Popular lawyer and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, has advised defeated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to accept the outcome of the election.

He made the plea in a statement, hours after Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that going to Election Petition Tribunal was not the right decision.

He explained that the voting pattern for the poll showed that ethnicity played a significant role in the exercise.

He said he understood the grievance of the opposition party but a lot needed to be done in reforming the nations politics and the electoral process.

He, however, challenged Atiku not to lose sight of the legacy in his front and take up the mantle of a statesman.

Agbakoba further stressed the need to address the voting pattern in the country, saying the same thing might repeat itself in the 2023 general elections.

2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: ETHNIC CONSIDERATION VS. GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATION

The voting pattern for the 2019 Presidential Election shows ethnicity played a significant role in the Election. President Muhammadu Buhari kept his base in the North while former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar largely held his base in the South.

Both All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) benefited from primordial voting. The excepted zone is the South-west where voting occurred on the basis of issues.

The significance and consequence of the 2019 Presidential Election is huge unless we are able to reverse it. 2023 will follow the pattern of 2019 unless we do something about it.

I understand the PDP is aggrieved about the outcome of the Election and alleged massive irregularities. But I urge former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal.

He might have moved backwards by his loss but he should not lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him. Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is in a strong position to take up the mantle of a statesman.

He can build a new Nigeria movement from the motley of small parties, third force actors, change actors and millions who are desperate for a strong, united Nigeria.

There is also a lot of work to be done in both political and electoral reforms. I request former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to step into the shoes.

This is not to say I do not recognise the massive irregularities in the 2019 Presidential Election. I can see how tempting it is to take the option of the Election Petition Tribunal but that in my view is not the right decision.

We look forward to a new Nigeria, strong and united; a new Nigeria that will not vote on the basis of ethnic and primordial sentiments.

As I said, I was shocked at the strength of the two parties in holding their respective bases. But the problem was that the basis was simply primordial and not driven by issues.

Nigerian politics must appeal to issues and not ethnic or primordial consideration. This is the biggest danger in the 2019 Presidential Election and we as Nigerians must stand up to redress it.

Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN)

February 27, 2019.

Source: NAN

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as the countrys President.

Mrs Gloria Shoda, President of the council, in a statement, said Buharis victory was a reflection of the peoples choice.

She called on the president to use his second term to ensure that more women were given opportunity to serve in government.

According to her, women form a greater percentage of the Nigerian population, saying that giving them opportunity to serve will give them a sense of belonging and responsibility on how to move the nation forward

We know, as home builders and go getters, that putting more women in strategic positions will move the country to the desired next level, she said.

Shoda also called on the president to invest more in the education sector to reduce the burden of educating the children on parents.

The NCWS president also urged the Buhari administration to create more job opportunities for the youths in addition to empowering more women.

President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Wednesday declared re-elected by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having polled 15,191,847 votes, winning in 19 states.

Buhari defeated other 72 candidates including Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 11, 255,978 votes and won 17 states and the FCT, to occupy the second position.

Source: NAN

The Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the Presidential Election of Feb. 23 and also urged politicians and international community to accept the result.

President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared re-elected by INEC on Wednesday, having polled 15,191,847 votes, winning in 19 states.

Buhari defeated 72 other candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 11,255,978 votes and won 17 states and the FCT, to occupy the second position.

The Secretary General of the group, Chief Uche Okwukwu, gave the congratulatory message while briefing newsmen in Enugu.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo heartily rejoices and congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential polls on Feb. 23.

His victory as exposed by the majority of votes cast has clearly shown that the President has been on the right course in the last four years.

Ndigbo are deeply happy that Mr President secured more votes in Igbo land than he got in 2015.

We urge all Nigerians and the international community to accept the verdict as the election was adjudged free, credible, transparent and peaceful.

Ohanaze is calling on all not to heat up the polity through unguarded utterances and actions, he said.

Okwukwu added that the leadership of the group would be meeting with President Buhari next week to present to him official congratulatory message on his well-deserved victory at the poll.

He, however, said that the group would use the occasion to present to Buhari the charter of their demands for infrastructure uplift of the entire Igbo speaking areas of the country.

