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PDP Dominates Osun Assembly, Wins 25 Out Of 26 Seats

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state, has further stamped its hold of the state with result of Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

According to reports, the PDP has won 25 out of the 26 constituencies in the parliament.

The only constituency yet to be decided is Boripe/Boluwaduro Constituency, which was declared inconclusive.

In the results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP had already won in Oriade, Ifedayo, Ila, Ejigbo, Ayedaade, Ilesa West, Irepodun/Orolu, Irewole/Isokan, Olorunda, Osogbo, Ede North and Ife Central State constituencies.

PDP had earlier cleared all the National Assembly seats in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Governor Ademola Adeleke is expected to know his fate this week at the Court of Appeal where he had gone to challenge the judgement of the election petition tribunal, which set aside his victory.

Oyo: Makinde Leads Folarin

By
James Orji
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Governor Seyi Makinde bof Oyo State looks good to return to the Agodi Government considering the elections results released so far which puts him in the clear of his close opponent, Teslim Folarin, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate


According to the results released by the IndependentNational Electoral Commission, INEC, the incumbent who is also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP , has won 18 out of the 33 local government results declared.


According to the rest released by INEC Makinde has so far polled a total vote of 281,152 votes against Mr Folarin who has 128,971 votes.


Sources from the state also informed the magazine that Makinde is currently wining other local governments as the results are trickling in from INEC collation capital.

Lagos: Tinubu’s Man Issues Threat To Igbo

By
James Orji
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The rate of xenophobic messages during this election has been so high that many Nigerians are now calling for calm to prevent the country slipping into violent attacks by different ethnic groups in the country.


Strange enough, the spokesman of Bola Tinubu, President-elect and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bayo Onanuga has joined in the fray of those issuing threat to Igbo living in Lagos state, because they are not supporting the party.


Onanuga, a journalist and former Editor in chief of The News has not joined xenophobes such as Musiliu Akinsanya aka Oluomo, who, few days to the govrnorship and House of Assembly election, warned south eat indigenes who were not prepared to vote APC to avoid polling centers.


Akinsanya, an associate of Tinubu has since apologised after trenchant criticism from not a few Nigerians, saying he didn’t mean what he said.


But Onanuga has touched what many Nigerians regard as red herring, and raised the bar in the manner he sent his xenophobic message to Igbo living in Lagos, according to analysts who are unhappy with the way politicians are trying to divide Nigerians, and raise ethnic tensions via their careless comments.

Onanuga, who is the director of media and publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, issued the warning in a tweet via his official Twitter account, @aonanuga1956.
He said, “Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics. Let there be no repeat in 2027. Lagos is like Anambra, Imo, any Nigerian state. It is not No Man’s Land, not Federal Capital Territory. It is Yoruba land. Mind your business.”

Lagos Guber: Disenfranchised Non Indigenes Lament Ordeal In The Hands Thugs, Hooligans

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Election Violence in Lagos

By Akinwale Kasali

The Governorship and State House of Assembly Election in Lagos State was marred by unprecedented violence in some part of the State, where non-Indigenes were brutalised and  disenfranchised by alleged All Progressives Congress, APC, thugs and hooligans.

They  lamented that they were intimidated, emotionally and physically abused, traumatized and threatened by alleged APC supporters who didn’t allow them exercise their franchise just because of their States of origin.

Narrating their ordeal at different Polling Units across the State most especially, Eti Osa Local Government Area, Okota, Oshodi, and many more, they said that the thugs and hooligans who are, allegedly, APC members and apologists threatened that anyone on the queue, not voting for APC should gently leave the Polling Unit and go back, or else they would wreak havoc and cause mayhem at the scene.

This was the same message  MC Oluomo passed in a virile video a couple of days ago.

It was alleged that the thugs began to break bottles as people scampered to safety. The thugs allegedly took custody of the Polling Unit at Eti Osa,  directing only those who wanted to vote for the APC to cast their votes.

At Osapa 1 Polling Unit in Eti Osa LG, the Hoodlums and thugs were said to have threatened to kill any Igbo person, saying that they should leave the Polling Unit.

Same was what played out at Abraham Adesanya Area, where the thugs were all out to attack the Igbos.

“We were openly castigated and threatened by the hoodlums. They caused chaos leading to the INEC officials halting the process”, a voter said.

It was the same scenario that played out at Ayo Afolabi in Alimsoho Local Government Area, where the thugs allegedly intimidated the Igbo, saying that anyone that has the mindset to vote the Labour Party, LP, or the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP should have a rethink or else the person would be beaten blue black.

An electorate, Ekenne Nsofor, lamented that the APC thugs were violent, and were ready to attack anyone perceived to be Igbo.

“They were just shouting that this is Yoruba land and APC owns Lagos. They began to break bottles and brandishing dangerous weapons sending fear into the spine of the electorates, who were forced to leave the scene.

“It took the courage and the help of the Police who arrived at the scene at the right time forcing them to run away from being arrested.

“This is uncalled for. When will this nonsense stop. Will APC continue to intimidate we the Igbos who has added value to the economy of the State.

“It is really pathetic that the APC is desperate to win by all means. The Igbos aren’t against him as some of the Igbos are strong APC members, why the unnecessary attack on the Igbos. This is uncalled for”.

Arome Solomon also has a sad tale to tell at Adejare Polling Unit in Ilasa, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, as thugs in large numbers stormed Polling Unitdispersing voters who were waiting for officials and Adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission to start voting in the ongoing governorship and state assembly elections.

According to her, INEC officials were nowhere to be found as of 10:12 a.m., leaving many people stranded until thugs from the adjacent street invaded the polling unit with daggers and other sharp objects to disperse them.

“Policemen are also not present. The people have all run away and are not willing to return.

“I was driven out of the area by suspected All Progressives Congress thugs after confirming that I am an agent of the opposition party.

“They seized my phone and checked through it to confirm that I haven’t recorded their activities.

“They also chased away non-indigenes despite registering at many of the polling units threatening to beat them if they resist,” he maintained.

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

By
The Source
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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

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

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

By
The Source
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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

By
The Source
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INEC Logo
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

By
The Source
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Thugs Attack ARISE TV Crew

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

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Tinubu Endorses Babajide Sanwoolu

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.

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