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INEC Chair confirms disruption of election in parts of Lagos

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has said there were dis­ruptions of elections in some polling units at Okota, Oshodi, and Elegushi areas of Lagos on Saturday.

Yakubu disclosed this while briefing the media on Saturday evening after voting exercises were concluded.

The INEC chair said the polling points that witnessed violence had been noted, adding that other areas where elections took place would receive atten­tion.

“In Lagos, we have been closely following the situation in Okota, Mafoluku, Oshodi and Elegushi.

“We have been able to under­line the situation in a number of places, including Ikate, where voting is ongoing.

“So, we’ll keep our eyes on the processes in the other areas of the nation,” Yakubu said.

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It was reported that some polling units experienced skir­mishes resulting from political thugs invading the places to ei­ther chase voters away or snatch ballot boxes and BVAS.

Prof Yakubu announced the snatching of six Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in Katsina and Delta States by suspect political thugs

He said four of the machines were snatched in Katsina, noting that security agents eventually recovered three from the thugs.

He equally disclosed some disturbing situation in Imo State and Abia States, noting that de­ployment of men and material commenced late.

He maintained that in line with relevant practices of INEC, any voter who had queued at the units earlier than 2.30 pm would be given opportunity to vote, no matter how long it took.

In Imo where he said the gen­eral security situation was not encouraging, the INEC chair­man explained that the com­mission was aware of the situ­ation in Oguta, Orsu, Orlu, and Okigwe, adding that the military was working on assisting INEC to gain access into the LGAs.

He said: “There are also un­folding situations in Abia and Imo states.

“In Abia deployment is tak­ing place late to the poling units, the commission is aware.

“So, no matter how late the deployment is to, provided that the voter is on queue before 2.30 pm you will be accreditation to vote.

“We are also aware of the sit­uation in Imo. Generally speak­ing and specifically with respect to four LGAs we are dealing with Oguta, Orsu, and Orlu. We have issues in all 11 wards.

“In Orlu, it is six out of 11 wards. In Okigwe, it is five out of 11. In the case of Oguta, it is more widespread.”

Generally, he said, reports coming from across the country suggested that the election was peaceful, and attributed the late arrival of material to the peren­nial problem of logistics

He also noted that insecurity contributed to the late arrival of materials in some locations such as in Niger State.

It is noteworthy that the po­lice deployed 310,973 personnel across the over 176,000 polling units in the country for the elec­tions.

INEC officials in Festac Town and Ago Palace Way areas of La­gos refused to transmit the re­sults to the commission’s server on Saturday.

At most of the polling units in these areas, the electoral officers were seen refusing to transmit the results after they had been announced.

At the polling units on 111 Road and 41 Road in Festac Town, the electoral officers refused, despite insistence by party agents, saying they were not asked to transmit the results.

It was the same situation in most parts of the town, but party officers and voters insisted that the results must be transmitted.

The people expressed fear that the excuse being given by the INEC personnel that they would do that when they get to the local government headquar­ters was a ploy to rig the results already declared.

Also, INEC has moved voting in 141 polling units to Sunday.

This was made known by the INEC Chairman, Prof Mah­mood Yakubu, on Saturday at the second leg of the situation report on the 2023 election.

Yakubu noted that more Bi­modal Voter Authentication Sys­tems were carted away by thugs.

He noted that elections in some local government areas in Edo have been postponed to March 11.

Meanwhile, in Warri South Local Government Area of Del­ta State on Saturday evening, voters flocked the secretariat of INEC over the purported cancel­ling of elections across Ward 4 of the LGA at 4-pm.

The protesters comprising constituents from wards such as Ekurede-Itsekiri, Ugbori, Ug­buwanguwe and Ajamimogha communities in Warri South LGA called for an official state­ment from the electoral officer, Kingsley Ogboe, over the alleged cancellation by INEC.

One of the youths, Timeyin, who spoke with journalists, said the purported cancellation as told by INEC officials was over the late arrival of materials to the ward.

