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Tag: 2023 Polls

  • 2023 Polls: Manipulations by INEC, APC amount to rape of democracy, says PDP

    2023 Polls: Manipulations by INEC, APC amount to rape of democracy, says PDP

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), of undermining democracy and disrespecting the memory of the presumed winner of the June 12, Chief Moshood Abiola.

    The 1993 presidential election election was annulled by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). Which many believe was the freest and fairest election in the country’s history.

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2018 officially recognised June 12 as Democracy Day. From the Fourth Republic began in 1999, the day was hitherto commemorated on May 29.

    Speaking against the backdrop of Democracy Day on Monday, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to demand the entrenchment of democratic tenets in the nation’s polity.

    “The barefaced manipulations of the 2023 general elections by the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission amount to an unpardonable assault and rape of democracy and disregard for the will of the people—the very ills for which Chief MKO Abiola fought and died.

    “To observe the Democracy Day under a system that violated, desecrated and despoiled all the tenets of democracy as witnessed in the brazen rigging that characterised the 2023 general elections”.

    “June 12 epitomises the struggle by Nigerians against the corrupt, manipulative and anti-democratic system; against injustice, impunity and electoral fraud, which INEC, under Prof Mahmood Yakubu, now represents.

    “It is indeed heartrending that all the steady progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in reforming our electoral system have been completely wiped off by INEC in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

    Ologunagba urged Nigerians not to despair but to remain optimistic and law-abiding in their hope for a better nation, which they earnestly yearn for

     

     

     

  • Rivers party agents question results at collation centre (See results)

    Rivers party agents question results at collation centre (See results)

    Party agents at the Rivers State Collation Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  have deemed the results coming out of the state’s collation centre as questionable.

    The party agents demanded that the collation of results should be stepped down and reconciled.

    However, the State Collation Officer denies their request.

    See Rivers State collated results below:

    TAI LGA

    APC 295

    ACCORD 35

    LP 13

    PDP 9,276

    SDP 508

    OPOBO-NKORO LGA

    APC 1,426

    ACCORD 16

    LP 10

    PDP 11,538

    SDP 159

    GOKANA LGA

    APC 7,410

    ACCORD 74

    LP 97

    PDP 17,455

    SDP 13,840

    OGU-BOLO LGA

    APC 1,524

    ACCORD 121

    LP 34

    PDP 7,103

    SDP 310

    ELEME LGA

    APC 2,662

    ACCORD 67

    LP 544

    PDP 8,414

    SDP 2,251

    IKWERRE LGA

    APC 7,503

    ACCORD 138

    LP 895

    PDP 13,716

    SDP 1,447

    OYIBO LGA

    APC 2,793

    ACCORD 147

    LP 2,688

    PDP 9,886

    SDP 796

    ETCHE LGA

    APC 6,408

    ACCORD 288

    LP 552

    PDP 16,043

    SDP 2,586

    KHANA LGA

    APC 620

    ACCORD 120

    LP 57

    PDP 9,475

    SDP 5,846

    Netizens reaction

    Reacting to the results so far announced, one Uche pointed out on Twitter that Labour Party, according to the INEC declared results in Rivers, scored less than 100 votes in many Local governments not polling units but local governments? Wike still rigging with impunity.”

    T.M.D described the electoral process as the most credible, free and fair elections. ever experienced and seen when it comes to Governorship elections in Rivers State, Okrika.

    According to one Believe “They did it during the presidential elections and got away with it, why do you think they’ll stop now? The entire Rivers elections is questionable.

    “People failed to realize that injustice for one is injustice for all. Don’t jubilate because it favour you, condemn because it’s wrong”.

  • Lai Mohammed describes 2023 polls as one of the most transparent elections in Nigeria –

    Lai Mohammed describes 2023 polls as one of the most transparent elections in Nigeria –

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the 2023 elections as the most transparent and credible ever held in the country.

    The minister said this on Saturday, March 18 in his hometown, Oro, Ilorin area of Kwara State.

    Mohammed said the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, helped tackle the issues of multiple accreditations, voting and rigging.

    “With what I have observed both in the February 25 and today’s elections, there has been a remarkable improvement in the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    This is to me probably one of the most transparent and credible elections in Nigeria. That is why I get worried about the red-erring by some people I can call sad losers in the aftermath of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    “I am glad to say that some of the aggrieved parties have gone to court. That is the best thing in any election in the world. Let the court interpret what the law says.”

