PDP sweeps Assembly polls in Bayelsa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won 23 of the 24 House of Assembly seats in the election held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 losing just the one seat to KOWA. In the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, 11 members of the House were returned including the incumbent Speaker, Nestor Binabo who is going for his third term in the 24-member legislature. The list of successful candidates, their constituencies and parties was signed by the public affairs officer, Priscilla Imoudu Sule and showed that only one female, Agatha Goma won in the elections.

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The PDP also won in the rescheduled National Assembly election in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District with incumbent Emmanuel Paulker I polled 106,279 votes to defeat seven other contestants. Kpokpowei Gospel Appolo of the Labour Party came second with 25,953 votes, rufus Abadi Osiri of the Action Congress of Nigeria came third with 5,116 votes while Christopher Pere Ajuwa of the All Nigeria Peoples Party was fourth with 3,516 votes. Meanwhile, INEC said in a statement signed by Imoudu Sule that the rescheduled election in Bayelsa West Senatorial District has been put on hold, but that of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency would go ahead. Both elections were to be held Thursday, but incumbent Heineken Lokpobiri sought a court order restraining INEC from conducting the election pending the hearing of the substantive motion.

I’ve no plan to vie for Fashola’s seat –Ikuforiji

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has denied speculations that he has declared his intention to vie for the state governorship position in next year’s general elections.

Speaking with Assembly Correspondents in Lagos on Monday, Ikuforiji explained that it is not right for him to declare his intention to run for the number one seat in the state unless his party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) allows him.

He added that he has chosen to remain active politician to make life bearable for his people.

He however stressed: “I am eligible to vie for any elective post right from the councillorship”.

He said that Nigeria has every reason to celebrate 50 years of independence, but condemned the huge amount earmarked by the Federal Government for the event.

Jonathan begins seven-day retreat

President Goodluck Jonathan will today begin a seven-day working retreat at the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River State.
The retreat, besides enabling him to take a rest after about two months of travelling round the country canvassing for votes in the just concluded presidential election, is aimed at strategising for the beginning of his new administration come May 29.
A statement issued by his media aide, Mr Ima Niboro said the President would be accompanied by some senior government officials and aides.

Imo faces prospect of emergency rule

Save for an intervention today, Imo State may be the first state to face an emergency rule on account of a failure to meet the election deadline. Under the amended constitution and the Electoral Act, all elections must be completed one month before the inauguration date, May 29.

As at today, April 29, Imo State remains the only state yet to conclude its gubernatorial election. Election was held on Tuesday in the state, but the results were declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

INEC said a rerun will be conducted in three local government areas of the state before a winner can be determined between incumbent, Ikedi Ohakim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and front runner, Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

For a commission pressured with several deadlines after repeated rescheduling of elections, conducting fresh polls in the affected areas of the state today, just two days after the shift was announced, is "unlikely", INEC officials said yesterday.

Opposition accuses PDP of intimidation in Bauchi, Kaduna

The gubernatorial elections in Kaduna were peaceful while Bauchi State saw a low turnout of voters, the scanty presence of security forces, and at least 20 agents of the Peoples Democratic Party at each polling station.

In Kaduna State, there was a large number of armed soldiers, police officers, civil defence personnel, and officers of the State Security Service at most polling stations while a Nigerian Air Force helicopter provided air surveillance.

Fashola dedicates victory to slain youth corps members

After he was declared the winner of the gubernatorial election in Lagos, Babatunde Fashola on Wednesday gave special thanks to "the young men and women of the National Youth Service Corps" in his acceptance speech. He also appealed to political officeholders to remember that the death of some youth corps members made their political ambitions possible and that those deaths must not be in vain.

INEC moves hundreds of staff to Bauchi, Kaduna

Hundreds of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission left the commission's head office in Abuja yesterday to Bauchi and Kaduna states to handle today's governorship polls, replacing youth corps members who withdrew after last week's post-election riots.

More than half a dozen luxury Marco Polo buses lined up outside the commission's office in Maitama on Wednesday before departing with large numbers of staff in the late afternoon, within a heavily guarded convoy to the two states.

"We don't want to leave anything to chance," said Emmanuel Umenger, the commission's director of Public Affairs, shortly before the start of the five-hour trip.

The commission conceded on Tuesday that it faced a real threat of massive boycotts of the elections by the corps members in the state where at least four serving members died in the violence last week.

Amosun triumphs in Ogun

Senator Ibikunle Amosun candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been declared winner of the April 26th gubernatorial election in Ogun State by Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

The INEC returning officer for Ogun State, Professor Balogun said Amosun won with 377,489 votes to beat Adetunji Olurin of PDP who polled 188,698 votes. Gboyega Isiaka of PPN garnered 137,051 votes to come third.

