LIVE UPDATES: Nigerians Elect 28 State Governors, 993 State Lawmakers Today

0
LIVE UPDATES: Nigerians Elect 28 State Governors, 993 State Lawmakers Today

The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections hold across the country today, Saturday, March 18, 2023.

The Governorship election will take place in 28 States across the nation with just a few incumbent Governors seeking re-election while most of the States will be electing new Chief Executive Officers.

In Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is seeking reelection on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, nominated Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran as their candidate and they will battle Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.

Two major political parties, the PDP and APC, have the most candidates for Saturday’s election but will have to do more work to win in some states where the Labour Party have candidates.

In Akwa Ibom, Akan Udofia is the APC candidate and other states are: Abia – Ikechi Emenike, Adamawa – Aishatu Dairu Binani , Bauchi – Sadique Abubakar, Kaduna – Uba Sani, Gombe – Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Delta – Ovie Omo-Agege, Borno – Babagana Zulum, Cross River – Bassey Otu, Jigawa – Umar Namadi, Kano – Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Ebonyi – Ogbonna Nwifuru, Enugu – Uche Nnaji, Katsina – Dikko Umaru Radda, Kebbi – Nasiru Idris, Kwara -AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Ogun – Dapo Abiodun, Nasarawa – Abdullahi Sule, Plateau -Netanwe Yilwatda, Rivers – Tonye Cole, Yobe -Mala Buni, Zamfara – Muhammad Bello, and Oyo – Teslim Folarin

The PDP candidates across the country are Okechukwu Ahiwe – Abia., Umaru Fintiri – Adamawa., Umo Bassey – Akwa Ibom., Ibrahim Mohammed – Bauchi., Titus Uba – Benue, Mohammed Ali Jafari – Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta, Peter Mbah – Enugu, Muhammad Barde – Gombe, Mustapha Sule-Lamido – Jigawa, Isa Ashiru Kudan – Kaduna, Muhammed Abacha – Kano., Aminu Bande – Kebbi., Abdullah Yahman – Kwara, Abdul-Azeez Adediran – Lagos. David Ombugadu – Nassarawa, Segun Sowunmi – Ogun, Seyi Makinde – Oyo, Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau, Siminialayi Fubara – Rivers, Sa’adu Umar – Sokoto, Kefas Agbu – Taraba, Sheriff Abdullahi Yobe, Dauda Lawal – Zamfara.

The Labour Party gave the more established political parties a run for their money in the February 25 presidential election and there is the general feeling that the Peter Obi factor may sweep across the country once more today.

Follow This Thread For LIVE UPDATES As Nigerians Elect 28 State Governors, 993 State Lawmakers Today.

Lagos gov’ship election results: LP’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour loses polling unit to Sanwo-Olu

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party has lost his polling unit 045, OSHIFILA/Abule Igbira of Ikeja Local Government, to the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Saturday’s Lagos State gubernatorial poll.

See results:

LP: 18

APC: 29

PDP: 2

Void: 1

Registered voters: 421

Accredited voters: 50

INEC uploads guber, House of Assembly election results via BVAS

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has uploaded some of the results of Saturday’s elections via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS.

The non-use of BVAS for the February 25 election created a confidence crisis for the electoral body, which Nigerians and electoral officials heavily criticised.

BrandSpur Nigeria observed that the result of Ward 001, Polling Unit 039, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, was uploaded via BVAS around 1:58 pm.

In the state House of Assembly election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled six votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 13 votes.

Bayelsa is one of the few states where governorship polls are held after the general election.

INEC had claimed that it couldn’t upload election results from the polling Units during last month’s presidential and National Assembly elections due to glitches.

Ekiti Gov, Oyebanji boasts APC will win all 26 state assembly seats, regrets low turnout

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti on Saturday boasted that his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will win all 26 seats at the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

This is just as he condemned the poor turnout of voters for the exercise, describing it as unpleasurable.

According to Daily Post, the exercise at the governor’s hometown reports that Oyebanji made the observation, shortly after casting his vote at his Ward 6, Unit 3, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti, in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the State.

The Governor who voted at about 12: 22pm expressed displeasure on the low turnout of voters who were expected to come out to elect new lawmakers for the state.

