Jandor votes
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Fight breaks at Abule-Ado, Abule Oshun
Massive fight has broken out at Abule-Ado and Abule-Oshun area of Satellite as area boys and thugs insist no one can vote unless he or she shows evidence it was going be for the ruling APC.
Area boys at the unit tactically frustrated every move made by the INEC officials to have a smooth process.
Voters in the area complained that some thugs brought in bus-load of boys who bulldozed their way to the front row of the table where INEC officials sat and requested to be accredited for voting.
The INEC officials after searching for the names on the list a couple of times without success, asked them to give way for other people, but the demand fell on their deaf ears.
Police officers guarding the polling unit appeared to be helpless when this reporter approached them to take action.
The scores of people who have queued for hours were visibly frustrated and appeared to confront the situation in their own way.
Even when all the party agents at the unit elected to help the INEC officials in searching for the names, it eventually did not produce results.
Labour Party agent at the unit Mr Orji Chimezie, accused the police officers of colluding with the thugs who he alleged were APC members, to frustrate people from voting in the area known to be a Labour Party stronghold.
He appealed to INEC to request for Army officials to be sent to the are to maintain orderliness since, according to him, police has failed in that duty.
However, five minutes after his call, at about 12.05p.m., a massive fight broke out.
Scores of frustrated voters forced their way to the table and disrupted the process. A free-for-all ensued and the INEC officials threatened not to continue with conducting election in the unit under that circumstance.
At Polling Unit 04 Abule-Oshun, haggard looking street urchins, armed with guns and bottles, blocked the road and stopped those who didn’t declare for APC from going into the unit.
A little resistance from some group of boys caused serious arguments and in a moment sporadic gunshots rent the air, with broken bottles flying freely.
Everybody scampered for safety and INEC officials were not also exempted.
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Soldiers brutalise Reps member in Benue
The lawmaker representing Buruku Federal Constituency, Mr. Kpam Sokpo was in the early hours of Saturday reportedly beaten to a pulp by suspected military personnel in a hotel in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue state.
The lawmaker who narrated his ordeal to newsmen said he was battered by the military personnel for no reasons whatsoever.
Mr. Sokpo said, “I dont know what came over them, I came to the hotel where I was staying in Gboko, Old Barn, around 2:30am and I sat there with some of my friends.
“And shortly after, about five trucks fill with over 60 soldiers came to the place. When they alighted from their vehicles they just tool position.
“I got up from where I was sitting to do something and one of them approached me and asked why I was walking in the manner I was walking.
“As I was talking he slapped me in the face. I asked why he did that, and I introduced myself as a House of Representatives member. I told him he did not know me and just slapped me in the face.
“Before I knew what was happening more than 30 of them just pounced on me using the butt of their guns to injure me.
“Some of the guns they used on me even broke into pieces. As I speak with you I have stitches on my face, on my head and I have all kinds of injuries on my body.
“While this was going on, their Commanding Officer came in and calmed the situation a bit. Shortly after they went on to harrass me and collected everything in my car, including every piece of paper.
“In fact, the one who started assaulting me threatened that he could even kill me. Unfortunately I did not get their names because they removed their name tags before assaulting me.
“Believe me, I do not know why they did this to me. I have gone to the hospital to stitch the cuts and treat myself, but I have reported the matter to the Police and the Security Adviser to the Governor of Benue State.”
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the 401 Special Force Brigade, Makurdi, Captain John Okozie said he would reach out to the personal in Gboko to find out what actually happened.
On his part, the Benue State Police Commissioner, Mr. Wale Abass said he was yet to receive the report. (Warning: Gory image)
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What Buhari told voters about collecting money
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NDLEA nabs 4 party agents in Ogun with vote-buying credit cards
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on election stop-and-search duty have intercepted four party agents with hundreds of money credit cards to buy votes at Ibara Housing Estate, Ogun state.
An NDLEA statement said: “Each card contains N10,000 and activated to cash with a code.
“The Chairman NDLEA, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa, has directed they be handed over to the Police after proper documentation.”
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PWDs vote in Niger
Physically-challenged people voting in Minna, Niger State.
By Wole Mosadomi
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Take these security agents elsewhere, FESTAC is calm — Residents
Residents of Festac town in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Lagos, have reacted to the increased security presence in the area.
A voter said such monitoring should be taken to areas in Lagos presently under siege.
Another voter, simply identified as Seun, said Festac has always been a peaceful area and did not need such security beef-up.
According to him, such parade should be taken to areas like Ago, Shomolu, Surulere, and others which have records of election violence in the past.
Another voter simply described the move as ‘a show off’, stressing that Festac does not need such beef-up.
However, another voter while hailing the move, said it was the right way to make people feel at safe while casting their votes.
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No entry into Kogi
Trucks stopped by military officers at Welcome to Lokoja Junction.
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Thugs, thugs, thugs…
Thugs vandalise Oma Kitchen, Igbo House around Canoe Area of Isolo and injured three persons.
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It was a pleasant experience — Vice President Osinbajo
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has described the ongoing governorship and state sssembly elections as very peaceful and pleasant, such that people cast their votes without any problem.
Osinbajo stated this after voting at his Polling Unit 14, Egunrege Ward 1, Ikenne, Ikenne LGA, Ogun State.
The Vice President and his wife, Dolapo, arrived the polling unit at around 10:31a.m and voted around 10:36a.m.
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Photos: Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos votes
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Video: Former President, Dr. Jonathan votes
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‘Cooperate, vote a particular party,’ thugs threaten journalist, voters in Lagos
At about 10a.m., nine youths on three motorcycles stormed Polling Unit 006 on Mosalasi Road, Egan, Igando.
Voters were sitting and standing in clusters, awaiting arrival of polling officials. One of the men that came on motorcycles approached me and gruffly asked me to shut down my phone.
His colleagues shouted at the crowd of waiting voters that they could vote only for a particular party.
Later, after noticing my media tag, they came back and apologised but warned me to ‘cooperate’.
They then left on their bikes towards the next polling station down the street.
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No INEC official at VGC
At 10a.m., voting was yet to commence in VGC as INEC officials have refused to come into the polling units prepared for them.
Residents are agitated.
An INEC official by name, Folayemi, refused to allow her colleagues use legally constituted polling units inside VGC.
According to VGC residents, Folayemi said she was ordered from above not to allow INEC officials to come, rather they mounted polling units outside the gate.
However, she’s nowhere to be found to get her own side of the story.
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Tinubu, President-elect, votes
The President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, casting his vote at his polling station on Kadiri Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
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INEC officials just arriving FESTAC
INEC officials arrived at Polling Unit 009, 21 Road, FESTAC Town at 9:48a.m.
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Governor Ottom votes
Governor Ottom cast his vote at about 9:35a.m. at Tse Ortom Polling Unit 016, Gbajimba, Guma LGA, Benue State.
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3 die in Katsina governor’s convoy in accident
Two security aides, Kabir Adamu and Nura Safiyanu, and one civilian aide, Amadu Ali, to Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State were killed in a road accident last night on their way to the governor’s home town, Kafur, for today’s governorship and houses of assembly elections.
According to reports, the incident occurred along Jikamshi Village, Musawa LGA of Katsina State.
Some among the convoy also sustained various degree of injuries and are currently being treated at a hospital.
The spokesperson of the Katsina Police Command, SP Isah Gambo, confirmed the development.
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No more campaigns
INEC ad hoc staff removing some political posters from the wall close to a voting centre in Oyo State.
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No INEC officials …
INEC officials yet to arrive polling units in Egan, Igando, Lagos.
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Voting peaceful in Borno
Accreditation and voting proper have commenced at Kidang III Polling Unit, Marama/Kidang Ward, Hawul LGA, Borno State.
The exercise commenced peacefully by 8:30a.m.
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From FESTSAC Town
Presiding officers mobilising to go to their different polling units from UPE Primary School, 3rd Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, as at 9.18a.m.
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‘Don’t come out if you’re not voting APC’
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In Kano…
Accreditation and voting ongoing at the Polling Unit 033, Balarabe Haladu, Diso Charanchi Ward, Gwale LGA, Kano State.
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Voting in Lagos
Voting ongoing at PU 007 off Bayo Oyewale, Ago Palace Way, Lagos.
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No BVAS configuration in Sokoto
At PU 027 Aliu Kyari, BVAS yet to be configure by the presiding officer. Only one policeman is seen controlling the crowd
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Voting materials destroyed in Bayelsa
Voting materials for Ogbia wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 under Constituency 2, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State, carted away or destroyed.