ACN wins in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti

With results outstanding from only Oshodi/Soomulu, the ACN has 1,373,987 votes to PDP's 251,556 for governorship polls (83 percent to PDP'S 16 percent). ACN also won all Lagos House of Assembly seats.

ACN has also won governorship polls in Ogun and Oyo; but in Oyo the margin of victory is just 30,000 votes. The party has also won 24 out of 26 seats in the state assembly elections in Ekiti, losing just two to the PDP.

Voters protest over missing register

A mild protest occurred at Ward 5, Unit 2, Ijemo-Eleja Polling Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Voters at the unit were not happy with the announcement from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that their register was missing.

The officials had told the voters that the previous voter register could not be located, hence, the need to use a new one. The voters insisted on using the old register. They further said voting will not take place at the unit unless the old register was produced. It took the intervention of the police before the situation was brought under control, while the INEC officials had to be smuggled out of the area by the security agents.

In Odelemo town of Sagamu Local Government, a party leader and six others were apprehended for alleged electoral offences. The suspects were said to have stormed a polling booth, scattering the ballot boxes around in an attempt to frustrate the exercise. The Ogun Sate Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Balogun confirmed the incident and subsequent arrest.

Ngige floors Dora Akunyili for Anambra senate seat

Dr Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was this morning declared winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ngige defeated former minister Dora Akunyili of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA). The election took place in some wards of the senatorial districts where the INEC ordered a rerun.
The exercise was dogged by hitches in some of the polling units.
At Obosi and Nkpor in Idemili North Council Area, election materials arrived late while accreditation and voting started late, despite a low turn out.
At Aguata, Igwe Dr. Martins Eze called for the cancellation because of the hitches.
As at 2:30p.m. yesterday, members of both ACN and PDP were still protesting at the INEC office at Aguata, threatening a showdown over harassment of their members.

Ex-LG boss slaps information commissioner in Ondo

The state House of Assembly election was almost disrupted in Ose Local Government area of Ondo State as a former chairman of the local government, Dennis Alonge-Niyi, allegedly slapped the state commissioner for Information, Ranti Akerele.

Besides, four persons, who impersonated as local observers were arrested in Owo town and detained at the ‘A’ Division police station in Owo.

The face-off between the former local government boss and the commissioner, which occurred at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) distribution centre at Ido-Ani, was said to have taken place after materials were posted to the polling units.

It was learnt that the ex-council boss had attempted to take the policemen posted to his hometown, Afo in the local government to the town in his personal vehicle for their election duty.

However, Akerele was said to have objected to the decision of the former local government chairman, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying it was unethical.

It was at this stage that altercations ensued between the two of them, which allegedly led to Alonge-Niyi slapping the commissioner in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area.

Polls peaceful in Edo, Oshiomhole, alleges malpractices –

ELECTIONS in Edo State yesterday was held in a peaceful atmosphere even though there were pockets of mild violence in some areas, which was quickly brought under control by combined security agencies.

Also, the House of Representatives polls into Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency was held under a peaceful atmosphere.

In Uneme Nkehua Ward Nine, voting was going on smoothly at the time The Guardian visited the area at about 3 pm.

But in Aiyegunle, Ward seven, the House of Representatives Majority Leader, Tunde Akogun alleged that the election was being skewed in favour of his major opponent, Peter Akpattason of the ACN.

He alleged that some traditional rulers in the area had engaged town criers to publicly announce their endorsement of the ACN candidate.

In Benin City, the state capital, voting went on smoothly without serious challenges.

Electoral fraud: Police arrest six women, 9 others in Lagos

Police in Lagos on Tuesday arrested 15 persons, among them six women for alleged electoral offenses during the governorship and state assembly elections in the state.

The women specifically were apprehended while attempting to snatch ballot boxes at unit 10 Falomo polling centre.

Jonathan: We may declare state of emergency in Kaduna, Bauchi – Daily Trust

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the Federal Government might be forced to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna and Bauchi states if the security situation in the two states do not improve to allow the conduct of the rescheduled governorship and Houses of Assembly elections billed for tomorrow. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had deferred elections in the two states out of the states that recorded post election violence.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after casting his vote in his hometown of Otuoke in Bayelsa State, Jonathan said there was no reason why the elections could not go on as scheduled as there was adequate arrangement in the two states.

He said that even if the emergency would be imposed, it may not necessarily lead to the ouster of the state governors, who are all from the ruling PDP.

Jonathan explained that even though Nigerians have a misconception about state of emergency, its imposition was an extreme measure applicable only as last resort, noting that the people of the states were of the belief that the situation has gone very bad.

He said, “Elections will take place on Thursday. Let us observe what will happen today first before the state of emergency.

