By Salisu Sani-Idris

A group, FCT Youths Coalition for Tinubu and Shettima, on Friday marched through the major streets of Abuja to celebrate the victory of Tinubu and Shettima in the just-concluded presidential poll.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victory rally followed the declaration of the duo as the winners of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Convener of the coalition, Mr Bitrus Garki, said the Abuja youths were celebrating because of the renowned capacity of the President-elect in delivering good governance and human capital development.

He said that Abuja indigenes believed that a Tinubu-led administration would bring prosperity to Nigerians and also address all grievances that hitherto led to some unwarranted violent agitations.

According to him, the youths have faith in Tinubu and Shettima to bring about the inclusion that the original inhabitants of Abuja had for long yearned for.

Garki decried that FCT indigenous people had not gotten the desired dividends of democracy from the government.

While he assured the President-elect and his team of support, he also demanded that Abuja indigenes should be given their rightful place in the government.

Receiving the youths at the Tinubu and Shettima Campaign Office, Mohammed Musa, Director of Operation, APC PCC said that Abuja indigenes and residents had high expectations which they hope the President-elect would meet. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Abdullahi Shugaba

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State said that the election of Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President-elect of Nigeria, is like putting a ‘square peg in a square hole’.

Masari stated this while briefing newsmen in Katsina shortly after Tinubu was declared winner of the Saturday, Feb. 25, Presidential election.

The result of the presidential election was announced by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu at 4: 15 a.m. in Abuja.

According to him, Bola Tinubu is resouceful and has the brain and capacity to rule Nigeria.

He said that God had vindicated them by disappointing those who doubted their ability to elect Tinubu as president.

“We have delivered because we turned out en-mass with our supporters and voted Bola Tinubu as our President.

“I am still appealing to our supporters to come out in large numbers, and elect Umar Dikko-Radda, to succeed me as next Governor of Katsina State in the Gubernatorial election slated for Match 11,” Masari said.

He said Dikko- Radda was a fine leader that would consolidate on the gains he had achieved in the the state.

While commending INEC for conducting a free and fair election, Masari urged the electoral body not to listen to unpatriotic individuals.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng.)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Mass Movement for Better Orientation (NAMMBO), a frontline Tinubu support group, has cautioned youths against indulging in post-election violence in the interest of peace and national development.

The National Coordinator of NAMMBO, Dr Hauwa Bagu, made the call at a news conference to declare vote of confidence on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said that the outcome of the election was a clear evidence that democracy was getting stronger in the country.

Bagu commended INEC boss for conducting transparent elections in line with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

She also urged the aggrieved political parties who were not satisfied with the outcome of recently concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections to seek court redress and avoid inflammatory comments capable of disrupting peacefully coexistence in the country.

Bagu reminded political parties of a peace accord they signed recently under the National Peace Committee for the peaceful 2023 general elections.

She urged the youths not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble by those who were bent on truncating the nation’s democracy.

Bagu said: “In every competition, somebody must win and that is why we are here today to talk to Nigerians for those that will want to cause problem they should have a rethink.

“We don’t want any violence arising from the outcome of the just concluded elections.

” In the history of elections in Nigeria I don’t think there is any election that can be adjudged free, fair, credible and transparent election like the one we had on Feb. 25, because the process was open.

” We should say no to anybody that want to cause crisis in Nigeria at this point in time because what we need is peace and that is why we voted for Tinubu who is a nationalist and has the capacity to unite the country more.”

Bagu expressed optimism that the emergence of Tinubu as President-elect of Nigeria would usher in progress and development in the country.

On his part, the Director of Administration of the group, Mohammed Shehu, described the just concluded elections as a watershed in the political history of Nigeria.

He commended INEC for the good work from the voter registration exercise which culminated into the 2023 general elections.

Shehu condemned calls for the cancellation of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, adding that nobody has the right to cancel an election that held except the court.

He said: “Any political party that has any grievances as regards the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections should approach the election tribunals for redress.

“If they have water tight evidence the courts are empowered by the law to administer justice without fear or favour.”

Also, the Deputy National Coordinator of NAMMBO, Ibrahim Umar, declared total support of the group on INEC for enhancing the credibility of the electoral process in the country.

Umar said: “We believe that all the processes that INEC took in conducting the Feb. 25 elections were transparent and clear right from the polling units to the INEC collation centres.

“We, therefore, call on all political parties that participated in the elections, especially the opposition to believe in the process and go to courts where necessary.

“However, for us in the All Progressives Congress (APC) we have not challenged areas where we lost the election.

“For instance, President Muhammadu Buhari lost his state to the opposition party, the National Chairman of APC had also lost his state, Nasarawa to the opposition.

