Why Jonathan Lost The Presidential Election - PDP Chair

Captain Olatunji Shelle, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Lagos State Chapter has explained why President Jonathan lost the presidential elections in the state and other parts of the country.

Speaking during an interview with our correspondent on the claims that Jonathan lost because he failed to do certain things, Shelle said he had expected the president to have raised some objections when the issue of underage voting in certain parts of the country cropped up.

Sacked PDP Chairman, Tunji Shelle

“I also expected him to raise issues when he saw a sort of romance between the INEC chairman, Jega and the APC. INEC is supposed to be independent but that doesn’t imply they cannot be cautioned if they are going astray. I think Mr. President didn’t do all these because he is a complete gentleman.
“I also believed that some authorities who are supposed to be in charge of security worked against Mr. President too. These are some of the facts that many people are not ready to reel out because they want a united country,” he said.
Speaking on how he felt when it was announced that PDP lost the presidential election, he said: “Naturally, I will feel bad as the chairman of the party in Lagos because we worked very hard. We pointed out two areas that could militate against us like the distribution of PVC’s which was skewed in favour of one region against another and card readers which didn’t function maximally during the presidential election, and yet they counted the votes.
“These are some of the irregularities that affected the chances of Mr. President and our candidates in the National Assembly election. In Lagos in particular, a lot of rigging took place and that is why we approached the tribunal for redress,” he alleged.

Jonathan had lost the March 28 president election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. He has been named a hero in some quarters for conceding defeat, thereby averting the crisis that would have erupted in the nation.
Meanwhile, since the PDP’s loss at the polls, the party has been embroiled in crisis both at the state and federal level.
The executive Committee of the PDP had sacked Shelle for misusing election campaign funds.
At the national level, some top members of the party are calling for the removal of the party’s national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, for failing to lead the party to victory. Mu’azu finally resigned last week.

UK Election: Voting In Progress

Voting in UK election has begun country-wide as million of citizens have trooped out to cast their votes in an election that is being dubbed 'a very tight race'.

BBC reports that polls opened at 07:00 British Summer Time (BST) at around 50,000 polling stations across the UK.

They will remain open until 22:00.

About 50 million people have been registered to vote, while a total of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) will be elected. Also, there are more than 9,000 council seats being contested across 279 English local authorities.

play (BBC)

In addition, mayors will also be elected in Bedford, Copeland, Leicester, Mansfield, Middlesbrough and Torbay, no local elections will however take place in London. People will also be able to vote online for the first time.

Earlier on, some votes had been cast before today (Thursday) through postal voting, which accounted for 15% of the total electorate at the 2010 general election, when the overall turnout was 65%.

Schools, community centres and parish halls will be the most common polling centres, however, pubs, a launderette and a school bus will also be used.

Jonathan Queries Buhari's Victory

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan was said to have queried the declaration of General Muhammadu Buhari as winner in the Presidential Election.

Jonathan and Buhari

The Punch reports that President Jonathan on Thursday questioned the results of the March 28 presidential election, saying “the Peoples Democratic Party couldn’t have got those kinds of scores” it had in some places.

Speaking shortly after receiving the report of the Senator Ahmadu Ali-led PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jonathan, however, advised that since the general elections were over, the country must be allowed to move forward. He said that apart from himself quickly conceding defeat to the All Progressives Congress’s candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, many PDP members also made sacrifices because they were persecuted in the course of electioneering.

Jonathan said, “The problem is not whether we lost the elections, that is history, but how do we consolidate our party and move forward? If we are committed and we work hard, definitely the PDP will bounce back. The PDP is still the dominant party. If you look at the results, the difference is just 2.5 million votes and if you look at the areas where it is perceived that the PDP scored so low, the PDP couldn’t have got those kinds of scores but the elections are over, so the country first.

