S/Court sacks Oduah, Uba, others

The Supreme Court yesterday nullified the election of the two remaining senators from Anambra State. All three senators from the state emerged on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Those removed yesterday were Senators Stella Oduah and Andy Uba.
To replace them, according to the apex court, are Chris Ubah (Anambra South) and Annie Okonkwo (Anambra Central).

In the judgment by a five-man panel of justices delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, the court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered on February 16, 2015 while it upheld the decision of the Abuja Federal High Court that was delivered on December 15, 2014.
It would be recalled that the Anambra State executive committee of the PDP led by Ejike Oguebego had sued the PDP, INEC and the Chukwudi Okasia-led faction of the PDP over the validity of the state’s party leadership.

January 30, 2016

Mark’s unending woes

Happenings towards the February 20 rerun of Benue South senatorial poll as ordered by the appellate court which sacked Senator David Mark from the red chamber of the National Assembly indicate trouble for the former Senate president.
The fragile relationship among members of Mark’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the district may have substantially broken down, with the defection of many stalwarts to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors include the immediate past deputy governor of Benue State, Chief Stephen Lawani, a former minister of state for the Niger Delta, Dr. Sam Ode, a former minister of state for education, Dr. Jerry Agada and former federal permanent secretary, Chief Mike Okibe Onoja, all of Mark’s Idoma ethnic stock.

Director of publicity of the APC, John Ikwulono told our correspondent that Lawani, Ode and Onoja, as well as hundreds of their supporters have fulfilled all necessary requirements for them to become members of the party.
“They are just waiting for a date to be scheduled for their formal decamping. The date fixed for that earlier was cancelled because of the burial of late Tor Tiv which falls within the same period. But I can tell you that they have fulfilled the party’s condition at various levels,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the Senate seat of the zone became a major issue after the nullification of the March 28 election and has ever since marred the spirit of unity which had sustained power brokers in the area in the past.
Mark who is a non-lily livered politician would by the new development have to fight vigorously in the coming battle to sustain his hold on the seat as apparently, the perceived super force that was at work to settle political scores with the Agbegede-Otukpo born ex-military administrator would stop at nothing to oust him.
No doubt, the defectors are politicians with structures in the district, and their movement to another camp means Mark will have to do the extra campaign to convince the electorate to vote for his return to the Senate.
It is recalled that Onoja had stepped down at the last minute for Mark during the PDP’s senatorial primary election, a development that paved the way for the former Senate president to return to the red chamber for the fifth time. On the other hand, Ode and Lawani contested the PDP governorship primary which produced Prince Terhemen Tarzoor.
While Onoja hinged his reason for defection on need to remain in the mainstream of national politics, it was learnt that his decision was actually borne out of bitterness towards Mark, who had refused to honour a gentleman’s agreement between them to hand over the baton in the 2015 election.
Daily Trust gathered that the two bosom friends had on a lunch date over a dish of ‘amala and okoho soup’ during the build-up to the 2011 polls sealed an unwritten agreement for the former military governor Plateau and Katsina states to replace Mark at the Senate in 2015.
But, that was never to be, as the later allegedly convinced the Idoma power bloc that his party would win the election to maintain the status quo, and by political calculation, he would emerge as the country’s president in 2019.
It was learnt that based on that ‘brilliant idea,’ Onoja stepped down. “And you will recall that he said his decision was in the interest of the Idoma nation. So he stepped down for the Idoma collective agenda and not for Mark,” a source who craved anonymity said.
The source added that it was for that singular reason that Onoja turned down the APC’s offer to become its party’s senatorial flag bearer when they met with him in Abuja, having already pledged allegiance to the superiority of Idoma nation over his ambition.
A press statement issued and signed by Comrade Alegwu Adadu and Hon. Alex Onah Aboh and dated January 11, 2016, confirmed the defection of Onoja, a former federal permanent secretary in the defence ministry.
“The elder statesman who had dropped his Benue south senatorial am

January 30, 2016

Jigawa governor restates commitment to pay N18, 000 minimum wage

Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa on Friday restated his commitment to paying workers in the state N18, 000 minimum wage.
Mr. Badaru gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.
He said the state government would continue to pay the N18, 000, as well as leave grants and other allowances due to the workers in spite of dwindling revenue.
The governor said: “I had interaction with the workers last week. I promised to continue with the N18, 000 minimum wage.
“I also promised to give them what we agreed upon as leave grant, that they have not been enjoying for some time. We kept our promise this year and we intend to continue next year.’’
Mr. Badaru also said that the state had earmarked “substantial amount of money in the 2016 budget” for staff training to improve the capacity of the workforce to deliver service to the people.
“We earmarked a lot of money for staff training. We will embark on comprehensive training of workers to prepare them to meet the task ahead.

