Politics
March 18 Polls: CDD commeds INEC’s logistics development
March 18 Polls: CDD commeds INEC’s logistics development
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the improvement in its logistics deployment during Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Prof. AdeleJinadu, the Chairman, CDD said this at a news conference in its preliminary findings on the conduct of the elections in Abuja.
Jinadu said that INEC had fared better in the area of logistics deployment leading to prompter arrival of poll officials for the commencement of the elections.
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He however, said that vote buying and violence were some of the challenged faced the elections.
“CDD observer data showed that across the Southwest zone, INEC officials arrived on time and promptly commenced the process in over 80 per cent of observed polling units.
“This trend is broadly consistent across the six Geo-Political zones. In Anambra State, 75 per cent of polling units had INEC officials who arrived on time with voting commencing on average at 8:41.
“There was even a report of INEC officials in Benue State having slept over at the polling unit to avoid late coming.
“However, incidents of vote buying, violence and intimidation during the polls were in Kano, Jigawa, Lagos, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers and Yobe States,” he said.
Jinadu said that CDD’s observation also indicated that the BVAS appeared to have largely worked well across the country.
Also, CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, said that data from CDD’s deployed 1,500 observers showed that there were more instances of BVAS working during the Governorship eeections compared to the Presidential election of Feb. 25, with this reality reflected across all six Geo-Political zones.
“This might be a reflection of the heightened political environment around governorship polls, the importance of local personalities in state-level politics, and the shortages of fuel and naira,” she said.
Hassan said that the report also showed that in the North-West, observers in all seven states reported increased reports of vote trading, primarily by political party agents.
She said that money was used alongside other materials such as food items, wrappers and a ‘credit voucher’ to buy votes and those items were to be redeemed after the results.
“Similarly in the North-East, political party agents in Taraba infiltrated the queue, pretended to be voters and used the chance to offer cash for votes.
“In the South-East, there were reports of APGA and LP party agents using materials, phones and other souvenirs to entice voters in Anambra state.
“In the South-South, multiple states reported a desire for voters to show proof of their vote before being paid, with party agents reportedly compiling a list of their voters in Esan Central LGA, Edo state.”
Hassan said that CDD observers documented incidents of violence as well as voter suppression in some states.
March 18 Polls: CDD commeds INEC’s logistics development
APC’s Okpebholo Declared Winner of Edo Governorship Election by INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner of the Edo governorship election held on Saturday.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, INEC’s Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, announced the result on Sunday in Benin City after collating results from the 18 local government areas of the state.
Sen. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, finished third with 22,763 votes.
Prof. Kuta declared, “Okpebholo Monday of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
The breakdown of the results shows that the APC won in 11 local government areas, while the PDP triumphed in 7.
The governor-elect, Okpebholo, currently serves as a senator representing Edo Central at the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, PDP’s agent at the collation center, Mr. Osaigbovo Iyhoa, demanded a suspension of the declaration, citing alleged irregularities across multiple local government areas. The PDP has submitted a petition to INEC, urging a review of the raised concerns before proceeding with the final declaration.
Atiku, Fubara Arrive Benin for PDP’s Edo Gubernatorial Campaign Finale
Ahead of the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, including 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, have arrived in Benin for the party’s campaign grand finale.
Joining Atiku is Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, both of whom are in Edo to bolster support for the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, ahead of the September 21 election.
https://www.facebook.com/Ochuwa24news/videos/1082744683272955
The grand finale rally, set to take place in Oredo, Benin City, marks the PDP’s final push to secure victory in the closely watched gubernatorial race.
Peter Obi Dismisses Claims of Accepting 2027 Vice Presidential Role
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has refuted claims that he agreed to become a vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 elections. The former Anambra State Governor addressed the issue via a series of posts on his official X account on Saturday, accusing certain groups of misinterpreting his recent interview.
Obi emphasized that his remarks during the News Central TV interview had been deliberately distorted by propagandists, and he reiterated his unwavering commitment to the Labour Party and Nigeria’s progress.
https://www.facebook.com/Ochuwa24news/videos/820328146751630
Clarifying his stance, Obi stated, “I am not focused on 2027 when Nigerians are grappling with hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other urgent challenges.” He noted that he is open to partnerships, but only with individuals whose intentions align with advancing the country, not capturing state power.
Obi further stressed that his priority is to address pressing national issues, including bringing millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms and combating poverty. He categorically denied any agreement to serve as a vice president, saying, “For the avoidance of doubt, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone.”
Despite the rumors, Obi reaffirmed his dedication to Nigeria’s development, insisting that true progress can be achieved without necessarily holding political office.
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