He said: “The INEC officials arrived at the units after 2.pm. They said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System could not work after 2.30 pm, so they will conduct the election tomorrow (Sunday).”

Asked why they were at the INEC secretariat, he said they wanted an official statement from the electoral officer that the elections were cancelled and to be held on Sunday.

Efforts to get comments from Ogboe after about an hour’s wait at the secretariat were futile.

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2027: ‘Peter Obi must not die’ — Igbo Group warns of catastrophic consequences

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Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of NDC
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Njiko Igbo Forum, an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a stern warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, cautioning that it will be catastrophic should anything happen to Mr Peter Obi.

It could be recalled that Obi, on Wednesday, raised the alarm that his life was under threat.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, raised fears that he may not be alive in 2027 to be part of the election.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Rev Dr Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, Leader, Njiko Igbo Forum Nigeria, he warned that should anything happen to Obi or he was not in the ballot, the reaction and result would be very catastrophic.

Obioha said the caution was part of the decision taken during an emergency meeting held today, Thursday, in Enugu.

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The Forum said, “That we have seen the viral video made by His Excellency, Mr Peter Gregory Obi, speaking on a number of issues, he expressed serious concern that his life is in danger.

“For him to have gone to the extent of saying he might not be alive before the 16th of January 2027, speaks volumes both in our polity and in the country at large.

“We have seen him in the past, spoke about the federal government trying to frustrate and targeting him not to be in the ballot.

“We have also observed over a period of time that the presidency or the federal government led by President Tinubu does not want Peter Obi to be in the ballot.”

While drawing the attention of the Presidency, Nigeria and the world to those allegations, Njiko Igbo Forum declared that “if anything happens to Mr Peter Gregory Obi or finally his name is not in the ballot for the 16th January, 2026 presidential election, the reaction and result will be very catastrophic and may adversely affect the continued unity in diversity of this country Nigeria.”

It further stated that the Igbo had been very quiet, pushed to the wall, segregated against, marked out everywhere, chased about and even tried to take their possessions.

Njiko Igbo Forum cautioned that keeping quiet does not mean the Igbo are cowards.

It said the ruling government should not forget that for any democracy to thrive, there must be a viral opposition in the polity.

“There is no reason, for what we have seen in the process or polity in trailing Peter Obi and going to an extent of chasing him through all the political parties and now wanting to kill him.

“This outcry by Mr Peter Gregory Obi, must not be taken lightly and request as a matter of urgent National importance, that an urgent investigation panel be constituted to verify Mr Peter Obi’s allegations.

“We are strongly stating again that, nothing should happen to Mr Peter Gregory Obi.

“Yes, Chief Awolowo said, before Nigeria he was of the Yoruba Nation. The same way we are saying before Peter Obi is of Nigeria, he is of the Igbo.

“Mr Peter Gregory Obi will live and become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027,” it declared.

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I might not be alive to contest in 2027 – Peter Obi raises alarm over threats to his life

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Peter Obi not arrested by DSS – Aide
Peter Obi, NDC Presidential candidate
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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has cried out over alleged threat to his life.

Obi, who is a major contender ahead of the 2027 presidential election said he might not be alive to participate in the election.

According to him, there is obvious attack on everything that had to do with him, including his life.

The former Anambra state governor made the allegation during a podcast with Chude Jideonwo.

“The way they are going now I might not be alive,  I’m telling you every single thing I do for a living this government is frustrating it deliberately so.

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“Everything, so there’s even a possibility if they have opportunity I will not be alive. I get frustrations every day because you do things that may think it may be normal it is not normal they won’t come directly and say oh we are doing this but you could see their hand in eventually everything.

“The government is attacking everybody, I am being attacked personally even to provide me with things I am entitled to, not at all,” he said.

He recalled how his vehicle was clamped down at the airport while he was right there, whereas other vehicles lined up on the same spot were untouched.