“Without empowering the workers you will not achieve the goal of development. That is what I believe in,’’ he said.
Mr. Badaru announced that the state government would construct over 1, 000 low cost houses to enable workers own decent homes.
He explained that the state was already collaborating with mortgage banks to construct the houses in the 27 local government areas of the state.
(NAN)

December 12, 2015

Bayelsa: Sylva says INEC erred, demands Southern Ijaw election results

The All Progressives Congress candidate in the December 5 Bayelsa State governorship election, Timipre Sylva, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to announce the results from the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and declare a winner in the elections.
After collating election results in seven local government areas, INEC cancelled the election in Southern Ijaw LGA on Monday, December 7, thereby declaring the election inconclusive.
The reasons given by the electoral body for the cancellation were violence, abduction of electoral officials and snatching of election materials.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate and incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, leads from the results of so far collated and announced.
INEC has fixed Saturday, December 19, for a supplementary election in Southern Ijaw LGA.
But Mr. Sylva said while violence occurred in Southern Ijaw LGA, the commission erred in scheduling fresh polls.
In a petition to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Mr. Sylva said the commission lacked the powers to cancel “already concluded or on-going election”.

“It is important to note that under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), there is no power either, express or implied that is vested on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, your commission or any staff whatsoever to cancel election that has commenced or concluded, in any manner as was done in Bayelsa state,” Mr. Sylva wrote in the petition dated December 8.
“The Commission’s power, in the above is limited only to the postponement of election that has not commenced,” he said.
“We consider the action of cancelling results of an election while collation is on-going as a dangerous precedent, usurping of the functions of the Tribunals established by the Constitution illegal and reminiscent of the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election and if allowed stand will not only expose your Commission to endless and avoidable litigations and would become a ready tool in the hands of officials of your Commission the power to truncate the will of the people,” he argued.
The APC candidate, however, requested that should the commission feel “strongly that it has the powers to cancel already concluded or on-going elections”, it should also cancel the elections in Ekeremor, Sagbama Local Government Areas, Wards 4 and 5 of Yenagoa and Ward 8,9 and 10 of Nembe Local Government Areas.
Mr. Sylva said that, “the elections in Ekeremor, Sagbama Local Government Areas, Wards 4 and 5 of Yenagoa and Ward 8, 9 and 10 of Nembe Local Government Areas were marred by massive violence, abduction of both electoral officials and materials, massive thumb printing and rigging but that despite our oral and written protests, your commission accepted the results at units, wards, local government area and state collation centres at the areas highlighted above”.

December 12, 2015

Court validates Ekweremadu’s election

Enugu division of the Appeal Court has upheld the election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as valid candidate for Enugu West Senatorial District.

A statement from the media office of Ekweremadu said the appeal court judgement was delivered on Monday in Enugu. Reacting to the judgement, Ekweremadu, who is Deputy President of the Senate, expressed satisfaction with the ruling of the court.

Ekweremadu said he was never perturbed as the mandate handed to him by his people was “free, fair, credible, resounding, and therefore incontrovertible.”

The lawmaker, who said he did not begrudge his challenger for trying his luck at the tribunal, restated that his major concern was to provide quality representation to his constituents and the nation in general. He said: “This is the beauty of democracy.

My challenger exercised his democratic right. It is also democratic and reassuring that the appellate court has upheld the return made by the lower tribunal on my election.

“I thank my constituents and the good people of Enugu State for their prayers, goodwill, and immense faith they have continued to repose in me.

Let me also reassure them that I will never let them down. I will continue to work for the common good and to justify every bit of confidence reposed in me.” It would be recalled that Ekweremadu polled 120,075 votes to re-emerge senator for Enugu West Senatorial District in the 2015 general elections.

However, although his closest rival of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mrs. Louisa Achieze, who polled 2,314 had openly accepted the result and congratulated Ekweremadu, Mr. Philip Chukwudi Eze had approached the threeman National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu to challenge Ekweremadu’s victory on the ground that he was the rightful candidate of APC.

The petition was thrown out for lack of merit by the tribunal headed by Justice Michael Edem. It also awarded a total sum of N60,000 in favour of the Deputy President of the Senate.

December 08, 2015

Kogi polls: I won’t join issues with Faleke – Yahaya Bello

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Kogi polls: I won’t join issues with Faleke – Yahaya Bello
December 8, 2015Premium Times

