Labour Party Says 18th March Election Is A Sham; Calls For Cancellation

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March 19, 2023

Julius Abure - Labour Party National Chairman

The Labour Party has described the Governorship and House of Assembly Elections held on 18th March 2023, across the Country as a sham.

In a statement issued by its National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, in Abuja, on Saturday, the Party adjudged the conduct as the worst in the history of Elections in Nigeria.

It lamented a situation where law enforcement agents would watch as people openly perpetuated crimes, and, atimes, connived with them to carry out unlawful actions.

It noted, like most Nigerians, that the election was marred by violence which resulted in fatalities, snatching of ballot boxes, and intimidation of voters, especially, in Lagos and Rivers State. The statement, therefore, called for a cancellation of the election in all the areas where violence marred the exercise.

Following is the full text of the statement.

March 18th Governorship/State Assembly Election, the worst ever as INEC has succeeded in mismanaging all the gains of electoral reforms.

“The leadership of the Labour Party has watched with trepidation the ongoing rape of democracy in Nigeria as being supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“Today, the INEC led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has clearly proved to the world that the outcome of the February 25th Presidential Election which denied the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi the victory which Nigerians graciously gave him was not a ‘glitch’ as infamously claimed but a well-orchestrated plot to favour a particular political party and candidate.

“What transpired today across the nation was a complete sham as serious thuggery, violence and suppression of voters prevailed unchecked. People were prevented from going to vote for candidates of their choice, especially when they perceive you are supporting the opposition party. There were also incidences of ballot snatching, intimidation of voters and high level of vote buying. These electoral crimes were very visible in Rivers, Lagos, Enugu, Edo, Delta, and several other states.

“There was also a high level of voter apathy apparently because people have lost faith in the electoral process. They sincerely believe that it was not worth it after what happened on February 25, where the mandate given to the LP was stolen. People believe that their votes will not count anymore. So INEC has succeeded in mismanaging all the gains that we have made in the electoral reforms.

“The Rivers state Government used the State officials to harass voters.

In Enugu, one of our supporters was shot and the entire Enugu North senatorial zone was invaded by thugs.

In Lagos, the APC-sponsored thugs invaded polling units where our candidate has huge supporters.

In Edo state, the thugs had a free day, unleashing maximum violence. It was very chaotic across the nation, and it is very unfortunate.

“Security agencies looked the other way when there is violence. It is very apparent that even security agencies were equally compromised. We are very far from true democracy. The wishes and aspirations of the people have been defeated. What we have in Nigeria is a civilian dictatorship.

“We, therefore condemn the entire process and call for the cancellation of results from the polling units where voter intimidation and other forms of the crisis were witnessed.

“We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the Inspector General of Police to fish out all the officers that have compromised in today’s election and mete appropriate sanctions.”

Lagos Guber: APC Raises Alarm Over Rhodes-Vivour’s Alleged Threat To Burn Down Lagos

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 19, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has raised an alarm over the statement allegedly made by Labour Party, LP, Governorship Candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on Saturday following allegations that one of LP’s members was killed in Lagos.

He had accused the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Police, in a viral video, of provoking Lagosians and allegedly said they would be held responsible if “Lagos goes up in flames this night, and not him nor his Party.”

Rhodes-Vivour stressed that a lot of places in the State were under attacks by thugs and hooligans of the APC, who intimidated its members from exercising their franchise.

Following this development, the APC, through its Spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, in a Statement said that the attention of the Party has been drawn to Rhodes-Vivour’s statement, and the scaremongering is typical of bad losers who lack the spirit of sportsmanship.

The APC urges security agencies to note Rhodes-Vivour’s threat to set Lagos on fire as his predilection for violence and warmongering is well known to Nigerians.

According to Oladejo, “Should there be any breakdown of law and order in any part of our state, law enforcement agencies should know who to grab – Mr Rhodes-Vivour.

“We are compiling reports of how APC supporters were harassed and attacked today. Some of the reports are really scary.

Now the LP candidate is playing the victim.

“This old trick won’t work; discerning Lagosians know they are all lies deployed to attract sympathy. Our party has no need to be violent because we are sure of the glittering credentials of our candidate Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu who will never be associated with violence.

“We advise LP and its candidate to embrace peace instead of threatening to bring down the roof on everybody. It won’t work”, APC stated.

INEC Chair Was Recommended To Buhari By Tinubu’s Man – Amaechi; Says No Government In Nigeria

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The Source

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March 19, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

Immediate past Minister for Transportation has revealed that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has ties with the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, who is now the Presidential-elect.

Amaechi said this while lamenting the outcomes of the 2023 elections conducted by Yakubu after voting in his Polling Unit.