“It is not as if Jonathan alone made the sacrifice, it is all of us. I made the pronouncement but some of us are paying the price. Some people pay more price than I do, I know how some of you are already being persecuted and the kind of situation facing you. The key thing is that we must continue to unite, as a party; we must continue to work hard so that as we go into subsequent elections in 2019, 2023 and so on and so forth, the PDP will continue to come up strong. Even in the interest of the nation, we need the PDP.

“I still believe, though we have lost presidential election, some National Assembly elections, governorship elections especially in the North, the PDP is still the dominant party. Let us not judge the PDP by the results of the elections for the presidential election. Our duty is to go back and identify areas of challenges so that the party will come up strong and play the role as a very strong party. The PDP is still the most organised party, is still the party that is not owned by anybody, is still the party that whatever you are, you can get to any level with your competencies and so on.”

The President also said that all PDP members who defected to the APC would return with empty stomachs because the APC leaders would first settle their members before thinking of those who joined them midway. Jonathan added that the “food” might have finished before it gets to the turn of the PDP defectors . However, he urged all the faithful party members to remain committed to the PDP, adding that even if it was difficult in the beginning, their aim would be achieved eventually. The president said, “I encourage members of our party to remain loyal to the party; not to be so disillusioned because we lost presidential election and decide to go where they think they will fill their stomachs or something. It is not easy. I have been here for five years plus, you hardly satisfy even 15 per cent of those who work for you.

“So, those people running and those already cross-carpeting, they will come back on an empty stomach because they will touch the primary members of their party before they get to them. They know you are coming because you are hungry; and before it will get to you, the food will be gone. So, let us be committed to the party, yes we will have challenges at the beginning but surely we will get to where we want to be.”

The president said although he did not consult anyone before calling Buhari on the telephone to concede defeat, he took that step on behalf of the PDP.

“Yes, I did not consult anybody before I made that phone call (to Buhari) but I made that phone call on behalf of all of you and on behalf of the PDP, “ he said.

Jonathan likened the 2015 elections to the nation’s civil war, saying people would give different accounts of the event depending on the angle from where they were reporting.

However, he said that because of his privileged position, he knew about the elections more than any other person. He said the most important thing was not about his electoral loss, but the need to consolidate the party and move forward. He said, “The issues of this 2015 elections will be similar to the civil war because different people gave different accounts of the civil war.

“The first book on civil war that I read was ‘My Command’ by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, which is his perspectives on what he saw and observed. I recall (Chukwuemeka) Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s own was ‘Because I’m Involved.’ I know that the issues of the 2015 general elections, may be after few years when political scientists will write, we will get different perspectives.

“If you ask the various observer groups, each will give you a different perspective. Even among ourselves whenever we talk sometimes I laugh when people draw some of their analysis but by my privileged position, I know a little more about the elections than others.

“But the key thing is not whether we lost or won but that Nigeria as a nation must move forward. Political parties can only thrive when there is peace and stability in the country. If there is military intervention all the parties will disappear.”

The president further encouraged the members saying that despite the loss that the PDP had suffered in all the elections, it remained the dominant party in the country. He also expressed joy that countries that brought ships to Nigeria and were waiting to evacuate their citizens in case post-election crisis broke out did not have any reason to do so.

Attributing the PDP’s loss to conspiracies and betrayals from people trusted by the party chiefs, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, said, “There is a lot to be done. We need a very vibrant and strong party that can stand in as a strong opposition party; a party that can stand well in the next election. That party has to be put in place now. I believe that we are on the right path.”

Senator Ali said the lessons learnt from the elections would be used to wrest power from the APC in 2019. He said it was sad that the PDP lost despite all the energy it put into the electioneering. He also said the report would provide a road map for the PDP to move forward. Ali described the campaigns in the 36 states of the federation as largely successful except for a few incidents in some states.

I Remain The Deputy Governor Of Ondo State - Olanusi

Alhaji Ali Olanusi, who was earlier reported to have been impeached as Deputy Governor of Ondo State, reacting to his impeachment said that public office holders in position to defend the constitution must be law abiding by allowing the impeachment process that is still pending in court to come to an end on the 7th of May 2015, claiming that he remains the deputy governor of Ondo State.