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The Kogi State governor-elect, Yahaya Bello, said he would not join issues with James Faleke, the running-mate of late Abubakar Audu, over Kogi governorship election crisis.
Following the declaration of Mr. Bello as governor-elect on Sunday, Mr. Faleke said he would not take oath of office as deputy governor.
Mr. Bello’s reaction is contained in a statements issued on Tuesday in Abuja by his media assistant, Suleiman Abdulmalik.
The governor-elect said dialogue remained the best solution to party issues, saying he had absolute confidence in the leadership of the party to end the disagreement.
He described Mr. Faleke as a brother, saying the political crisis happening in the state is a family affair.
“I will continue to appeal to him and others to join hands with me in moving Kogi State forward.
“In politics we agree and disagree but dialogue remains the only solution to issues, but what happens in my state is an act of God,” he said.
Mr. Bello disclosed that the ongoing reconciliation in the state had settled the political dispute, saying most of late Audu’s supporters were now with him.
“Those who matter in Audu’s camp are already working for me even before the supplementary election, and that reconciliation efforts greatly helped in defeating the PDP,” he said
The statement also advised Mr. Faleke to accept the outcome of the election as the will of God.
“All hands must be on deck and we must rally round the governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. No winner, no vanquished; we must continue as one united family that we are.
“Hon James Abiodun Faleke and other aggrieved party members should accept the new development as the wish of God. We plead with them to cooperate with Bello to develop the state in line with the vision of our late icon, Prince Abubakar Audu.
“The governor-elect is a humble man who will not discriminate against anyone within the party. All Kogites should pray for and work towards peace, stability and progress of the state.
“We are using this opportunity to emphasise the need for the people to support their leaders for the benefit of all,” he said.

December 08, 2015

Kogi polls: I won’t join issues with Faleke – Yahaya Bello

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Kogi polls: I won’t join issues with Faleke – Yahaya Bello
December 8, 2015Premium Times

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The Kogi State governor-elect, Yahaya Bello, said he would not join issues with James Faleke, the running-mate of late Abubakar Audu, over Kogi governorship election crisis.
Following the declaration of Mr. Bello as governor-elect on Sunday, Mr. Faleke said he would not take oath of office as deputy governor.
Mr. Bello’s reaction is contained in a statements issued on Tuesday in Abuja by his media assistant, Suleiman Abdulmalik.
The governor-elect said dialogue remained the best solution to party issues, saying he had absolute confidence in the leadership of the party to end the disagreement.
He described Mr. Faleke as a brother, saying the political crisis happening in the state is a family affair.
“I will continue to appeal to him and others to join hands with me in moving Kogi State forward.
“In politics we agree and disagree but dialogue remains the only solution to issues, but what happens in my state is an act of God,” he said.
Mr. Bello disclosed that the ongoing reconciliation in the state had settled the political dispute, saying most of late Audu’s supporters were now with him.
“Those who matter in Audu’s camp are already working for me even before the supplementary election, and that reconciliation efforts greatly helped in defeating the PDP,” he said
The statement also advised Mr. Faleke to accept the outcome of the election as the will of God.
“All hands must be on deck and we must rally round the governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. No winner, no vanquished; we must continue as one united family that we are.
“Hon James Abiodun Faleke and other aggrieved party members should accept the new development as the wish of God. We plead with them to cooperate with Bello to develop the state in line with the vision of our late icon, Prince Abubakar Audu.
“The governor-elect is a humble man who will not discriminate against anyone within the party. All Kogites should pray for and work towards peace, stability and progress of the state.
“We are using this opportunity to emphasise the need for the people to support their leaders for the benefit of all,” he said.

December 08, 2015

Bayelsa Poll: Corps Members Trapped

INEC, APC differ on poll cancellation
*PDP vows to defend mandate, berates military
Amid violence that marred the Bayelsa State governorship election on December 5 and 6, some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members that served as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adhoc staff are still being trapped in some troubled areas in the state. INEC declared the election inconclusive yesterday after it cancelled the rescheduled election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
New Telegraph learnt that security agencies are making spirited moves to retrieve the corps members from the volatile areas. A security source informed New Telegraph that the whereabouts of some of the NYSC members are still unknown.
The source added that some of the ad hoc staff sustained injuries while others were abducted in the attacks masterminded by party thugs and ex-militants doing the NYSC-membersbidding of their sponsors in the eight local government areas of the state. Governor Seriake Dickson confirmed the development last night while speaking with journalists.
“As we speak, we are in the process of working with community leaders and other partners to identify and retrieve youth corps members who were put in danger for no fault of theirs.
“I like to use this opportunity to also commend them, these young wonderful Nigerians who came here to serve their fatherland. I want to assure them and all stakeholders who will participate in the rescheduled election and other activities that Bayelsa will continue to be home to them. The government of Bayelsa appreciates their sacrifice and will continue to partner with them to make our nation a better place,” Dickson said.
Meanwhile, the INEC and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) have differed on the cancellation of the rescheduled governorship poll in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. But Governor Dickson, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, applauded the electoral commission for the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw.
However, the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, rejected the cancellation of the poll. INEC had earlier announced the cancellation of polling in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa. Announcing the cancellation at a news conference in Yenagoa, Baritor Kpagih, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said the exercise was substantially marred by some irregularities and violence.
Dickson has won in six of the seven local governments so far declared while Sylva won in one local government – Brass. Addressing journalists in Yenagoa, the state capital, Sylva said INEC had no power to cancel the election that had been concluded and the result being awaited. “APC will not take this cancellation.
The REC has no power to cancel an election that has taken place. It is only a returning officer that has power to cancel an election,” he said. The APC flag bearer said he would challenge the INEC’s decision in court. Sylva accused the REC of working for the PDP.
He said: “The election of Southern Ijaw was held on the 6th. The results were coming on the 7th after the election had been concluded. The REC did not cancel it when it was being conducted. “It was when the REC discovered that the results were not going to favour the PDP that he decided to cancel it, citing violence. If Southern Ijaw is to be cancelled, then election in other local government areas where there was violence should also be cancelled,” he said.
The former governor said there was no basis isolating the election in Southern Ijaw while election in Nembe, Ekeremor, Sagbama, Yenagoa and Ogbia local government areas was marred by violence. According to him, militants took over Ekeremor amid sporadic shooting at the home of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, while election was going on, on Saturday December 5.
“Yet, election still went on and the results

December 08, 2015

Issues As Oyo Assembly Lawmakers Boycotted Plenary

Recently, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly boycotted plenary to express their displeasure over unpaid wages, prompting the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to intervene in the situation. Though the lawmakers have since ‘called off the strike,’ resuming plenary after some days,.
ON November 19, 2015, the Oyo State House of Assembly became the cynosure of all eyes, following the decision of 20 members of the 32-member assembly to boycott the day’s sitting over unpaid salaries and allowances. These members flipped the lid off a laden disquiet that has burgeoned since the eighth Assembly was inaugurated by state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on June 10, 2015.
In August, Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Olagunju Ojo, had provided a precursor to the boycott action when he declared that all had not been well with members of the assembly since inauguration. Ojo voiced the lamentation of members over the non-receipt of their running cost allowance, constituency allowance, transport allowance, housing allowance and their salaries. He described what members had, so far, received from government as stipends.
That boycott, however, became full blown with news getting into town that all 32 members of the House had decided to embark on strike a week later. The strike, which lasted only a few days, had shocked watchers of political events in the states, with most of them divided on a development that was considered weird and intriguing.
Though the strike was halted following last Monday evening’s meeting with Governor Ajimobi at his residence, political observers have not ended discussions on what went wrong and whether similar things would not happen in the not-too-distant future given the circumstances that led to the failure of government to honour its commitments on the lawmakers’ allowances and salaries. According to them, the dwindling resources of the states following the decline in the international oil market and continued reduction in allocations accruing to Oyo State was solely responsible for the failure of government to meet the commitments. They added that it was clear that such challenges would arise following the state government’s inability to pay workers’ salaries for over four months until it received a bailout from the Federal Government.
As a result of the biting paucity of funds, state governors recently insisted that they could no longer pay the N18,000 minimum wage. Similarly, the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, disclosed at the weekend that governors were faced with the options to either reduce salaries of workers or retrench. These developments, political observers noted, were sufficient reasons the legislature in Oyo State became victims of the trying times though the state government should not have allowed the situation to get out of hand to the point of lawmakers embarking on strike. However, some of the observers questioned the decision of the lawmakers to boycott sitting for days, calling for their sacrifice in the face of dwindling allocation to states, especially since workers were facing the same situation without going on strike.
But some of the lawmakers justified the action, noting that while they had been diligent in the performance of their constitutional duties, to including presence at sittings twice or three times a week aside from oversight functions, the executive failed to fulfill its financial obligations to the legislature, culminating in the low morale among the lawmakers.
According to the members, justified the performance of their duties with the consideration of bills, including the Revenue Administration bill, Self-Accounting bill, bill to repeal Oyo State laws, bill to reconstitute ministries, bill for a law to provide for the Establishment of Oyo State Meat and Abattoir Regulatory Authority and for Connected Purposes. Also, they listed some motions considered at plenary like the one requiring Go

December 08, 2015

Nigerian Leaders Need Divine Wisdom To Overcome Challenges –Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday, said current Nigerian leaders need divine wisdom to overcome the several challenges confronting the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan in Abuja.
Hassan stated that Dogara made the remark when he visited Keffi, Nasarawa State, to condole with the people, family and state government over the death of the Emir, Alhaji Chindo Yamusa II.
According to him, the plethora of problems bedevilling the country cannot be solved with mere human wisdom.
He said “Nigeria needs divine wisdom and intervention for the present crop of leaders to address the challenges facing the country.
“Peace is becoming a very rare commodity, particularly in the North.”
Yamusa died in the early hours of Friday at the age of 70 years.
The Speaker said “we are here to condole with the people of Keffi over this huge loss of our father, the emir who was a lover of peace.
“Keffi witnessed peace throughout his reign and this is what we need, especially in the North.”
Dogara then urged urged the people of Nasarawa State to emulate the life of the late monarch, stressing that “he left a good legacy of peace because if there is no peace we cannot even practice our religion as people of faith.
“Without peace, there cannot be any meaningful development in the society.”
He pointed out that the change mantra canvassed by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government could only be actualised when people prayed for and support the government to succeed.
“Even when we have good intentions, we cannot achieve anything without the support of the people.
“Everybody knows the situation we found ourselves especially in the North.
“There is no human wisdom that can take us out of this quagmire except divine wisdom from God Who is all-knowing. That is the only way out.”