Speaking to Journalists, Amaechi gave the impression that Yakubu was dealing with those of them who opposed his second term in office.

He said Yakubu was recommended for appointment by someone in Tinubu’s Camp.

His words: “INEC is a complete failure. There are those of us who opposed the reappointment of Yakubu Mahmood. The person who nominated him is a member of Tinubu’s Camp. So, what are you expecting?

Using Rivers State as a peg, Amaechi said Nigeria has failed, and lamented the failure of governance.

Amaechi: “There is a total failure of governance in the Country. Complete failure. Police are helping PDP to arrest APC members and SDP members.

“Gongs are being beaten about in the whole communities asking people who will not vote PDP not to come out or they would be beaten. People are being beaten. The Governor, (Wike), has declared people wanted, and nobody has spoken.

“The Governor has no right to declare anybody wanted. The IGP (Inspector General of Police) is doing nothing, nobody is doing anything. Complete failure. There is voter-apathy in Rivers. Nobody wants to come out because people are scared.

“INEC is complete failure. There are those of us who opposed the reappointment of Yakubu Mahmood. The person who nominated him is a member of Tinubu’s Camp. So, what are you expecting?

“Here in Rivers State, Mahmood worked under Wike as Executive Secretary of TETFund. So, what you are having in Rivers is that APC and other parties are contesting, not against PDP but against INEC, against Police.”

Breaking, Imo: Elections Postponed In Ideato LGA

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The Source

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March 18, 2023

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INEC Logo

By Charles Igbo

Reports indicate that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has postponed the State Assembly Election in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State to, allegedly, Sunday, February 19, 2020.

The postponement, it was gathered, is a result of the abduction of 19 Ad-hoc Staff of INEC, Saturday morning.

The Staff were in a bus, and on their way to their various duty posts when they were kidnapped.

But in a swift action, immediately an alarm was raised, a team of well-armed Policemen from the State Police Command, went after the criminals and, were able to rescue their victims.

Even though they were rescued unhurt, the victims were not strong enough physically, mentally and emotionally to go ahead with the exercise.

It is not known if any election material is missing, or if any of the abductors was arrested.

Breaking: Thugs Attack ARISE TV Crew At Oba Elegushi’s Palace; Actress Chioma Akpota, Too

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The Source

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March 18, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

Oba Elegushi’s Palace which has been in the news for the wrong reasons since the 2023 General Election began on 25th February, 2023, continued on same lane at the Governorship/House of Assembly Election of Saturday, 18th March, 2023.

An ARISE TV News Crew, which was out to cover the election was ferociously attacked in front of the Palace according to a news item by the Station, backed by a video evidence.

According to the Station, their equipments were also seized by those who attacked them. The Crew members were not spared. They were brutally attacked.

Recall that during the Presidential election, Oba Saheed Ademola of Ikate/ Elegushi Kingdom, allegedly sent away voters, not of Yoruba extraction, with the excuse that he did not recognize them as residents of his kingdom.

A couple of days before the Governorship/House of Assembly Elections, Oba Elegushi, in a memo to residents of his Kingdom, declared a three day curfew to allow the performance of the traditional Oro Rite.

Not a few people insist it was declared to stop non-natives who are barred, along with women, from witnessing the festival, from exercising their voting rights.

In another development, accomplished Nollywood Actress, Chioma Akpota, lamented the attack on her and the destruction of her car, an SUV. She run for her life during the attack.

She tweeted: ” They destroyed my side mirror, I don’t even know the extent of the damage, but they were with knives.

“I ran for my life. What happened to the free and fair election they promised us? Nothing is free and fair.”

Voters’ Suppression: INEC Postpones Election In VGC

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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March 18, 2023

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Voters in Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lagos had refused to vote after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC moved the polling centers out of their Estate.

The election has now been postponed by INEC to a further date.

INEC, the magazine learned had before the election started this morning moved the polling stations outside the gate of the estate.

The electoral umpire’s decision was said to have angered the residents who feared that they could be attacked by thugs, making them insist that the voting centers be moved back to where they voted during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC refused.

There are no fewer than 10 voting centers or more in and around the estate with more than 6000 eligible voters, according to figures provided by INEC.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje while speaking to journalists disclosed that corps members deployed as ad hoc staff to the area were hesitant to enter the estate after they alleged that they were held hostage in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He explained that it was based on this that INEC set up materials in front of the estate, but the residents claimed that the center is not conducive and safe for them to vote.

The Commission, he said, decided to postpone the election as the situation became difficult for security agencies to handle.

Agabje said, “We have eight polling units here with 6,024 registered voters and out of which 5,624 people have their PVCs.”

