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LIVE UPDATES: 24 States Declared, Others Inconclusive Or Suspended

The governorship elections were held in 28 states of the federation.

Live Updates

 

Millions of voters headed to the polls on Saturday to choose their governors and state house of assembly members for a new four-year term.

Three weeks after a dramatic round of presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) again took centre stage for the conduct of governorship and state house of assembly polls across the country.

The state-centred elections were initially scheduled for March 11 but the fallout of the federal elections set back the reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices prompting a one-week delay.

Amid hopes of a hitch-free exercise, Nigerians finally trooped out to various polling units to cast their votes for their candidates of choice. According to INEC, a total of 87.2 million were eligible to vote, having collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

Of the 36 states, governorship polls were held in 28, namely Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

As for the state legislatures, all 36 states were the home bases of thousands who competed for 993 state house of assembly seats.

Channels Television will keep you up to speed with all the latest information. Refresh this page for more updates.

06:21 pm: Thanks for following our coverage of the governorship and state house of assembly elections. We appreciate you!

04:47 pm: LP Supporters Protest In Abia, Ask INEC To Declare Otti Governor-Elect

Hundreds of residents and supporters of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State have staged a peaceful protest in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately declare Alex Otti the winner of the governorship election having scored the highest number of votes in last Saturday’s election in Abia state.

01:09 pm: Ex-Air Chief Sadique Rejects Outcome Of Bauchi Poll, Alleges Harassment

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has rejected the result of the governorship election held in the state, insisting that it is not a true reflection of the wishes of the people.

12:13 pm: ‘We Will Not Take Your Mandate For Granted,’ Kano Gov-Elect Yusuf Tells Residents

11:39 am: Okowa Confident Oborevwori, New Delta Leaders Will Meet Citizens’ Needs

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa says he is confident his successor will meet the needs and aspirations of the people of the oil-rich state.

On Monday, Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Delta State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

9:52 am: Wike Dedicates Rivers PDP’s Victory To God

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has dedicated the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state’s governorship election to God after INEC declared Siminialayi Fubara the governor-elect.

Wike, who spoke at the Government House in Port Harcourt amid jubilation after the declaration of the result by INEC, said it was only God that could guarantee the kind of victory achieved by the party.

L-R: Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor-elect Siminialayi Fubara. Credit: Facebook/Sir Siminalayi Fubara

8:53 am: Ogun PDP Calls For Replacement Of Returning Officer

The Ogun State chapter of the PDP has called for the replacement of the state Returning Officer for the governorship election, Prof Kayode Adebowale.

The state PDP Deputy Chairman, Kayode Bamgbose, called on the INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to conduct a rerun in some parts of the state and to replace Adebowale.

7:41 am: Police Caution Zamfara Residents Against Violence

Following the declaration of PDP governorship candidate Dauda Lawal as governor-elect, the Zamfara State Police Command has cautioned residents of the state to desist from engaging in acts of violence.

The command, in a statement, said the police and other security agencies would decisively deal with any attempt by any person or group to cause any security breach leading to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

5:52 am: Kano Govt Lifts Dawn-To-Dusk Curfew

The Kano State Government has lifted the dawn-to-dusk curfew imposed due to “tensions” based on the anticipated results of the governorship and state assembly elections.

The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, in a statement, said, “The decision to lift the curfew was made after a careful review of the situation and the relative calm throughout the state.”

4:15 am: PDP’s Dauda Lawal Unseats Zamfara Gov Matawalle In Stunning Upset

In what may be described as the biggest upset of the general elections, PDP governorship candidate Dauda Lawal has unseated Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle.

INEC declared Lawal the governor-elect with a total of 377,726 votes after he defeated Matawalle (APC) who polled 311,976.

He was announced as the winner in Gusau, the state capital in the early hours of Tuesday.

A file photo of Dauda Lawal
A file photo of Dauda Lawal

3:28 am: The collation officer of Maradun LGA in Zamfara State who was reportedly abducted earlier has arrived in Gusau.

2:26 am: Tonye Cole, Others Reject Rivers Gov Election Result, Demand Cancellation

The APC governorship candidate in Rivers, Tonye Cole, has rejected the results of the just concluded election in the state, saying the mandate of electorate in Rivers State has been stolen.

Cole made his position known at a joint press conference with the candidates of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Sobomabo Jackrich; and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Tonye Ibraye.

This comes after INEC declared the PDP candidate, Siminalayi Fubara, the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election.

1:18 am: Jandor Alleges Manipulation In Lagos Gov Election

12:30 am: PDP’s Kefas Agbu Emerges Taraba Gov-Elect

INEC has declared Kefas Agbu the winner of the Taraba State governorship election.

Agbu, the candidate of the PDP, scored 257,926 votes to edge out the candidate of NNPP, Muhammad Yahaya, who polled 202,277. In third place, the APC candidate, Emmanuel Bwacha, garnered 142,502 ballots.

Kefas Agbu
A file photo of PDP governorship candidate in Taraba State, Agbu Kefas.

00:15 am: Final results from Taraba State

Registered voters: 2,022,374
Accredited voters: 663,998

APC – 142,502
NNPP – 202,277
PDP – 257,926

Valid Votes: 651,371
Rejected Votes: 9,120

Total Votes Cast: 660,491

00:10 am: Collation enters Day 3 in Taraba State on Tuesday.

The final results are about to be declared.

11:16 pm: Wike’s Anointed Candidate Siminialayi Fubara Declared Rivers Governor-Elect

Siminialayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared the winner of the Rivers State governorship election.

He polled 302,614 votes to defeat his closet rival Tonye Cole (APC) who scored 95,274 votes, while Senator Magnus Abe (SDP) and Beatrice Itubo (LP) came a distant third and fourth with 46,981 and 22,224 votes, respectively.

09:49 pm: INEC Declares APC’s Uba Sani Winner Of Kaduna Governorship Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Senator Uba Sani has been declared the winner of the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna State.

08:20 pm: Abia PDP Faults INEC’s Suspension Of Collation, Demands Immediate Declaration

The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the suspension of government election results from collation in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

07:21 pm: ‘We Fought A Good Fight’: Funke Akindele Breaks Silence On Lagos Election Loss

Nollywood star Funke Akindele says being on the ballot for the Lagos State governorship election was a learning curve, maintaining she gave a good account of herself despite losing the election.

07:19 pm: Adamawa Governorship Election Declared Inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the March 18 governorship election in Adamawa State inconclusive.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Aishatu Dahiru famously known as Binani scored 390, 275 while the incumbent, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, polled 421,524.

Thirteen out of sixteen local government areas so far collated in Taraba State. Three more local government areas are to be collated. Result collation is suspended at the moment, to resume by 9:00 pm.

06:16 pm: Zulum Bags Another Term As Borno Governor

Governor Babagana Zulum has been reelected governor of Borno State.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state having polled 545,542.

06:05 pm: Collation of the last LGA in the Rivers State Governorship election will now resume at 7 pm.

It was initially billed for 5 pm. But the INEC Public Affairs Officer in Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemu has just announced to the waiting journalists and observers at the Collation Centre in Port Harcourt that the collation of Ahoada West LGA results will now take place at 7 pm.

Twenty-two of the 23 LGAs have been collated and all went the way of the PDP.

No reason was given for the further adjournment.

06:01 pm: INEC Declares Catholic Priest, Fr Hyacinth Alia Benue Gov-Elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, as the winner of the March 18 poll and the Governor-Elect.

The Catholic priest won 473,933 votes ahead of his closest rival and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Titus Uba, who scored 223,913.

05:13 pm:  Katsina PDP Rejects Gov Election Result, Threatens To Head To Court

The Peoples Democratic Party’s Campaign Council in Katsina State has rejected the result of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

This is coming less than 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda as Governor-elect at the end of the results collation on Monday.

04:53 pm: INEC Returning Officer Rejects Manual Result For Adamawa LG, Accepts IReV’s

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Adamawa Prof Muhammed Mele of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, has rejected the manual result sheet from the Fufore Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

While the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 26,329 and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 21,721 in the result sheet, the INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed that the APC got 24,777 votes, and the PDP 20, 777.

04:19 pm: APC Retains Cross River, Bassey Otu Emerges Winner

He scored 258,619 votes, beating Sandy Onor who had 179,636 votes.

04:09 pm: APC Clinches Niger Governorship Post

The Niger State Governorship Election Collation Officer Professor Clement Alawa has declared Umar Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s exercise.

He made the declaration in Minna, the state capital, saying the winner polled 469,896 votes, beating his close contender of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Liman Isah Kantigi who scored 387,476 votes.

03:20 pm: PDP Wins Delta Governorship Poll

02:55 pm: Caleb Mutfwang Of PDP Wins Plateau Governorship Election

REGISTERED VOTERS
2,789,528

ACCREDITED VOTERS
1,099,860

TOTAL VALID VOTES
1,080,425

REJECTED VOTES
11,181

TOTAL VOTES CAST
1,091,606

SCORES BY POLITICAL PARTIES

APC 481,370

LP 60,310

PDP 525,299

02:50 pm:  Collation of governorship election result has been suspended in Rivers till 5 pm.

Ahoada West LGA result is being awaited

02:49 pm: At Least 21 Killed In Nigeria’s Electoral Violence, Says EU Observer

As results of the governorship and state house of assembly polls are being collated across the country, the European Union says no fewer than 21 persons have died from electoral violence.

02:39 pm: APC’s Francis Nwifuru wins the Ebonyi governorship election.

02:21 pm: The EU mission also notes that At least, 21 people died in relation to Elections violence across the states

02:13 pm:  Security operatives at the INEC collation Centre in Yola patiently wait for the collation to commence.

02:09 pm: Umahi’s Ally And Ebonyi Speaker, Nwifuru Declared Gov-Elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Francis Nwifuru as the winner of the March 18 poll in Ebonyi State.

01:55 pm: Zamfara Speaker, Deputy Lose Seats To PDP Members

The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Nasiru Muazu Magarya, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lost his Zurmi West constituency re-election bid to Bilyaminu Ismail of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Musa Bawa Yankuzo, and the Deputy Leader of the House, Nasiru Lawal Bungudu, lost their seat to Bello Maza-Waje and Bashiru Dan-Meri of PDP respectively

01:47 pm:  INEC Suspends Collation Of Results In Abia, Enugu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of results for Saturday’s governorship elections in the states to review some results in parts of the states respectively.

In a statement by the INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, on Monday, he said the Commission took the decision after a meeting to review the elections on Monday.

01:39 pm:‘Reward For Keeping Faith With Oyo People’, Olubadan Hails Makinde On Re-Election

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has hailed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. on his re-election for a second term in office, saying it is a reward for keeping faith in his covenant with the people of the state.

01:25 pm: Kaduna Collation Adjourns

They have gone on another break till 6 pm. The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Bilbis says this is to enable the collation officers to reconcile the results of the Kudan local government with party agents.

01:03 pm: In Kaduna, the PDP collation agent had raised objections to the results, alleging that some polling units’ results were not computed.

This is the first major objection to be raised since the collation of results started on Sunday

12:49 pm: LP, PDP Kick As APC Wins 26 Of 27 House Of Assembly Seats In Imo

The Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State have rejected the results of the house of assembly elections in the state.

After Saturday’s election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 26 seats out of the 27 seats in the Imo State House of Assembly.

12:43 pm: Collation of results in the Kaduna governorship election resumes.

Four more LGA results – Kachia, Lere, Kudan and Birnin Gwari – are yet to be declared.

KACHIA LGA

NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS 168, 975
NUMBER OF ACCREDITED VOTERS 54, 827

APC 23, 849
LP 1, 726
NNPP 470
PDP 27, 491

TOTAL VALID VOTES 53, 974
REJECTED VOTES 605

TOTAL VOTES CAST 54, 639

LERE LGA

NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS 247, 413
NUMBER OF ACCREDITED VOTERS 100,483

APC 45, 823
LP 4, 321
NNPP 1, 515
PDP 46, 363

TOTAL VALID VOTES CAST 98,617

REJECTED VOTES 1411
TOTAL VOTES CAST 100,028

12:23 pm:  NNPC victory celebration in Kano turns into the destruction of public property. 

12:10 pm: Resumption of collation of results at the state collation centre in Umuahia, Abia State capital.

11:50 am: Collation Resumes in Zamfara

TALATA-MAFARA LGA

Registered Voters – 148,098
Accredited voters – 66,211

APC – 41,280
PDP – 22,236

VALID VOTES – 64,817
REJECTED VOTES – 717
TOTAL VOTE CAST – 65,534

BAKURA LGA

Registered Voters – 113,089
Accredited voters – 62,102

APC – 41,063
PDP – 19,455

VALID VOTES – 60,728
REJECTED VOTES – 325
TOTAL VOTE CAST – 61,053

11: 37 am: Collation of Rivers State Governorship election adjourned till 2 pm.

Results of the two remaining LGAs are still being expected.
The LGAs are Ahoada West and Asari-Toru.

Twenty-one LGAs have been collated with PDP winning in all

11:11 am: All 20 LGAs announced in Rivers have been won by PDP, including the just-presented Degema LGA.

11:09 am: The collation of Plateau State governorship election results resumes at the INEC office in Jos.

Four LGAs have been expected: Bokkos, Jos South, Jos North, and Qua’an Pan.

11:07 am:  Bala Mohammed Defeats Former Air Chief, Reelected Bauchi Gov

Governor Bala Mohammed has been reelected as the governor of Bauchi State for another four-year term.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 18, 2023 poll was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

10:30 am: PDP has won in all 19 of the Rivers governorship election results announced so far, however, some opposition collation agents are rejecting the results.

The LGAs are Tai, Opobo-Nkoro, Gokana, Ogu-Bolo, Eleme, Ikwerre, Oyibo, Etche, Khana, Bonny, Ahoada East, Omuma, Okrika, Andoni, Abua-Odual, Emouha, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Obio-Akpor, and Port Harcourt City.

There are four more LGAs to be declared.

10:26 am: Collation resumes for the governorship election in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

10:06 am: INEC Declares Kebbi Governorship Election Inconclusive

INEC returning officer Professor Yusuf Sa’idu has declared the Kebbi State governorship election inconclusive

At the state collation centre in Birnin Kebbi, Sa’idu said the measures became necessary because there were breaches of electoral laws that led to cancellations of results from polling units in 20 out of the 21 LGAs due to violence, disruption of election materials and over-voting

Before declaring the election inconclusive, APC had polled 388,258 votes as against the PDP’s 342,980 votes.

10:00 am: All stakeholders have taken their seats at the INEC office for the resumption of the collation of governorship election results in Niger State.

After receiving results from 22 LGAs on Sunday, the state Collation Officer, Professor Clement Alawa, called for adjournment.

At the moment, only three LGAs remain, namely Mashegu, Shiroro, and Rijau LGA.

9:29 am: Collation in Cross River State has been adjourned till 2 pm.

9:12 am: PDP Accuses Matawalle Of Forcing INEC To Allocate Fake Figures

The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alleging that Governor Bello Matawalle is plotting to manipulate the authentic results of his hometown, Maradun LGA.

The PDP, in a statement by the Dauda Lawal Media office, says the governor has been in touch with top INEC officials in a bid to ensure the result is announced in his favor.