Obi further that stated that even close associates were beginning to avoid him over fear of government clampdown.

He disclosed that friends now send him invitations for occasions but tell him not to bother attending.

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Voters reward performance as APC sweeps Ekiti, dominates Bye-Elections nationwide — Yilwatda

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Professor Nentawe Yilwatda
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda
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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has described the resounding victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the Ekiti State Governorship Election and the party’s impressive performance in the recent bye-elections across the country as a clear vote of confidence in the APC, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the ongoing reforms being implemented to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.

Prof. Yilwatda stated that the outcome of the elections demonstrates that Nigerians are able to distinguish between temporary economic challenges associated with reforms and the long-term benefits of responsible governance, economic restructuring, infrastructure development and institutional renewal being championed by the APC at both federal and state levels.

According to the National Chairman:

“The overwhelming victory recorded by our great party in Ekiti State and our remarkable success in the bye-elections across the country represent a powerful endorsement of the APC’s governance philosophy. These results affirm that Nigerians appreciate leadership that prioritises development, accountability, stability and the welfare of the people.”

“The people of Ekiti State have once again demonstrated that performance remains the most potent campaign message in democratic politics. Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s resounding re-election is a reward for visionary leadership, inclusive governance, prudent management of resources and visible developmental achievements across the state.”

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Governor Oyebanji of the APC was declared winner of the Ekiti Governorship Election after securing a commanding victory across the state, reaffirming the confidence of the electorate in his administration and the APC’s developmental agenda. The party also recorded significant victories in five of the six bye-elections conducted across various states of the federation.

Prof. Yilwatda, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, noted that the Ekiti result has further strengthened the APC’s narrative that performance-based governance remains electorally rewarding, even amid difficult economic transitions.

“The Ekiti election has become a national reference point. It confirms that when governments deliver tangible results in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, security and social development, citizens respond with renewed trust and overwhelming electoral support.”

“This victory sends a clear message that governance, not propaganda, remains the most effective route to political legitimacy. The people of Ekiti have spoken loudly and clearly in support of continuity, stability and progress.”

The APC National Chairman described Ekiti State under Governor Oyebanji as one of the most compelling governance success stories in contemporary Nigeria, citing sustained investments in road infrastructure, rural development, human capital advancement, healthcare delivery, agricultural productivity, workers’ welfare and ease of doing business.

He said the administration has successfully built broad-based political consensus while maintaining a strong focus on development outcomes, thereby creating an environment of stability and accelerated progress.

“Ekiti today stands as a shining example of how APC governments are translating public trust into measurable development outcomes. The state’s progress under Governor Oyebanji provides a practical demonstration of our party’s commitment to people-centred governance.”

Prof. Yilwatda further stated that the election outcomes should be viewed within the broader national context of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, which is gradually laying the foundation for a more resilient, productive and globally competitive Nigerian economy.

“Despite inheriting deep structural challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated courage and vision in implementing reforms that are necessary for Nigeria’s long-term prosperity. The confidence reposed in our party by voters across the country indicates growing public understanding and appreciation of these reforms and their future benefits.”
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“These victories are therefore not only electoral successes; they are validations of a governing philosophy anchored on bold leadership, responsible decision-making and sustainable development.”

The National Chairman congratulated President Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, APC leaders and members in Ekiti State and across the federation, as well as all candidates who emerged victorious in the bye-elections.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the people of Ekiti State for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Prof. Yilwatda assured Nigerians that the APC would remain focused on delivering good governance at all levels and deepening democratic dividends for citizens across the country.

“Our message to Nigerians is simple: we have heard your voices, we appreciate your confidence and we shall continue to justify the trust you have placed in our party through impactful governance, economic renewal and inclusive national development.”

“The APC remains committed to building a stronger, more prosperous and more united Nigeria. The victories recorded in Ekiti and the bye-elections reinforce our resolve to work even harder in service to the Nigerian people.”

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