the past one hour.
“This is my first time here. I got a message from INEC but it shows 020 polling unit. They didn’t arrive early and when they came I have been looking for my name for the past one hour. If I don’t see my name I will go back home, “ she said.
Meanwhile, there is no security presence in Thomas Salako, Fadare,Kayode, Moyo Agoro and Soretire polling units, only an female police officer spotted at polling unit 020 on Kayode street.
11:25am
Election: Massive Voter Turnout in Osun
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Saturday trooped out enmasse to cast their vote in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
At Ataoja E polling unit situated at Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials arrived at the unit around 7am and by 8:26am.
At Ward 12, Otun Jagun A, Polling Unit 15, Oke Popo, voting started on time, while the aged, physically challenged persons and party agents were given opportunity to cast their votes first.
However, at Otun Jagun, voting didn’t commence at 8:30am because of the disagreement on the agreed place for polling unit, which was later resolved.
Large Turnout, Tight Security, Early Arrival of INEC Officials in Wuse Area of FCT
Udora Orizu in Abuja
There was massive turnout of voters and early arrival of INEC officials in some polling units visited by our correspondent in Wuse, FCT.
Before 8:30 am, INEC officials were seen in PU 166, 173 offloading election materials, while voters in these areas were waiting patiently.
Voting which commenced at about 9:30am, had electoral officials attending to the voters on queue.
As at the time of filling this report, the process is peaceful, with adequate security manning the areas.
International election observers were also seen witnessing the voting process.
11:20am
Large Turnout of Voters in Bogoro LG of Bauchi
By Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
An impressive turnout of voters at Boi polling Unit with code number 005 in Bogoro Local Government (LGA) Area of Bauchi state was recorded at 7:25 am.
This is as the Chairman Caretaker Committee Bogoro Local Government Area, Hon Markus Bitrus Lusa has expressed confidence in the ability of INEC to deliver the best election.
THISDAY reports that there were heavy presence of security personnel such as the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) providing adequate security at the polling units while the INEC officials were sighted setting up the unit.
Our Correspondent who monitored the process observed that as at 7:59 a.m at Pada polling unit with code number 03, Tilde Fulani in Toro Local Government Area, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) personnel were setting up the polling unit with every necessary materials for the voting exercise readily available.
Electorate were seen on the queue and eagerly waiting to cast their votes for their choice of candidates.
However, in Dan’iya Hardo Ward of Bauchi Local Government Area which comprises both Old and New Government Reserved Area (GRAs), there was no presence of INEC officials nor voting materials as at 8:30 am.
Also visited were Sa’adu Zungur Primary School IV polling unit, Winniee ‘A’ polling unit as well as Sa’adu Zungur Primary School III and V polling units. Only a few voters were seen waiting for the INEC officials while there were no traces of security personnel.
In Bakari Dukku Collation Centre where sensitive materials were being distributed around 8:40 a.m, THISDAY observed that all the officials to be deployed to the Dan’iya Hardo Ward were still in the Collation Centre collecting their election materials with heavy presence of security personnel.
When approached, one of the officials who did not want his name mentioned said he was to serve as Assistant Presiding Officer (APO1), abd explained that they were still waiting for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to be given as well as transportation allowance before leaving the Collation Centre.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Caretaker Committee Bogoro LGA, Hon Markus Bitrus Lusa has expressed confidence in the ability of INEC to deliver the best election.
The Chairman made the expression shortly after casting his vote in unit 005 Lusa B Ward Bogoro LGA today.
He commended INEC for starting the election on time and the turn out of the electorate.
“I am really impressed with INEC. As you can see the election started at exactly 8:34 as announced by the commission and massive turnout of the electorates. The turnout is massive and I believe the election is going to be a success”, the chairman stated.
He however urged the people of Bogoro LGA to support INEC to deliver on its mandate by respecting the electoral laws.
“I urge our people to go out and vote candidates of their choice. Let all of us conduct ourselves in peace and not allow anything to disrupt public peace”
Hon Lusa called on INEC staff to be fair and honest in the discharge of their duties.