It further alleges that the governor, an APC member, is unwilling to accept defeat in peace.

8:39 am: The collation officers for Bauchi LGA arrive to present the governorship election results for the final local government area in Bauchi State.

8:10 am: Collation is set to resume in the Bauchi collation centre.

8:04 am: NNPP supporters celebrate in Kano as Abba Kabir is declared governor-elect.

People jubilating on the streets of Kano despite curfew on Monday, March 20, 2023. Credit: Sodiq Adelakun

7:31 am: Gov Sule Re-Elected In Nasarawa

Governor Abdullahi Sule is announced as the winner of the Nasarawa State governorship election.

The Returning Officer of the governorship election, Professor Tanko Ishaya, declares that Sule (APC) polled 347,209 to beat his closest contender, David Ombugadu (PDP) who got 283,016 votes.

7:07 am: NNPP Declared Winner In Kano

The battle for political control of Kano State in Nigeria’s North-West between the APC and NNPP has been settled with the declaration of Yusuf Kabir (NNPP) as the governor-elect.

Kabir was declared winner of the keenly contested poll by INEC on Monday morning, scoring 1,019,602 votes to defeat his closest contender, Nasir Gawuna of the APC who polled 890,705 votes.

6:57 am: Final Results For Nasarawa

APC – 347,209
PDP – 283,016

Total accredited voters: 660,805
Rejected votes: 6,934
Votes cast: 667,739

5:31 am: Kwankwaso Raises Alarm Over Alleged Attempts To Declare Kano Gov Poll Inconclusive

The presidential candidate of NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “do the right thing” and resist attempts to declare the governorship election in Kanos State inconclusive.

Speaking to journalists in the early hours of Monday morning, he noted that his party is in the lead at the INEC collation centre

5:21 am: Results for Lafia LGA, the last for Nasarawa governorship elections are announced.

Registered Voters: 287,893

Accredited voters: 158,711

APC – 107,313
PDP – 41,594

Valid votes: 157,658
Rejected votes: 1,053
Total votes cast: 158,711

4:22 am: The Kano State Commissioner of Police arrives at the INEC headquarters with three vehicles carrying armed men.

3:23 am: Adamawa Collation Delayed As Thugs Attack Participants, Destroy Property

Thugs attack the INEC collation centre in Yola, Adamawa State amid the ongoing governorship election results collation.

Miscreants surround the INEC Collation Centre and refuse anyone entry into or exit from the facility around 2 am on Monday. Only by the combined effort of the army, police and other security agencies are people able to exit the venue.

2:47 am: Collation Of Kano Gov Election Results To Resume At 5 AM

After the presentation of governorship election results for all 44 LGAs in Kano State, the Collation Centre is taking a two-hour recess for INEC officials to review the level of violence reported in a majority of the LGAs.

1:18 am: Sanwo-Olu’s supporters celebrate as INEC declares Lagos governor re-elected.

1:15 am: The moment INEC declared Sanwo-Olu re-elected in Lagos

1:15 am: Rowdy session at the collation centre for the governorship election at the INEC headquarters in Yola.

As the controversy over the results of the last local government area of Adamawa state rages on, there are frayed nerves and an exchange of accusations of doctored results and snatching of the result sheet by APC and PDP.

Officials are still trying to find a solution to the impasse. Some believe the results from Fufore LGA could alter the general outcome of the results.

1:15 am: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been re-elected in Lagos State.

He polled a total of 762,134 votes, defeating Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party who scored 312,329 votes, followed by Abdul-Azeez Adediran aka Jandor with 62,449 votes.

12:25 am: Monday morning… Collation of governorship election results has been suspended at the Taraba State Collation Centre, to resume by 11:30 am today.

11:50 pm: Gov Elections: APC Wins Final Lagos LGA, Eti-Osa

APC – 25,963
LP – 19,967
PDP – 1,468
Registered Voters: 413,265

Accredited Voters: 51,848

The Electoral Officer notes that results for seven out of 10 wards were cancelled. The number of affected polling units is 38 out of 784 in total. Registered voters affected amounts to 8,396, while those with collected PVCs add up to 8,070.

The reasons given for the cancellation are disruption, over-voting, and inability to deploy men and materials to some centres, though reasons were not given for the latter.

In a total of three polling units, elections were said to not have been held.

11:39 pm: In the Niger State governorship elections, 23 out of 25 LGAs have been announced by Prof Clement Alawa, the state Returning Officer. APC has won in 17 LGAs, while PDP triumphed in five.

The remaining three LGAs, Mashegu, Rijau and Shiroro have yet to be submitted.

11:39 pm: Supporters of PDP camp outside INEC Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State, vowing not to leave until Dauda Lawal is declared winner of the governorship election.

11:27 pm: APC wins Awe LGA in Nasarawa governorship election

APC – 26,966
PDP – 8,025

Registered Voters: 95,902
Accredited voters: 36,779

Valid votes: 36,486
Rejected votes: 284
Total votes cast: 36,770

11:09 pm: Collation Of Enugu Gov Election Results Resumes Monday

The collation of results for the Enugu State governorship election continues on Monday morning. INEC steps down results from two LGAs, citing irregularities.

11:17 pm: Nasarawa State: APC wins in Nasarawa LGA

APC – 27,992
PDP – 19,079

Registered voters: 165,665
Accredited voters: 50,051

Valid votes: 49,521
Rejected votes: 527
Total votes cast: 50,048

10:46 pm: APC Wins 9 Of 12 LGAs, As INEC Postpones Final Result Announcement In Ebonyi

The announcement of the final result of the march 18th, 2023, governorship election for Ebonyi State has been postponed. The final collation and announcement will be made at 10 am tomorrow.

10:43 pm:  INEC To Recompile Results For Adamawa LGA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a form to recompile the governorship election results for some areas in the Fufore Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State.

09:43 pm: Labour Party’s Chukwu Unseats Nnamani, Wins Enugu East Senate Post

Labour Party (LP)’s Kevin Chukwu has clinched the Enugu East senate post, defeating incumbent Chimaroke Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Party (LP).

09:15 pm: 96 INEC Staff Members Rescued As Police Foil Attack in Kogi

The police in Kogi have rescued 96 staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja, the state capital.

Channels Television reports that the victims, comprising INEC officials, ad hoc Staff and bus drivers, were attacked by gunmen at Obajana while on their way from Kupa North and South wards to the Constituency Collation Centre in Lokoja.

08:59: APC’s Dikko Radda Declared Katsina Governor-Elect

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Radda, has been declared the winner of Saturday’s election.

Radda scored 859,892 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Senator Yakubu Danmarke, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who polled a total of 486,620
votes.

07:47 pm: Mai Mala Buni Reelected Yobe Governor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni as the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the state.

07:33 pm: APC’s Inuwa Yahaya Reelected Gombe Governor

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State in North-East Nigeria and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18, 2023 governorship election has been declared winner of the poll.

07:34 pm: The Niger State Collation Officer Professor Clement Alawa after receiving results from 17 LGAs in Niger State at the state collation centre in Minna has called for an adjournment to 9 pm. Under way is eight local government areas of the state.

07:11 pm: 26-Year-Old Rukayat Shittu Wins Kwara Assembly Seat

07:05 pm: Ogun PDP Petitions INEC, Wants Gov Election Declared Inconclusive

The Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the results of the state governorship election inconclusive.

06:58 pm: APC Wins Jigawa Governorship Election

APC’s Umar Namadi scored 618, 449 votes to beat the PDP candidate Sule Lamido who had 368,726 ballots.  NNNP’s Aminu Ringim got 37, 156 votes.

06:52 pm: Result Collation Continues In Kaduna State

The Collation Officer, Professor Lawal Suleiman from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto who is presiding over the exercise, says results from 23 local governments were expected, after which the winner will be announced.