Part of our demands will be the completion of ongoing infrastructure works such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, modern railway, completion of ongoing Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt roads, fixing of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport among others, he said.

Ohaneze members are drawn from seven states, which include; Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Daniel Usman in Kogi state; Mrs Amakiri Ibisaki in Rivers state and many others across different states of the Federation all had their aspirations and hoped to see better days ahead, probably fantasizing about being a part of a new Nigeria. But the sad truth is like a bird suddenly deprived of its wings, their hope has been eternally brought low for the singular reason that their lives were cut short. Death is a prize we all will get to pay someday, but that these patriots were killed while attempting to perform their civic duty or be a part of the process that will help herald in the Nigeria of their dream makes it rather disheartening – a tragic and damaging tale for our democracy. The blood of these fallen citizens has been pointlessly sacrificed on the altar of a faulty democratic process. Their families are left in mournful state while some Nigerians are eager to celebrate victory based on the results of this profoundly flawed electoral process. But then is it really time to rejoice? What is there to celebrate for those whose victory has come at the expense of another person’s life? Our democracy may be a growing one but there is no doubt that it has been inundated with many tragedies…no thanks to desperate politicians who pursue power without regard for the sacredness of human life.

The electoral process needs some purging
Besides the death of a number of persons due to election-related violence, the incidences of irregularities and hoodlums destroying, threatening and marginalising some accredited voters – seen in videos shared on the internet – means that things cannot continually be left or done as usual. The lapses in the electoral process have always been there. However, inadequacies in addressing these issues have given some undignified individuals the leeway to explore the lacuna therefore manipulating the people’s mandate. A fair assessment of the whole situation will reveal that our electoral system appeared to have taken us many steps backward when we weigh in on all the abnormalities that have thus far bereft the 2019 elections – the bar has not been raised one bit. The latest statement should not be seen as a diversion [from the main discourse] as it yet pinpoints the ills of a statutory body that ought to hold democracy together. It is on these premises that I conclude that there is a need for the process to undergo some purging, and this must start with a critical review of the electoral act.

Any way out?
While lamenting about the state of things some days back, a friend posited that technology – probably through the use of electronic voting system – should be aptly employed in the electoral process. For instance, having people vote from the comfort of their homes could be helpful in ensuring that they are placed in harm’s way while trying to choose their leaders. This sounds good but the question is: can this be well-managed even considering the fact that the use of simple device as the card reader has not been without complications? Plus, we cannot pretend not to know that a considerable number of the electorate may have issues with such technological innovations. Notwithstanding, I must submit that technology may still hold the key towards ensuring better and safer terrain for voters in subsequent elections. Hence, it is incumbent on the regulatory body to go back to the drawing board, brainstorm and map out plans in that direction.

However, while the electoral body may do its bit in averting needless deaths during elections, it is unforgivable to forget that the onus of protecting lives and properties falls largely on the law enforcement agency. Based on number of election-related violence that arose in and around different polling stations, it is obvious that there was lack of strategic security plan. Events were left to chance, and at the end, the lives of certain persons were endangered and/or obliterated.

Finally, to those whose hands are soaked with the blood of the innocent all in the name of gaining power: one who sows the seed of violence shall definitely reap a whirlwind of turbulence even if the judicial system [of this mundane world] turns a blind eye.

To some persons; cooking is just another arduous exercise that they would wish to avoid but the need to munch on something will however see them reluctantly going into the kitchen. On the other hand, to some others, cooking is nothing but fun; an activity they will always love to engage with great passion.

These ones have the skill to turn meal into a delicacy; leaving everyone’s palate eagerly anticipating the savoury taste of the food so prepared. They have got the magic touch to make the spoon go whithersoever they wish, and whatever method of cooking – poaching, blanching, stewing, steaming, grilling and so on – there is, is never alien to them.

So, if you are one of this gifted few, you may be interested in showcasing your (coking) talent to the world away from your kitchen space and home. And it is for your sake that we have put this article together about a couple of cooking competitions where you can display your culinary skill.

• Knorr Taste Quest: With cash rewards going into millions of naira and other huge prizes, Knorr Taste Quest can be said to be the highest rewarding cooking competition in the nation. It is set up in form of a TV reality show which usually starts around the middle of the year, and runs for several weeks culminating in the eventual emergence of a winner. Having started back in 2013, the sixth edition of the competition should start airing on TV stations in no distant time. As such, individuals who are interested in participating in this year’s edition can look forward to submit their application via knorrtastequest.com portal in due time.

• Onga Cooking Competitions: Onga is another seasoning brand that has consistently organised various cooking competitions year in year out. There have been a number of competitions across different settings – market places, schools and so on. With the Onga4bae which was in commemoration of Valentine’s day celebration already gone by, food lovers hoping to show their cookery expertise can look forward to other avenues that would be presented by the brand in the course of the year. The Onga National Campus Cooking Competition which could be held in specific tertiary institutions is one of such.

Bonus

• Fiesta of Flavours: Though Fiesta of Flavours is not an out-and-out cooking competition, it does hold some opportunities for couples and kids who desire to let the world have a feel or sight of their gastronomic tendencies. The next edition of Fiesta of Flavours will come up sometimes in September. By the way, it is fitting to state that the event is a food and drink funfair where families and friends can have refreshing time-out.

This is all we can take for now. There will definitely be a series of crash food competitions that would be unveiled as the year rolls by. We hope to keep you posted on these when the application process begins. So stay connected and keep things sizzling.

Both President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar are running neck and neck in Adamawa, claiming eight councils each after results were declared in 16 local councils.

However, Atiku has an advantage in plural votes in the state.

According to results so far collated Abubakar is leading Buhari with 22,000 votes.

There are five local councils yet to be declared.

The PDP won 317,088 from results so far calculated at the Independent National Electoral Commissions office in Jimeta, near Yola. President Muhammadu Buharis All Progressives Congress scored 295,088 votes.

State of the candidates in the 16 councils declared:

Mubi North Local Government
APC 26,746
PDP 23,156

Shelleng Local Government
APC 13,531
PDP 11, 912

Girei Local Government
APC 17,765
PDP 14,673

Yola North Local Government
APC 43,865
PDP 27,789

Numan Local Government
APC 10,610
PDP 23,469

Demsa Local Government
APC 6,989
PDP 29,997

Hong Local Government
APC 20,471
PDP 23,039

Ganye Local Government
APC 20,360
PDP 17,770

Guyuk Local Government
APC 10,825
PDP 22,059

Lamurde Local Government
APC 8,123
PDP 21,404

Yola South Local Government
APC 34,534
PDP 20,414

Mayo Belwa Local Government
APC 20,842
PDP 23,734

Mubi South Local Government
APC 19,361
PDP 10,514

Madagali Local Government
APC 8,208
PDP 14,594

Maiha Local Government
APC 17,034
PDP 7,916

Song Local Government
APC 17,352
PDP 22,648

Source: NAN

By Precious Akutamadu

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has taken an early lead in Saturdays presidential poll results of eight out of nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Monday in Port Harcourt that the results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electoral officers with support of the collation officers from the LGAs.

The results, which are still being collated across the state, showed the former Vice President leading in Oyigbo, Omuma, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Eleme, Andoni, Gokana and Etche LGAs.

The results also showed the candidate of the All Prorgressives Congress (APC) and incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari trailing behind with a lead in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

The results from 13 other LGAs including Port Harcourt, Ikwerre, Emohua, Degema, Tai and Opobo/Nkoro, are however, yet to be announced.

Others are Okirika, Ogu/Obolo, Khana, Abia/Odua, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akoku-Toru and Bonny LGAs

Atiku got a total of 222,045 in the nine LGAs, while Buhari got 71,734 votes.

The breakdown of the results showed that Atiku won in Oyigbo with 16,102 as against 3,520 votes of Buhari while in Omuma, he got 15,322 as against 2, 494 of the incumbent President.

The results further showed that Atiku won in Ogba/Egbeme/Ndoni with 28,536, Obio/Akpor with 69,981, Eleme with 8,464, Andoni with 72,330, Etche with 11,135 and Gokana with 10,276.

Buhari polled 18,180 votes to take lead in Asari-Toru while Atiku got 3,175.

Meanwhile the results of the National Assembly in the state are yet to be released.

NAN also reports that the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, delivered his Andoni LGA to Atiku with 72,330 votes.