The governor specifically regretted that the turnout was not as impressive, as was recorded in the last presidential election in the state.

He, however, commended the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) over its improvement on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS), saying the system was a great value added, to the electoral process.

“So far so good, I just cast my vote and used my ward as an example of the improvement in the INEC technology.

“I think we have to commend the Federal Government and more importantly, the INEC for the remarkable improvement on the technology deployed, as well as the entire exercise.

“The deployment of the new technology will no doubt help to improve on the exercise through management of time and energy,” he said.

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that many of the electorate at various polling units visited in the town, expressed delight that they were able to exercise their voting rights and commended the peaceful process.

Akinlade raises alarm as thugs attack Ogun polling units

The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adekunle Akinlade, has raised the alarm over the invasion of polling units by armed thugs.

Akinlade spoke at his hometown in Agosasa after casting his vote.

According to him, there have been reports of shooting and ballot box snatching in some polling units in Ogun East.

Akinlade expressed displeasure that security agents who were supposed to avert the situation did nothing, giving the thugs a field day.

“It’s unfortunate, my phones have been ringing since morning. I have seen photos and videos. We were informed that members of the opposition party have become very violent. There is someone called Efele or something who has been carrying thugs all around. They went straight into polling units to attack people. They shot in the air, carted away ballot papers and other INEC materials.

“Shockingly, we were told that there are security personnel just standing and watching this happen. It’s quite sad for our democracy that this is happening in Ogun East. We thought Ogun East was supposed to be more peaceful being the home of the sitting governor. It is most embarrassing for us in Ogun State, what we are witnessing in this election,” he said.

Akinlade appealed to the electoral umpire and security agents to take note of the electoral violence and take appropriate actions thereafter.

The deputy governorship candidate said he is sure of victory in the polls.

“We have no doubt we are going to win this election. The election has been peaceful in Ogun West and Ogun Central. In Ogun East, aside from Sagamu, Odogbolu and Ijebu-Ode where they’ve been attacking people. We don’t know what they could do moving beyond that.

“Relatively, we believe we are doing well with information trickling in so far. By 4, 5 pm we will be more certain. We hope that results are transmitted from polling units as INEC has promised.

“We are confident, that is why we came all out to campaign very well. We believe people’s votes will count once results are transmitted from the polling units with the BVAS. We have no doubt that we will win this election,” he stated.

Abia 2023: Early voting in units as security operatives man strategic locations

The governorship and state houses of assembly elections are currently taking place today, Saturday 18th March 2023, across the 184 electoral wards of the seventeen local government area in Abia State.

This comes barely after two weeks after the presidential and national assembly elections across Nigeria.

DAILY POST correspondent who is currently on a monitoring tour in some parts of Abia State reports that soldiers of the Nigerian military are seen manning major strategic roads, such as Ikot Ekpene by BCA road junction, Abia tower roundabout located along mission hill by Aba-Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, Aba road/Post office road junction in Umuahia, the state capital.

Locations and streets within Abia State, our correspondent reports have men of Nigerian Police stationed in them and at designated polling units to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections and forestall any breakdown of law and order by hoodlums.

DAILY POST correspondent also visited the INEC designated polling units or centres across various local wards in Abia State, reports that at polling unit 001 and 002 in Ugba Primary school in Umuahia north local government area, accreditation of eligible voters by Independent National Electoral Commission adhoc staff commenced as early as 8am while proper voting commenced by 10:30am.

Voters were seen queueing to exercise their franchise.

The current representative of Abia central senatorial district at the national assembly and former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Ahamefule Orji, flanked by wife, Mercy cast their votes in the 001 and 002 polling units at Ugba Primary School, Bende road in Umuahia.

Also, at polling unit 016 at Etitiama Nkporo in Ohafia local government area, voting started about 9:41am.

At 016 polling unit at Etitiama Nkporo in Ohafia local government area, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu and wife, Vivian, cast their votes.

However, the transition committee chairman of Ohafia local government area of Abia State, O’Brien Iroh while speaking to journalists said adequate logistics were put in place to ensure the electorates cast their votes under a peaceful atmosphere.

