Category: Elections - Page 53 - African News Today

Buhari Defends Insistence on Credible Election in Edo

26Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Buhari Defends Insistence on Credible Election in Edo

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his resolve to ensure credible election in the recently conducted Edo State governorship poll was borne out of desire to assure Nigerians that he respects them as Nigerians and that he was bound by the oath he took. Buhari disclosed this when Governor Obaseki along with his Deputy, Philip Shuaibu, and other party faithful to the Presidential Villa on a thank you visit. He said, “I thank you for bringing your deputy and supporters to come and see me after beating my party. “I am supposed to preside over all Nigerians’ interests, whether I like it or not, but my single desire is to make sure that innocent people don’t suffer. That message I got across to the Inspector General of Police, that elections must be free and fair. “What I insist ...

Ondo 2020: PDP Cautions INEC on the Use of Z-Pad for Election

25Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Ondo 2020: PDP Cautions INEC on the Use of Z-Pad for Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned INEC on the use of Z-pad for the Ondo gubernatorial election. According to a statement released yesterday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the Z-pad could compromise voter accreditation process while describing it as unreliable. PDP recalled that the Z-pad technology failed during a test-run deployment for voter accreditation in a recent by-election in Nasarawa State, a situation that informed its rejection by INEC for voter accreditation in the September 19 Edo State governorship election, where it was only used to assist in direct uploading of results to INEC’s virtual portal. INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had earlier disclosed the use of Z-pad in the election during an interaction with the media ...

I’m Not Being Pressured to Concede Defeat – Ize Iyamu

25Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

I’m Not Being Pressured to Concede Defeat – Ize Iyamu

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in last week’s Edo State governorship election, has refuted claims that he is under pressure from party bigwigs to concede defeat. Ize-Iyamu disclosed this on Thursday in a communique issued by his Director of Communications and Media, Mr. John Mayaki. he said the clarification became necessary due to media reports on the subject, urging the media to refrain from unconfirmed reporting. “I was shocked this morning when I saw reports saying I begged Obaseki to return to APC after the election. “I will restate that I never begged him to return after the election. I deliberately did not reply when I saw all that rumour on the social media with people tagging me in them. “Now, I saw another report in the m...

US lauds INEC, Security Agencies on Conduct of Edo Poll

24Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety, Security, Violence

US lauds INEC, Security Agencies on Conduct of Edo Poll

The United States has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies on their good outing during the Edo State governorship election last Saturday. This was contained in a statement by the US mission in Nigeria on Wednesday. The US also acknowledged the effort of civil society organisations in Nigeria for their role in promoting democratic principles and accountability during the poll. It commended the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Osagie, his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Edo electorates for their roles in ensuring peaceful conduct of the poll. In spite of the gains, the US expressed worry over reports of violence, vote buying and intimidation of the electorate and observers. ...

24Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

INEC Speaks on Readiness for Ondo Poll

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu yesterday assured the public of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible election in Ondo State. Yakubu disclosed this in a chat with journalists during his official visit to the Ondo State INEC headquarters in Akure. The assurance came after over 5000 card readers were destroyed by fire at its Akure office last month ahead of the October 10 governorship election in the state. “We are ready for the election. The same preparation we made for Edo is the same we will make for Ondo. The purpose of this visit is for us to see practically what the state office has done, we also need to engage some of the stakeholders. “We are meeting with the council of traditional rulers, and then the...

Wike is a Tool God Used for My Electoral Victory – Obaseki

23Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Wike is a Tool God Used for My Electoral Victory – Obaseki

Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has commended his Rivers State colleague Nyesom Wike for standing fearlessly with him while describing him as a vessel used by God for his victory in last Saturday's election. Obaseki said his former party (APC) rejected him but he was received and motivated by the Rivers State Governor who stood with him throughout the electioneering period. According to a statement released by the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, Obaseki spoke when he led some political leaders of Edo State on a thank-you visit to Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt. He acknowledged the efforts of Wike in ensuring electoral victory for him by relocating to Edo despite attacks from the opposition. He said: “After I was pushed...

Ondo 2020: INEC Replaces Burnt Card Readers

23Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Ondo 2020: INEC Replaces Burnt Card Readers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has replaced the over 5000 card readers destroyed by fire at its Akure office last month. The Commission's Chairman, Prof Mammud Yakubu, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday in Akure during his three days working visit to Ondo State. Prof Yakubu said he was in Ondo State to have on the spot assessment to ascertain the level of readiness for the commission as they prepare for the October 10 governorship election. The INEC boss said the electoral body would conduct credible and acceptable election as it did in Edo State last Saturday. He said the replaced card readers have been configured ahead of the governorship election. Prof Yakubu said: “We have already recovered some smart card readers....

Jegede Outlines Plans to End Farmers, Herders Clashes in Ondo

23Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Agriculture, Elections, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

Jegede Outlines Plans to End Farmers, Herders Clashes in Ondo

Eyitayo Jegede, flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, in the Ondo State governorship election has vowed to put an end to the frequent classes between farmers and herdsmen in several communities in the state. He made the promise while addressing supporters from Aiyede/Ogbese, Ilu Abo, Bolorunduro, Alayere and Eleyeowo communities during his campaign rally. The governorship aspirant expressed sadness over alleged inability of the current All Progressive Congress (APC), government to arrest the situation by negotiating lasting truce between herders and farmers across the state. Jegede said, “We know you all have been neglected, in the face of frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers; if you vote for us, we will bring in a crisis-resolution mechanism that will make ev...

INEC Issues Certificate of Return to Governor Obaseki After Re-election

22Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

INEC Issues Certificate of Return to Governor Obaseki After Re-election

Following his victory at the Saturday Edo poll, Governor Godwin Obaseki has been issued a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC presented the certificate to candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obaseki and bis deputy, Philip Shaibu today. Obaseki had scored 307,955 votes across the 18 local government areas of Edo state to overcome challenge from his closest opponent, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Earlier, the APC conceded defeat to Obaseki and described the poll as victory for democracy after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Appeal Court Constitutes Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Panel

22Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Elections, Judiciary, News, Nigeria

Appeal Court Constitutes Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Panel

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Monday constituted the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to handle petitions arising from the gubernatorial election in Edo State. The tribunal’s secretary, Sunday Martins, Esq., disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, in Abuja. According to the statement, the tribunal has been mandated to hear and determine petitions that may arise from the election. The statement reads: "The general public is hereby put on notice that the Honorable President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria - Hon Justice M.B Dongban has established the Election Petition Tribunal Secretariat and accordingly constituted a panel in respect of the Governorship Election conducted in Edo State. "The Honorable Chief Judge...