According to Sahara Reporters, Alhaji Olanusi reacting to the news of his purported impeachment through his lawyer warned that there is a subsisting court order that the status quo‎ be maintained in respect of that office.

His lawyer , Oluwole Kayode, explained that the court order was granted last Thursday, April 23rd, emphasizing that the order in question renders any impeachment proceeding against his the deputy governor null and void.

He said: “Another action in respect of the same office and the impeachment process is pending in court and will come up on the 7th of May 2015,” he said, noting that that the hurried nature of the impeachment process is suspect.

“I think public office holders and people who are put in position to defend the constitution must be law abiding,” Mr. Oluwole said.  “In the light of this disobedience to court order and the impunity displayed in the course of the impeachment proceedings, the Deputy Governor is on solid ground.”

Alhaji Ali Olanusi, alongside his boss, Governor Segun Mimiko, had left the Labour Party, on which platform they were elected, for the PDP.

He fell out of favour with his boss after he defected to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party, two days before the March 28 presidential election.

According to Premium Times, Olanusi was assaulted by suspected thugs who tried to stop him from entering the Government House last week apparently due to his defection to the APC.

Senate Presidency: PDP Endorses Danjuma Goje

As agitations by Senators-elect from the North-East for senate presidency gather momentum, the PDP senators have thrown their weight behind Senator Danjuma Goje for the position of senate presidency. 

Danjuma Goje

Goje, 62, was the governor of Gombe State from May 2003 to May 2011 before heading to the senate under the PDP. He defected to the APC after disagreements with incumbent governor, Hassan Dankwambo. He was re-elected in the just concluded election into the senate and represents Gombe Central Senatorial District in the upper chambers. Goje, apparently, still have strong political ties with his former party, the PDP.

According to Post Nigeria, the 49 PDP Senators are working hard to ensure that their candidate carries the day just to disorganise the APC plan.

Last week, the APC leadership failed to reach a consensus on their zoning formula and the bickering over the zoning arrangement in the APC has  pitched party chieftains against each other as former Lagos State governor,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly hijacked most of the positions.

The North East senators are reportedly ready for a showdown if the Senate Presidency is not zoned to them and the PDP is keen to capitalize on the in-fighting in the APC to determine who will emerge as the Senate President.

The North-East senators are of the argument that the North Central should not be in the struggle, having been in the saddle since 2007.

“In the spirit of cohesion and sense of unity, the office should be zoned to the North-East which has been left out in the cold since 2007,” one of the Senators from North-East stated.

Meanwhile, a group named the Northern Democratic Factualist recently endorsed the  candidature of former Goje, as Senate President.

The group’s National Coordinator, Sani Liman Kila, and National Secretary Yahaya Madobi, described Goje as the most qualified person to occupy the position, even as they insisted that non-else was as qualified as Senator Goje.

“It’s obvious that someone with a dynamic personality and full of experience like Goje is needed to represent the region in which according to our findings, no one qualifies better than him.

“With the support given by North-West and Goje particularly regarding the brilliant idea of merging the opposition parties to form All Progressives Congress, APC that won in the recent Presidential election,”he said.

Sources say the APC are wary of the plot of the PDP and are working towards ensuring that all interests in the party are taken care of.

“We are worried about the aftermath of zoning the Senate Presidency to the North-East. We want to carefully work on ways to manage the effect especially from Senators Saraki and Akume,” an APC source said.

He added ‘’The challenge is that if the Senate Presidency goes to the North-East, it means the North Central has lost out because the only office that the zone might have is either Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives or Majority Leader of the Senate.

‘’This may not be enough to placate the North-Central, Akume, Saraki and the Amaechi camp. The Rivers Governor is still embittered that his camp lost the Vice Presidency.’’

The election of the President of the Eighth Senate will take place on June 4 when the new Assembly will be inaugurated. The clock ticks and the plot thickens as we approach a new Senate.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the APC in the Taraba State just concluded re-run governorship poll, Aisha Alhassan, has rejected the results of the poll.