“These are signs of transparency in the process. You can recall that in some states in the East were results were allegedly branded.”N

According to Umar,nobody challenged the numbers that came in there because, “if we should go by that, then definitely the election will be questioned.”

He emphasised the need for all Nigerians to believe in the sanctity of Nigeria as one indivisible country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Commonwealth Observer Group has called on Nigerians to remain peaceful as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues the collation and announcement of results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Mr Thabo Mbeki, the Chairperson of the Group and former President of South Africa, made the call in Abuja on Monday while delivering the interim report of the Group.

He noted that the Commonwealth had deployed its observer team to the six geo-political zones of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mbeki said that in spite of the largely peaceful elections, the group observed incidences of election-related violence and insecurity in some states.

“We note incidences of election-related violence and insecurity, some of which regrettably resulted in the loss of life and postponement of elections in some polling units.

“We also observed that these elections took place amidst a Naira demonetisation policy and fuel scarcity.

“This notwithstanding, we observed that Election Day proceeded largely peaceful. The determination, patience and resilience of all those Nigerians who turned out to vote in these elections are to be highly commended,” he said.

Mbeki, however appealed to Nigerians and politicians to ensure peace and calm as INEC continues the collation process.

“As the results process continues, let me reiterate the desire that all Nigerians, especially the candidates who contested the elections, continue to uphold their pre-election commitment to peace.

“The group strongly encourages all Nigerians to exercise patience to allow INEC and its staff across the country to conclude the results process effectively and peacefully,” he said.

He said that notwithstanding the shortcomings observed, the elections were largely peaceful while stressing the need for the collation and announcement of results to be conducted transparently.

“We call on all those with grievances to address disputes through prescribed legal channels.

“The time now is for restraint and continued patience as we await the final results,” he said.

Mbeki said that the final report, full findings and detailed recommendations would be Submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the end of the process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerians on Feb. 25 trooped to over 176, 606 polling units across the country to vote in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC is currently collating and announcing state-by-state results as they come in to the collation centre in Abuja for the Presidential election while the National Assembly results are being declared at the state level. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission in Nigeria on Monday said it observed some short comings in the the just concluded general elections in Nigeria, in spite of INEC’s efforts.

Mr Barry Andrews, Chief Observer of the mission disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a briefing on the preliminary report of the mission.

“I think it’s important to note that the elections took place as planned on the day that it was planned and there was no postponement, and that is something that had been a feature of previous elections.

“By and large, the election took place in a peaceful environment.

“However, unfortunately, there were expectations regarding the use of the technology that were not met.

“There were shortcomings in relation to planning and training of the individuals at the polling units, which did not meet the standards that INEC has set for itself.

“So to that extent, it was disappointing. But I would say that our observations are consistent across the country.

“The late opening of polling stations, clearly hampered the ability of people to exercise a political right to vote.

“Because they opened so late, it was impossible for many people to stay around and wait until the actual polling units opened.

“So there is definitely room for improvement and unfortunately, a number of improvements that need to be made,” he said.

Andrews said although the mission was not in Nigeria to interfere but observe the elections, it was important to have peace and credible elections in the country.

“We don’t interfere in any way in the political process. We’re very careful to simply observe from the outside and try to provide some assessments that can be of some use to Nigeria in the future.

“But the one thing we would say, without hesitation is that it is absolutely critical that elections take place in a peaceful environment, and the sentiments that were expressed by the leaders at the peace accord signing last week.

“We would hope that they would be followed through.

“That political participants and particularly political leaders, would make it clear to all actors and that they should respect people’s right to get to the polling units whether in the governorship elections in a second round if one takes place, so that people can exercise their franchise freely and unhindered,” he added.

He urged INEC to improve it’s operational structure so that the sanctity of the process can be protected and credible elections enthroned in the country.

“We would also encourage INEC to improve some of the steps that they’re taking, particularly for example, the configuration of polling booths, which didn’t allow for secrecy in every instance and that therefore exposed the process to accusation of not been a secret ballot.

“So that was another shortcoming but we absolutely recognise that this election was taking place in a very challenging situation, particularly having regard to cash and fuel shortage,” he said.

“And also the scale of this election is really quite an extraordinary thing with 175,000 polling units 800,000 polling staff, as well as 1.5 million accredited agents of the various parties.

“So overall, the scale of it is a challenge. And while we did note these security issues, by and large, there was a peaceful opportunity for many, many millions of Nigerians to vote,” he said.

The EU envoy also decried the low participation of women in the electoral process while calling for more inclusivity.

He said the mission would still be in Nigeria until after the March 11 governorship elections, when it will come up with a final report. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim