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02/23/19
LIVE: Results Collation From Nigeria's Presidential And National Assembly Election
Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : https://ift.tt/2Xjes94
LIVE: Results Collation From Nigeria's Presidential And National Assembly Election
Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : https://ift.tt/2Xjes94
LIVE: Results Collation From Nigeria's Presidential And National Assembly Election
Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : https://ift.tt/2Xjes94
An Election Of Tears, Sorrow And Blood By Fredrick Nwabufo
He woke up to a bright and sunny morning. It is an important day; a time to do his bounden duty to his country. Nothing betokened that it will be his final rite to this “shrine”. Instead of taking his vote, it took his life.
A young voter killed at a polling unit in Anyigba, Dekina local government area, Kogi state. He was allegedly killed during an argument over who he should vote for. He died violently exercising his right in a place that should have been a refuge.
In Rivers, the grim-reaper’s scythe reportedly hacked down two persons. And there are reports of unmitigated violence at different places in the state. An agent of a political party was shot dead by security agents.
In Delta, three voters were reportedly killed by the crimson bullets of some armed thugs at a polling unit in Amukpe area of Sapele town. The violators were said to have shot at voters as they queued to cast their ballots.
In Bayelsa, two persons were reported killed in Membe after violence broke out in the area.
In Lagos, thugs set ablaze thumb-printed ballot papers at Ohafia Street, Ago Palace Way in Isolo local government area. The hoodlums did not let up until they were accomplished. They went to other voting stations around the area to smash ballot boxes and intimidate voters. This picture also captures the exercise in some other parts of the state.
In Kaduna, there are reports of a blockade in some areas, impeding voters from exercising their rights. In Akwa Ibom, there is a flurry of reports of ballot-box snatching.
Also, in Ondo, there are depressing reports of hijack of ballot boxes involving some high-profile individuals. Really, there are many sombre reports, too exhausting to tabulate.
And there have been other tales of tears, sorrow and blood from across the country. It has been one Saturday of tears, sorrow and blood.
How can Nigeria win in these circumstances? For how long will our democracy be fecundated by the blood of innocents? For how long will our elections be marred by hijack of electoral materials, intimidation of voters and violence?
An election should not cost the lives of citizens. Even if one soul is lost, the exercise is a “blood election”. Can we get it right?
I think, the reason for “blood-balloting” here is because of the stakes. The stakes are corrupt. Political power is often for abusive use and for not citizens’ protection and betterment. I do not think any politician will sponsor violence against opponents or a voting section he considers “opposition”, if he really wants power for good of the people.
With the wide outbreak of violence, hijack of ballot boxes, intimidation of voters and the killings across the country, regardless of who wins this election, Nigeria has clearly lost.
Fredrick is a media personality.
Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo
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VIDEO: ‘That Is Demola’ — ‘Ballot Box Snatcher’ Stoned To Death In Lagos
A suspected ballot box snatcher identified as Demola, said to be an Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) leader in Lagos State, has been stoned to death.
Demola was escaping with his motorcycle after allegedly overseeing the snatching of ballot boxes in Okota area of Lagos, when he was apprehended and stoned to death, with his motorcycle burnt.
“That’s Demola,” a bystander said at least five times as members of the public came one after the other to pelt him with stones, while he was already weakened and half sprawling on the ground. “That’s Demola on the ground. That’s him.”
Another bystander asked: “Where are the remaining ones?”
‘That Is Demola’ — ‘Ballot Box Snatcher’ Stoned To Death In Lagos
As the stoning continued, the first bystander, who did not participate in the stoning but apparently saw Demola commit the evil, kept on talking.
“They’ve stolen the votes. They’ve stolen the votes in Okota. See him lying down. They’ve stolen all the votes,” he said.
“That is Demola there; the head of OPC. He was the one that led them to come and scatter everywhere. He was the one that led them to come and scatter the votes.”
At this point, a female bystander added: “You will die like a thief.”
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Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : https://ift.tt/2SkOkqU
VIDEO: ‘That Is Demola’ — ‘Ballot Box Snatcher’ Stoned To Death In Lagos
A suspected ballot box snatcher identified as Demola, said to be an Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) leader in Lagos State, has been stoned to death.
Demola was escaping with his motorcycle after allegedly overseeing the snatching of ballot boxes in Okota area of Lagos, when he was apprehended and stoned to death, with his motorcycle burnt.
“That’s Demola,” a bystander said at least five times as members of the public came one after the other to pelt him with stones, while he was already weakened and half sprawling on the ground. “That’s Demola on the ground. That’s him.”
Another bystander asked: “Where are the remaining ones?”
‘That Is Demola’ — ‘Ballot Box Snatcher’ Stoned To Death In Lagos
As the stoning continued, the first bystander, who did not participate in the stoning but apparently saw Demola commit the evil, kept on talking.
“They’ve stolen the votes. They’ve stolen the votes in Okota. See him lying down. They’ve stolen all the votes,” he said.
“That is Demola there; the head of OPC. He was the one that led them to come and scatter everywhere. He was the one that led them to come and scatter the votes.”
At this point, a female bystander added: “You will die like a thief.”
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Thugs Engage In Knife Fight Over Politician’s N50,000 In Borno
Security operatives in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, have arrested some thugs who engaged in violence along Bama Road, Maimusari Primary School, where 016 voting points are stationed.
They were engaged in a fight with knives over N50,000 given to them by an unnamed politician.
In the course of the fight, one of them was stabbed with a knife.
Narrating the incident, one of the thugs said: ''They gave us N50,000, so everyone was battling to fetch from it. Then some people brought out their weapons.”
The security operatives took them to the Gwange Police Station.
Voting continued afterwards.
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Thugs Engage In Knife Fight Over Politician’s N50,000 In Borno
Security operatives in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, have arrested some thugs who engaged in violence along Bama Road, Maimusari Primary School, where 016 voting points are stationed.
They were engaged in a fight with knives over N50,000 given to them by an unnamed politician.
In the course of the fight, one of them was stabbed with a knife.
Narrating the incident, one of the thugs said: ''They gave us N50,000, so everyone was battling to fetch from it. Then some people brought out their weapons.”
The security operatives took them to the Gwange Police Station.
Voting continued afterwards.
#NigeriaDecides Elections Politics News AddThis : Featured Image : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : https://ift.tt/2Xlwzvh
Thugs Engage In Knife Fight Over Politician’s N50,000 In Borno
Security operatives in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, have arrested some thugs who engaged in violence along Bama Road, Maimusari Primary School, where 016 voting points are stationed.
They were engaged in a fight with knives over N50,000 given to them by an unnamed politician.
In the course of the fight, one of them was stabbed with a knife.
Narrating the incident, one of the thugs said: ''They gave us N50,000, so everyone was battling to fetch from it. Then some people brought out their weapons.”
The security operatives took them to the Gwange Police Station.
Voting continued afterwards.
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Drama In Abuja As INEC Officials Conduct Election In Wrong Polling Unit
There was drama at Polling Unit 010 AYA in Abuja as the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) brought thumb-printed ballot papers after conducting election in a wrong polling unit.
The officials were said to have mistakenly gone to Total filling station in Area 11 and commenced voting. It was alleged that party agents and security operatives were not on ground at the time of the voting.
SaharaReporters gathered that one of the INEC officials, who arrived at the place called their attention to it that they were in wrong place. The team quickly moved to the polling unit 010 AYA, but some of the ballot papers had been thumb-printed by the voters at the previous centre.
The situation led to confusion as voters, who had been patiently waiting for the arrival of the electoral officials, discovered that some of the ballot papers had been thumb-printed and demanded an explanation.
It took the intervention of Yahaya Bello, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who appealed to the voters, stating that the matter would be resolved. He explained that it was wrong for the INEC officials to open the poll without the presence of party agents and security agents.
On the allegation that the card reader was not used for those who voted at the wrong unit, Bello said all the thumb-printed ballots papers would be invalidated and fresh voting would commence.
The Commissioner also added that he had sent for officials of ICT Unit of the commission to reconfigure the card readers.
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Drama In Abuja As INEC Officials Conduct Election In Wrong Polling Unit
There was drama at Polling Unit 010 AYA in Abuja as the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) brought thumb-printed ballot papers after conducting election in a wrong polling unit.
The officials were said to have mistakenly gone to Total filling station in Area 11 and commenced voting. It was alleged that party agents and security operatives were not on ground at the time of the voting.
SaharaReporters gathered that one of the INEC officials, who arrived at the place called their attention to it that they were in wrong place. The team quickly moved to the polling unit 010 AYA, but some of the ballot papers had been thumb-printed by the voters at the previous centre.
The situation led to confusion as voters, who had been patiently waiting for the arrival of the electoral officials, discovered that some of the ballot papers had been thumb-printed and demanded an explanation.
It took the intervention of Yahaya Bello, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who appealed to the voters, stating that the matter would be resolved. He explained that it was wrong for the INEC officials to open the poll without the presence of party agents and security agents.