December 08, 2015

Jonathan Was Inexperienced, Not Incompetent –IBB

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has disagreed with critics of former President Goodluck Jonathan who described him as incompetent saying Jonathan was rather “inexperienced” rather than “incompetent.”
General Babangida who spoke with The Interview magazine in the December 2015 edition which is currently on sale argued that Jonathan who lost his re-election bid in March “is a very pleasant person” and that he believed the former president meant well for the country.
Asked about the perception that Jonathan is a good person but was “incompetent”, Babangida replied: “If you use inexperience, I will buy that.”
The retired general spoke on a wide range of issues, including the botched coup of 1990 and how his late wife, Maryam, woke him up in the middle of the night to alert him about the movement of troops at Dodan Barracks, which was the seat of power then. He denied that his life was saved by Sani Abacha, who was then the chief of army staff, and also denied reports that he hid in a bunker while the coup plotters were looking for him.
“They obviously didn’t have a lot of experience,” Babangida recalled. “It was during the fasting period. We were still in Dodan Barracks then. My wife got up from sleep and said she had noticed very unusual movement of troops from one end to the other. So she woke me up and said I should look through the window.
”I found troops moving from one end to the other. The next thing I heard was shooting going on. We tried to put a small party together. It was about 1.30am. Then the guards, the bodyguards said let’s check out of this place. I was a bit stubborn. I told them I was not leaving. It didn’t occur to me that we had a bunker at Dodan Barracks. We had, but it didn’t occur to me to use it. And so, they came. I said the only thing I would concede to, I would evacuate my family. My wife had her last born, who was just a few months old, with her. So they evacuated them to a safe house.
“So, I remained with a few bodyguards. We decided to get out and move around. We went to a safe house around Surulere. I had a bodyguard, Omuah. We just moved in there. From there, we established communication. I later established communication with Abacha, Raji Rasaki (who was governor of Lagos then) and the other. They had mobilised their troops.”
He maintained that “Abacha didn’t save my life in the Orkar coup. We worked together to crush Orkar’s coup.”

December 08, 2015

Bayelsa 2015 Governorship Election (RESULT) – Live Updates

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Bayelsa 2015 Governorship Election (RESULT) – Live Updates
December 6, 2015Cletus Ukpong

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The 2015 Bayelsa governorship elections is coming to an end and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is ready to start announcing the results from various local governments.
PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Cletus Ukpong, is in Yenegoa to serve live updates.
Live Blog
19.45
SAGBAMA LGA
14 wards
Total no of registered voters 84, 550
Total no of accredited voters 36, 892
Total valid Votes 34, 921
Rejected Votes 726
Total Votes cast 35,647
ACPN 10
ADC 16
APA 34
APC 5,382
APGA 12
CPP 1
DPC 11
DPP 23
ID 0
KOWA 1
LP 23
MPPP 2
MMPP 9
PDC 13
PDM 406
PDP 28,934
PPA 33
PPN 0
SDP 11
UPP 0
Election not held in 6 Polling Units
19.42
APC agent stood up in the collation to question the credibility of the election results from Yenagoa. He said the election materials in the whole of Okpolo Ward 5 was hijacked by PDP with support of the JTF and taken to the Government House .
"I am surprised that the result from that ward wasn't cancelled," he said.
19.23
Yenagoa LGA
15 Wards
Total registered voters 135, 025
Accredited voters 44,751
Total valid Votes 40, 041
Rejected Votes 1,710
Total Votes Cast 41, 751
16 Units Polling Units Cancelled as result of snatching of electoral materials, violence and intimidation of electoral personnel. 5,390 votes cancelled in Yenagoa, said returning officers.
APC: 14,563
PDP: 24,258
19.13
Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA
No of Registered Voters 39,748
No of Accredited Votes 15,755
Total Valid Vote 14, 926
Rejected Votes 601
Total Votes Cast 15,527
APC: 6,896
PDP: 7,619
19.09
The Rec says voting is still going on in some places, apparently referring to Southern Ijaw.
19.07
Everybody stood up for the Anthem. Prayer also said by a staff of INEC Headquarters. The Introduction of the collation officers has also been done. They include the Returning Officer for the election (Vice Chancellor, University Of Calabar; INEC National Commissioner, Mustapha Lecky; AIG Musa Daura; Bayelsa REC and others.
19.02
The returning officer has been introduced, he is the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Zanu Akpagu.
18.59
The national anthem has just been redered, signalling the beginning of event - the collation of results.
18.56
INEC officials are seated at the collation centre in Yenagoa. They are about to commence the collation of results of the election from seven local government areas.
18.53
Inside the State Collation Centre, Yenagoa City Council Hall, Yenagoa, where INEC will be announcing the results of the Bayelsa governorship election.

December 06, 2015

Bayelsa Update: PDP With A Commanding Lead, Confusion In Southern Ijaw

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken an early lead from the three Local Government Area confirmed so far. Here is a break down of the three confirmed LGA;

Sagbama Local Government: PDP 28934, APC 5382, PDM 406
Yenagoa Local Government – APC 14563, PDP 24258
Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government: PDP 7619. APC 6819

Collection of results is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, The PDP has accused the All Progressive Congress, APC, The Military and INEC for working together to rig elections in Southern Ijaw which was rescheduled due to violence yesterday.

The PDP made this allegation through it’s publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh who posted the following statement on his facebook timeline;

“NEWS ALERT!!!
The Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) hereby alerts all concerned that the Apc and the military have connived to rig the elections in southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state. This rigging is being coordinated by the same major who supervised the killings yesterday. The major has handed most of the sensitive materials to only apc agents to fill and return as results in the evening.
It is on record that APC is yet to win a single local government area. The idea behind this dastardly act is for apc to return an astonishing figure in this largest local government in the state.”

A soldier who is part of the security team in Bayelsa sent the blow message to Abel Abel “Am presently in southern Ijaw. Security is at red alert.”

December 06, 2015

Why I enlisted Obasanjo’s help in Guinea Bissau crisis –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he decided to enlist the assistance of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to mediate in the political crisis in Guinea Bissau because of his wide political and military experience as well as strong commitment to the unity of Nigeria and Africa.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari revealed this during an audience he granted to the

President of Guinea Bissau, Mr. Jose Mario Bavz at the sidelines of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation , FOCAC, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“I sent President Olusegun Obasanjo because he is the only person living or dead that has ruled Nigeria for 11 years. I served under him as a military Head of State. He has a strong commitment to Nigeria and Africa. That was why I looked for him and asked him to collaborate with President Macky Sall of Senegal to stabilize the situation of Guinea Bissau”, Buhari said.

While appreciating Bavz’s expression of thanks for Nigeria’s support during the crisis in his country, Buhari told his guest that the “least Nigeria could do is what we did to stabilize your country,” assuring him that, “You can count on our support at all times.”

Bavz had said he came to thank Buhari for everything Nigeria has been doing for his country, adding that he has been looking forward to such an opportunity.

“I am not in a position to assist you but I pray for you every day. I want to take you as my big brother and share from your experience,” he said.

While thanking Buhari for sending Obasanjo as a Special Envoy to restore peace to his country recently, the Guinea Bissau leader also noted that “Nigeria is part of the solution and stability” of his country.

December 06, 2015

We demand justice for victims of violence and murder in Rivers —Dakuku Peterside

Last  Monday, the All Progressives  Congress (APC) in Rivers State held a procession in  Port Harcourt, the state capital, which ended with a  memorial service at the Port Harcourt Polo Club for  victims of violence and murders in Rivers  before, during and after the last general elections. Called  the Black Day, the procession was led by the APC governorship candidate in the state at the polls, Dr.  Dakuku  Adol   Peterside,   who was accompanied by other APC leaders in the state including Sen. Magnus Abe; Chief Andrew  Uchendu, the state party Chairman, Davies  Ibiamu  Ikanya, and Asita   H.  Asita.  Speaker after speaker at the occasion  decried the violence, which they claimed had continued. As a matter of fact, they claimed that some  APC members were violently attacked on their way to the procession.
Peterside, who is contesting the result of the governorship  election  which produced PDP  Nyesom  Wike,  in court  spoke to  journalists on the significance of the event and their quest for justice for victims of the violence.
How do you rate the turn out  for the Black Day procession for persons killed during the last elections?
The turn out was excellent; you could see the number of people who came out on the streets and at the memorial service itself, and going  by their turn out, I believe Rivers people have made a statement. They are saying ‘no’ to political violence, kidnapping and politically motivated assassinations.
We thought that at the end of the election in April, we would have come to the end of this matter but, unfortunately, the violence has continue in different dimensions and has manifested itself in form of kidnapping, armed robbery and more assassinations because those persons who were armed by the   self-centred, evil politicians have not been disarmed and so we have continued with the same experience as the present Rivers government lacks the political will and the moral right to attack the issue.
What kind of responses or solidarity have you had from people outside the state on this issue?

FILE: Black Monday Protest March in Commemoration of the sad and gruesome death of Rivers people during the General elections.
The responses we have gotten across the country  confirm that Nigerians  are in solidarity and in sympathy with the people of Rivers  on what we have gone through during the  elections and what we are still going through. The Nigerian people are concerned that Rivers  has remained  a black spot in our democratic development and they have condemned in totality the level of violence visited on the people of state who were only trying to cast their votes in exercise of their democratic rights and the prayer of every right thinking Nigerian is that this should never happen again in our political development
There were reports  that several persons, especially from your party,  were attacked on their way to the procession and the  memoriam service. How true is this?
Yes, our people were attacked. People were attacked in   Abonema  and I was reliably informed that a top LGA official led the team that attacked several of our members there. We had  the same experience in  Omuma,Etche  and  Ikwerre  Local Government  Areas. It is  unfortunate and I know that these attackers  cannot escape the long arms of the law. They have refused to admit the fact that times have changed and the days  of impunity and lawlessness are  gone. We have drawn the attention of  security agencies at the highest level to it and  I am convinced   they are doing something.
The ruling Peoples Democratic  Party(PDP) in Rivers State has accused you and your party, APC, of playing politics with the lives of Rivers people who died during the elections. Also some PDP leaders and Rivers State government officials  claim that the deaths were mostly cult-related and had nothing to do with the elections.
It is most uncharitable for the PDP to say that those who  lost their lives during the elections died in cult related activities. Wh

December 06, 2015

Update On Bayelsa Governorship Election: Early Results

Polling stations in Bayelsa State are reporting the following unconfirmed election results:

YENAGOA

Ward 5, unit 20: APC  63, PDP 100

Ward 2 unit 1: APC 19, PDP 14

Ward 2 unit 2: APC 27, PDP 23

Ward 4 unit 8: APC 250, PDP 144

Ward 7 unit 12: APC 81, PDP 41

Ward 4 unit 10: APC 250, PDP 154

Ward 5 unit 2: APC 135 PDP 136

Ward 4 unit 11: APC 115, PDP 98

Ward 4 unit 12 APC 343, PDP 78

Ward 5 unit 3: APC 81, PDP 136

Ward 1 Unit, APC 109, PDP 45

KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA

Ward 3 unit 3 APC 50 PDP 34

Ward 10 unit 10 APC 102 PDP 58

Ward 10 unit 8 APC 85 PDP 65

Ward 10 unit 6 APC 58 PDP 41

Ward 3 unit 2 APC 13 PDP 12

BRASS

Ward 2 unit 6 APC 118 PDP 8

Ward  1 unit 3 APC 160 PDP 15

Ward 2 unit 15 APC 220 PDP 15

Ward 1 unit 15 APC 375 PDP 18

Ward 1 unit 10 APC 138 PDP 20

Ward I unit 12 APC 123 PDP 8

Ward 4 Unit 3 APC 285 PDP 2

Ward 3 unit 2 APC 298 PDP 12

Ward 3 unit 3 APC 210 PDP 3

Ward 2 unit 8 254 PDP 4

NEMBE

Ward 3 unit 8 APC 49 PDP 102

Ward 5 unit 2 APC 13 PDP 2

Ward 2 unit 9 APC 24 PDP 22

Ward 3 unit 6 APC 21 PDP 65

Ward 5 unit 1 APC 89 PDP 6

Ward 5 unit 7 APC 80 PDP 26

Ward 5 unit 8 APC 49 PDP 13

Ward  5 unit 9 APC 57 PDP 12

Ward 8 unit 25 APC 17 PDP 16

WARD 8 UNIT  20  APC 19 PDP 39

EKEREMOR

Ward 8 unit 31 APC 140 PDP 41

Ward 8 unit 32 APC 84 PDP 37

Ward 12 unit 10 APC 70 PDP 109

OGBIA

Ward 11 unit 6 APC 25 PDP 60

Ward 11 unit 1 APC 23 PDP 89

Ward 11 unit 11 APC 10 PDP 5

Ward  8 unit 8 APC 101 PDP 99

Ward 8 unit 9 APC 50 PDP 55

Ward 10 unit 1 APC 28 PDP 20

Ward 10 unit 2 APC 57 PDP 33

Ward 10 unit 3 APC 29 PDP 15

Ward 10 unit 4 APC 43 PDP 32

Ward 10 unit 5 APC 38 PDP 22

Ward 10 unit 6 APC 40 PDP 19

Ward 10 unit 7 APC 5 PDP 50

Ward 10 unit 8 APC 40 PDP 29

Ward 10 unit 9 APC 28 PDP 16

Ward 10 unit 10 APC 30 PDP 10

Ward 6 unit 3 APC 82 PDP 59

Ward 8 unit 18 APC 102 PDP 47

Ward 8 unit 11 APC 70 PDP 45

Ward 8 unit 7 APC 98 PDP 71

Ward 8 unit 16 APC 33 DPD 30

December 06, 2015

Bayelsa Guber Update: Yenagoa – APC, 14, 563; PDP, 24, 258

Bayelsa Guber Update: Yenagoa – APC, 14, 563; PDP, 24, 25
Yenagoa:
APC: 14,563
PDP: 24,258.