The Collation Officer for Andoni, Prof Prince Oghenekaro, while announcing the results, said that Ward 6 of the LGA had no election as election materials were allegedly carted away by hoodlums.

Also, Dr Godwin Ihenacho, a Collation Officer for Etche LGA, said that there was no election in Ward 14 of the area due to hijack of election materials.

The Collation Officer for Obio/Akpor LGA, Prof. Arthur Nwafor, said the result so far was from 13 out of 17 wards.

He added that four wards, 1, 3, 15 and 16, which generated a total of 4,000 votes, were not collated due to security situation in the wards at the time of collation.

The state Returning Officer of INEC, Prof. Aniefiok Essien, however, said that the results from the remaining LGAs would be announced as soon as they arrived.

Source: NAN

By Polycarp Auta

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is maintaining his lead in last Saturdays presidential polls in Plateau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has so far declared results of 13 local government areas.

The commission is awaiting the results of the remaining four local government areas.

Prof. Richard Kimbir, the Collation Officer, declared Abubakar winner in 10 LGAs said that the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, won in three LGAs.

NAN reports that the PDP won in Jos South, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa LGAs.

Other LGAs won by the party are Langtang North, Langtang South, Pankshin, Mikang and Kanke.

Kimbir said that the APC won in Jos East, Shendam and Quaanpan.

Source: NAN

Sen. Danjauma Laah (PDP-Kaduna South) has won the election for the Kaduna South Senatorial District.

Mr Suleiman Yashim, INEC Returning Officer who announced the result on Monday in Kafanchan said Laah of the PDP scored a total 268,923 votes to defeat Deputy Governor Barnabas Bala Bantex of the APC who scored 133,287 votes.

Rijo Shikari of the ADP scored 9,609 votes, Benedict Kura of ADC scored 2,741.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has won the Presidential election in Lagos State, by defeating his rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with a 132,798 vote margin.

The margin was lower than the 160,143 votes with which Buhari defeated Jonathan in 2015 in the megapolis. Buhari then polled 792,460 votes, while Jonathan got 632,327.

In the latest results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Yaba area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Monday afternoon, Buhari polled 580,814 votes to beat Atiku, who got 448,016 votes in keenly contested election.

While Buhari won in 15 Local Government Areas of Lagos, Atiku won in five councils, heavily populated by South East residents.

The full result:

Ibeju/Lekki LG

APC: 12,179
PDP: 9,222

Lagos lsland LG

APC: 27,452
PDP: 7,396

Apapa LG

APC-18,170
PDP-11,295

Ikorodu LG

APC: 40,719
PDP: 21,252

Epe LG

APC: 17,710
PDP: 13,305

Ikeja LGA

APC: 23,638
PDP: 21,518

Badagry LG
APC: 21,417
PDP: 17,936

Agege LG
APC: 36,443
PDP: 16,497

ETI-OSA LG

APC: 20,963
PDP: 25,216

Ifako Ijaiye LG

APC: 33,419
PDP: 18,100
AAC: 674

Mushin LG

APC: 43,543
PDP: 20,277

Oshodi/lsolo LG

APC: 29,860

PDP: 28,806

Lagos Mainland LG

APC: 22,684
PDP: 15,137

Ojo LG

APC: 24,333
PDP: 29,019

Surulere LG

APC: 30,621
PDP: 31,603

Somolu LG

APC: 28,418
PDP: 21,978

Kosofe LG

APC : 39,216
PDP: 28,715

Amuwo-Odofin

APC: 16,670
PDP : 34,312

Ajeromi Ifelodun

PDP: 31, 971
APC: 28,153

Alimosho

PDP: 44461
APC: 65,206

Source: NAN

Senator Biodun Olujimi of the Peoples Democratic Party has lost her bid for re-election in Ekiti South Senatorial district as she was beaten by Prince Dayo Adeyeye of the All Progressives Congress.

INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Laide Lawal, announced the result on Sunday in Ikere.

Adeyeye, a journalist and lawyer scored 77,621 votes to beat Olujinmi, at present minority leader in the senate, who polled 53,741 votes.

The APC candidate won five out of the six local councils that make up the Senatorial District.