On the allegation that the card reader was not used for those who voted at the wrong unit, Bello said all the thumb-printed ballots papers would be invalidated and fresh voting would commence.
The Commissioner also added that he had sent for officials of ICT Unit of the commission to reconfigure the card readers.
#NigeriaDecides Elections Politics News AddThis : Featured Image : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : https://ift.tt/2SjVlYN
Drama In Abuja As INEC Officials Conduct Election In Wrong Polling Unit
There was drama at Polling Unit 010 AYA in Abuja as the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) brought thumb-printed ballot papers after conducting election in a wrong polling unit.
The officials were said to have mistakenly gone to Total filling station in Area 11 and commenced voting. It was alleged that party agents and security operatives were not on ground at the time of the voting.
SaharaReporters gathered that one of the INEC officials, who arrived at the place called their attention to it that they were in wrong place. The team quickly moved to the polling unit 010 AYA, but some of the ballot papers had been thumb-printed by the voters at the previous centre.
The situation led to confusion as voters, who had been patiently waiting for the arrival of the electoral officials, discovered that some of the ballot papers had been thumb-printed and demanded an explanation.
It took the intervention of Yahaya Bello, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who appealed to the voters, stating that the matter would be resolved. He explained that it was wrong for the INEC officials to open the poll without the presence of party agents and security agents.
On the allegation that the card reader was not used for those who voted at the wrong unit, Bello said all the thumb-printed ballots papers would be invalidated and fresh voting would commence.
The Commissioner also added that he had sent for officials of ICT Unit of the commission to reconfigure the card readers.
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Atiku Defeats Buhari In Aso Rock
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defeated President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was a close victory for the PDP in one of the polling units in Aso Villa.
The PDP secured 84 votes, while APC polled 73 votes.
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Atiku Defeats Buhari In Aso Rock
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defeated President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was a close victory for the PDP in one of the polling units in Aso Villa.
The PDP secured 84 votes, while APC polled 73 votes.
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BREAKING: Sowore Floors Buhari, Atiku In His Polling Unit
Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has won his polling unit in Ondo State.
He voted at RCM polling unit 005, Ese Odo LGA, Ondo State.
While AAC secured a whopping 208 votes, the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 82 votes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured 11 votes, and the Action Alliance (AA) only managed to secure eight votes.
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Oscars 2019: How will the ceremony change this year?
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The Academy Awards are making a few changes in an effort to stop the ratings from falling further.
The Academy Awards are making a few changes in an effort to stop the ratings from falling further.
Saudi Arabia announces princess as US ambassador
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Princess Rima bint Bandar al-Saud will become the country's first woman to lead a diplomatic mission.
Princess Rima bint Bandar al-Saud will become the country's first woman to lead a diplomatic mission.
SDP Senatorial Candidate Natasha Akpoti Accuses Yahaya Bello Of Preventing Her From Entering Kogi
Natasha Akpoti, a senatorial candidate for Kogi Central senatorial district contesting on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has accused Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, of preventing her from gaining access into the state ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections rescheduled for Saturday.
Earlier during the week, she had written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing the Governor of planning to assassinate her.
The SDP senatorial candidate stated this in a phone conversation with SaharaReporters on Friday night.
She alleged that she could not go beyond Banda area, just before Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State, as the security aides of the Governor allegedly led a team of more than 100 policemen, who prevented her from proceeding on her journey.
She said she suspected that the ADC led the roadblock team because he is an officer of higher rank than the policemen in her entourage and it would have been easier for him to order her security officer to stand aside.
Akpoti said she is currently hiding in an undisclosed location.
She said: “The Governor made an illegal roadblock at Bandal by the Naval quarters, just a few minutes from Lokoja. He got over 100 armed men. He got policemen from the government house and state policemen who wore masks. We know the state policemen because they have a newer uniform.
“What they were doing was that they were stopping and searching, but two policemen told me their aim was to arrest me and the plan was that if they had gotten me, they would have disarmed me, taken all my policemen and secretly planted some weapons and ammunitions in my car and then charge me for possession for arms.”
She said immediately she caught whiff of the roadblock, she stopped at Abaji and called the Commissioner of Police.
However, spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, told SaharaReporters there was no such road block.
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Australian farmers' long road after mass cattle deaths
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An estimated 500,000 animals have died in a flood disaster in Queensland, crippling local graziers.
An estimated 500,000 animals have died in a flood disaster in Queensland, crippling local graziers.