    “Without any doubt, the introduction of BVAS has been a game changer in the sense that with BVAS, you are able to get the actual number of people who are accredited.

    “Also with BVAS, it is now not possible for you to vote twice because your biometric and facial are captured. That explained why though INEC said there were 84 million voters in Nigeria, the last election showed that only about 24 million people cast their votes,’’ he said.

    He pointed out that most of the issues being raised about the credibility of INEC in conducting the polls were to distract people.

    “What we noticed is that some media houses had taken position for one candidate and this makes rubbish of most of the analysis we see on their platforms,’’ he said.

  • 2023 polls most credible, transparent – Lai Mohammed

    2023 polls most credible, transparent – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has described the 2023 polls as one of the most transparent and credible ever held in the country.

    The minister said this on Saturday in his hometown, Oro, near Ilorin Kwara while speaking with newsmen after casting his vote in the Governorship and State Assemblies elections.

    the minister voted at about 9.45 a.m. at Polling Unit 006, Oro Ward 2 in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

    Justifying his assertion, the minister said the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was a game changer in tackling the issues of multiple accreditations, voting and rigging.

    “With what I have observed both in the February 25 and today’s elections, there has been a remarkable improvement in the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    “Without any doubt, the introduction of BVAS has been a game changer in the sense that with BVAS, you are able to get the actual number of people who are accredited.

    “Also with BVAS, it is now not possible for you to vote twice because your biometric and facial are captured.

    “That explained why though INEC said there were 84 million voters in Nigeria, the last election showed that only about 24 million people cast their votes,’’ he said.

    The minister said, in spite of the obvious improvements in the electoral process, he was worried about the red herring that trailed the outcomes of the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assemblies elections.

    He said most of the issues being raised about the credibility of INEC in conducting the polls were distractive.

    According to the minister, the electoral law does not recognises electronic voting while the decision of a federal high court in Abuja gives INEC the power to determine the manner it collates and transmits election results.

    Mohammed said he was happy that some of the aggrieved parties in the concluded elections had approached the court to ventilate their grievances.

    He, however, berated the activities of some non-state actors making analysis and propositions which he said were incendiary and injurious to the harmonious and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.

    The minister said the activities of some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had also been very unhelpful because many of them came out to unjustifiably discredit INEC and set one ethnic and religion against the other

    He said the media should also be circumspect of what they report on the elections and must show professionalism in discharge of their duties.

    “What we noticed is that some media houses had taken position for one candidate and this makes rubbish of most of the analysis we see on their platforms,’’ he said.

    The minister said the regulators of the media, particularly the broadcast media were doing their best by issuing warnings and fines where applicable.

    He said many of the broadcast stations that were fined had refused to comply and pay up but dared the regulator.

    He said the intention of the broadcast stations was to provoke the regulator to shut down their stations and by so doing labeling the government of  stifling press freedom.

    The minister assured that the regulators would not rest on their oars in the discharge of their constitutional duty of ensuring that the right things were done in the media industry.

  • 2023 Polls: PDP laments alleged intimidation, harassments of voters in Kwara

    2023 Polls: PDP laments alleged intimidation, harassments of voters in Kwara

    The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Oyo state Kwara state chapter has lamented  alleged intimidation and harassment of voters who have shown sympathy to their course in the state by the Police.

    The PDP urged the security agencies in the state to ensure a level playing field for all citizens to exercise their franchise freely without let or hindrance.

    The Party specifically complained about alleged intimidation of voters at polling units 031 and 032 Ode Ishowo Koro Sayodun axis of Alanamu Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    A statement in Ilorin on Sunday by the Director of Media, Kwara state PDP Campaign Council, Lawal Akanbi Sharafadeen, called the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to the development.

    He alleged that seven innocent accredited voters have so far been victims of the unfortunate occurrence through phone calls and text messages asking them to report at the state police headquarters in Ilorin on trumped up allegations bothering on rumors that they disrupted the last elections exercise in the said polling units.

    The party’s media director claimed that the alleged phone numbers used for the purpose by the police are 07060997736 and 09139168136.

    He disclosed that names of those persistently threatened by men of the police force, include Haleemah Yakub, Abdulrasheed Na’allah, Abdulgafar Seriki, Taiye Yakubu and Hakeem Yusuf Nallah.