11:10am
Video: Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Wife, Dr Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu voted at his Polling Unit, Ward E3 St Stephen Primary School, Adeniji Adele Road Lagos Island.
11:57am
Election Peaceful in Kwara as Electorate Arrive Polling Units Early
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
There was orderliness and peaceful atmosphere in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in most parts of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
In areas visited by THISDAY, there was high level of compliance among the people as streets were deserted and the electorate were at polling units as early as 8am.
INEC officials and voting materials did not get to many polling booths as at 9:30 am.
Also, in Oro Town, the country home of Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, people were seen lined up in a peaceful manner to exercise their franchise.
Reports from other wards in the town showed the total compliance of the voters to the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the poll
Voters were accredited at 9:20 a.m without any hindrance with the presence of security agencies, political parties agents and INEC officials.
11:12am
Mixed Reactions Trail New Polling Units, Late Arrival of INEC Officials
Ayodeji Ake
Therebwere mixed reactions from the electorate over newly created polling units by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), which according to the commission, is to ease the burden of overcrowding in some polling units.
Electorate in Ifako Ijaiye local government lamented they couldn’t find their names and they had been moving rom one polling unit to another to find out where their names appeared.
When THISDAY engaged a party agent on Thomas Salako street who pleaded anonymity, he said there was information that there were newly created polling units.
Raising conversation among the electorate about the text messages sent by INEC informing electorate about the newly created poll units and advertorial information in the media to confirm their polling units on the commission’s official website , many of the electorate said they didn’t receive any text message from INEC.
While the loud murmur was ongoing, a public transit bus conveying some INEC officials arrived at around 9:25am.
On Kayode street of Ifako Ijaiye local government, some voters were seen idle, waiting for the INEC officials at 046 polling unit.
When THISDAY spoke to one of the party agents, she confirmed INEC officials will soon be on ground as they are on their way.
Meanwhile, due to the absence of INEC officials at some polling units, some youths were spotted at three different locations on Kayode Street, playing football.
As of the time of this report , no single security personnel on ground and some voters still wandering on the street in search of their polling units.
INEC officials resumed work at Polling Unit 046 at 9:50am.
When THISDAY spoke to the INEC officials, they said they left office late.
11:07am
EFCC Officials Storm Obi’s Polling Unit
By David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrived the polling unit of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi.
The officials who came in an unmarked white Toyota Hiace Bus arrived Obi’s Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019 at exactly 10:25am.
They however declined interview from journalists.
The leader of the team had a brief chat with the leadership of INEC in the unit, urging him to call the commission’s helpline if they sought help of any kind.
The leader also had a brief chat with Obi who was coming back from what THISDAY learnt was a tour of the village.
The team has however left the polling unit, promising to come back soon.
Obi is still being expected at his Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019, where he will cast his vote.
10:50am
Election: Huge Turnout at Polling Units in Niger
Laleye Dipo in Minna
A large number of eligible voters turned out on Saturday for the Presidential and National Assembly elections in different parts of Niger State on Saturday.
Though the electoral officers did not report at their polling units at 8am, voting however commenced at most of the stations at about 9am.
Voters had problems identifying their stations due to the decentralisation of the units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Security was also very tight at the stations visited by THISDAY, while voters conducted themselves in peaceful and orderly manner.
At the Angwa Galadima polling unit in Paiko, the senator representing Niger East senatorial zone, Sani Musa, and his wife were the first set of voters to cast their ballots at about 10.30pm.
Musa after casting his ballot commended INEC for the good arrangement made which he said will further deepen democracy.
10:43am
Election: Kaduna Experiences Massive Turnout, Delayed Distribution of Materials
Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kaduna metropolis is recording massive turnout of voters, but delay in distribution of election materials is being experienced.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) covering the elections reported that as at 9:11am, material and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff were yet to arrive at some polling units.
INEC had fixed 8.30am for the commencement of the election process.
NAN reported that voters started trooping to polling units as early as 7 am, while distribution of sensitive material by INEC officials started at 8:10 am.
Mr Samuel Gambo, a resident of Narayi, said the early turnout of voters in the area showed their eagerness to vote.
“The long awaited day is here and you can see how the people have turned out to cast their vote,” he said.
NAN reported that security agents were present at most polling centres, just as people conducted themselves orderly.
Polling units visited at Barnawa area of Kaduna metropolis indicated early turnout of voters, while sensitive materials were yet to arrive at the units as at 9am.
At Rigasa area however, distribution of election materials took place in earnest, drawing commendation from some observers and party agents.
Mrs Safiya Haruna , an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), commended INEC for a good job.
She expressed optimism that the elections would be peaceful because enough security personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order.
Usamatu Isiyaku , a party agent of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), said distribution of election materials in the areas was without hitches.
Meanwhile, accreditation had commenced in few polling units visited at Kakuri area of Kaduna South.
At LGEA Baban Dodo Primary School unit, voters had turned out massively, conducting themselves in orderly manner.
Ali Yahaya, a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO), said there were about 88 polling units, being handled by over 350 officials.
“So far, the exercise has been smooth,” he told NAN.
Speaking on the cause of delay in the distribution of election material, an INEC supervisor who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, attributed the hitch to late turnout of some advocates staff.
“We had arranged that those advocates staff were to spent the night at the distribution centres but some of them left and turned up this morning.
“The flouting of this arrangement is responsible for the hitch, but just in some few polling units,” he said. (NAN)
10:41am
Electorate confirming their names at Polling Unit 050 at Thomas Salako Street, Ifako Ijaiye local government
10:39am
Voters at Polling Unit 032 on Thomas Salako , Ifako Ijaiye local government
10:38am
Some youths playing football on Kayode Street Ifako Ijaiye local government area of Lagos
10:29am
Buhari Votes in Daura, Displays Ballot Paper
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has voted in his country home, Daura in Katsina State.
The president, who arrived the polling unit which is a working distance from his house, was accredited at about 10.07am.
President Buhari, in company with his wife, Aisha, after accreditation, collected the ballot papers and went into the cubicle to vote for candidates of their choice in the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The president thereafter displayed the ballot paper for people to see his choice of presidential candidate before putting it in the ballot box.
10:22am
Security Personnel Absent at Obi’s Polling Unit
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Despite announcements of heavy deployment of security operatives in Anambra State by the state police command, THISDAY has noticed the total absence of security at Amatutu village, where the Labour Party, LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi hails from.
Checks even at Agulu ward two, polling unit 019 shows absence of security operatives.
The polling unit with a high voter turnout, also has a huge number of journalists in the unit, all waiting for the candidate to vote.
The state police command’s spokesperson in his reaction however said their operatives were deployed to the area.
10:17am
Ekiti Dep Gov Votes, Describes Turnout as Impressive
By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, has described the level of turnout for today’s Presidential and National Assembly election in Ekiti State as heartwarming and impressive.
In the same vein, Mrs Afuye said the Bimodal Voters’ Authentication System(BVAS) initiative of the Independent National Electoral Commission, was radicalising and bolstering the integrity of the country’s election.
The Deputy Governor spoke after voting at about 8.56am, at Atiba /Aafin ward 001, Akamija unit 003, at Ikere Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of the State.
The Ekiti number two citizen lauded the combined forces of security agencies deployed for the election for being highly professional in the handling of the electoral process.
Mrs Afuye saluted the industry and painstakingness of the INEC, particularly for preparing a solid platform for smooth conduct of the poll through prompt supply of election materials to the unit.
She appealed to INEC and the security agencies to maintain their professional conducts till the end of voting, so that the entire exercise can be a huge success.
Mrs Afuye commended the mobilisation drive of the political parties during the electioneering window, saying this vividly reflected in the high turnout of voters at every unit across Ikere Ekiti.
“The exercise has been smooth and orderly and this is due largely to the high level of professionalism of the INEC as a superintending authority and the complementary roles being played by the security agencies.
“You could all see the large turnout of voters, this substantiated the fact that the security agencies are not harassing anyone and the political.parties have also done what they are supposed to do.
“The BVAS is working very fast and adding credibility to the integrity of our polls. Now , the outcome shall be acceptable to all parties.
“But now that the INEC and security agencies have been performing their duties creditably well, I charge the voters and party agents to be civil and peaceful in their approaches.
“Let them vote peacefully and stay around to protect the sanctity of their ballots, because that is the only power they have to elect their leaders.
“I hope that all the stakeholders participating in this election will continue this way, so that the election can be successful for our nation to be progressive and peaceful “, she stated.
10:11am
Large Turnout of Voters in Ekiti
By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Scores of voters, on Saturday besieged the various polling Centre’s in many Ekiti towns and villages to exercise their franchise.
Monitoring of the election process across the State, by newsmen revealed that eligible voters began arriving for accreditation as early as 7:00a.m.
Many of the prospective voters said they came out to vote, notwithstanding the current economic hardship, coupled with scarcity of cash, so they can use their votes to show patriotism and new sense of direction.
However it was noted that some traders displayed their items in some of the markets.
It was also observed that some commercial motorcyclists and transporters wwre plying the roads, doing their normal business.
It was however confirmed that there was heavy presence of combined security personnel in virtually every place visited.
Aside Ado-Ekiti, the State capital where the huge turnout of voters is most visible, other big towns like Ikere-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Efon Alaaye, Okemesi -Ekiti, Ifaki-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti and Emure-Ekiti, Ido Ekiti, Iworoko, among many others, also witnessed peaceful and orderly conduct.
As early as 7am, residents of Ikogosi-Ekiti ,the country home of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, trooped out in their numbers to participate in the presidential election.
While many trekked long distances following the restriction of vehicular movements, a few went to their polling units on private motor bikes.
At the different polling units visited, at both Ikogosi-Ekiti , Ward 003, unit 6 and Ikere-Ekiti ,the country home of the Deputy governor, Chief Mrs Afuye, voters were seen, checking their names on the displayed voter registers while others were already on queues.
INEC Ad hoc officials arrived on time, in readiness for the election with sensitive materials.
Also, there was full presence of heavy security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Immigration, traffic waden among others in many of the places visited.
Reports across the state showed that election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arrived the various polling Centres on time, not longer than 7:30a.m, while there was a slight delay in some others.
Security agents also arrived at many polling units before 7:30a.m, maintaining order, but not so adequate, in some places.
It was also confirmed that the election materials were available and the BiModal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was also functioning properly.
The restriction order placed by the police, on both human and vehicular movements, was obeyed as most of the roads linking one town with the other, were virtually deserted, with the exception of those engaged in essential services.
10:19am
Ekiti Dep Gov, Chief Mrs Christiana Afuye
10:01am
Voting commences at Yaba, Igbobi, Lagos Mainland LG
10:00am
Election materials were still being distributed in Tiffi Guda Ward of Ningi local government area of Bauchi state
09:59am
INEC officials and voting materials are yet to arrive @ Post office polling unit St Murumba in Jos North.
09:57am
Voters accreditation, voting ongoing in Jikwoyi Phase, 2 FCT
09:56am
Voters Raise Concern over Inability to Locate New Polling Units
Emameh Gabriel in Abuja
Voters in some of the units at Jikwoyi Phase 2, have raised concerned over their inability to locate their polling units due to the creation of new polling units by INEC to decongest exiting ones to make voting seamless.
Although INEC d last week urged all eligible voters to confirm their voting locations by sending sms to any of its dedicated lines ahead of election day, some of them who spoke with THISDAY said they had no knowledge of the information.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, has said this in a message to Nigerians a week ago.
He had advised voters to text their voting states, last name and the last six digits of their Voter Identification Number (VIN) to any of the lines– 09062830860,
09062830861, for example FCT Magaji 445322.
9:50am
Massive Turnout, Late Arrival of INEC Officials in FCT
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Some parts of Abuja like Kubwa, Gwarimpa , Dutse and Dawaki witnessed massive turnout but there was late arrival of INEC officials.
As early as 9 am, voters in these areas were waiting patiently for INEC officials.
At the Kubwa FO1 beside the Faith Academy, voters in orderly manner, were waiting for INEC officials.