Similarly, the APC candidate Sen. Adetunmbi has been declared the winner of the Ekiti North Senatorial District poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Sunday Abayomi Fasina, declared
that Adetunmbi polled 60,689 votes to defeat the incumbent Senator Duro Faseyi of the PDP who recorded 49,209 votes.

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress in both Ekiti South constituency 1 and Ekiti North constituency II, Yemi Adaramodu and Olarewaju Ibrahim were declared the winners with a wide margin of victory respectively.

Adaramodu won with 41,864 as against the PDP opponent, Segun Adekola, who polled 24, 707.

In Ekiti North constituency II, Olarewaju Ibrahim of APC polled 29,388 votes to defeat his PDP opponent, Arch. Olusola Omotosho who won 23,684 votes.

Source: NAN

Senate President Bukola Saraki of the Peoples Democratic Party lost Asa Local government to the All Progressives Congress, according to the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He was not the only one mourning the loss as the partys governorship candidate Razak Atunwa comes from Efue, in the council area. Atunwa is the incumbent House of Representatives member representing Asa and Ilorin West Federal Constituency.

According to INEC, while APC polled a total of 15, 932 votes, PDP scored 11, 252 votes

The result of the election was announced by the Returning Officer for ASA Local Government, Prof Emmanuel Sanya at the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ilorin on Sunday.

APC won in 12 of the 17 wards in in Asa while PDP won in five wards.

The Returning Officer said a total of 73, 425 voters were registered in the local government, while 29, 027 voters were accredited for the election.

Sanya said out of the 28, 815 votes cast, 27, 850 were valid with 956 votes rejected.

The returning officer said results are still being expected in three other local governments, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South, which make up the senatorial district.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has won Ekiti state, the first officially declared presidential election result by Independent National Electoral Commission.

In the result announced by the returning officer, Professor Idowu Olayinka, vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Buhari of the All Progressives Congress polled 219,231 votes, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party got 154,032 votes.
PDP 154,032.

Total valid votes were 381,132, rejected votes 12,577, while total total votes were 393 709.

The APC has already won two of the senate seats for the state and several House of Representative seats.

Source: NAN

By Maureen Atuonwu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the National Assembly polls in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Announcing the result in Awgu on Sunday, the INEC Returning Officer in the council, Prof Emmanuel Eze disclosed that the PDP polled 18, 879 votes while the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 2,710 for Enugu West senatorial seat.

For the House of Representatives, Eze said the PDP polled 18, 958 followed by the APC with 2,817 votes and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 1,335 votes.

The returning officer said that valid votes cast were 23,607 out of the total 24,442 registered voters with 840 void votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senatorial contest was between the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP and Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Justice Reform for the APC.

NAN reports that PDP two term lawmaker; Toby Okechukwu is contesting with an ace broadcaster, Obiora Ilo of the African Independent Television (AIT) for the APC for Awgu/Aninri/Oji River federal constituency.

Source: NAN

The Chairman, Central Working Committee of the Women and Youth Campaign Team of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has alleged plans to manipulate results by opposition in South East and South South.

Marwa raised the alarm Sunday in a press briefing in Yola.

We will like to draw the attention to the fact that there are plans afoot for massive manipulation of results by the opposition in South East and South South through the unleashing of violence from tonight onwards with a view to altering election results by using total registered voters instead of accredited voters to change final result figures.

We therefore urge security agencies and INEC to monitor this information very closely and act swiftly to forestall this nefarious intention.., Marwa said.

Marwa who voted in Adamawa lauded members of Buhari campaign team for their effective mobilisation for the reelection of Buhari whose victory he said was certain.

We thank millions of APC members and supporters who trooped out to vote on February 23, 2019, despite the initial postponement.

We thank our agents who stood their grounds to ensure our results were not tampered with and our mandate protectors who kept eagle eyes on the process, Marwa said.

Meanwhile, the people of Adamawa are awaiting the results of the Presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

Source: NAN

Senate President Bukola Saraki needs about 20,000 votes to close the gap between him and Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the APC challenger in the race for the Kwara Central senatorial district.

Saraki further lost pace with Oloriegbe following the announcement of the result of Ilorin East Local government, the second local government in his senatorial district.

