By Angela Atabo

An election observer group, Ready To Lead Africa, on Monday in Abuja called on INEC to tackle  challenges affecting collation of results of Saturday’s elections.

President of the group, Mr Godbless Otubure, told a news conference that it observed that the elections were dogged by logistics challenges, violence and harassment of some individuals.

“We call on INEC to address these issues with alacrity as concerns are beginning to swell from various parts, denting confidence in the process.

“We must now address the many negatives which have thus far threatened to mar the efforts of INEC.

“We deployed observers across the 36 states of the federation.

“In the course of duty, many of them observed incidents of violence, malfunctioning of equipment or malpractice during the voting and counting stages at different collation centres.

“There had been several incidents of result collation centres either not opening or opening late.

“In addition, they observed 34 incidents of violence, 31 of vote counting suspension, and 30 of polling stations running out of material,’’ he said.

Otubure said a police officer harassed one of the group’s observers at Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers and she was denied access to the collation centre in the area.

He added that observers reported faulty Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in Rivers.

He said also that reports from Obiakpor Local Government Area and, Woji Town Hall, both in Rivers indicated that voting process was slow at two polling units.

He explained that at the two units, INEC officials arrived late and needed extra time to set up the BVAS machines.

“Also, in Oyo State, the collation process took much longer than normal; with collation starting extremely late at the local government area level,’’ he said.

Otubure said results collations were delayed in so many areas of Lagos State with many presiding officers reporting delay in obtaining materials.

He advised INEC to ensure strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC guidelines on results collation.

He, however, commended high voter turnout and Nigerians’ high expectation of the elections outcome.

He called on Nigerians to remain calm and to retain trust in the electoral umpire, and only undertake legal means where necessary. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Alli Hakeem
 

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An Abuja based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, has called on newly elected political leaders in the country to fear Allah and fulfill their electioneering campaign promises when they assume office.

Al-Yolawi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that being truthful in promises and covenants was one of the best characteristics by which true believers were known.

“I will like to remind our brothers and sisters in Islam, those who were elected in the President and National Assembly elections to fear Allah and endeavour to fulfill their electioneering campaign promises.

“They should also justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate, by ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of resources that will be
entrusted to them.

“They should also ensure the protection of lives, properties and learn from the mistakes of their immediate predecessors; leadership is about trust and you will be asked by God on what you were entrusted with.”

The cleric also enjoined them to work hard and emplace policies that would enhance the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

“This means that leaders must have very close relationship with followers so that they can contribute their energy and work together towards realising and achieving set goals,” Al-Yolawa said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Maharazu Ahmed

Olukayode Babalola

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ahmed Wadada of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) winner of the Nasarawa West Senatorial District election.

Prof. Nasirudeen Baba, INEC Returning Officer for the Nasarawa West Senatorial District election made the declaration after the collation of results on Monday at the Zonal collation centre in Keffi local government area of the state.

According to him, following the election held on Feb 25, Wadada polled a total of 96488 votes as against the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who scored 47717 votes.

The name of APC candidate was not on the list due to legal case at the Supreme Court that has been resolved in favour of Shehu Tukur.

Baba added that Alhaji Musa Galadima of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 46820 votes while Mr Bala Tongurma of Labour Party scored 33228 votes.

He said total votes cast for the election was 234040, while total valid votes amounted to 228917 with 5123 votes rejected.

“I Associate Professor Nasirudeen Baba hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the 2023 Nasarawa West Senatorial District election held on the 25th of February, 2023.

“That Wadada Ahmed of SDP having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” he said.

Mr Yakubu Mohammed-Salisu, SDP Party Agent for the election attributed Wadada’s victory to his antecedents of mentoring the young and poor.

“This election is the people’s choice,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nasarawa West Senatorial District is where the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu comes from.
Adamu was the senator representing the zone at the Senate before his election as the APC National Chairman in 2022. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Olukayode Babalola

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Hon. Jonathan Gaza, Member of the House of Representatives for Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal constituency, as the winner of Saturday’s election for the constituency in Nasarawa.
Prof,George Genyi, INEC Returning Officer for the election, declared Gaza who polled 60,265 votes as winner at the Keffi Zonal collation centre in Keffi local government area of the state on Monday.
Genyi said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Bulus Ishaku, had 33,180 votes with that of the Labour Party, Mr Iliya Gambo scoring 29,665 votes while that of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Auta Koro, pulled 28,417 votes.
“That Gaza Jonathan of the SDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and is returned elected,” he said.
Speaking after the declaration of the results, Mr Usman Enoch, SDP party Agent for the election, expressed gladness over the victory and gratitude to the people of Karu/Keffi/Kokona federal constituency for giving Gaza the mandate to represent them again at the House of Representatives.
“This happened all because of his laudable performances. He has touched almost every part of the constituency. I also applaud the electoral process which was peaceful and laudable,” he said.
Also speaking in an interview, Mr Ifeanyi Maduabuchi, Labour Party Agent, also commended the conduct of the election by INEC and the transparent manner in which the results were declared.
“I can really say our eyes are everywhere but with what we have seen so far and our observations, everything moved smoothly,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate, a political pressure group, has expressed confidence that the 2023 elections would be a turning point for the ruling APC in the nation’s capital.

The Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Seyi Adesina, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, shortly after some of its key members monitored elections in some polling units across the territory.

Adesina also expressed optimism that the ruling party would win the FCT for the first time.

“We are very happy with the conduct of the elections in the FCT, and for the reports so far, the ruling All Progressives Congress will change the narratives.

“Before now, we thought history will repeat itself as it has been the tradition to defeat the ruling party in the territory. However, the turnout of our members and their determination indicate that we are coasting to victory,” he stated.

Adesina urged all supporters of Tinubu/Shettima to be vigilant and remain calm till the finality of the results across the 62 political wards in the territory.

The group also commended their supporters and indeed residents of the FCT for coming out enmasse to exercise their civic duties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Ifeanyi Olannye

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has lauded President Muhamadu Buhari for ensuring fairness in the 2023 general elections.
Okowa, who is the Governor of Delta, also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the efforts it put into organising the elections.
The Delta governor cast his vote on Saturday at about 9.45a.m after he was accredited at Unit 17, Ward 2 at Eghoma Primary School 1, Owa Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
He confirmed that the Presidential and National Assembly Elections were peaceful and hitch-free, adding that INEC has done a good job of ensuring smooth voting.
Okowa expressed confidence that his party, the PDP, would emerge victorious in the presidential election.
According to him, the PDP is ready to work for Nigeria.
“I want to commend INEC for a good job. As you can see everything is working perfectly and the elections are going on smoothly.
“We are certain that the PDP will win the election nationally because we have put in a lot of work and we have put out our document – Our Covenant With Nigeria – and we believe in what we have said to Nigerians.
“We thank God for the very peaceful elections and I must say thank you to INEC for what we see at the moment and we say thank you to Mr President for ensuring that there is fairness in the elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the voting process was orderly and peaceful with a large turnout of voters in the area. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim