Nigerians are out in force today to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor, who will rule the country for the next four years.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are among the key candidates today.
The presidential election begins today at 8 a.m. and will go until 2 p.m., with security officials restricting human and vehicular travel around the country.
Stay connected to BizwatchNigeria for the most up-to-date information from voting places around Nigeria…
Elections 2023 Live Updates
📍INEC suspends election in Enugu East Senatorial District, made up of 6 LGAs and 1630 PUs, following the death of Labour Party’s Candidate. The Election will now hold on 11th March 2023.
Labour Party Seeks Cancellation Of Election Results Collation
Labour Party has called for the total cancellation of the election results collation, as it alleged INEC of compromise.
The party’s chieftain, while addressing journalists, said the leadership of Labour Party has lost confidence in the electoral commission.
Enugu Presidential Election Results
A – 165
AA – 77
AAC – 128
ADC – 283
ADP – 200
APC — 4,772
APGA – 1,548
APM – 351
APP – 209
BP – 504
LP – 428,640
Presidential Election Results In Niger State
APC 375, 183
LP 80, 452
NNPP 21, 836
PDP 284, 898
Accredited Voters: 827, 416
Valid votes: 778, 668
Rejected votes: 34, 687
Total vote cast:813, 355
Tinubu Defeats Atiku, Obi In Rivers
Tinubu has won 10 of the 13 local government areas in Rivers State so far collated in by the Independent National Electoral Commission for last Saturday’s presidential election.
Among the 13 won by the APC is Ikwerre, the LGA of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
The Collation Officer for Ikwerre LGA, Prof. James Kpolovie, disclosed this while presenting the result to the state collation officer, Prof Charles Adias at the INEC office in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Recall that Amaechi was absent during the presidential rally of the APC in Port Harcourt prior to the elections.
Dino Melaye, Others Walk Out From Collation Centre
Dino Melaye, the collation agent of the PDP, and others, have walked from the collation centre of INEC, as they alleged compromise in the results declared so far.
Protesting at the National Collation Centre (NCC) in Abuja, on Monday, Melaye called for the presentation of the results at the polling units to be displayed on the INEC website for comparison with the results presented by the State’s Collation Officers.
Peter Obi Floors Tinubu In Lagos With 1,000 Votes
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi is leading his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu with over 1,000 votes in 17 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos State.
As of the time of filing this report at 07:30am on Monday, Obi polled 448,878 while Tinubu scored 447,187 votes in 17 local government areas in Lagos.
The figures are according to results collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the February 25 presidential election in Lagos.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje opened the floor at the state collation centre in the Yaba area of the state on Sunday and the collation ran until midnight on Monday.
The results for 17 of the state’s 20 LGAs presented by 3:40 am on Monday including Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Badagry, Agege, Ikeja, Shomolu, Kosofe, Amuwo Odofin, Eti Osa, Surulere, Apapa, Ifako Ijaiye, Ajeromi, Oshodi Isolo.
Results presented for Mushin LGA have yet to get cleared by the state collation officer as they are being contested by the Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and thus had yet to be signed by most party agents.
INEC Postpones Collation Of Election Results
Following the announcement of the Ekiti State election results, INEC announced that the collation would continue 11:00 am tomorrow (Monday, February 27, 2023).
Collated Votes For Ekiti
ADC- 1337
APC- 201,494
LP- 11,397
NNPP- 264
PDP- 89,554
Valid votes- 308,171
Rejected votes- 6,301
Total votes cast- 314,472
INEC Explains Issues With IReV
INEC has attributed the challenges with the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) to techinical glitches.
In a statement cited by BizWatch Nigeria, the commission admitted that the portal is slow and unsteady.
It, however, assured Nigerians that the challenges were not a result of sabotage, or intrusion, as widely circulated.
The statement read: “Unlike in off-season elections where the portal was used, it has been relatively slow and unsteady. The Commission regrets this setback, especially because of the importance of IReV in our results management process.
“The problem is totally due to technical hitches related to scaling up the IReV from a platform for managing off-season, State elections, to one for managing nationwide general elections. It is indeed not unusual for glitches to occur and be corrected in such situations.
“Consequently, the Commission wishes to assure Nigerians that the challenges are not due to any intrusion or sabotage of our systems, and that the IReV remains well-secured.”