Alhassan, popularly called ‘Mama Taraba’, while addressing a press conference in Jalingo shortly after the announcement of the results,described the entire elections process as “daylight robbery.”

Taraba Re-run Election: Mama Taraba Rejects Election Results

Few hours after Kyari Mohammed, the INEC Returning Officer for Taraba governorship election had declared Darius Ishaku of the PDP as the winner of the guber poll, reports came in that the candidate of the APC, Aisha Alhassan, rejected the results of the poll.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Alhassan, popularly called ‘Mama Taraba’, while addressing a press conference in Jalingo shortly after the announcement of the results, described the entire elections process as “daylight robbery.”

The report stated that Alhassan opined that the APC would challenge the results in the elections petitions tribunal.

Alhassan

“The combined governorship elections in Taraba were characterised by violence, massive rigging, ballot snatching and abuse of the card readers in substantial parts of the state by the PDP and their allies,” she said.

The results of Wukari, Donga, Takum, Sardauna, Zing, Yorro, Kurmi and some parts of Ussa, Karim-Lamido, Bali, Ardo-Kola and Lau local government areas were not acceptable as they did not reflect the true results of the election in Taraba, Alhassan added.

Alhassan said all the complaints on the irregularities and abuse of the election guidelines were promptly reported to the INEC, but no action was taken.

Meanwhile, Mohammed, who declared the results on Sunday in Jalingo, said Darius Ishaku scored 369,318 votes to emerge victorious.

Darius Ishaku

He said Mr. Alhassan came second with 275,984 votes, while David Kente of the Social Democratic Party polled 29, 966 votes.

Many political watchers had hoped Mrs. Alhassan would have been the first elected female state governor in Nigeria.

No Going Back On Your Impeachment - Ekiti Lawmakers Tell Fayose

The 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have vowed to go on with the impeachment proceedings against Governor Ayo Fayose.

The embattled governor, Ayo Fayose

The resolve by the lawmakers come as media reports yesterday, April 25, suggested that an Abuja High Court has restrained the 19 legislators from impeaching the governor.

But the lawmakers have alleged that there was a misrepresentation of the proceeding in the  ex-parte motion  filed by the seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) colleagues at the  Federal High Court, Abuja.

Adewale Omirin, speaker of the house, in a statement yesterday said there was no such pronouncement from the court.

He said : “While the judge clearly ruled that it (court) could not stop Fayose’s impeachment without hearing from the APC lawmakers, the governor’s storm troopers went to town in a contempt of court to turn full circle the ruling by the judge.”

Omirin accused Governor Fayose of imbibing impunity and manipulation of facts of his impeachment case in the media. Adding that such schemes would not work.

He said:”He first raided the courts and chased the judges under their tables and subsequently closed the courts. After that, he closed the House of Assembly and chased the lawmakers out of town.

“Then it is the turn of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the media, in a mindless fraud and manipulation of the press to have an upper hand in the face of flagrant trampling on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Just  a few days ago, the governor’s agents hacked into Channels Television’s website to plant a story implicating Speaker Adewale Omirin and Senator Babafemi Ojuduý as engaging in impeachment funding fraud totalling N250 million.”

He accused Fayose of creating for himself a reputation as an enemy of the state by killing all democratic institutions in a bid to stay in power by all means.

Meanwhile, Governor Fayose and the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba have described the political stalemate in Ekiti as being blown out of proportion.

The duo who spoke on Thursday, April 23, at the launch of the NLC Delegates’ Conference in Ado Ekiti, the state capital said the impression created in the minds of outsiders that the state had been permanently engulfed by crisis due to the impeachment saga was false.

PDP Wins More Seats In Ekiti House Of Assembly Re-run

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ekiti Assembly election in Ilejemeje State constituency, Mrs. Bose Dada, winner of the supplementary election conducted on Saturday.

With this victory the PDP now has 25 out of the 26 seats in Ekiti State House of Assembly.