He urged the youths of Ohafia local government area to eschew violence at all costs while waiting for the outcome of the election results.

Meanwhile, at exactly 9:05am voting commenced at polling unit 04 in Umule hall in Osisioma Ngwa local government area in Abia south senatorial district in Abia State on Saturday, after the conclusion of accreditation of eligible voters.

Baring his mind on the ongoing governorship and state house of assembly elections across the state, Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia State, commended the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission which ensured the early commencement of polls.

He said in a terse statement, “may we have peaceful elections today and may the will of God prevail upon our land”.

Violence in Rimin Gado LG of Kano as thugs disrupt voting, snatch ballot boxes

Elections have been disrupted in Rimin Gado Local Government area of Kano as several ballot boxes were destroyed and party agents were chased away.

In Dugurawa, Jili, Yalwan Danziyal and Akalawa Futufutu wards ballot boxes were completely destroyed while voters were sent running helter-skelter for dear lives by some party political thugs.

Haliru Danga Maigari of NNPP accused the APC of being behind the destruction of the election materials and boxes because they were losing the elections.

He said, ”We are worried that party members were disenfranchised, what they are afraid of, is defeat and we will surely defeat them, no matter what”.

Our Correspondent witnessed security operatives driving at high speed with election boxes to the INEC office at Rimin Gado Local Government area.

Meanwhile, APC members have denied causing violence and accused the NNPP members of being behind in the destruction of the election materials.

Sani Sani Rimin Gado of APC said the election was going on peacefully when heavily Armed NNPP thugs arrived and chased people away, trying to snatch ballot boxes.

Low turnout characterizes guber elections in Niger

The Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in parts of Minna and environs in Niger state capital have been characterized by voter apathy as compared to the February, 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

A visit by DAILY POST to various polling units showed that voting materials and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ad hoc staff were on ground, as early as 8am.

In most of the polling units, the electorates did not turn out, especially in Bosso, Tunga, Barikin Sale, Kpakungu, Maitumbi and Sabongari areas among others.

Also, in some areas, aside from the low turnout, there was little or no presence of security agencies.

Some of the voters who spoke to DAILY POST noted that they were not prepared to come out to vote out of the belief that their votes would not count as the BVAS machines were not used in the last elections.

Mohammed Nuhu of Bachita polling unit in Tunga said, ” the last time we voted it did not count. The question is will this one count? We are tired of coming out after the pains we went through”.

Jigawa gubernatorial candidates cast votes, comment on election process

The gubernatorial candidates of the three political parties in Jigawa State have cast their votes for the Saturday 18th March elections.

BrandSpur Nigeria reported that three gubernatorial candidates from APC, PDP and NNPP are vying for the number one seat.

The APC candidate in the state, Umar Namadi cast his votes at Imam Hassan Islamiyya 012 polling unit, Kafin Hausa ward at exactly 11:35am.

Responding to questions from newsmen, he expressed satisfaction over the high turnover and progress achieved by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

He said the governorship and state assembly elections witnessed changes and improvements compared to what was obtained in the presidential and national assembly elections.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate Mustapha Sule Lamido also cast his vote at Bamaina Primary 002 polling unit in Kiyako ward, Birnin Kudu local government.

He expressed satisfaction with the voting process and voter turnout.

The PDP flag bearer, however, alleged that reports indicate the APC imported thugs to cause trouble in the election.

He said the party has already reported the issue to the security agencies for appropriate action.

The NNPP candidate, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim also cast his vote at Marakawa 08 polling unit in Ringim ward, Ringim local government.

He expressed satisfaction with the higher turnout of the election process saying it is above what was witnessed in the previous election.

He urged his supporters to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote peacefully.

All the candidates, however, expressed hope of winning the election.

Ogun Guber: Gov Abiodun votes in Iperu

Governor Dapo Abiodun, candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the ongoing governorship election in Ogun State has voted.

Abiodun cast his vote at Unit 02, Ward 03, in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

There was a good turnout of voters in Iperu, which is the hometown of Gov Abiodun and his rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu.

Likewise, there is the presence of security officers in the ancient town to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

Abiodun is confident of winning the election.

Violence mars Ogun guber election

The ongoing governorship election in Ogun State is currently being marred by violence.