    The Campaign Council noted that the action may not be unconnected to the defeat suffered by the ruling All Progressives Congress State Secretary, Mustapha Ishowo, who is from the community and voted therein.

    Lawal, however, urged the voters at the said polling units not to be intimidated by the ugly development.

  • 2023 Polls: Students can vote on Campus – LASU, VC

    2023 Polls: Students can vote on Campus – LASU, VC

    The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has revealed that students of the University will be allowed to cast their votes at the polling units inside the institution’s premises.

    This was made known via the institution’s university’s Twitter handle, on Thursday.

    According to the VC, students who registered on campus and have PVCs can exercise their civic right in polling units on campus in the forthcoming Houses of Assembly election.

    The VC also announced March 21 as resumption date for academic activities in the university, adding that examination will continue on March 22.

    The staement reads in part “This is in view of the rescheduling of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission from Saturday, 11th March to Saturday 18th March 2023.

    “She further directed that all students should resume on Tuesday 21st March 2023 and examinations should continue on Wednesday 22nd March 2023.

    “She also re-affirmed that other activities of the university should continue to run with particular reference to provision of skeletal services by staff members from 10am to 3pm and other essential services by the university; and students who have registered for their Permanent Voters Cards and have their polling unit at the open space at LASU gate should be allowed to exercise their franchise,” the statement concluded.

  • Nigeria Decides: APC trying to shore-up result in some places – PDP

    Nigeria Decides: APC trying to shore-up result in some places – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Director of Strategic Communications for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Dele Momodu, has issued a warning to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to not fall into the antics being employed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to influence results in Ebonyi and Imo states.

    According to Momodu the APC is trying to influence result in these two states to make 25% in them. He added that they are trying to shore up their votes or invalidate it to make 25%.

    The Director of Strategic Communications for the Atiku/Okowa  made this known during a press conference in Abuja to address the situation of things.

    Momodu added that the PDP has not announced any result but are doing well in some places and would do anything to protect their vote.

  • 2023 Polls: FFK mocks Atiku, tips Tinubu to emerge victorious

    2023 Polls: FFK mocks Atiku, tips Tinubu to emerge victorious

    Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has made a mockery of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the announcement of the 2023 presidential election result by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC)

    According to INEC, the collation and announcement of result will begin by 12pm on Sunday and Fani-Kayode is already seeing a victory for Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate.

    However, the former minister of aviation did not mention the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, who is currently leading in some states.

    He believes that Tinubu will end up in Aso Rock Villa, while Atiku will head to Dubai, United Arab Emirates after the election results have been announced.

    “As we wait for the results to be released by @inecnigeria I can tell you that it’s looking good for us. @officialABAT is preparing to go to the Villa whilst @atiku is preparing to go back to Dubai,” he tweeted.

    “This time let’s hope he stays there! #NigeriaDecides2023 #presidentialelection2023.

  • 2023 Polls: INEC extends voting till Sunday

    2023 Polls: INEC extends voting till Sunday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Saturday announced the extension period of voting for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The Presidential and National Assembly election was conducted on Saturday but due to the late arrival of voting materials and INEC staff, the Commission decided to extend the polls to February 26, 2023.

    INEC said the decision was necessitated due to pockets of violence and ‘tactical disenfranchisement in some areas.

    According to INEC, elections will continue in Lagos: Surulere, Ikate, Okota, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi and some places in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

    Other places include Ebonyi, Rivers. Imo, Anambra, Kano, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Sokoto, Taraba, Abia, Ekiti.

    The Commission said that voting in the mentioned areas will commence by 8am till 12pm on Sunday.

  • 2023 Polls: Obi wins Aso Rock Polling unit

    The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has won in one of the polling units inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    At PU 131, opposite Pilot Gate, State House, Abuja, Obi polled a total of 17 votes while Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured six votes and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured three votes.

    Obi’s party also won the National Assembly elections at the polling units.

    Below are the results:

    SENATORIAL

    APC – 5
    PDP – 3
    APGA – 1
    NNPP – 1
    LP – 13
    Invalid – None
    Total = 23

    PDP – 1
    APC – 5
    Labour Party – 15
    ADC – 1
    Invalid – 1
    Total = 23