The INEC Returning Officer for the election, Mrs Chiyelu Agwu, the PDP candidate, Bose Dada polled a total of 3,449 to trounce the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and incumbent lawmaker in the constituency, Hon Segun Erinle who polled 2,715 to come second. The Labour Party candidate scored 48votes while Unity Party of Nigeria and ACPN polled 7 and 2 respectively.

The INEC Public Relations Officer in the State, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin told newsmen in Ado Ekiti that Dada would be presented the Certificate of Return by the commission next week.

Taraba Re-run Election: Mama Taraba Fails

Aisha Al-Hassan, popularly known as 'Mama Taraba'  has lost the Taraba state governorship re-run election held yesterday to the PDP candidate Darius Ishaku.

At the end of collation of votes for Saturday’s supplementary election in the state, Ms. Al-Hassan of the APC got 13,599 votes to trail Darius Ishaku of the PDP, who garnered 53,120 votes.

When the votes earned by both candidates in both the April 11 and April 25 elections are added, Mr. Ishiaku’s cumulative ballots came to 360,318 to the APC’s candidate 275,985.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is about to officially declare the PDP candidate the winner of the election.

It would be recalled that at some point Ms. Al-Hassan, fondly known as Mama Taraba by supporters, overtook her main challenger, Mr. Ishaku, as results of the election from local government areas trickled into INEC office in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on April 11.

This triggered nationwide celebration by people who thought Ms. Al-Hassan was on her way to dislodging the PDP from the state in a historic win.

But as more votes arrived from remote local governments, it emerged that Ms. Al-Hassan was actually trailing her challenger.

At the end of INEC’s final collation that day, the election was declared inconclusive because the margin of Mr. Ishaku’s victory was lower than the number of registered voters in areas where elections either did not hold or were cancelled due to irregularities.

Yesterday’s supplementary election held in those areas, with Mr. Ishaku getting the most votes.

Imo Re-run Election: Okorocha Wins

The incumbent Governor of Imo State and APC Governorship candidate, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been declared the winner of Imo Re-run Election.
In Imo, the All Progressives Congress finally won a guber position in the South East, as Rochas Okorocha was re-elected to his position.

Okorocha won convincingly and secured 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the state where the supplementary election was held, polling a total of 31,326 votes.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha

The PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha could muster only 13,624 votes.

The outcome of Saturday’s polls maintained the trend of Okorocha’s early lead in the polls.

Ihedioha had trailed Okorocha with 79,525 votes in the original election a fortnight ago.

However, due to electoral issues, the election was declared inconclusive by the returning officer, Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, two weeks ago, because the margin of victory between the top two contenders – the APC and the PDP – was less than the number of registered voters in areas where elections were not held or were cancelled due to irregularities, thus necessitating a supplementary election, as required by the electoral law.

Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe declared Okorocha the winner, having polled the highest number of votes and having satisfied the requirements of the law.

Okorocha polled a total of 416,996 votes out of the total 806,764 votes cast in the election.

Coming a second was Ihedioha with 320,705 and Emmanuel Ihenacho of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in distant third with 28,434 votes.

Okorocha supporters at the INEC office began singing a Christian praise titled “My helper” immediately he was announced winner.

“We want to assure the Imolites that their votes count and the expression of their gratitude in the works of His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been clearly registered through their votes,” said Alfred Anunugba, the APC agent.

“I’m optimistic that we are yet to see the best of Owelle Okorocha at work. So the Imolites are in for something greater, something more reassuring and something enduring,” Mr Anunugba added.

The Imo state governorship election on April 11 experienced some systemic snags, with both major parties exchanging allegations of widespread rigging, ballot box snatching, violence, and sundry other electoral offences.
Meanwhile, INEC has declared the PDP candidate as the winner of the re-run election in Taraba state. 

Abia Re-Run: PDP Guber Candidate Floors APGA, APC, Others

The long awaited Re-run election in Abia State has been concluded with PDP Guber candidate, Okeize Ikpeazu flooring APGA, APC and others in a keenly contested election. 