Oloriegbe had beaten Saraki, 15, 392 votes to 11, 252 in Asa. In Ilorin East LG, he outpaced Saraki 30,014 votes to 14,654 votes, stretching the gap to 19,500 votes.

The results were announced by INEC.

Results from Ilorin West and ilorin South are still being expected.

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Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari is leading Abubakar Atiku by a wide margin in Yobe state after results in five local governments were declared at the presidential collation centre in Damaturu, the capital.

Prof. Abubakar Gundiri, Vice Chancellor, University of Wukari, who declared the results as returning officer, said Buhari polled 12,227 votes in Gujba while Atiku scored 325 votes.

In Tarmuwa local government, BUhari scored 12,122 votes against Atikus 1, 269 votes.

In Damaturu local government, APC scored 35,772 votes against PDPs 2,099 while in Karasuwa local government, APC polled 22,377 to beat PDP which has 3,692 votes.

The APC scored 14,619 votes in Machina local government to beat PDP which has 2,315 votes.

Yobe has 17 local governments. Results are still being awaited in 12 councils.

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has blasted the Peoples Democratic Party for behaving irresponsibly in making a call for the declaration of Atiku Abubakar as winner of Saturdays presidential election.

The PDP should stop acting the role of spoiled children who threaten to upset the dinner table if not fed their preferred meal, APC National publicity secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu said.

The PDP had called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as winner of Saturdays Presidential election, saying it has results that its candidate had won.

APC said the call was an unwarranted attack on democracy and Nigerians and shameful.

The PDP in that press statement, recklessly calls on the INEC to arbitrarily declare its candidate, Atiku Abubakar the winner of the presidential election.

This call is shameful and alarming; unwilling to wait for INEC, the constituted legal authority to complete its task, the PDP seeks a short cut by false and premature claims of victory, this cannot stand.

Our nation is trying to perfect its democracy, not turn it into a mockery. Sadly, this objective is lost to the PDP, Issa-Onilu said.

He noted that because the PDP wanted the presidency so badly, it had engaged in all manner of misconduct and spared little cost to achieve its aim.

He added that the PDP now believes that it is entitled to claim victory notwithstanding the vote and will of the people.

This, Issa-Onilu added is not the way of democracy, saying that democracy meant that the people should choose for themselves not that the PDP should choose for them.

That may have been the way in the past when they engineered and kidnapped elections to achieve their desired end not withstanding the true will of the people.

Thankfully, those days are gone and gone forever. These elections are supposed to be democratic exercises not a platform for the PDP to impose their selfish designs on a hopeful nation,he said.

The APC spokesman, however, advised the PDP to honour and follow the sovereign will and sober dignity of the Nigerian people.

He added that the people patiently waited the additional week for Election Day to come, noting that the vast majority of Nigerians again exercised patience as they peacefully voted on Election Day.

Unfortunately, he said, isolated incidents of violence and disruption of the exercise occurred in some places which saddened the APC.

Issa-Onilu recalled that some Nigerians died on Saturday during the election, saying that this should never had happened and should never happen again during an election of any kind in the country.

He stressed that the deaths were a needless tragedy that mar what was otherwise a celebration of Nigerias maturing democracy.

He added that instead of the discordant and provocative statement it released, the PDP should be appealing for peace and for INEC to diligently and thoroughly perform the vital task assigned it.

Issa-Onilu alleged that majority of violent incidents and reports of electoral malpractice on the election day, emanated from PDP controlled states.

The PDP press statement is but a continuation of the sordid games the party has mastered, while all evidence points to the misconduct of their people, they make outlandish and false claims against the APC.

This is but the typical modus operandi of a master swindler. They seek to distract the public eye from their own wrongs, by falsely accusing the APC of the very things they had conspired to set in motion months before this election.

From trying to falsify results on the ground to attempts at hacking the INEC software, they are willing to say and do anything to obtain victory, no matter how tainted by the wrongs they commit.

He advised that the PDP should behave more responsibly instead of acting the role of spoiled children who threaten to upset the dinner table if not fed their preferred meal.

On our part, the APC has governed and campaigned as we believed was right, because of this, we are content to await the verdict of the people, Issa-Onilu said.

He added that the APC believe that only INEC had the authority to announce election results.