Our correspondent learnt that political thugs invaded various polling units in Ogun East.

The thugs who were said to be masked stormed some targeted polling units, attacking people and destroying electoral materials.

In some polling units in Eleja, Sagamu, the thugs set electoral materials on fire, as officials of INEC and voters fled for safety.

At Itori-Odo in Abeokuta, the thugs broke ballot boxes.

Our correspondent learnt that there are similar cases in Idowa, Ijebu Igbo and others.

PDP: I have no confidence in INEC, election process unlikely to improve – Atiku Abubakar

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is unlikely to do better in the ongoing governorship and state house of assembly elections than it did on February 25 when it conducted the presidential election.

This is according to the Presidential standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku made the remark around noon Saturday after casting his vote at his Ajiya Ward voting unit in Jimeta, Yola, stressing that he still has no confidence in INEC.

He told newsmen that INEC did poorly during the presidential election and that the commission has taken no steps since then to make him believe that this round of elections will be better conducted.

Atiku said, “I still don’t believe in INEC. I have seen nothing up to now to believe that their performance will be better in how they handle this election than the last one.”

BrandSpur Nigeria reports that crowds of journalists and supporters of Atiku who gathered at his polling unit early Saturday had to wait for hours before Atiku turned up with his wife, Titi, just before noon.

This was different from the presidential election three weeks ago and the elections in the past when Atiku usually voted before 10 am.

Lawmaker-elect, Akinlayo Kolawole casts vote, decries poor turnout of voters

Winner of the House of Representatives election in the Ekiti North Federal Constituency (II), Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole has cast his ballot at his country home, Ikosun Ekiti.

Kolawole voted at about half past ten in the morning at unit 17, Igogo ward 2.

It took the lawmaker-elect less than 7 minutes to get accredited and cast his votes due to the effectiveness of the BVAS machine at the unit.

Speaking with Journalists, Kolawole lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for an improved electoral process.

Kolawole commended the comportment of his people and showered encomium on security agents for a job well done.

He urged the electorate to always come out during voting saying the turnout for the election was poor.

Kolawole described the process as fair and urged all Ekiti voters to come out en masse to exercise their franchise for candidates of their choice.

The lawmaker-elect stated further that his expectation is a victory for all candidates of his party for the House of Assembly election.

Kano Polls: Three women physically assaulted by voters for alleged vote-buying

At least three women have been beaten up at different polling units in Kano for alleged vote buying.

The incident occurred at Giginyu ward, where a woman identified as Zubaida was bundled out of the polling unit for alleged vote buying.

In contrast, another woman named Amina was beaten for the same offence at the same venue. However, voting continues.

Similarly, at a polling unit in Tarauni local government area, another woman was beaten up for raising her ballot paper after voting.

The unidentified woman was said to have been approached by party agents soliciting for her vote, where she promised to vote for their party.

Shortly after voting, the woman raised the ballot paper for confirmation, which angered others who immediately attacked her.

Tension at Kano city centre as parties accuse APC chair of blocking them from voting

As elections commenced at the Kano city centre, there is serious tension at the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kano Chairman Abdullahi Abbas’ Polling Unit, Charanchi ward, as a particular party blocked other party members from voting.

Already security operatives have been deployed to the area while voting commenced.

Some members of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, accused the State Chairman of APC Abdullahi Abbas of chasing them away from his Charanchi ward allowing his party members to take over the entire place.

Lagos election: APC supporters warn opponents to remain indoors [Video]

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Saturday, warned the opponents of the party to remain in their houses.

The men, about two dozens, walked round Agbo-Oba and other streets in the Oshodi area issuing threats to residents.

“If you don’t want to vote for APC, stay in your house”, they repeated, while discussing loudly.

The comment was similar to the one made by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo at a gathering on Thursday.

On Friday, the Chairman of Lags State Parks and Garages Management Committee recanted, saying it was a joke aimed at one Mama Chukwudi.

 

Lagos guber: LP’s Rhodes-Vivour, wife arrive polling unit [VIDEO]

The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has arrived at his polling unit 045, Oshifila/Abule Igbira in Anifowose, Ikeja.