Announcing the results in Umuahia, the INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof. Ozumba declared Mr, Ikpeazu winner with a total votes 264,713, while his closest rival, the former Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Mr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance polled a total vote of 180, 882 votes.

APC Petitions Jega

The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Dr. Amadu Attai has petitioned the Chairman, INEC, Prof. Jega over what he described as on going efforts to doctor Election Materials and ICT Data Base, demanding arrest of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) 

The petition which is signed by the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Amadu Attai states that the election process in Akwa Ibom State has eroded its confidence in the INEC and called for the immediate arrest of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Okojie and his accomplices based on the prima facie evidence of irregularities in the State and a full - fledged investigation into the electoral fraud in Akwa Ibom State which has been acknowledged by local and international observers.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has petition the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega over ongoing efforts by the State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Austin Okojie to doctor election materials and INEC ICT database in the State in connivance with the head of ICT in State, Mr Pius Nwankwo.

In a petition dated 23rd April, 2015 the party expressed shock over the non release of results for the State House of Assembly elections in the State two weeks after the elections were held.

The APC further stated that there are ongoing efforts in the State to doctor the figures of the total number of accredited voters recorded by the Card Readers  during the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly election in the State by filling Incident Forms for more than 600, 000 people to make up for the differentials in the votes allocated for each party during the election.

"Information at our disposal also shows that contrary to the guidelines issued for the governorship and House of Assembly elections by INEC that the Card Readers must be the only means of accreditation, the REC in Akwa Ibom State  is right now authorising the use of more than 600, 000 thousand copies of Incident Forms by ad hoc staff of the Commission to make up for the differentials in the numbers captured by the card readers on 11 April, 2015 and the votes fraudulently allocated to the candidates of the various parties when elections did not take place in most parts of the State. Efforts are also being made by Pius Nwankwo, the head of ICT in Akwa Ibom State, to doctor the figure earlier captured by the card readers. We note that these are criminal acts being perpetuated two full weeks after the date of the elections on 11 April, 2015". The petition states.

The party attached series of documents, photos and videos to back up their claims. Some of the attachments are:

1. photos of some APC supporters who were killed during the election;

2. nine (9) links of videos detailing series of malpractices during the election;

3.text of the world press conference by the APC House of Assembly candidates in the State;

4. copies of Incident Forms already filled out for the governorship election; and

5. Some incidents of malpractices reported by voters which were recorded at the Information Centre of its candidate on the day of the election.

The petition which is signed by the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Amadu Attai states that the election process in Akwa Ibom State has eroded its confidence in the INEC and called for the immediate arrest of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Okojie and his accomplices based on the prima facie evidence of irregularities in the State and a full - fledged investigation into the electoral fraud in Akwa Ibom State which has been acknowledged by local and international observers.

Copies of the petition has been sent to the President - Elect, General Buhari, the National Chairman of the APC, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Acting Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS).

Imo Re-run Election: Okorocha in early Lead

As counting and collation of results in Imo continue, unofficial results so far have shown the incumbent Governor and APC candidate Rochas Okorocha leading other Candidates.

On its turn early election results from the re-run poll being conducted in Imo state today to choose the governor which was earlier viewed as inconclusive shows that the APC aspirant, Rochas Okocha was already leading in some polling stations according to unconfirmed results.
A set of results from Oru East and Mbatitoli LGA below are the earliest obtained by Saharareporters.

The poll is holding in some polling stations in 23 local government areas which were cancelled or inconclusive in the April 11 election.

Imo Re-run Election: Ihedioha In Secret Meeting With Okorocha

As some Imolites prepare to head back to the polls today, reports say the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the state, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was spotted at the Imo State government house in company of former governor Achike Udenwa, last night. 

According to Splendour magazine, sources in the government house said Okorocha was taken aback when he got a call from Udenwa, his kinsman from Orlu Zone and predecessor intimating him that Ihedioha wants him(Udenwa) to bring him to see the governor for a private chat.