INEC Declares Kogi Elections Inconclusive
INEC has declared Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu House of Representatives election in Kogi state inconclusive.
Dr. Adams Baba, the returning officer declared the result inconclusive between the winner, Arch.Salman I’dris of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Kolawole Mathew of All Progressive Congress (APC).
Salman Idris of ADC polled 13, 867 votes while Kolawole Mathew of APC polled 13,605 leaving 262 votes difference. And the number of PVC collected in the cancelled polling units of Ya in Out ward in Kabba2/Bunu local government area is 485 and Open Space polling unit in Egged a ward of Ijumu local government area is 100 which is more than the difference
However, the returning officer failed to disclose when the return election will be conducted in the affected areas.
INEC Opens Collation Centre
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, February 26, 2023, around 1:20 pm, declared the national collation centre opened.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who made the declaration, informed journalists that by 6:00 pm later in the day, the collation of election results would commence.
He, however, assured members of the public of transparency, and fairness.
Police Warn Against Circulation Of Fake Election Results
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it has observed the spreading or circulation of alleged/fake election results on social media and other news platforms, which is contrary to the policy and guidelines of INEC.
The spokesperson for the NPF, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed in a statement.
Adejobi said, “The police has perceived this trend as a calculated attempt to heat up the polity and possibly create post elections chaos. We regard this as a disservice, unpatriotic, and a disinformation.
“The NPF hereby warns those who are spreading these alleged/fake election results to desist from such mischievous acts and wait patiently for INEC’s official results, which are authentic and tenable.
“The NPF urges Nigerians to remain calm, and go about their lawful engagements, while those who are billed to go to the polls today are requested to be orderly and law-abiding as we have re-enforced our security strategies for the smooth conclusion of the 2023 general elections.”
Peter Obi Reveals The First Thing He Will Do As President
Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi has stated that when he gets elected this weekend, the first thing he would do is express gratitude to God.
Obi, who’s aiming to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari under Labour Party, made this known at his polling unit in Anambra, as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) officials were setting up for the poll.
Obi also expressed his willingness to immediately start to show compassion and care as President.
“If I have the opportunity to serve, I serve the people without stealing their money. It is by His grace. The first thing I will do when elected is to thank God, after which I will start to care for the people,” he stated.
Peter Obi claims 61 votes in Lagos Mainland unit 20
Labour Party had 61 votes from polling unit ward 20 at Reagan School, Sabo, Lagos State.
The polling unit had over 700 slips however only 93 Nigerians came out to perform their civic duties. BizWatch Nigeria’s reporter who visited the site reports that the environment was very calm and some of the voters waited behind to supervise the counting of the votes.
Below are the results
Presidential
APC: 24
SDP: 1
ZLP: 1
LP: 61
House of Reps:
APC :33
Accord : 2
ADC: 7
NNPP: 1
PDP: 35
SDP: 7
ZLP: 1
Senatorial
APC :30
NPP : 1
ADC: 7
YPP: 16
PDP: 33
SDP: 2
ZLP: 1
At one of the polling units at Yaba, Honourable Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun of Lagos Mainland was sighted at a polling unit having a discussion with some men. This sparked the voters to question the Honourable’s actions, demanding to know what he was doing at their unit.
He was asked to leave the polling unit.
NSCDC Vehicle Conveying Election Materials To Lagos Crashes
A vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which was conveying election materials to Lagos, has crashed.
The vehicle crashed at the Giri Roundabout bridge in Abuja.
In a video on social media, passers-by could be seen offering support to INEC officials with electoral materials scattered o the ground.
According to eyewitnesses, some of the passengers were injured, while one of them sustained a head injury.
EFCC storms Tinubu’s polling Unit for inspection
PU 085, Ward 3, Sunday Adigun, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State
Credit: Daniel Ayantoye
INEC officials yet to arrive Tinubu’s polling unit
The presidential election has been delayed at the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu’s polling unit, Polling Units 085, Ward 3, Sunday Adigun, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Observers, police personnel and journalists were spotted at the scene while the INEC officials were yet to arrive as at 8:51 am
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, the Ikeja Local Government Chairman, Mojid Balogun, expressed concern over the late arrival of the INEC officials.
He said, “We are waiting for the electoral officials, we have done our part and we don’t know why they are delaying. I am waiting to receive our candidate before I go to the polling unit.”