Also at Dawaki by News Engineering Junctions, voters were waiting for INEC officials but there were no INEC officials as at 9.06am. The situation was not different at the LEA Primary school in Kubwa village and the Kukuwaba area.
The voter turnout was massive, but late arrival of INEC officials and wrong identifications of polling centres were recorded.
9:44am
Voting Commences at Obi’s Polling Unit
David-Chyddy Eleke
Voting has commenced at the polling unit of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi.
Though the candidate had earlier visited the unit to supervise the arrival of voting materials, he is yet to cast his vote.
Some aides of the candidate told journalists that he will be voting soon.
Obi is expected to cast his vote in Amatutu village, Agulu ward two, polling unit 019.
09:42am
APC, PDP in Verbal War over Arrest of 15 Agents in Katsina
Francis Sardauna in Katsina
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday engaged in a verbal war over the arrest of 15 party agents by police operatives for allegedly planning to hack the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) servers to rig election results.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, who announced the arrest of the 15 suspected party agents while briefing journalists Friday night, said they were nabbed with 20 laptop computers.
While the APC said the suspects were PDP members who were planning to intercept the transmission of election results through electronic gadgets, the PDP described APC as a dying party due to its maladministration, bad governance and zero performance in eight years.
The Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, in a statement, accused the PDP of securing a building belonging to one Abdulrazeez Mamman for the purpose of deploying electronic gadgets and computers suspected to be used for the purpose of intercepting the transmission of election results from polling stations to INEC.
The party explained that no fewer than 12 PDP members were arrested by police operatives in connection with the incident with “approximately 21 computers found in their possession”.
It said: “While we appreciate the swift and prompt intervention of the Nigerian Police Force, however, we wish to call for an in-depth and thorough investigation with a view to ensuring that all culprits, if any, are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“At this juncture, the All Progressives Congress wishes to reiterate its commitment to ensuring a free, fair and credible election in an atmosphere devoid of electoral malpractice. Furthermore, our party shall continue to monitor the investigative activities of the Nigerian Police Force with regards to the said incident”.
But in a swift reaction, the opposition PDP in the state described the “unwarranted and unprovoked” Police attack on its Computer Room as callous, wicked and barbaric.
The party, in a statement issued to journalists by the Director, Media and Press of the Atiku/Lado Campaign Council, Kabir Yusuf Yar’Adua, accused the Police of carting away its computers and accessories in which vital and highly classified information as well as documents were being stored in the last six months to date.
It vowed to institute a legal action against the Police for violating its rights to privacy and trespassing its territory without any valid court order or warrant of search without committing any offence to warrant such undemocratic act.
The statement reads: “In this 21st Century, the Police action should be viewed by all right thinking individuals as evil, mischief and inhuman which seeks to retard our progress and development.
“PDP in Katsina will therefore hold the police responsible in the event any of its computers, accessories or stored documents got lost, destroyed, removed or damaged.
“In addition, what stops the police from meting out such bad action to other political parties in Katsina? Why then singling out PDP? Or is it because of its popularity and or becoming a threat to the fast dying APC due to its maladministration, bad governance & sheer below zero performance in its almost eight years in office?”.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isah, on Friday night announced the arrest of 15 party agents over suspicion of plans to interfere with the results of the 2023 general elections.
He said the suspects were nabbed in Katsina metropolitan area with unspecified numbers of computer laptops and applications alleged to belong to a popular political party.
Isah, a superintendent of police, said the men were being detained at the command’s Criminal Investigation Department, adding that investigation was already on going into the matter.
“We arrested 15 suspects with unspecified numbers of laptops and apps belonging to a political party. We have commenced investigation and we don’t want to jump the gun.We have already invited experts to conduct investigation on the items as we don’t want to jump the gun. We shall make public the outcome of the investigation”, he said.
9:19am
Large turnout of voters at Jikwoyi Phase 2, FCT
Traders at Okesha market, in Ado Ekiti
9:17am
Election Materials Arrive Phalga Ward in Rivers
As at 8am electorate have arrived Phalga ward 11, 12 and 13 but the election materials and adhoc staff got to the venue at about 8: 50am in four buses, led by the presiding officers.