While Okorocha was still trying to digest the shocking request, a black colored Toyota Avenza, 2014 model, tinted all round drove him and the duo with 2 other aides to government house.

Ihedioha was said to have confessed that he is aware that today’s runoff is a mere “academic exercise” and asked to be considered for appointment in the new government. He reportedly told the governor that it will be embarrassing for a whole Deputy Speaker to be an ordinary citizen so soon.

The governor however requested him to openly apologize and compensate  his kinsman from and his Senior Special Assistant on media,  Mr Sam Onwuemeodo who was arrested twice and battered by security men allegedly sent by Ihedioha.

According to INEC, only 118,803 voters will participate in today’s governorship re-run in the state, this comes in contrast to the earlier figures released by the commission who declared 144, 715 voters were to partake in the election.

Okorocha, had earlier pleaded with INEC to declare him the winner of the April 11 governorship election, which the commission declared as inconclusive. 

Re-run In 5 States In The Country Holds Today

Supplementary Elections in 5 states hold today in Nigeria

While the people of Abia, Imo and Taraba states will be casting their votes to elect their governors, those of Delta and Kogi will be electing members of their state assemblies.

In Abia, the supplementary election is between Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The nine local government areas where the voting will take place include Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo, Umuahia North, Isiala Ngwa North, Obingwa, Ohafia and Ikwuano.

In Imo the re-run is between Governor Rochas Okorocha (APC) and Emeka Ihedioha (PDP). The election there was declared inconclusive, following mass cancellations in over 250 polling units.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Taraba, as Senator Aisha Alhassan (APC) still has a chance to beat the PDP candidate, Darius Ishaku, and become the first ever female governor in Nigeria. According to INEC, a total of 218 polling units are expected to open  in the state.

The run-off of the cancelled Delta Central Senatorial district election will be a clash between Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour Party), Ighoyota Amori (PDP) and Halims Agoda (APC).

In Kogi the supplementary elections are in six state assembly constituencies and one federal constituency (Dekina/Bassa).

Beef up of security in the areas where voting will take place is expected in order to enforce restriction of vehicular movements in and out of the areas where the re-run elections are to take place from 8:00 to 17:00.

Accreditation of voters is expected to run from 8am to 1pm. Voting starts at 1:30pm till the last person on the queue votes.

Naij.com brings you live updates on all the main events:

08:40  INEC officials are reportedly absent at PU:16/11/09/003 (COMM. SCH. UBAHA ORODO, ORODO ‘B’ WARD, MBAITOLI LGA) in Imo state

08:13  Reports say INEC officials  have arrived and preparing for accreditation to start  at polling unit 01/02/07/009 Igwebuike Ward, Aba South.

08:05 The order for restriction of vehicular movements in LGAs where voting is taking place is not enforced in Abia.

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07:55 Restriction of vehicular movements in the entire Imo state, especially Owerri – @SituationRoomNg.

In PU 2, Ogwa 1 Ward, Mbaitoli LGA, INEC officials & security agents present. Voting materials are present & accreditation has began

In PU 12, Amakohia Ward, Ikeduru LGA, Imo, only 3 voters present at the PU for accreditation

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07:47 PU 19, Barade Ward, Jalingo LGA, has 1,181 voters and 2 voting points. The INEC officials have just arrived, making the necessary preparations, as Taraba decides.

11 petitions to Akwa Ibom Election Tribunal

At least 11 petitions, arising from the just concluded election have been received by Akwa Ibom Election Petitions Tribunal.

Checks by Concord Nigeria have revealed that 10 out of the 11 petitions are from the All Progressives Congress (APC) while one is from the Accord Party.

As at the time of filling this report, no petition was received from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Seven petitions from house of representative candidates and others from senatorial candidates which made up the 10 petitions from APC.

Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, APC candidate, Inibehe Okori challenges the declaration of the PDP candidate, Godswill Akpabio as winner of the senatorial seat.

Uyo Senatorial District, APC candidate, Emmanuel Obot challenges the declaration of the PDP candidate, Bassey Albert as winner of the elections.