Governor Douye Diri, through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, condemned the act and urged the IGP and Bayelsa CP to restore peace in the area.
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In Warri South …
Warri South INEC Office: Materials left yesterday, while sensitive materials left early today. Everything in calm.
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In Lagos …
At Ward 025, Ago-Palace, the process begins.
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Scores injured as APC, PDP supporters clash in Oyo
Several people were, in the early hours of Saturday, injured when supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, clashed in Ward 7, Ibarapa East East, Oyo State.
According to reports, trouble started when some suspected supporters of PDP allegedly attacked a bus carrying some people to the election ground.
In a reprisal attack, some supporters of APC were said to have traced the leaders of the attackers to their hideout where a free-for-all ensued, leaving many people wounded.
At least, one of the wounded was said to be on danger list at an undisclosed hospital in the town.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to contact the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, to comment on the matter, proved abortive, as calls placed across to him were not answered.
(Warning: The images are gory)
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Mobilisation by ringing bells in Lagos …
Early arrival of INEC officials in some polling units in Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo areas of Lagos.
They arrived as early as 7.45a.m.
However, the polling units were scanty as voters were yet to arrive.
Some parties agents had to ring bells around the community, calling on residents to come out and vote.
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Voting begins in Kebbi …
Voting has began at PU 016, Aliero Housing Estate, Birnin Kebbi.
The BVAS machines are working well. So far.
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In Rivers, material arrives Ward 7, Obio/Akpor
All electoral materials arrived Rumuaghorlu Ward 7, Unit 2 at 8a.m., but no voter sight.
As early as 7a.m., electoral material left Registration Area Centre (RAC) 07, Rumuokoro in Obio/Akpor.
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INEC ready in Enugu
Election materials and INEC staff arrived Obiagu Primary School extension polling units, Enugu State at about 8:05a.m.
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In Akwa Ibom …
Electoral officers arrived at Ward 2 Unit 22, Uyo Urban by Asutan Street. But voters yet to arrive.
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Preparations in Kebbi State
INEC officials and materials arrive PU 016, Aliero Housing Estate, Birnin Kebbi.
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In Ughelli, Delta State …
Ongoing distribution of polling materials at Ughelli RAC Centre.
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Soldiers in charge of security in Sokoto …
The Nigerian Army has taken over the security of Sokoto Metropolis as election commences.
No police checkpoints anywhere in the metropolis.
Army in Armoured Personnel Carriers are seen patrolling Sokoto town with soldiers armed to the teeth.
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Election materials arrive early at Uyo polling units
Electoral officers were spotted at some polling units within Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, as early as 7:30a.m.
Some of them were seen at Uyo Urban Ward 21 and Unit 12 pasting voters’ list.
This is even as only few voters are seen at the polling units, unlike during the presidential and National Assembly polls, when electorate arrived their polling units as early as 7a.m.
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Personnel, materials on the move in Aboh Mbaise
Movement of ad hoc personnel and materials to pulling units in Aboh Mbaise.
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Owerri North
Owerri North ad hoc staff set to move. But for almost one hour no security personnel to escort them.
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In Delta…
Polling materials left RAC Centre and arrived at the Ward 1/5, Otovwodo unit 3, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State at 7.35am
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Security agents start off well in Lagos
In Lagos State, security agents are at alert. Pass (of whatever kind) is not enough to see you through.
You have to step out of your car for checks.
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If you want to die, disrupt this election — Police
”Anybody that wants to disrupt the system should be ready to die, and anybody that wants to die should come out and disrupt the system.
“If you love your life, keep away, cast your vote, go home and wait for the result.”
That was the warning from the Police.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-East, John Amadi, issued the warning yesterday in Umuahia.
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Good morning to you and welcome to Vanguard, the dependable news source. Today is the governorship and states’ houses of assembly elections. Earlier scheduled for March 11, it was postponed to today, March 18.
We’ll, as usual, bring you live updates on the elections from across the country, in exciting briefs, pictures and videos.
Voters will be electing new governors and their deputies in 28 states and representatives for 993 state houses of assembly constituencies in the 36 states.
Two other elections will hold. One is the Enugu East senatorial district election, while the second is the Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben federal constituency of Edo State. They are not supplementary but main elections that could not be held earlier.
Governorship elections are not holding in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo, as polls to the offices of governors of the states are held off-cycle and not part of the general election.
Stay with us for from-the-scene updates…