The venue popularly known as Rumuwoji Community hall premises, was peaceful as at the time of this report.
Security presence was also noticed as operatives of police, NSCDC, Prisons, FRSC officials were seen.
9:03am
Election Materials arrived Unit 017, Jikwoyi phase 3
9:01am
Polling Units at Jikwoyi Axis of FCT Yet to Receive Sensitive Materials
Emameh Gabriel in Abuja
Polling units in Jikwoyi axis of the FCT are agitated over delay in the arrival of election materials in the various polling units as at 8:30am.
When THISDAY visited some of the polling units in Jikwoyi, Phase 2 field, a major voting point in the highly populated satellite town in the FCT, voters were seen waiting for the arrival of INEC officials.
Heavy security has been beefed up in the area and party agents were also seen all around holding on.
Some voters who spoke with THISDAY said they had expected voting to commence before 9am but they were not sure if that would be possible as materials for the election were yet to arrive.
8:56am
8:53am
EFCC sighted at Ward 10, Unit 7, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti
Deployment of election materials is on going by INEC officials in Badagry, Lagos
7:55am
Electoral officers getting set for election at ward 9, unit 11, Ishato Ado Ekiti
Voters were seen checking their names on the voters list at ward 9, unit 11, Ishato Ado Ekiti
People trooped out to vote at Ishato in Ado Ekiti
7:28am
Dispatch of Electoral Materials: Heavy Security at FCT INEC Office
Security has been beefed up at the Municipal office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Karu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in preparation for Saturday’s elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 11 military vehicles on patrol made a stop over at the office, which caused some minutes of gridlock, prompting motorists to divert to other routes.
Also, several Police officers were seen patrolling the vicinity, while some men of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) were equally seen in and around the vicinity.
Meanwhile, the office was a beehive of activities as materials were being sorted and dispatched to Wuse, Gwarimpa and other wards under the municipal.
Several vehicles were seen as late as 8: 30 p.m Friday carrying materials from the office to the various voting points.
NAN reports that expectations were high among business operators and residents as many were seen discussing about the likely outcome of the election.
Some of the residents interviewed by NAN expressed their readiness to vote for their preferred candidates on the election day.
A business woman, Amanda, said in spite of her busy schedule, she made out time to collect her Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
According to her, she has decided to carryout her civic responsibility to choose leaders that would take the country to the “promised land”.
An elderly man, who gave his name as Yakubu, said the 2023 election would be a deciding moment for the country.
He said he would go out very early on Saturday to cast his vote.
He further said all his family members of voting age also had their PVCs and would be going out to vote.
NAN reports that Feb. 25 has been scheduled by INEC for Presidential and National Assembly elections while March 11 is scheduled for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.(NAN)
7:00am
*Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, Kwankwaso Clash in Historic Poll
Our correspondents
On the 24th anniversary of the election that returned Nigeria to Democracy in 1999, Nigerians will today file out to elect a President that will run the country for another four years, effective May 29.
All the 18 registered political parties are fielding candidates for the presidential election, but the four leading candidates are Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
These four men have divided the country across all lines in an election that promises to be keenly contested.
Their campaigns across the 36 states and Abuja have been rancorous, with the candidates feeding fat on tribal, ethnic and religious sentiments.
Candidates of these four political parties also dominate the race for the seats in the National Assembly across the states, also holding today. 109 Senate seats and 360 House of Representatives seats are up for grabs.
It is in the midst of this bitter division that the over 87 million people with Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) will troop out today to determine the fates of Atiku, Tinubu, Obi and Kwankwaso.
As at press time, INEC had distributed sensitive and non-sensitive election materials to all the states of the federation.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, assured Nigerians that the commission would not fail the nation and the international community.
He promised that today’s elections will be free, fair, credible and lead to the outcomes that all Nigerians expect.
Yakubu said yesterday that the results will be declared as quickly as possible.
He said: “I just want to say that we will ensure that result declaration will be done speedily. I can’t put a finger on the number of days or number of hours it will take, but it will be done speedily. We are aware of the anxiety and the need for us to conclude the process quickly, it will be concluded quickly.”