There are a total of 10 polling units in the estate, he said, adding there are “Eight here (in the estate) and two outside,” he noted.

“After due consultation and further directive from the national headquarters that we should remobilise here tomorrow (Sunday) morning by 08:30 am to conduct the elections.

“By 08:30 am tomorrow (Sunday), we will reconvene here,” he said.

Breaking: Lagos INEC Commissioner Postpones VGC Election To Sunday, 19th March

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The Source

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March 18, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Commissioner in Lagos State, Segun Agbaje, has postponed the Governorship/House of Assembly Election in Victoria Garden City, VGC, to Sunday, 19th March, 2023.

It will begin by 8.30am and end by 2.30pm.

Recall that Voters protested the shifting of the venue from its original place to the Expressway by INEC. They wondered how INEC expected thousands of them to suddenly troop to the Expressway from the Venue where they had always voted.

Omoni Oboli, accomplished Actress, in a video posted on Whatsaap, vehemently protested the move, and said nobody told them why INEC wouldn’t come to the usual venue and why it suddenly changed it.

He appealed to INEC Officials to return to status quo.

Rhodes-Vivour Loses At Polling Unit

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The Source

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March 18, 2023

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Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour-Casting his Vote in Lagos

By Gideon Njoku

The Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has lost in his polling unit.

He lost to the incumbent Governor of the State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

When the votes were counted at his 01 Oshifila Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Polling Unit, Rhodes-Vivour scored 18 votes to Sanwo-Olu’s 29.

The Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olajide Adediran, popular as Jandor, scored only two votes. One vote was voided.

The loss of his Polling Unit is an early setback for Rhodes-Vivour who has faced all kinds of obstacles in his quest to the Governorship seat in Lagos, including labeling him an Igbo just because his mother and wife are Igbo.

During his visit to the Oba of Lagos a few days ago, Oba Akiolu told him to his face that he was free to run as “a Nigerian” but that Sanwo-Olu has his backing and would win.

The election in Lagos has been marred by violence, low turn-out of voters, lateness of INEC officials, and more.

A shocked Voter summed the situation up this way.

“What happened/happening today in Lagos is voter suppression in excel

From Inec staff not turning up due to one excuse or the other, to hired thugs beating, maiming and scaring voters off. From change of the venue of some polling units to BEVAS machine not working at some polling units. From the hate speeches/campaigns/purported Oro festival at different places to the snatching of BEVAS machines.

“All of these at the LP strongholds in Lagos.

God have mercy

Guber Polls: Low Turnout Violence, Mar Gov/Assembly Elections In Parts Of Lagos; Obasa, Predicts APC’s Victory

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Inspite of the assurances by the Police of security during the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election, violence and snatching of ballot boxes reigned in some parts of Lagos State.

In other parts of the State where it was relatively peaceful, the exercise was marred by low turnout of voters.

In the Okota area of Lagos, thugs, in their scores, invaded polling units attacking Voters, tearing ballot papers already filled by voters, and snatching ballot boxes. A good number of the voters were inflicted with injuries. The same was the case in some other polling units across Lagos.

In the Oshodi area, thugs held sway, and chased away non-Yoruba voters.

Those who expected a high turnout of voters were disappointed as the opposite was the case.

Alimosho Local Government Area which is the most populous LGA in the State, witnessed a massive low turnout. Despite officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, arriving their Polling Units earlier than expected, the Polling Units were scanty with INEC official sitting idle following the low turnout.

In Ward 001 in Abule Oki Primary School, Alimosho Local Government Area that has over Seven Polling Units there was no long queue compared to the February 25th Presidential election.

Same scenario happened in Oke-Odo, Pleasure, Agbelekale, Ekoro Areas under Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area in Alimosho Local Government.

In a chat with some of the officials of INEC why people were not coming out to cast their votes, they said they were surprised with the situation.

It, however, took the intervention of Party Agents in some of the said areas who had to do House To House Campaign to mobilize and convince people to come out to vote.

At Aboru, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Agents provided a Big Bus to convey some of the voters whose Polling Unit is at Iyana Ipaja, Abule Egba and Meiran environ to enable them cast their votes.

The same situation happened in some part of Ikeja. At Anifowoshe Street in Ikeja close to the popular Computer Village, the turnout was low.

Some of the electorates said the low turnout was a reflection of the threat by the Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garden, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo who threatened that anyone that votes for another Party other than APC would be attacked, advising them to stay in their houses if they are not ready to vote for the ruling Party in the State.

Though after series of criticism, he debunked the threat as mere joke, as the Lagos State Police Command has said that it is already investigating him and on top of the matter.