He noted that what the PDP was trying to do by claiming without any factual basis that Atiku had won the election, was to usurp INECs constitutional authority.

Issa-Onilu maintained that PDPs words were rash eruptions and may incite needless violence and unrest, adding that it should live up to the status it claimed for itself as a large political party.

He advised that the PDP should behave more responsibly instead of acting the role of spoiled children who threaten to upset the dinner table if not fed their preferred meal.

He encouraged INEC to do its job as mandated by law and by good conscience and not by the screams of those who does not fully believe in good ideals.

We hope INEC can begin to release results soon and do so in a way that protects and honours the vote of every Nigerian who cast a ballot.

We also ask our members and supporters to exercise patience and conduct themselves peacefully. Democracy is a contest of issues and visions, not one of muscle and fighting.

Let there be no more violence among us, remember that we are all Nigerians and belong to the same national family despite our political differences.

On this day, may democracy and sovereign will of the electorate reign. There is no worthy substitute for this despite the malign protestations of the PDP, Issa-Onilu said.

He maintained that if Nigeria is to stand for something, let it be democracy and assurance of a brighter future

Source: NAN

The Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, failed to hold his polling unit in Yola, Adamawa state on Saturday as he lost it to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The official count of ballots at Ajiya unit 02 in Gwadabawa Ward of Yola North Local Government Area gave Atiku 167 votes, while Buhari got 186 votes, out of the 365 votes cast at the centre.

The Assistant Presiding Officer, Mr Abdulrasheed Mohammed, who announced the results, said a total of 365 votes were cast for the presidential election at the unit.

Similarly, the Senatorial candidate and House of Representatives candidates of the APC defeated their PDP counterparts at the unit.

Aishatu Dahiru the senatorial candidate of APC, got 185 votes to defeat Mohammed Chubado of PDP who got 120 votes, while APC House of Representative candidate scored 145 votes to defeat his PDP counterpart who got 121 votes.

At Lamidos Palace polling unit 010, Atiku also lost to Buhari.

He polled 138 votes, while Buhari got 228 votes, according to INEC presiding officer Idris Yunusa.

At Voting Point 04 of Polling Unit 11, in Bako ward in Yola, where Mr Nuhu Ribadu, a former chairman of EFCC voted, APC polled 142 ahead of PDPs 79 votes. APC scored 549 in the unit, while PDP got 304.

Bako ward is not far from Ajiya ward, the polling area of the PDPs presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

In unit 001, APC got 122 ahead of PDPs 60; in unit 002 the ruling party polled 298 to defeat PDP which got 68.

In unit 003, PDP polled 143 behind APCs 319. APC also scored 278 in unit 004 to defeat PDP which got 144.

At unit 005, APC scored 196 while PDP polled 53. Unit 006 was also cleared by APC with 308 to PDPs 54 votes. At unit 007 Mr Buhari equally defeated Mr Abubakar with 263 votes against PDPs 85.

The results are not surprising to political observers. President Buhari won Adamawa in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. In 2007, Atiku was on the ballot for ACN, and he still lost the state to Buhari.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari won 462 votes at the Idigba Ilorin polling unit 004 of the partys governorship candidate, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak.

Buharis votes more than double the figure scored by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party. He got 167 votes.

All the APC candidates trounced their PDP counterparts at the unit.

The APC won the senatorial poll with 473 votes to beat PDPs Senator Bukola Saraki who polled 211.

The APC also defeated the PDP in the House of Representatives election, winning 484 votes as against PDPs 200.

AbdulRazaq comes from the same Ilorin West local government of Kwara Central as Saraki.

The APC candidate had earlier told reporters his party was headed for a landslide victory against the PDP, saying the people of the state were tired of poor governance and corruption which he said the PDP represents in Kwara.

Saraki however won his own polling unit at Agbaji Quarters, Ajikobi Ward, Ilorin West LGA and also delivered for Atiku Abubakar.

In the presidential election, Atiku Abubakar polled 219 votes while Muhammadu Buhari polled 68 votes.

Saraki scored 269 votes in the senatorial election to defeat APC which polled 60 votes.

PDP also recorded victory in the House of Reps election with 253 votes to APCs 53 votes.

Source: NAN