December 06, 2015

Bayelsa 2015 Governorship Election – Live Updates

The Bayelsa State governorship election holds today, December 5.
The election will be conducted in the eight local government areas of the state.
According to the independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, 20 political parties are fielding candidates in the election.
However, analysts say the contest is between the candidates of two parties, namely the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party and a former governor of the state, Timpre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress.
The new governor, the 5th since 1999, will assume office in February 2016.
The oil-rich Bayelsa State has three senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, 24 state constituencies, eight local government areas and 105 Wards.
There are 663,748 registered voters in the state. They are expected to vote in 1,806 Polling Units spread across the local government areas.
The breakdown based on gender distribution shows that men constitute 54 per cent while women make up 46 percent of the voting population.
The occupation distribution includes 250 students, 120,000 fishermen, 80,000 farmers, 70,000 civil servants and 10,000 housewives.
Already, the INEC has accredited 50 observer groups to observe the election out of which 43 are domestic and seven foreign.
PREMIUM TIMES correspondent, Cletus Ukpong is in Bayelsa and would bring live updates of the poll.
Live Blog
21.12
Former SSG in Bayelsa State, Gideon Ekeowei arrested by security officers. APC Publicity Secretary in the State, Nathan Egba, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Ekeowei who is a deputy director-general of the APC campaign organisation was arrested this afternoon during the election. Mr. Egba didn't disclose why the former SSG was arrested. "I am not aware if he has been released or not," he said.
20.29
PDP supporters poured into the street in Yenagoa to celebrate their victory at a polling unit in the area.

19.02
APC supporters in Yenagoa move into the street to celebrate victory at their polling unit.

19.01
Results as announced at Ward 5, Unit 11, Finimamighafi compound, Yenagoa: PDP 86, APC 46.
18.47
INEC officials counting votes at Ward 5, Unit 11, Finimamighafi compound, Yenagoa.

18.32
Results have started trickling from some polling units.
Results as announced at Ward 4, Unit 11, Agudama, Yenagoa LGA
APC: 115
PDP: 98

17.30
Counting of votes begins in some polling units in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
17.29
Election in Southern Ijaw postponed
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the police have confirmed that election in some places in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area has been postponed due to the late take off of the exercise in the area.
INEC Director of Voters Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi and Police Commissioner, Operations, David Folawiyo, confirmed the postponement while speaking on a programme on the Nigeria Television Authority.
Mr. Folawiyo said, “We got word from Bayelsa that polling officials and electoral officials have met and have taken decision to continue tomorrow in such places where there was violence so that they don’t go far into the night or enter in the night. The decision was taken by electoral official not the police.”
15.30
Timi Alaibe has denied decamping to PDP. He also denied sending bulk text messages asking people to vote for the PDP. He alleges his phone number was cloned.
15.15
The Police has dismissed media reports that four persons were killed in Southern Ijaw. "No death has been recorded so far," the spokesperson of Police in Bayelsa state told PREMIUM TIMES. "We only have one person who was wounded in the area and we have made arrests."
15.06
Violence reported in Brass LGA. A house belonging to acting chairman of PDP in Bayelsa have been burnt down, reports say.
14.55
A TMG report indicating that no polling unit opened for commencement of election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

14.52
15 more thugs arrested by the police and the JTF in Southern Ijaw Local

December 05, 2015

Bayelsa State Governorship Election: Early Results

Early voting results are streaming in from the Bayelsa State Governorship election. It will be recalled that several reports of violence have marred the electoral process in the State.

Sahara Reporters
Vanguard Newspaper is reporting the following early results for the Bayelsa State Governorship election:

Polling Unit 039 Otuabula in Otuoke community: PDP 118, APC 14, PPA 1, 2 void votes

Erigbe Compound Square Unit 003 Ward 1 Yenagoa Town: PDP 75, APC 44

Kemekrogha square unit 014b ward 1 Yenagoa town: PDP 80, APC 33

Atissa I Kemekrogha Square. Unit 014 Yenagoa town: PDP 120, APC 57

Atissa Ward 1, Unit 009 Ogosi Compound Town Hall Yenagoa town: PDP 116, APC 74

December 05, 2015

You are here: Politics, Poll Update » #BayelsaDecides: What Timipre Sylva Said After Being Accredited on Third Trial.

APC’s candidate in the ongoing Bayelsa governorship elections, Timpre Sylva, has been accredited for voting after trying for three times.

Speaking after being accredited, he said raised security concerns in the state over the elections.

“Some armed thugs have reportedly invaded the state and we are calling on security operatives to help us curtail this incident,” Sylva said after his accreditation a few minutes ago.

He also condemned INEC over the card readers, saying that they need to review the way it works so that it will disappoint in subsequent elections.

December 05, 2015