ACN raises alarm over polls’ materials for A’Ibom – The Guardian

THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised alarm over an alleged absence of Form EC8 and lack of serial numbers in the ballot papers brought to Akwa Ibom State for today’s governorship election.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party also alleged an on-going mass arrest of Ibibio chiefs and clan heads to intimidate and arm-twist them to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Soldiers to escort NYSC members to polling units

There were indications on Monday that soldiers would join policemen in escorting election materials and National Youth Corps members to the 120,000 polling units across the country for today’s governorship and state assembly elections.

A top source in the Independent National Electoral Commission said many state governors had approached the Army high command to assist in protecting election materials and beefing up security around the corps members as well as other officials of the commission.

The source, who declined to have his name in print because he was not mandated to do so, said, “ I confirm to you that all staff of INEC that will be involved in tomorrow(today) elections will have soldiers and policemen escorting them to their designated places of work.”

He explained that the measure was specially aimed at ensuring that the corps members, who are ad-hoc staff of INEC, were adequately protected during the polls.

President Goodluck Jonathan had during a nationwide broadcast on Thursday directed state governors to take personal responsibility for the safety of the corps members.

INEC staffs threatens to boycott poll

KANO, Nigeria, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of adhoc staffs of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have expressed fear of attack by mobs during the elections prompting many to threatening not to participate in the election.

The INEC recruited thousand of Nigerian university graduates on one year mandatory service under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program as adhoc staffs for conduction the election. The graduates of the south are usually deployed to the north, while those from the North deployed to the south as a way of forging a national integration and cohesion.

Scores of the university graduates members from the south deployed to the north were killed in mob attacked in violence that followed the presidential election last week in many parts of the north.

The Lagos state government on Monday evacuated 84 serving students from northern states of Kano and Jigawa state ahead of the Tuesday's government and state legislative election for the safety of their lives.

Official of the election body in charge of Kano Ahmed Umar Danyaya said there is total arrangement to ensure the safety and security of the serving youth graduates employed as adhoc staffs for the exercise.

Police arrest journalists in Akwa Ibom

The police yesterday arrested some journalists during a morning raid on a printing establishment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

In what some people have described as the effort of the state government to muzzle media establishment known to be strong critics of government ahead of today’s state elections, policemen numbering about 12 were said to have stormed Aswill printing press ,located along Akpan Etuk Street, in Uyo at about 12am on Monday.

Managing Editor of Pivot Newspapers, Clifford Thomas, who was one of the persons arrested by the police at the printing press, said the men came in fully armed and asked to see the manager and director of the establishment.

The manager, the director and some other staff of the press were taken away by the police. Mr Thomas and his staff were subsequently released when no incriminating evidence against the government was found in their publication.

During the raid, Mr Thomas and his men were ordered to sit on the floor, their phones and other communication gadgets were seized. Narrating his experience to NEXT, Mr Thomas said the leader of the police team told him that the deputy commissioner of Police instructed them to come to the printing press and check for anything that might be construed as an attack on the state governor.

Post-election violence: State govts evacuate corps members from troubled spots

By Kenneth Ehigiator, Kolade Larewaju, Chidi Nkwopara, Jimoh Babatunde, Emmanuel Ebeleke and Daniel Etegbe
In what appears to be ademonstration of being their brothers’ keepers, state governments in the Southern part of the country have been responding to distress calls from members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, from their various states who are serving in the north and were trapped in the violent protests that greeted the announcement of the results of the last presidential election.

LAGOS

In Lagos, the State government commenced evacuation of its youth corpers from Kano and Jigawa whose parents and guidance are resident in the state.

See photos of evacuated corps members here

The 84 corps members who constitute the first and second batches of the evacuation, arrived the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Sunday aboard Arik Air flight from Kano, and were received by the state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Tunde Balogun,

General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Osanyitolu, told Vanguard yesterday that the state government was targeting to evacuate no fewer than 350 corps members from the troubled areas.

The corps members, who lamented the ordeal they were put through in their states of deployment, said the intervention of the governor save them from being slaughtered by the anarchists.

They also expressed their appreciation to the military who provided a safe haven for them in Kano, pending their evacuation, adding that were it not for the military, they would have been killed, as the police had given up on them.

“Daddy, what will I say than to say thank you. When I thought there was no hope, God used you for me. I pray God will surprise you and reward you bountifully,” said Miss Simiat Afe-Ire, one of the corps members evacuated from Kano.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the evacuation of the stranded corps members, LASEMA General Manager, Dr. Osanyitolu, said the agency received an emergency call from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, asking for help, adding that this prompted Governor Fashola to issue a directive that the corps members be evacuated to prevent harm from coming their way.