By Sunday John

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Saturday lauded INEC over the early commencement of Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

The governor, in company of his wife, Farida Sule, said this after he cast his vote at Motor Park 002 Gudi Polling Unit of Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Sule voted at exactly 10:00 a.m. after accreditation by the electoral officials.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after voting, the governor commended INEC officials for the early commencement of voting.

He also lauded the electorate for the peaceful conduct so far and urged them to cast their votes without fear of intimidation.

Sule also promised to accept the outcome of the election at the end of the exercise, as someone who believed in democracy and the will of the people.

He explained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) accepted the result of the Presidential candidate in the state even when they lost election.

“We will abide by any result that comes out because the choice is for the people to make and not us,” he added.

Security agencies including Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were present at the polling units to ensure security and check vote buying.(NAN). (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Idris Abdulrahman

By Stephen Adeleye

A civil society organisation, Connected Development, has urged the electorate across the country to come out en mass and cast their ballots, saying the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) had enhanced its capacity.

The Chief Executive of the organisation, Amb. Hamzat Lawal, gave the advice, while speaking with newsmen after monitoring the sorting and distribution of election materials on Friday in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi.

Lawal noted that he had earlier engaged the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Kogi, Dr Gabriel Longpet, who gave assurance that everything had been put in place for a hitch free House of Assembly election in the state.

”Engaging the REC and the PRO at the INEC head office in Lokoja, and coming to Okene LGA witnessing the sorting of both sensitive and non sensitive materials, I am really happy that INEC has done above board in preparing ahead of Saturday’s election.

”I am also happy to note that INEC REC said they had conducted a refresher training for its Polling units and Presiding officers.

”The INEC Technician has also given us assurance that they are on ground to fix any issue that may arise from the BVAS.

”I have also witnessed that the BVAS have been charged in preparation for tomorrow’s election.

”What this means is that the capacity of the INEC officers have been enhanced for effective performance,” Lawal said.

According to him, this shows that INEC is rebuilding back the trust and trying to redeem that faith she lost in the previous elections.

Lawal, an International Election Observer, urged the general public to rise to the occasion in supporting the process.

”Without actively engaging, it means that we are relegating our democracy for a few that will decide our future.

”Now, the ball is in our hands to come out in millions using our PVCs to cast our ballots.

”We should give INEC the benefit of doubt; from what I have seen on the ground, I am pleased and glad that INEC does not only acknowledged the gaps, they are also filling those gaps and responding adequately”.

The INEC Electoral Officer in Okene LGA, Mr Sani Idris Wase, said they were very ready to conduct free, fair credible election saying everything had been put in place.

On her part, the INEC LG Technician, Ms Obadaife Akande, said all the BVAS had been certified okay and ready for use, saying any arising issue during the election would be addressed in real time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amb. Lawal had earlier on Friday, donated food items to Muslim community at Idoji Jumu’at Central Mosque, Okene.

The philanthropist said that the donation of food items was part of the humanitarian gesture of his organisation to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the society.

Amb. Lawal enjoined the people to embrace peace, saying without peace there could be no development and prosperity.

”My message to my people today is to take your Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) talk to your neighbour, come out and cast your ballot and remain peaceful,” he said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Wandoo Sombo

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to exclude its staff engaged in malpractices during the Feb. 25 elections  from participating in the March 11 governorship  and State assemblies elections.

The NBA made the call on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb-Lawal.

The association also advised INEC to fix all bugs or glitches that affected the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines during the presidential and national assembly elections.

“The NBA urges INEC to ensure that all bugs or glitches in the BVAS machines and other election technology are fixed and improved.

“All  INEC staff, including collation and returning officers, with proven cases of misconduct in the Feb. 25 elections should be excluded from the  March 11elections,“it  said.

The association urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the timely deployment of police officers on duty for the March 11 elections.

It also called on political parties to educate their members and supporters on the need to eschew all forms of actions in violation of the Electoral Act.

The NBA commended Nigerians for their resilience and perseverance in carrying out their civic duties, during the presidential and national assembly elections.

The association encouraged citizens to show same values and resolve in the upcoming governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

The NBA urged INEC to address some major challenges observed during the Feb. 25 presidential and national assembly elections.

“ These include the late arrival of INEC officials and ballot materials at the polling stations, malfunctioning BVAS machines, limited or non-transmission of the results from the polling units to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV),“it said.

Other challenges are insecurity at some polling units, violent attacks on voters and officials, voter intimidation, snatching and destruction of among others.

The association said that findings from their observers indicated that, only a quarter of the electorate representing 27.1 per cent were impressed with the conduct of the elections.

“The majority of the voters representing 64.6 per cent said they are somewhat satisfied,“it said.

It also said its observers found out that only 8.2 per cent of the electorate rated the election poor or very poor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NBA Election Working Group deployed over 1,000 INEC accredited observers, drawn from 128 branches of the association to monitor elections across the 36 states and the FCT. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Some PDP members in Karu Local Govt. Nasarawa State

By Angela Atabo/Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, says its governorship candidate will empower women, youths and bring positive transformation to the state.

The PDP Deputy Chairman in Karu Local Government, Mr Mustapha Sani, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the party’s rally in New Nyanya, Karu on Sunday.

Sani appealed to all eligible voters to come out in large numbers and vote for the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state, Mr David Umbugadu, on March 11.

He said there were about 350,000 voters in the area, adding that the residents should come out and vote for PDP so that things would change for good.

“If you look at Nasarawa State since 1999, all the projects on ground that you can still see today are legacies of the PDP. APC government since 2011 or so did not add anything.