So far, results from eleven local government areas have been collated and announced by the returning officers. They include those from  Ikara, Giwa, Kajuru,  SOBA, Makarfi,  Zangon Kataf,  Jaba,  Jema’a,  Kaura, and Sanga local government areas. Results from twelve more local governments were expected.

06:49 pm: APC’s AbdulRazaq Reelected Kwara Governor

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has been reelected for another four-year term. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate polled 273,424 to defeat his closest opponents — Abdullah Yahman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 155,490 and Hakeem Lawal of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who got 18,922 votes.

06:39 pm: Zamfara State Governorship Collation Centre

Only three LGAs announced so far:

1. ANKA LGA

Registered Voters – 82,195
Accredited voters – 27,877

APC – 10,156
PDP – 17,116

VALID VOTES – 27,462
REJECTED VOTES – 404
TOTAL VOTE CAST – 27,866

2. BUKKUYUM LGA

Registered Voters – 98,651
Accredited voters – 36,718

APC – 10,321
PDP – 24,341

VALID VOTES – 34,943
REJECTED VOTES – 472
TOTAL VOTE CAST – 35,415

3. ZURMI LGA

Registered Voters – 129,278
Accredited voters – 46,668

APC – 21,027
PDP – 24,328

VALID VOTES – 45,669
REJECTED VOTES – 861
TOTAL VOTE CAST – 46,530

The collation has been adjourned till 8:40 pm.

06:16 pm: Dapo Abiodun Of APC Retains Seat As Ogun Governor

06:04 pm: Rivers State Collation To Resume Monday

The State Returning Officer for the Rivers State Governorship election, Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh has adjourned collation till 10 am, Monday, March 20.

So far, 17 out of the 23 LGAs have been collated with the PDP clearing all.

06:03 pm: INEC Adjourns Collation In Kaduna

The collation of governorship election results in Kaduna state has been adjourned to 8:00 pm.

The INEC acting Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kaduna State, Auwal Mashi announced the adjournment after the results of additional four local government areas were collated.

05:40 pm: INEC Declares PDP’s Umo Eno As Akwa Ibom Gov-Elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno as the winner of the March 18 governorship poll in the state.

05:23 pm: Labour Party Vows To Resist ‘Plot To Upturn Gov Election Results In Abia, Enugu’

The Labour Party (LP) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia and Enugu states of plotting to upturn the governorship and state assembly election results in both states.

04:34 pm: Police Arrest Lawmaker, 160 Others for Ballot Box Snatching, Similar Offenses In Kano

In the aftermath of Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections in Kano State, the police have arrested 161 persons for various election-related offenses.

Amongst the suspects is a present house of assembly member Isiaku Danja. According to the state Police Commissioner, CP Muhammad Gumel, those arrested include ballot box snatchers, vote buyers, and those who attempted to burn an INEC office in the state.

04:05 pm: Collation of governorship election results for Plateau State is set to commence at the INEC office in Jos, Plateau State.

plateau-collation-INEC

04:01 pm: APC Campaign DG Murdered In Rivers State

The Director General for the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Chisom Lenard, has been assassinated.

He was gunned down on Saturday afternoon during the governorship and state house of assembly election in his LGA.

03:31 pm: PDP’s Seyi Makinde Re-Elected As Oyo Governor

03:16 pm: APC wins 26 seats out of 27 seats in Imo State House of Assembly election as INEC declares  Ahiazu Mbaise state constituency election inconclusive.

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer for the Abia State governorship election Professor Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti says collation is suspended till 6 pm

03:04 pm: Sanwo-Olu Leads LP’s Rhodes-Vivour With Over 400,000 Votes

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has cleared 18 of the 20 local government (LGs) in the March 18 governorship election conducted in the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent who is seeking reelection has 718,595 votes at the collation of 15 local government results on Sunda

02:54 pm: Crisis Breaks Out At VGC, Lagos Over Voting Time

A crisis has broken out at VGC in Lagos as INEC insists on stopping elections at 2.30 pm

The residents in some polling units are insisting that all those in the queue by 2.30 must cast their votes. For now, INEC has not said anything and normalcy has returned with voting continuing.

02:52 pm: In Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, the collation centre will open by 5 pm.

02:54 pm: Collation of Results Suspended In Rivers

The ongoing collation in Rivers State has been halted momentarily while the officials go on a break.

So far, nine LGAs have been announced even as some opposition party agents citing irregularities have called for the cancellation of the elections. The state Collation Officer Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh has, however, rejected those calls citing the Electoral Act which he says doesn’t give him the power to reject any results presented to him by the Returning Officers.

01:19 pm: RIVERS STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULTS

TAI LGA

APC 295
ACCORD 35
LP 13
PDP 9,276
SDP 508

OPOBO-NKORO LGA

APC 1,426
ACCORD 16
LP 10
PDP 11,538
SDP 159

GOKANA LGA

APC 7,410
ACCORD 74
LP 97
PDP 17,455
SDP 13,840

OGU-BOLO LGA

APC 1,524
ACCORD 121
LP 34
PDP 7,103
SDP 310

ELEME LGA

APC 2662
ACCORD 67
LP 544
PDP 8,414
SDP 2,251

IKWERRE LGA

APC 7,503
ACCORD 138
LP 895
PDP 13,716
SDP 1,447

OYIBO LGA

APC 2,793
ACCORD 147
LP 2,688
PDP 9,886
SDP 796

ETCHE LGA

APC 6,408
ACCORD 288
LP 552
PDP 16,043
SDP 2,586

KHANA LGA

APC 620
ACCORD 120
LP 57
PDP 9,475
SDP 5,846

01:12 pm: Results collation for Taraba State governorship polls is yet to commence at the INEC headquarters located at Sabon Gari axis of the state. The public relations officer of the commission says only a local government result has so far arrived.

01:01 pm: Results Collation for Governorship Election in Adamawa State Commence

Guyuk LGA
APC – 14,172
PDP – 18,427
LP – 46
SDP – 422

 Jada LGA

APC- 20,899
PDP- 22,933
LP – 46
SDP – 422

Gombi
APC – 19,665
PDP – 19,866
LP – 36
SDP – 59

SHELLENG LGA

APC – 12,589
PDP  -14,867
LP – 12
SDP – 1,136

GANYE LGA
APC – 21,605
PDP – 17,883
LP – 22
SDP – 69

DEMSA LGA

APC  – 11,798
PDP –  22,958
LP – 84
SDP – 146.

LAMURDE LGA

APC – 9,376
PDP – 19,104
LP – 97
SDP – 126

MUBI NORTH LGA

APC – 32,342
PDP – 17,469
LP 52
SDP 53

12:51 am:  JIGAWA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULTS

MIGA LG
APC 18,537
LP 08
NNPP 705
PDP 11,520

GARKI LG
APC 26,031
LP 33
NNPP 3,199
PDP 12,449

BABURA LG
APC 28,041
LP 67
NNPP 2,567
PDP 13,172

BUJI LG
APC 15,941
LP 07
NNPP 316
PDP 11,447

RONI LG
APC 15,697
NNPP 258
PDP 7,419

GAGARAWA LG
APC 12,752
LP 31
PDP 8,704
NNPP 1,405

KAZAURE LG
APC 13,650
LP 34
NNPP 559
PDP 10,138

AUYO LG
APC 25, 115
LP 59
NNPP 1,400
PDP 10,424

YANKWASHI LG
APC 8,473
LP 26
NNPP 294
PDP 5,069

BIRNIN KUDU LG
APC 33, 027
LP 30
NNPP 677
PDP 35, 517

MALA MADORI LG
APC 20, 538
LP 25
NNPP 914
PDP 10,692

11:23 am: Gombe State 2023 governor ship collation centre is about to start.

11:17 am: Collation of Results from Governorship, Assembly Elections Postponed In Kaduna

The collation of results for the governorship and state assembly elections in Kaduna state has been postponed to 2:00 pm.

INEC had scheduled Sunday 19th for collation to commence by 10:00 am. However, as of the time of filing the report, only the results from Kaura Local Government Area out of the 23 LGAs had arrived.

Results from 22 local governments are still being expected. Channels Television crew visited some ward collation centres and observed that the collation of results is still ongoing at the ward level.

12:40 am:  Collation continues for Oyo state after the break. 18 LGAs done out of 33.

12:19 pm: 35-Year- Old PDP Candidate Unseats Yobe Speaker

A 35-year-old Lawan Musa, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unseated the Speaker Yobe State House of Assembly, Ahmed Mirwa, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the just concluded 2023 State House of Assembly election in Yobe state.

The Returning Officer, Dr. Habib Muhammad, who announced the result at Nguru on Saturday said, Lawan Musa of the PDP scored 6,648 votes to defeat the sitting Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ahmed Lawan, Mites of APC who scored 6,466 votes.

12:11 pm: Katsina Governorship Elections Result: Collation of Katsina Governorship/State Assembly Elections Results Begins

11:37 am: All is set for the governorship election result collation at the INEC Abia State.

11:24 am: INEC To Hold Supplementary Elections In Oporaza, Gbaramatu, Delta State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hold supplementary elections in the Oporaza headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom. The development may be connected to the reports that ten BVAS machines deployed to the area were missing.

The Delta Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Monday Tom made the announcement a few minutes ago after the result for Ndokwa East Local Government was announced. According to the REC, supplementary elections will also hold in Amai in the Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.

11:15 am: Oyo collation centre on break, to reconvene in the next hour. 18 LGAs down, 15 more to go.

11:12 am: The Adamawa INEC collation centre for the governorship election is yet to begin collation. Results are expected from the 21 local government areas of the state.

Security operatives, election observers, journalists, and party agents are patiently waiting for the exercise to commence. So far, there hasn’t been any record of violence in the state as the process was largely peaceful.

11:08 am: The governorship election results from the 25 local government areas of Niger State have started coming in. So far, collation officers from 7 LGA have turned in their results.

kwara-governorshipe-election

11:04 am: Collation of results for Rivers State governorship election about to commence at INEC Head Office in Port Harcourt.

10:37 am: Collation is ongoing in Oyo State. Results from nine local government areas announced so far.

INEC collation centre opens in Ilorin, Kwara State. Everyting is set for the commencement of process.

10:15 am: Voting Commences In VGC, Lagos For Gov, Assembly Polls

As early as 8 am, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at the Victoria Garden City (VGC), in the Lekki area of Lagos, to set up for the conduct of the governorship and state assembly elections in 10 polling units which was postponed from Saturday.

Voting began right on time at 8.30 am in some of the polling units located in the VGC Park. The turnout is however still low compared to yesterday. On Saturday, the residents refused to vote after INEC relocated their polling units from the park.

10:46 am: Plateau Speaker Loses Reelection Bid To State Assembly

The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Yakubu Sanda, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost his bid to return to the hallow chambers.

He was defeated by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Happiness Matthew Akawu, in last Saturday’s elections for the Pengana State Constituency seat.

10:03 am: Delta Governorship result

Ika North East

APC – 4,733
LP – 1,990
NNPP – 24
PDP- 26,760

Aniocha North
APC – 4,386
APGA – 173
LP – 1,883
NNPP – 14
PDP – 8,938

Ndokwa East

APC – 9,044
APGA – 120
LP – 251
NNPP – 4
PDP – 10, 146

Ika South

APC – 6,790

LP – 4,495

NNPP – 52

PDP -15,283

Patani

APC – 4,743

LP – 85

NNPP – 13

PDP- 6,069

07:05 am: Collation of election results in Kaduna South Local Government Area still in progress. The local government has a total of thirteen electoral wards. So far, only results from six wards have been presented.

06:19 am: NNPP Wins Rogo Constituency In Kano Assembly Elections

Ismail Falgore of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has been declared the winner of the Rogo Constituency in the Kano State Assembly elections.

The returning officer declared Falgore the winner after he polled 18,211 votes, defeating Zarewa Magaji of the APC, who scored 11,007 votes.

12:05 am: It’s Sunday, the morning after a violence-riddled election day.

INEC says the collation of results for the governorship elections in Lagos, Ogun and Kaduna states will commence this morning.

The Ogun State Centre is scheduled to open at 9 am, while Lagos is set for 11 am.

10:56 pm: Abducted Imo INEC Electoral Officer, Others Are With Us – Police

The Commissioner of Police Mohammed Barde says the abducted INEC Electoral Officer for Isu Local Government Area Mrs Achibie Ogbonne and her team are with the police.

10:55 pm: As voting ends, Nigerians await the results of the governorship and state house of assembly polls.

10:45 pm: ‘A Complete Sham’: Labour Party Condemns Polls

The Labour Party, in a statement by its National Chairman, Julius Abure, condemned the conduct of the governorship and state house of assembly elections across the country, describing the exercise as “a complete sham.”

According to Abure, the conduct of the polls by INEC led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu “clearly proved” that the outcome of the February 25 presidential election was a “well-orchestrated plot to favour a particular political party and candidate”.

10:30 pm: Party Agents’ Clash Disrupts Results Collation In Rivers LGA

The collation of governorship and the house of assembly election results in Ahoada East Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has been disrupted.

Trouble reportedly started when two party agents got into a disagreement within the LGA premises of INEC, resulting in a fracas.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that gunshots were heard, and tear gas canisters were shot as the university professors serving as collation officers scampered to safety.

09:30 pm: Gunmen Abduct INEC Officials In Imo State 

Gunmen have abducted officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State including the electoral officer of Isu Local Government Area of Imo State Mrs Achibie Ogbonne.

They also abducted the returning officer and some collation officers during Saturday’s state house of assembly exercise in the area.

07:18 pm: EFCC Operatives Attacked, Injured By Alleged Vote Buyers In Kaduna

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on election monitoring duty in Kaduna State, came under attack at School Road, Unguwan Rimi Kaduna while attempting to arrest a suspected vote buyer.

The team, working on intelligence on the alleged activities of one Kabiru Musa who was seen in an amateur video allegedly inducing eligible voters by using his phone to transfer money into their accounts as they cast their votes, had mobilized to the scene to arrest the suspect.

06:57 pm: Niger Gov Hails Electoral Process

Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has described the election process for the governorship and state assembly as seamless.

Governor Bello, who voted along with his wife Dr. Amina Bello at the Mustapha Alkali Polling Unit, Kontagora, charged the electorate to come out en mass to vote for the candidates of their choice. He commended the electorate for peaceful conduct and lamented the low turnout for the exercise.

06:24 pm: Gov Polls: EFCC Arrests Over 65 Persons for Alleged Voter Inducement

No fewer than 65 persons were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, March 18, 2023, across the 28 states where governorship and state houses of assembly elections were conducted, for alleged voter inducement.

Twenty of the suspects were arrested by operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Command while 13 suspects were nabbed by operatives on election monitoring duty at the Kaduna Zonal Command. The teams monitoring the polls in the Port Harcourt Zone arrested a total of 12 people for various offences bordering on inducing voters with money to vote for their preferred candidates, while the Uyo Zonal Command made four arrests in Calabar. The remaining suspects were arrested in Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Niger states.

05:45 pm: Counting of votes is in progress at polling unit 011 Karewa ward in Jimeta Yola, Adamawa.

05:17 pm: Mai Mala Buni wins Senate President’s polling unit

As the counting of votes cast begins, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has won the polling unit of the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan located at Katuzu Primary School in Gashua, Yobe state.

After sorting and counting, the Presiding Officer, Rahama Ahmed revealed, Mai Mala Buni of the APC scored 435 votes, while the closest opponent, Sheriff Abdullahi of the PDP scored 295 votes. Others are NNPP candidate who got 18 votes, NRM 4, and APGA 3 votes respectively.

04:40 pm: INEC suspends Guber, Assembly Polls In Rivers LGA

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has suspended the governorship and house of assembly elections in Asari-Toru and Degema Local Government Area of River State.

INEC Head of Voter Education, Mike Usolo, who disclosed this to Channels Television via the telephone, said the suspension of the exercise in the two LGAs followed the inability of the Commission to distribute electoral materials in the affected areas. He said in suspending the elections in the affected LGAs, INEC took into consideration the safety of its staff and those of the electorates.

04:03 pm: Abia Labour Party Governorship Candidate Alex Otti Wins Polling Unit

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State Dr. Alex Otti has won his polling Unit 17, Ward 5 in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state, scoring 154 votes.

The polling unit had a total of 864 Registered voters, out of which only 187 were accredited. He polled 154 votes while the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ikechi Emenike, polled nine votes and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) candidate, Okey Ahiwe scored 19 votes.

03:55 pm: INEC Postpones Gov; Assembly Polls for both Kwande East and West constituency

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Professor Samuel Egwu disclosed this while briefing journalists at the INEC headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

He blamed the postponement on the swapping of ballot papers meant for Kwande East to Kwande West, hence the need to reprint the ballot papers for both the governorship and the two state house of assembly seats in Kwande, since ballot papers had already been exposed.

03:47 pm: EFCC Arrest 20 For Vote Buying

The Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested twenty people including a presiding officer and party agents for vote buying across the state.

03:30 pm:  The counting of ballots has commenced at Polling Unit 041, Kawo Ward, in Kaduna North. This is the polling unit of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani.

03:29 am: Low Turn Out Mars Gov, Assembly Polls In Niger State

Accreditation for the Niger State governorship and the house of assembly began early with voting to start at 3:30 in most polling units visited.

The voters were seen to be conducting themselves peacefully. Channels TV observed security presence in the polling units with others enforcing the restriction of vehicular movement on the streets of Minna metropolis with roadblocks all over places for stop and check.

03:27 pm:  Sorting has commenced at the FRC Polling unit, Zaria Road in Jos North. Party agents insisted that unused ballot papers must be cancelled before sorting should commence which was obliged by the polling officers.

03:16 pm:  Sorting and counting underway at Ikoloba High School, Ward 005, Unit 039 Ibadan North, Oyo State.

03:15 pm: Sorting has commenced at booth 017, Ama Onyekwere, Ward 3 by st Micheal’s Primary School, Umuahia north.

03:03 pm:  INEC Lagos REC says voting will commence in VGC at 2 pm and run till 5 pm. This is 3 pm and voting is yet to start. We understand that the INEC officials earlier deployed here say they are ad-how staff and no one will pay their overtime so they have all left. The INEC REC who has refused to talk to the media until he sorts out the issue is said to trying to get other INEC officials to conduct the exercise. So it’s still a waiting game here.

02:40 pm: Governor Darius Ishaku, Taraba PDP and APC governorship candidates cast ballots. They describe the process as peaceful and encouraging especially with the non-malfunctioning of the BVAS.

02:36 pm: Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, cast his ballot at Kanwuri Polling unit 012 in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

zamfara-governor

 

02:24 pm: Police Arrest Three In Kano

The police have confirmed the arrest of three political thugs that disrupted elections at Gwammaja Yan Kosai, Kofar Mata, and Kano Municipal.

The Kano police command spokesman Abdullahi Haruna confirmed this to Channels Television.

02: 30 pm: Voting has ended in several parts of the country with counting ongoing.

Voting ended at exactly 2.30 pm in most polling units of Damaturu the Yobe state capital. INEC officials are set to commence sorting the ballot papers at Njiwaji Primary which hosts about 10 voting centres.

02:11 pm: [Vote Buying] EFCC Intercepts Bales of Fabric in Sokoto, Makes Arrest in Port Harcourt, Kebbi, Kaduna, Ekiti, Calabar

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, monitoring the ongoing governorship and state houses of assembly elections have intercepted bales of fabric meant for voter inducement and arrested a number of persons suspected to be involved in vote buying.

02:10 pm: One Shot Dead In Ogoja, Cross River State.

One person has been shot dead in Ogoja, the northern part of Cross River State. He was allegedly shot dead close to a polling unit this morning.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Cross River, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident on a telephone call.

She said the police authority is yet to confirm the reason for the development but assured of their safety across the polling unit.

02:09 pm: Police arrest thugs for disrupting elections at Kofar Mata, Kano Municipal Local Government Area

01:51 pm: Bauchi APC Guber Candidate Casts Ballot

The Bauchi state APC governorship candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has cast his ballot in Zirami village of Giade Local Government Area. He exercised his right alongside his wife, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Sadiya Farouq. Speaking shortly after voting, Air Marshal Sadique says he is satisfied with the voting process.

01:49 pm: Election Disrupted In Filin Wali Registration Area, Kano

Elections have been disrupted in the Filin Wali registration area at Danagundi Ward, Kano Municipal LGA. Also in some polling units at Kabuga primary school Gwale LGA has been disrupted

Similar incidents happened at Darmanawa Ward, and Sharada Ward in Tarauni LGA and Gwale LGA respectively. Security operatives rescue some of the election officials and voting has to end in Filin Wali, Danagundi Ward.

01:45 pm: Again, BVAS Fails to Accredit Zamfara PDP Governorship Candidate, Wife Votes

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has failed to accredit the Zamfara State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dauda Lawal. But his wife Huriyya voted after accreditation

While speaking with journalists after several attempts by the INEC officials, Lawal lauded the large turnout of voters and the peaceful conduct of elections so far

He said he is confident of winning the election and will accept whatever the outcome of the election as the will of God.

01:36 pm: Bandit Set Ablaze In Katsina For Attempting To Disrupt Elections

One bandit has been set ablaze after an attempt to disrupt the elections process along the General Hospital in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

An eyewitness said the bandit, alongside one other, was hitherto intercepted by a team of security forces.

01:34 pm: Kaduna APC Guber Candidate Votes

01: 03 pm Guber poll: Ayade Votes, Optimistic of APC Victory

Cross River State Governor Senator Ben Ayade has expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters for the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections, describing it as massive.

Voicing his satisfaction shortly after casting his votes at exactly 11:07.am, Ward 033, Ipong Ward, Governor Ayade noted that “this is a remarkable departure from the Presidential and Senatorial elections of February 12, when INEC personnel were nowhere to be seen, culminating in the delay in the exercise

“Voting, as I learnt, actually started here at 8:30 a.m. The turnout, I should admit, is also massive. I must also not fail to mention that it is peaceful.”

12: 58 pm: Delta APC guber candidate Omo-Agege  votes in Orogun Ward 2, Unit 19 in Ughelli North LGA

12:47 pm: Soludo Lauds INEC for Early Commencement of Voting

soludo-election-vote

 

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the early commencement of the voting process in the state.

Governor Soludo gave the commendation shortly after voting at Polling Unit 002 Ofuiyi Square, Umueze, Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

According to the governor, he has sampled views across the state and the exercise seems to be going on fairly well in terms of deployment of logistics and early commencement of the election.

He added that it is a great improvement compared to the previous election in terms of the arrival and deployment of materials.

The governor is optimistic that the will of the people will prevail, noting the low turnout of voters compared to the February 25th election and encouraging the people of Anambra state to step out and exercise their civic obligations by casting their votes.

12:45 pm: The PDP governorship candidate Pastor Umo Eno has just voted at Ibiakpan Obotim, Ward 2, Unit 1 in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

12:41 pm: The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan cast his votes around 11.40 am at the Katuzu polling unit, in Gashua, Yobe State.

 

12:40 pm: Sokoto PDP Guber Candidate Saidu Umar Vote, Hopeful Of Victory

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State Saidu Umar has expressed confidence he will emerge victorious at the end of the election process.

He spoke with journalists shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit 002, Sabon Titi, Kwanberu Ward of Sokoto South Local Government Area.

The PDP candidate lauded the electoral process and appealed to his supporters to be law-abiding, cast their votes and defend it and ensure their votes count.

12:37 pm: EU election observers visit polling units in the Karu area of Nasarawa State.

eu-election-observer-Nigeria

eu-election-observer-Nigeria

12:36 pm: An Abia Voter Shares Her Experience About Exercise

12:07 pm: Governor Godwin Obaseki has cast his ballot in Unit 19, Oredo Ward 4, at Empkpae Primary School in the state capital, Benin City. He attributed voter apathy in many polling centres to overbearing security presence.

obaseki-elections

11:58 am: Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River alongside his wife Linda Ben-Ayade casts their votes at Polling Unit 033, Ipong Ward, Kakum, Obudu Local Government Area amidst high hopes of APC governorship candidate emerging victorious.

The Governor, who cast his vote at about after twelve minutes past eleven in the morning, expressed delight that voting started by 8:30 am which is a major departure from the last election

He expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of voters and the peaceful manner in which the exercise is conducted, adding that the principle of equity, justice, and fairness will prevail.

11:57 am: El-Rufai votes at Polling Unit 024, Ungwan Sariki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna.

11:56 am: Tonye Cole, Lulu-Briggs Raise Alarm Over Voter Alleged Intimidation

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has raised the alarm over the alleged intimidation of voters in parts of the state.

Tonye Cole made the allegation after casting his ballot in Ward 12, Unit 2 in his hometown of Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He said if not checkmated by security agencies, the intimidation of voters may lead to voter apathy and affect the credibility of the process.

The governorship candidate also condemned the alleged widespread vote buying and called on law enforcement agents to take action.

In the same vein, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has condemned the alleged intimidation of voters by the ruling party in the State.

He, however, commended voters who turned out to exercise their franchise. He was speaking after voting in Ward 4, Unit 1 in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

11:48 am: The NNPP governorship candidate in Bauchi state, Senator Halliru Jika, has cast his ballot at Kofar Buri, Polling Unit 002 in Kafin Madaki, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.

Senator Halliru Jika Senator Halliru Jika

11:45 am: Governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu casts his vote in Ward 7, Unit 032 Umuobiakwa.

Ikpeazu-election

11:43 am: Former Lagos Governor Sarah Adebisi-Sosan commends INEC, security operatives, and everyone officiating in the guber, state assembly elections.

11:42 am: Voting ongoing at Achara Central School, booth 002 in Achara Uturu in Isikwuato LGA.

11:40 am: Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has cast his ballot in his hometown Duguri, Alkaleri local government area. He says the election is not a do-or-die affair and he will accept the outcome of the result. The governor also said that he is impressed by the large turnout of voters.

11:39 am: Gov. Wike of Rivers State casts his ballot at Rumueprikom Ward 9, Unit 7 in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State.

11:29 am:  The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of Abia State Greg Ibe cast his vote at polling unit 012 Nkwu -Achara Market Square, Ward 7, Isikwuato LGA of Abia State.

He commends INEC for introducing new technology in the electoral system. Meanwhile, he’s accusing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of thuggery and ballot snatching a development he has reported to security operatives.

11:28 am: Katsina Residents Cast Their Votes As Exercise Commences Across The State

Channels Television observed that the majority of the voters are women with candidates of various political parties optimistic to win the election.

11: 08 am: Channels TV’s Correspondent Gives Update About Voting in Oshodi Area of Lagos

11:06 am: Yobe state Governor Mai Mala Buni has just cast his vote at Bulturam Yerimaram polling unit, Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government Area.

During the 2019 general elections, the Governor had to cast his vote in Damaturu the state capital where his polling unit was transferred due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said there has been a remarkable improvement in security in most parts of the state.

Buni Gari has been under the control of the Boko Haram insurgency between 2012 and 2014.

11:02 am: Voting is in progress at polling unit 030 and 020 Women Centre in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

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11:00 am: 19 Abducted INEC Staff Rescued in Imo State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State has confirmed the rescue of 19 INEC ad-hoc staff on their way to seven different polling units in Ugbelie Ward 06 of Ideato South LGA of Imo State.

According to the INEC spokesperson Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, the ad-hoc staff were rescued by security operatives after getting a distress call and information about the incident.

She added that even though they were rescued, all the election materials which include BVAS and sensitive materials were not recovered.

10:55 am: Thugs destroy ballot boxes 002 and 003 at Darmanawa ward, Tarauni Local Government of Kano State.

10:46 am: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cast his vote at Eiyekole, 006 polling unit, St. Stephens Nursery and Primary School, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island.

10:38 am: Voting has started in most parts of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Magaji Are Ward 2.

10:28 am: There is a sense of general voter apathy across Ebonyi State. Reports from other parts of Ebonyi as evidenced in Polling Unit 002, Station Urban, in Ebonyi LGA, where 1,058 voters are expected to cast ballots.

Only 14 people have voted as of 8:46 am, 16 mins after voting officially started.

The INEC official said although it’s early to conclude how it will end. But the turnout is far lower than the presidential and NASS elections.

At the Independence Layout Ward 11, Okpara Square 2 in Enugu, voting commenced here at about 8:45 am. The turnout is nothing compared to the presidential election of February 25.

10:26 am: Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, has cast his ballot at Ward 5, Polling 8 in Opobo Town, in Opobo/Nkoro LGA of Rivers State.

He was in the company of his wife, to vote at about 10 am. He commended the process so far, saying the electoral materials arrived early and the BVAS functioned effectively at the time he voted.

10:25 am: Bayelsa Police Condemn Destruction Of Electoral Materials

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed and condemned the destruction of electoral materials at Ogbia Constituency 2. The Commissioner of Police has also directed a team to go and disperse the traders at the Tombia Market.

10:19 am: Residents of Yola, the Adamawa State capital turned out in their numbers early to exercise their franchise.

The electoral officers are early and accreditation and voting commenced at exactly 8:30 am in most polling units visited by Channels TV. Voting started without hitches and the BVAS seems to be working well without issues. Security officials are around to secure the polling units.

10:17 am: Heavy Security Presence At Major Roads, Junctions In Gusau

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There’s a heavy presence of security personnel in major streets and junctions in Gusau, Zamfara State capital as residents vote to elect their governor and members of the state House of Assembly.

Checks around the city showed heavy security presence at major checkpoints and INEC registration areas

Also heavily manned is the main entrance gate of the Government House, Gada Biyu Junction, Lalan Junction, Tudun Wada Roundabout, Central Police Station Roundabout, and Sokoto/ Gusau Road among other flashpoints

Although these junctions were barricaded, security agents on duty were seen refusing unauthorized motorists and pedestrians access.

10:15 am: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu arrives at his polling Unit 006, Eiyekole at Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island.

09: 57 am: Trading is ongoing at Tombia Market in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. Tombia is in the heart of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. There is a low voter turnout in the area.

10:04 am: The deputy governor of Lagos, Kadri Hamzat, casts his vote in the Epe area of the state.

09: 57 am: Trading is ongoing at Tombia Market in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. Tombia is in the heart of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. There is a low voter turnout in the area.

09:56 am: A cross-section of voters from Ward 4, Unit 6, Ibadan North LG, Oyo State.

09:49 am: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State cast his ballot at the Eghoma Primary School 1 polling unit, Owa Alero.

09:44 am: Voting has started in some polling units of 028 in Ugwa Abuja, Tudun Wada of Jos North in Plateau State. The polling unit has 947 registered voters.

09:40 am: In polling unit 024, Ungwan Sariki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government area, Governor Nasir El-Rufai is expected to cast his vote here. But one significant issue in this election is that accreditation and voting commenced as early as 7:45 am in most polling units due to the early arrival of INEC officials, unlike in the presidential/National Assembly elections.

So far, there has not been any report of BVAS malfunctioning or failure as was witnessed during the February 25th election.

ICPC officials at the polling unit, 024 Ungwan Sariki ward in Kaduna North Local Government. They are here to monitor the exercise, especially, the menace of vote buying.

09:30 am: The Lagos governorship candidate of the Labour Party, GRV arrives and joins the queue.

09:29 am: The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, has cast his ballot in Unit Four, Ward Ten, Abonnema Akuku-Toru LGA, Rivers State.

Accreditation and voting are seamless as BVAS is working in all polling units visited in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA Rivers.

Accreditation and voting are ongoing at Biarra community in Gokana LGA of Rivers State.

11:27 am: There is a large voter turnout in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

11:26 am: The PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State Mr Olajide Adediran laments insecurity and voter intimidation in various parts of Lagos state. In spite of all that, he is confident of taking the day by the end of the ongoing voting exercise.

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11:24 am: Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State casts his vote around 11:00 am at his Itaosanyin Ward 03, polling unit, 02 in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

He commends the peaceful manner voters have conducted themselves.

11:10 am: Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has arrived at the Polling unit 024, Ungwan Sariki ward to cast his vote. He is accompanied by his wife, Hadiza.

11:13 am: Kogi State Governor  Yahaya Bello has cast his vote at Agassa, Upogoro ward polling Unit eleven.

09:20 am: INEC Begins Distribution of Election Materials In Zamfara

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has started the distribution of election materials from registration areas to polling units in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

INEC officials, security agencies, NYSC members, EFCC personnel, party agents, and election observers are also on the ground to escort election materials to polling units.

The electoral umpire in Zamfara had a few days ago at stakeholders meeting assured that the election will commence at the scheduled time across the state without any delay but as of 9:20 am, voting is yet to commence at most of the polling units in the state capital.

09:20 am: The voting process is also ongoing at Eiyekole 006 polling unit, St Stephens Nursery and Primary School, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island.

Voting started at 9.10 am at Oshifila/Abule Igbira in Anifowose, Ikeja, Polling Unit 045 where the Labour Party Candidate, GRV is expected to vote.

09:19 am: This is what the security presence looks like at Ward 5, Unit 7 in Opobo/Nkoro LGA of Rivers State.

The Accord Party (AP) governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has just cast his ballot at Unit One, Ward Four Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA, Rivers State.

77 years Old Maria Onyegbule is ready to cast her vote at Ward 6, polling unit 002 St. Silas Primary School, Old Unuahia, Aba Road, Umuahia.

Accreditation and voting have commenced at PU 058, Aunty Alice Secondary School, Karu Area of Nasarawa. Voters are already in the queue to cast their votes.

09:04 am: Voting is in progress at Emokpae Primary School, Oredo LGA, Benin City, Ward 4. This is where Governor Godwin Obaseki will be casting his ballot at unit 19. There is security personnel around the area with a police checkpoint. The turnout is low compared to the crowd during the February 25th presidential polls.

09:00 am: Voting is yet to commence in most polling units visited in the state Zamfara State capital, Gusau.

In Danturai Registration Centre, under Galadima Ward, electoral materials are being distributed to various polling units. Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) are also on the ground to checkmate voting buying.

08:54 am: In Taraba State, accreditation and voting have already commenced. The turnout is impressive and no complaints so far about the BVAS.

There is a low turnout in Ekiti State compared with the presidential election. The popular Okesa Market is fully operational, the movement of commercial bikes and some private vehicles are noticed, and people in town complain of a cash crunch.

08:48 am: Accreditation and voting have commenced at PU 024, LEA Primary School, Kawo in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Many voters are in the queue to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

Voting has also begun in unit five, ward four, Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA, Rivers State.

08:46 am: Voting has commenced in some polling units across the country. In Unit One, Ward Four, Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers State, the exercise is underway.

Jamila Hamisu, a person living with a disability, was the first voter to cast her vote at the 019 polling unit in Dorayi Babba ward in Kano State, northwest Nigeria.

Voting has commenced at polling unit 014, Egunrege where Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo is expected to cast his ballot.

At polling unit 003, Anifowoshe, Ikeja – just a few meters from where the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, is expected to vote – voting started at 8.30 am.

Officials just arrived and are preparing to commence accreditation while voters wait at polling unit 002, Umuobutu Ward, St. Silas Primary School, Umuahia, Ebonyi State.

08:45 am: INEC officials with election materials have left for their various polling units at St. Silas Primary and Secondary School, Old Umuahia, Aba Road.

At the LEA Primary School, a polling unit in Kawo, Kaduna, there is a security presence in the area.

08:42 am: Meanwhile, presiding officers drafted to units 1-11 in Amakanma Umuahia South are complaining of a lack of transportation to their destination.

08:32 am: Logistics are being sorted out at the Anglican Primary School, Ogudu where INEC officials are deploying personnel and distributing materials to other polling units. This centre serves as a distribution and collation centre.

08:32 am: Like every election day, the roads in Lagos are free. Driving from the Mainland through the Island, it’s empty roads except for a handful of vehicles possibly on election duties. The Channels TV crew ran into some youths who are playing soccer.

While some say they are converting the time for sports waiting for the election to start, others noted that they are on the pitch because they don’t have PVCs.

08:31 am: At one of INEC’s distribution centres in the Ikeja area, the Anifowoshe Primary School, Ikeja, Channels TV crew arrived 8 am and INEC officials were just leaving for their various polling booths. The candidate of the Labour Party, GRV is expected to vote around here, particularly at Ward A, Anifowoshe.

08:28 am: Distribution of voting materials to polling units from Yahaya Gusau Model Primary School, Old Airport Road, and Muhammad Abba Model Primary School, Arkila, Sokoto.

08:27 am: INEC officials arrived at polling units 001 and 002 Government House Owerri, Imo State.

08:15 am: INEC officials have arrived at Aunty Alice Secondary School polling unit in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

The assistant presiding officer, however, says they are to start the process by 8:30 am as they do not have ink in the ink pad to stamp the ballot papers and for thumb printing of votes. They have requested it from their supervisors and it may take a while before it arrives.

08:12 am: In other parts of Nigeria, INEC officials are already setting up polling booths while voters are trickling in to begin the process.

At polling unit 041 in Kawo Ward of Kaduna, setting up is in progress. Voters have also started turning out. They said they are early for the exercise to avoid queuing up for long as they experienced during the presidential election.

Also, electoral officials have arrived at polling unit 027 Shaba Ward in the Kaduna North Local Government area. However, voters are yet to turn up for accreditation and voting.

People are also queuing in the Mandawari ward of Kano Municipal Local Government waiting for the election to commence. There are little or no restrictions on the movement of vehicles. And unlike the presidential election no checkpoints or roadblocks by the security officials.

06:42 am: INEC officials have started the distribution of election materials across the country for the governorship and state house of assembly polls.

At a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Ikoloba High School, Ibadan, Oyo State, the sorting of materials started early before the electoral officers set out to their various polling units within the local government.