Bassey Etienam of APC challenges the declaration of Nelson Effiong of PDP as winner of the Eket Senatorial District.

APC candidate Okori challenges the eligibility of Akpabio contesting on the grounds that he (Akpabio) wasn’t properly nominated by the PDP.

Coffin threat in Aba, Abia State

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate for Abia state, Alex Otti are behind the recent coffin threat in Aba, Abia state.

Abia residents woke up to this coffin

Residence of Aba woke up this morning, April 23, to find caskets at various places in Aba, with a threat that those who will not vote for Dr. Ikpeazu and the PDP in the Saturday’s supplementary election will die.

Dr. Ikpeazu, the PDP governorship candidate in Abia has released a statement through  Enyinnaya Appolos, his personal assistant, dissociated himself from such acts.

He claims the coffin threat is the handiwork of the opposition who have shown their desperations in various ways since the beginning of the governorship contest.

The statement which was made available to Daily Mail reads:

The attention of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State, has been drawn to the ugly incident witnessed in Aba this morning, where caskets are been dropped at various places in Aba, with a threat that those who will not vote for Dr. Ikpeazu and the PDP in the Saturday’s supplementary election will die.

Dr Okezie is by this means dissociating himself from such dastardly act, and also inform Abians and the general public that such is the handiwork of the opposition who have shown their desperations in various ways since the beginning of the governorship contest.

Dr. Okezie is however assuring Aba people who have always supported him not to be deterred by the intimidation from Alex Otti and his party, APGA, urging Ndi Aba and Abians in the wards and polling units where the supplementary election will hold on Saturday to come out and vote him as they did on April 11.

Dr. Ikpeazu is also urging the Aba business community to go about their lawful business without any fear of molestations.

Signed:
ENYINNAYA APPOLOS
Personal Assistant to
Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  rescheduled the Abia governorship supplementary election to April 25 after the April 11 election was declared inconclusive. The contest is between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate,  Alex Otti.

Jonathan Changes Handover Date

The Federal Government on Wednesday changed its mind on the earlier plan for President Goodluck Jonathan to formally hand-over power to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on May 28 as against the May 29 Democracy Day.

Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, had last week said Jonathan intended to have the formal handing over done on May 28 so that the administration can reserve May 29 for the incoming government.

That announcement triggered controversy with some arguing that the plan would lead to a vacuum in the leadership of the country till when Buhari is inaugurated 24 hours after the handing over.

But while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Jonathan on Wednesday, Akwashiki retracted her earlier disclosure, Punch reports.

The minister, who said the meeting again centred on the transition programme, denied ever telling reporters that the President would hand-over to the President-elect on May 28.

She claimed that what she said was that the process of preparing handover notes would be completed by May 28.

She explained that Jonathan will not hand over power until May 29.

She said, “In the council today, the discussion was still centred on transition.

“I have to make a little clarification because some people thought I said May 28 will be handover date. I never said that.

“I said May 28 will be the last day that we will have our handing over briefs by ministries and parastatals. I said from the 28th of this month to that date has been given to departments and ministries to submit their hand over notes.

“I remember somebody asked if there will be no vacuum if there is handover on May 28 and I replied that there will be no handing over on May 28.

“Handing over and inauguration will hold on May 29. The President is not handing over power on May 28, he is handing over power on May 29.

“We have started the transition and it is ongoing. We are submitting our handover notes to the Office of the SGF.

“The President is still the President until May 29 when Gen. Buhari takes his oath of office and resumes as the President of the Federal Republic.”

When asked to disclose the reason behind the Tuesday sacking of Mr. Suleiman Abba as the Inspector-General of Police, Akwashiki said she had no explanation to make because the President had the right to appoint and fire his appointees.

“I think it is within the President’s power to appoint and sack and he did what he had to do,” she said.

Akwashiki last week said that, President Jonathan will hand over to General Buhari at a dinner on the eve of the May 29 Democracy Day.