Police Assure Nigerians on Security
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has urged Nigerians to go out and vote without any fear today, assuring that they will be well protected.
The IG has mobilised 310, 973 officers and men to provide security for today’s election. Other security outfits, aside the military and the Department of State Service (DSS), would complement efforts of the police with a total of 93,133 personnel, bringing all to 404,106 security agents.
Baba said: “With this layout, a minimum of at least two personnel, drawn from the above agencies, will be jointly deployed to man each of the polling units across the country, while the armed personnel will secure the public space, INEC facilities, vulnerable locations, border areas, as well as undertake armed escort duties for INEC personnel, materials and local and international observers.”
The IG has also ordered restriction of all forms of movement nationwide beginning from 12 AM to 6 PM on election day.
The restriction covers vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc.
A statement from the Nigerian Police Force reads: “The order, which is part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections, is aimed at ensuring public order management, the safety of electorates, as well as assisting the security agencies in effective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.
“Similarly, the IGP sternly warns all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election as anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned.
“He emphasises that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres. Also, the ban on the unauthorised use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force, and violators would be sanctioned appropriately.”
All state-established and owned security outfits/organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits have also been barred by the IGP from participating in election’s security management.
Similarly, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has said that the Corps will deploy 102,000 officials for today’s election.
While assuring Nigerians of general security coverage nationwide, Audi stated that the Anti-vandalism Squad and Special Forces would also be deployed to all critical national assets and infrastructure, including flashpoints in the states and the FCT, to protect them against vandalism, damage, or arson by criminal elements before, during, and after the elections.
Atiku Abubakar
Atiku is carrying all sections of the country along and pledging inclusiveness.
He demonstrated this by picking his Vice-Presidential candidate from the South. He has also promised power devolution if elected President.
Atiku wants to recover Nigeria from “poverty, disease, hunger and bad government.”
He also wants to restore Nigeria’s unity, which he believes has been badly mismanaged by the Buhari-led APC federal government.
Being a businessman with hundreds of employees and therefore more amenable to job creation in the face of mass unemployment, Atiku appears attractive.
With the level of poverty, unemployment and Naira crunch in the country, most voters even in the stronghold of APC, are most likely going to resolve their doubts in favour of Atiku by way of seeking alternatives to the present reality, especially with the millions of jobs lost to shady handling of the economy.
The unending killings in the country under an APC-led federal government may further make voters want to try alternatives.
In his closing campaign, Atiku declared: “You have the APC, whose candidate for President is the national leader of the party; a party that has, for almost eight years now, brought to our country a period of unspeakable misery, economic decline, mass poverty, massive insecurity, monumental job losses, fractionalisation, disunity, and injustice. A party under whose watch, our country has witnessed a frightening descent into anarchy, multidimensional crises, economic meltdown.
“It was under the APC that our country returned to pauper-nation status with over N77 trillion in debt, and under whose watch, over 22 million of our children are now out of school!
“Then you have my party, the PDP. The PDP midwife the longest period of sustained economic growth in our country, instituted fundamental reforms and new innovations, leading to an explosion in opportunity for our citizens in the telecoms, fintech, financial services and other cutting-edge technology space. It was the PDP that rebuilt Nigeria’s economy and turned it into the largest economy in Africa.
“The APC is asking you to vote for them to renew this misery and destruction; to renew the violence, the wanton destruction, the killings and kidnappings; and to renew the harsh and brutal conditions that so many people in our country now live with, on a daily basis.
“In contrast, the PDP, led by me, is asking for your vote to elect a government that will work to Recover Nigeria from the misery, insecurity and economic decline of the last eight years and bring into office a government that works for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, tongue or religion, based on our founding principles of Unity, Justice and Progress.”
Bola Tinubu
Tinubu’s campaign is anchored on “consolidating Buhari’s achievements.”
He said the Buhari administration had done a lot in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and poverty alleviation and he is aiming to build on these achievements.