”The only thing it did is to change the colour of our legacies to another colour. This is what they have been doing for the past 12 years in the state.

“So, we have what it takes to bring positive change to the state. Though APC has been trying to destroy our legacies, but they cannot because the people are witnesses to our legacies,” Sani said.

He further said that the PDP was confident that the March 11 election would be in its favour.

”Check the records, if not for Labour Party Tsunami, PDP has been winning in Nasarawa State,” he added.

Mrs Faith Musa, the PDP Women Leader in Nasarawa West zone, said the party was hopeful of landslide victory in the March 11 election.

“I appeal to all women and youths not to give up, PDP has what it takes to win in the election and bring good development to Nasarawa State,” she said.

Musa added that Umbugadu, had empowerment in his blood and by the grace of God, he would perform more when elected governor of the state.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Ismail Abdulaziz

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria has urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to deliver his campaign promises.

Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Coordinating Committee of the council, made the call in a congratulatory message to the president-elect on Friday in Abuja.

The council welcome Tinubu’s commitment to serve the country and Nigerians, praying Almighty Allah to give him the wisdom to succeed.

“The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, and Co-chair, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi-Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and the Coordinating committee as well as the other members of the Council hereby, congratulate the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“And the Vice President-Elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, on their electoral victory and declaration by INEC as President- Elect and Vice President-Elect, respectively.

“As Custodians of the Nigerian traditional institutions, the Council welcomes the President-Elect’s commitment to serve Nigeria and Nigerians, and therefore pray that Almighty God will give Tinubu and Shettima the wisdom and courage to deliver on their promises and mandate,” it said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Muhammad Nasir

Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North) has congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu over his landslide victory at the Feb 25, presidential election.

Wamakko, in a statement issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Friday by Bashar Abubakar, his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity said the victory was a sign of a renewed hope for the country.

The lawmaker, who is the APC leader in the state expressed confidence that Tinubu would bring more positive developmental projects to bolster the growth of Nigeria.

“I thank the people of Sokoto State for voting Tinubu massively during the polls and appeal to them replicate the feat during the forthcoming Governorship and State Assembly elections.

“We should come out en masse, without any fear of intimidation from anybody and cast our votes for APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Ahmad Aliyu and all the party’s candidates for the seats of the State House of Assembly,” Wamakko urged

He, however, expressed dismay over a video clip that went viral on social media platforms of a high personality in the state belonging to an opposition political party.

”He was calling on members of the vigilante group and thugs to support that party actualise its political dreams.

“This personality should know he was given the Holy Book (Qur’an) to swear that he will protect the integrity, lives and property of the good people of all Sokoto state.

“But, unfortunately he resorted to go violent just to achieving his selfish political goals.

“As such, I am advising him to fear the Almighty Allah to rescind his action in the best interest of the good people of our state,” Wamakko said.

Meanwhile, APC gubernatorial candidate in the State, Ahmad Aliyu has received Alhaji Kasimu Malami from Sarkin Zamfara ‘A’ Ward of Sokoto South Local Government, who defected to APC from PDP.

Aliyu, while welcoming the new comer into APC, assured him of equal treatment in its affairs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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 Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accepted the result of the Saturday presidential election result as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Party’s National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, stated this at a news conference on the outcome of the presidential election, in Abuja on Thursday.

Gabam said in spite of the challenges witnessed during the election, SDP stood  by the declaration of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the president-elect by INEC.

He noted that the election has its challenges including the use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the uploading of election results on INEC Result Viewing Portal.

He therefore advised candidates and other aggrieved parties on the outcome of the election to seek redress peacefully and legally.

He commended INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for pulling through in the face of all odds, urging it to perfect its system before the  March 11 governorship and house of assembly elections.

“The election has been won and lost, what is right in the true interest of our country, is for all grievances to be addressed through the appropriate channels and very responsibly.

“Our party believes strongly in the nation’s judicial system as capable of addressing the various issues from the elections, concerns expressed, and for it to always do the needful.

“We also note that democratic consolidation for national unity and sustainable growth and development is the imperative of the times.

“The SDP call on the political class and the general public to eschew violence in their actions and pronouncements.

“They should in practical terms and manifestly, work for peace and social order in the larger interest of our country.”

Gabam advised the judiciary to be fair to all political parties and candidates that would be seeking redress on the election.

“They have the responsibility to prove to the world and Nigerians that they would be fair and just to all parties.

“Our law must work irrespective of whoever is involved,”Gabam said.

He congratulated the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu on his victory, urging him to take deliberate and practical steps to bring other candidates as well as other aggrieved parties on board in his administration.

“Bring the country together through a government of national unity to fix our obvious national cracks, address the failings, heal the land and fast-track the process of national reconciliation.

He appreciated the media for their objective reportage before, during and after the elections.

Gabam commended the performance of the party’s presidential and national assembly candidates and appreciated Nigerians for trusting the party with their votes.

He said that the party came sixth in the presidential election, and won two senatorial and four House of Representatives seats.

He said that, while the party would not challenge the presidential election in court, it would however challenge the national assembly elections in places it believed the SDP won.

He pledged the party’s continued support for its candidates in the state elections, expressing the confidence that SDP would win some governorship and state Houses of Assembly seats.

Gabam said that SDP was not party to any protests on the 2023 general elections and has not issued any directives in that respect because it believes in the peace and oneness of Nigeria.9

“However, every party has the right to protest, but we are not party to any protest,”Gabam said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Ismail AbdulAziz