Rhodes-Vivour is challenging Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the Lagos State gubernatorial seat.
https://www.facebook.com/135140476511057/posts/pfbid02S2QohgqFSeunEdmU5BfyWcK8EijDWooMNw3Sjj6N8M4czttbTg8pdCobQPgd9Uhkl/?app=fbl

Lagos governorship election: Tinubu votes

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu on Saturday cast his vote in the ongoing governorship election.

Tinubu performed his civic right at his polling unit in Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos State.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is seeking reelection for a second term.

Sanwo-Olu is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The incumbent governor is fighting to retain his seat against Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party and Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, better known as Jandor of the Peoples Democratic Party…

Recall that Tinubu had lost Lagos State to the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi during the February 25 election.

Guber/Assembly poll: Low turnout as voters shun election in Anambra

There is currently an abysmal turnout of voters in Anambra State, after the huge number of people that thronged polling centres for the Presidential election, last three weeks.

Polling centres visited in Awka, the State capital, showed near empty units as staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC sat idly.

At Aroma junction 1, polling unit 008, Awka South Local Government Area, at at 9:20 am, only six persons had been able to vote, despite the commencement of voting at 8:30 am, and the swiftness of the BVAS machines.

A voter, Mrs Chika Ndu told our correspondent that: “People are not coming out because they feel their votes may not count because of what happened last three weeks.

“It will take a level of enlightenment for people to accept to come out, because they believe their votes will not count.

“I cannot believe that this same place where I found it difficult to cast my vote last three weeks, I can just come in and in less than three minutes, I had cast my vote.”

Another respondent, a journalist, Mr Damian Egwuonwu said: “I think it is early, people will still come out.”

Guber election: Jigawa residents obey restriction of movement order as accreditation begins

Jigawa State residents have abided by the movement restriction order imposed by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, for the gubernatorial and state Assembly elections.

According to reports, as early as 7:30 am, no vehicles were moving and shops were closed in Dutse, the state capital.

Voters were seen moving to their various polling units to exercise their civil rights.

The Jigawa State Police Command yesterday ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement except those on essential services, such as INEC officials, election observers, ambulances to medical emergencies, and firefighters from Friday, 17th March 2023 by midnight to 6 pm on Saturday 18th March 2023 and anybody found wanting will be dealt with decisively.

State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Effiom Ekot, called on the law-abiding citizens of the state to turn out en masse and peacefully exercise their franchise without fear of threat or intimidation.

He however warned political parties and their followers to shun political thuggery, the use of weapons, and taking signs of any party to the polling units.

The CP also warned all security aids and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling units and collation centers during the election, as anyone found flouting these directives will be severely sanctioned.

He noted that sister security agencies across the state will work assiduously to fish out those troublemakers and their sponsors as well, conduct thorough investigations and charge the culprits to court, to face the full weight of the law.

DAILY POST visited some of the polling units and observed that election materials arrived as early as 7:30 am.

Voting ongoing peacefully in Wukari council of Taraba

Voting commences in Anambra

Voting has started in Anambra State for the House of Assembly elections.

DAILY POST reports that within Awka, the state capita, voting has commenced as early as 8:30am.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Elizabeth Agwu had in a press conference on Friday, said that the commission was ready, and that voting would start early.

Observation also showed that the BVAS has been very swift in capturing voters.

Guber election:INEC commences accreditation, voting in PU 007 Ward 1 Ijebu North LGA Ogun

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said its staff at Polling Unit 007, Ward 1 in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ogun State, are ready for accreditation and voting.

INEC disclosed this on Saturday through its official Twitter handle.

The commission stated that its staff were ready for accreditation and voting at 7:30 am at the polling unit.

“Polling Unit 007, Ward 1 in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ogun State, fully activated and ready for accreditation and voting at 7.30 am today”, INEC posted.

Twenty eight governorship and state house of assembly elections are ongoing nationwide.

Guber poll: Voting commences in Ogun

Voting has commenced in Ogun State for today’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Across different polling units visited by our correspondent in Ipokia Local Government Area of the State, it was observed that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived as early as possible.

Few minutes after 8am, voters lined up for accreditation, which happened simultaneously with voting.

The exercise is going on seamlessly at the moment.