Tymoshenko v Tymoshenko: Funny business at the polls
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Two candidates in Ukrainian presidential election have the same name. Some suspect it's a trick to confuse voters.
Two candidates in Ukrainian presidential election have the same name. Some suspect it's a trick to confuse voters.
Oscars 2019: The Indian sanitary pad makers going to LA
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Period. End of Sentence. looks at how one Indian village fought back against menstruation taboos.
Period. End of Sentence. looks at how one Indian village fought back against menstruation taboos.
Greece's invisible minority - the Macedonian Slavs
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Greece has long denied that it has a Macedonian minority. Will this now change, asks Maria Margaronis?
Greece has long denied that it has a Macedonian minority. Will this now change, asks Maria Margaronis?
In pictures: Growing up in North Korea
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Photographer Tariq Zaidi visited North Korea and tried to capture the candid moments between families.
Photographer Tariq Zaidi visited North Korea and tried to capture the candid moments between families.
BREAKING: PDP Chairman, Bayelsa Govt House Photographer Killed By 'Men In Military Uniform'
Rampaging armed men in military uniform have killed Reginald Dei, a Government House photographer, and one other person at Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Dei was killed alongside Seidougha Taribi, the Ward Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area.
According to an eye witness who spoke with SaharaReporters, the two victims of the electoral violence were killed while they were in their houses waiting for the counting of their votes, which had been concluded in their ward.
The assailants were said to have moved to the houses to victims and shot them.
A statement by Chief Moses Cleopas, the PDP state chairman, issued on Saturday, noted that “the death of Dei and Seidougha brings the number of those killed by APC thugs, some of who were backed by soldiers, to three”.
Moses claimed that the thugs were identified to be working for the APC with the support of some soldiers. They had besieged the Bassambiri and Oluasiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area, where they engaged operatives in a shootout all night on Friday.
According to him, the attackers lost a member in the attack while several others were injured and taken to the hospital in Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa.
He accused Chief Timipre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa State, and surveillance contractors in Nembe, Kodjo, as being behind the violence that rocked Opu Nembe and Bassambiri.
He stated further that “the rampaging APC thugs hijacked the electoral materials for the seven wards of Bassambiri and Oluasiri to Darius Hotel for thumb-printing”.
Similarly, soldiers protecting Professor Nelson Brambaifa, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and thugs disrupted the voting in Agbere, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The materials for the elections were said to have been taken to the residence of Brambaifa, which led to a protest by the youth of Agbere community in front of his residence.
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JUST IN: INEC Expresses Satisfaction With Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed satisfaction with the general conduct of the presidential and National Assembly election across the country.
Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner on Information and Voter Education, disclosed this at a press briefing on the situation report of the election in Abuja on Saturday.
He said the number of polling units that opened at 8am and 10am stood at 67.91 per cent, while polling units that opened after 10am stood at 16.96 per cent.
"At this moment we recorded a total point of 92.76% of the polling units that opened," he said.
He said the commission would assess the reports and incidents of violence in some states where election materials were burnt and vandalised and take a decision.
“The commission has also received report of violence and ballot box snatching in some areas leading to the disruption of the process. We have asked the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and the officials of the commission on ground to submit their first-hand report in relation to some of these incidents," he added.
Okoye noted that the commission got report of violence in states like Anambra, Rivers and Lagos, pointing out that the commission would hold consultations with the relevant authorities, stakeholders and REC in relation to those areas and take a decision.
According to Okoye, the commission would prosecute officials who deliberately decided not to use the card readers during the election in some states.
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JUST IN: INEC Expresses Satisfaction With Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed satisfaction with the general conduct of the presidential and National Assembly election across the country.
Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner on Information and Voter Education, disclosed this at a press briefing on the situation report of the election in Abuja on Saturday.
He said the number of polling units that opened at 8am and 10am stood at 67.91 per cent, while polling units that opened after 10am stood at 16.96 per cent.
"At this moment we recorded a total point of 92.76% of the polling units that opened," he said.
He said the commission would assess the reports and incidents of violence in some states where election materials were burnt and vandalised and take a decision.
“The commission has also received report of violence and ballot box snatching in some areas leading to the disruption of the process. We have asked the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and the officials of the commission on ground to submit their first-hand report in relation to some of these incidents," he added.
Okoye noted that the commission got report of violence in states like Anambra, Rivers and Lagos, pointing out that the commission would hold consultations with the relevant authorities, stakeholders and REC in relation to those areas and take a decision.
According to Okoye, the commission would prosecute officials who deliberately decided not to use the card readers during the election in some states.
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