In Agege, there was also low turnout in some areas, but the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, expressed optimism that his party, the APC would win the ongoing governorship and House of Assembly election in the State.

Obasa spoke with journalists after casting his vote at Unit 019, Ward E, Oluwole Olaniyan Street, Agege, saying he believes that Allah would crown the efforts of the APC with success.

“APC will be declared winner in both the governorship and House of Assembly elections. We are certain of victory. We voted for and won the presidential election. So we strongly believe in Almighty Allah and we know He will crown our efforts with success,” he said.

He described the security deployment for the exercise as very impressive.

“I can see a lot of them around and I think it is very good. It’s very impressive and I hope it will be sustained till the end of the exercise,” Obasa said as he expressed hope that more voters would turn out before the end of the exercise.

“We are still very hopeful that many of our people would come out before the end of the exercise.

“Majority of those we have here are youth. So we can confirm that the youth have turned up. But we are not particular about demography. We are talking about everyone qualified to vote.

Asked what the youth should expect from him going forward, the Speaker said: “We have been working together with the youth and there is a strong collaboration. They have access to us and we are always open. We have always worked together and we will continue to attend to their requests.”

In Oshodi/Isolo Area of the State, some of the electorates who claimed anonymity said that the voters apathy experienced is because a lot of people are afraid after MC Oluomo’s threat.

Those who spoke to the magazine said they were afraid for their lives after Oluomo and others working for the ruling party threatened to deal with those opposed to the APC.

“We are being intimidated by these none state actors who have taken over the state. We had expected the state government to protect the peoples, but apparently, this is not happening, so the best thing to do is to stay back at home to stay alive,” a resident in Ikeja said.

“I voted at the Moshood Abiola crescent during the presidential election. Though voter turnout at the time was not very high, today is even worse due to the security scare among residents that they will be attacked. During the election three weeks ago, barely 300 of us cast our votes even though there are close to 1000 registered voters in that polling unit. Today is even worse,” an electorate said.

AFCON 2024: Coach Peseiro Drops Maduka Okoye, As Iheanacho, Iwobi, Musa Makes List Against Guinea Bissau

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The Source

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March 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Super Eagles Coach, Jose Santos Peseiro has released his 23-man list for the 2024 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers double-header against Djurtus of Guinea Bissau.

Surprisingly, Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye of Watford Football Club of England was dropped by the Coach following his lack of playing time with the Hornets.

Also, Nottingham Forest Football Club winger, Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis was also left out of the squad by the Coach.

He has failed to get a starting shirt with the relegation threatened team.

Captain of the team, Ahmed Musa, in-form Napoli and Atalanta forwards, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as well as 20 other players of the Super Eagles are invited to the camp ahead of this month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria and Guinea Bissau clash at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja at 5pm on Friday, 24th March, and then make it a second date at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, 27th March, also starting at 5pm.

Spain-based defender Kenneth Omeruo returns, as midfield enforcers Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and Portugal-based defender Bruno Onyemaechi gets an opportunity to vie for shirts against Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kevin Akpoguma and Calvin Bassey.

Portugal-based left back Zaidu Sanusi is also back, and usual suspects Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu are also called.

Captain of the Nigeria U20 side that finished in third place at the recently-concluded Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, Daniel Bameyi is called alongside team goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso. In-form goalkeeper Victor Sochima, one of the reasons Rivers United FC have inched close to a CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final ticket, will contend for the number one shirt with Francis Uzoho.

Players are expected to start arriving at the team camp in Abuja on Sunday, 19th March. Table-toppers Nigeria are on maximum six points from their defeats of Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe, with the Djurtus in second place on four points from their defeat of Sao Tome and Principe and draw with the Leone Stars.

Italy-based Osimhen, with 23 goals in 28 matches this season (including four goals that has helped his club reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever), netted four when the Eagles slammed Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 in a record international scoreline in Agadir, Morocco nine months ago.

Egyptian referee Mahmoud Elbana will be in the centre, with his compatriots Youssef Elbosaty, Sami Halhal and Ahmed El-Ghandour to function as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the match commissioner and his compatriot Kotey Alexander will be the referee assessor.

CAF has also appointed Moroccan referees for the return leg in Bissau. Samir Guezzaz, son of the retired Mohamed Guezzaz, will superintend, with compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Hamza Naciri and Noureddine El Jaafari in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Massa Diarra from Mauritania will be the match commissioner and Waldabet Koissoual from Chad will function as the referee assessor.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Kingsley Aniagboso (Giant Brillars)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Calvin Bassey (FC Ajax, The Netherlands); Daniel Bameyi (YumYum FC); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Joe Aribo (Southampton, England)

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)