Credit: Daniel Ayantoye
BREAKING: Atiku votes in Adamawa
Voting ongoing at Ward 3, PU 003, Iregun, Ikenne LGA, Ogun State
Voting is ongoing at Ward 3, Polling Unit 003, Iregun, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State. This polling unit is very close to that of Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Credit – Deji Lambo
Voting commences at Kubwa polling unit 024, Abuja
The first voter, Dupe Osundele, casts her vote as voting commences at the Arab road water board junction settlement polling unit, Kubwa, Bwari LGA, Abuja (024 polling unit).
Voting yet to begin at VP Yemi Osinbajo PU
Voting has not commenced at Vice President Yemi Osibanjo polling unit at Ward 1 unit 14 under coconut tree poling unit in Ikenne LG, OGUN State. It seems they are waiting for the Vice President before the commencement of voting at the polling unit. The advanced security team of Vice president is presently at the unit.
EFCC officials, policemen force journalist to delete photos in Rivers
Some officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sighted in a white bus outside Model Primary School, Elekahia Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Saturday morning, forced PUNCH correspondent to delete pictures on his mobile phone.
The EFCC officials were with armed men of the Nigeria Police Force on the bus.
When our correspondent was sighted taking photos, the security agents stormed out to challenge him and forced him to delete pictures on his mobile phone.
The PUNCH cannot immediately ascertain their mission whether it is to check vote-buying or not.
However, The PUNCH reports that a member of the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe, was arrested with a bundle of dollars along Ana Road, Port Harcourt, very early on Friday morning.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, condemned the action of the security agents.
“They don’t have the right to do that. We are sorry about that. You’re doing your job as they are also performing their election duties,” she said.
Buhari Violates Law As He Declares His Preferred Candidate
President Muhammadu Buhari has violated the electioneering law in Nigeria, as he declared that Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is his preferred candidate in the election.
Buhari went on to encourage people at his polling unit in Katsina State, to vote for Tinubu.
Tinubu Arrives His Polling Unit In Lagos, Cast His Votes
Presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu has arrived at his polling unit in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, to cast his vote.
He was joined by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Having cast his vote, Tinubu said he’s confident emerging winner in the presidential race.
Sanwo-Olu Votes, Salutes INEC Over Election Process
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has cast his vote in the ongoing presidential and NASS election.
Sanwo-Olu voted alongside his wife, after which he saluted the INEC for a fair process.
Thugs Invade Lagos Ward, Chase Away Southeasterners
Emerging information has it that some yet-to-be-identified thugs have chased away people from the southeast region of the country at their polling unit at Anglican Girls Primary School in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
An eyewitness, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said the thugs, who wore yellow-coloured shirts, were dozens in number and they stormed the polling unit with dangerous weapons, threatening to hurt those from the southeastern part of the country.
“They chased a Calabar man because he looked like Igbo,” she added.
MC Oluomo Causes Confusion As He Threatens Igbo At Polling Unit
There was confusion among Lagosians, as MC Oluomo was caught on camera making an open threat to people from the southeastern part of the country.
In the video, the Chairman of Lagos State Park and Garage Management Committee threatened to deal with anyone from the region, who dared him to vote.
Kogi: Soldiers gun down ballot thief
Operatives of the Nigerian Army on Saturday gunned down an unknown ballot thief in Ogege road, Odaba polling unit in Dekina ward.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that voters in the area fled from the voting arena following the activities of political thugs who came in large numbers to destroy voting materials.
The thugs who appeared with machetes and guns snatched ballot boxes, broke chairs and dispersed voters.
Credit: Deborah Tolu-Kolawole, Dekina
JUST IN: Wike votes as BVAS resumes work in Rivers
Governor Nyesom Wike has cast his vote at polling unit 7, Ward 9, Wimpey Junction, Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machine resumed operations.
The PUNCH reported how the governor and other voters were earlier stranded at the polling unit as the BVAS network failed during Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections
Wike cast his vote around 12:40pm.
Other voters are now being accredited.
Credit: Gbenga Oloniniran
Photo: Gov. Akeredolu casting his vote in Owo
INEC yet to arrive Mowe-Ibafo
The Independent National Electoral Commission officials are not available at the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Mowe-Ibafo, Ogun State, as of press time.
Voters were seen waiting patiently while others went back home.