Tinubu said: “There are also some sectors where we must adopt new approaches and stress new priorities. Our administration will work to ensure not just a farewell to poverty but also usher in an era of prosperity in our country. To achieve this, we will re-engineer our security architecture to enhance the capacity of our armed forces and security agencies to guarantee the safety of the lives and properties of our people.
“We will task our ingenuity to drastically enhance the country’s revenue generating capacity so that we can adequately fund and fundamentally improve the quality of social services in education, healthcare and housing, among others. We are determined to ensure that incessant strikes by unions in our public universities become a thing of the past.
“Ensuring adequate and uninterrupted electricity will be one of our cardinal priorities. This will help boost the performance of the industrial sector and create jobs on a massive scale for our teeming youths. We shall put in place a robust and virile credit system so that more people can acquire the basics of life such as housing, cars and household equipment and pay gradually. That will have the immediate effect of reducing the motivation to resort to corrupt means of wealth accumulation.”
Peter Obi
In his campaign, Peter Obi showed capacity, experience and huge understanding of the issues that are wrong with Nigeria, stressing the need for good and incorruptible government as a panacea.
Obi is aiming at building a new Nigeria and promoting a private-sector driven economy that will create jobs and wealth for the people.
Obi, in his last appeal to Nigerians, said: “We are currently at a crossroads. We need a leader to show us the way forward. We need a prudent president, a principled president who has what it takes to lead. As we say in Naija, ‘we need person who sabi road; a person we go follow make this country better.’ A new Nigeria is possible. We can make it.
“We want to move our economy from importing and consuming products to producing, consuming less, and exporting more. That is the essence of Consumption to Production.
“I ask you, my people, to empower me as your president and commander-in-chief. I will be in charge. I have the requirements for correct leadership: character, competence, commitment, compassion, hard work, honesty, humanity, and humility.
“I have the courage and the heart with which to deliver the dividends of democracy freely and fairly to our people. We can change this country. If it takes us making the supreme sacrifice, let us make it for a greater tomorrow.”
Rabiu Kwankwaso
Kwankwaso also promises a new Nigeria, “where equity, justice and fairness are possible. A new Nigeria where safety and security are guaranteed, a Nigeria where peace and prosperity are ensured.
“A Nigeria where equity and opportunities are available and accessible to all citizens, a Nigeria where quality education and modern healthcare services are accessible and guaranteed to all and a Nigeria where governance is about the yearnings and the aspirations of all the citizens.”
THISDAY Projections
Obi leads in most of South East and South South states with a strong showing in Lagos, Benue and a possible win in Plateau State.
Tinubu on his part, leads in the South-west, Borno and Yobe States, with a strong showing in the North-west.
Atiku has a strong showing in most of the North, while leading in Adamawa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Taraba States, with a very strong showing in Zamfara, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa and Osun States.
Kwankwaso is leading in Kano with a strong showing in Jigawa, Katsina and Taraba States.Strengths & WeaknessesAtiku Abubakar
Strengths
*Experience, capacity, competence
*Broad national support
*Political pedigree with wide exposure
*Extensive contacts nationwide
*Courageous and a team player
Weaknesses
*A Northerner disrupting power rotation that may see Fulani to Fulani power transfer
*Crony capitalist/deal maker
*Seen as too old
*Part of the infamous old order
Bola Tinubu
Strengths
*Huge war chest
*Rich political experience
*Nationwide contacts, friends
*Dogged fighter
*Seen as a team player
Weaknesses
*Perceived as corrupt
*Could be a dictator if elected
*Health and age issues
*Perceived as vengeful
*Doubtful mental alertness
Peter Obi
Strengths
*Vibrant, focused, determined
*Seen as an alternative to old order
*Strong youth support base
*Robust on policy
*Urbane, humble
*Decent, no corruption baggage
Weaknesses
*From zone with low voting power
*Limited war chest
*Weak in Northwest/Northeast
*Feeble political platform
Rabiu Kwankwaso
Strengths
*Vibrant, Suave
*Focused, determined
*Strong on policy
*Strong political background
Weaknesses
*Not a team player
*Limited war chest
*Weak southern support base
*Frail political platform
*Perceived as stubborn
