Author: Editor
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has apprehended scores of suspected political thugs in the Nsukka axis of Enugu State. The Spokesman of NSCDC Enugu State Command, CSC Danny Iwuchukwu, confirmed this to newsmen in Enugu. Iwuchukwu said that the scores of suspected thugs arrested had been duly handed over to the Nigeria Police within the Nsukka axis. He said that the arrest was made early in the morning on the election day March 18, following a tip-off, at a popular hotel in Nsukka. According to him, AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Chukwuma Odii, has alleged that there were pockets of violence in some parts of the State. Odii stated this while interacting with Journalists after casting his vote at Nworie Town Hall Polling Unit 025 in Isu-Achara in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of desperation to retain power at all costs. He said: “They are very desperate by trying to disrupt the electoral process. There have been reported cases of violence in Afikpo North/ South and Ohaozara LGA…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The ongoing Governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the country is recording low turnout of voters in Ebonyi State unlike the presidential and National Assembly elections that recorded massive turn out of the voters. In most of the polling units visited, few voters were seen exercising their franchise. At Amudo Primary School polling unit in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state, one of the voters, Paul Onyia, attributed the apathy to difficulties of the voters in accessing their polling units because of lack of logistics. The situation was the same in Orie Egbe…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The ongoing Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Enugu State has been characterised by voter intimidation, harassment, ballot box snatching and others. Reports say that in many parts of the state there were incidents of party agents intimidating voters by forcing them to vote for some particular candidates, especially in the Enugu metropolis. In Ugbawka area of Enugu East Senatorial zone, Ikengaonline learnt that a particular party made sure that only those voting for the party were allowed into the voting arena. In many parts of Enugu metropolis, there were alleged operations of fake policemen parading the…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Low turn out of eligible voters and vote buying have marred the House of Assembly election conducted in Anambra State on Saturday. Reports from different parts of the state showed that many voters shunned the polls for lack of interest in the exercise and lack of faith in the outcome of the election. At several places visited by Ikengaonline, only a handful of people were at polling units to elect their lawmakers, unlike the huge crowed that turned up during the presidential election in the state. At 008 Polling Unit, Arroma Junction, accreditation and voting started around…
Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri Movement of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Ad hoc staff, and election materials have been delayed in two local government areas of Ohaji/Egbema and the Owerri North in Imo State, due to lack of security officials. A source from the area confirmed this development at about 07:10 am. He added that the people are now worried. He said: “The ad hoc staff are ready. The buses are available. But now the problem is that we are waiting for the security people to come and escort us to start work.” When the Imo INEC, Public Relations Officer,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Professor Bernard Odoh, has denied ever stepping down for any other candidate. Odoh made the clarification on Saturday in a statement signed by his Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Charles Otu. He was reacting to a viral text which circulated on Saturday morning that read: “BREAKING NEWS!!! Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh just stepped aside from Guber race for ANYI CHUKS. Join the winning team. Vote PDP to make Ebonyi Great.” Odoh who is a leading candidate maintained that he was strongly in the race and cannot and would…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Francis Nwifuru has commended the process of the election so far. Nnwifuru who voted at his Edukwu Okemini polling unit at about 9:20am lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring a smooth and hitch free exercise. The speaker also expressed satisfaction at the turnout of voters at the polling unit and by implication the entire state. He expressed confidence that he will emerge victorious at the polls. He was accompanied his wife, Uzoamaka Nwifuru. He said: “I am grateful to INEC because…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Unlike what happened in the last presidential and national assembly elections, there was heavy presence of security during the governorship and house of assembly elections in Abia. Different security agencies including the Army and Police patrolled the major streets as well as the voting centres. A sizable chunk of their personnel were also deployed at the various polling units especially those at the urban cities to help beef up security. The heavy presence of security in the state may not be unconnected with the alleged importation of thugs to rig the polls.
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia With barely two months to the end of his second tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, signed into law, a bill that mandates the President-elect and Governors-elect to submit the names of persons nominated as Ministers or Commissioners within 60 days of taking oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly. This, according to the Presidency, is in furtherance of Section 58 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Buhari also signed into law, the State Houses of Assembly Financial and State Judiciary autonomy bills and 14 other constitutional amendment bills alongside…