Buhari: fourth time lucky

They said he will never be elected president of this country and used every trick in and out of the book of politics to make sure. Three times he tried, beginning from 2003, and three times he failed. But the man simply refused to be deterred.

Part of his problem seemed to be where he came from – the northern part of Nigeria whose leaders, in mufti and in Khaki (including himself), had ruled the country for  much of its existence as an independent country. Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, the director-general of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign organisation, once alluded to this at the time he had pressed himself into the service of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the estranged benefactor of his current political master. This was back in 2002.

Because the North had ruled the country for so long, he said in an interview in Sunday Vanguard(July 21, 2002), “We also have to be able to rule for possibly close to 50 years.” By “We” he, of course, meant the South where Obasanjo and himself came from. But not only did the South deserve to rule for nearly half a century in compensation for the longevity of Northern rulership of the country, he also believed, he said, good governance was a preserve of Southerners.

Photo: APC supporters jubilate in Abuja

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

Alh Lai Mohammed(left) Timipre Sylva and senator elect, Kogi West, Hon.Dino Melaye celebrating Buhari victory at party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

APC supporters jubilating over Buhari victory in Abuja on Tuesday

APC addresses supporters on Buhari’s speech

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced that the speech of the President newly elected on its platform, General Mohammadu Buhari would not be given until 11 am on Wednesday.

The party made the announcement following the elongated time spent so far by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to compute the final results and officially announce the winner of the Match 28 presidential election

Buhari…the president-elect

Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was this morning declared winner of last Saturday’s presidential election.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega declared Gen. Buhari winner of the keenly contested election after the collation of results from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Gen. Buhari scored 15,424,921 votes to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDPwho polled 12,853,162 votes.

Gen. Buhari won in 21 states. Jonathan won in 15 and in the FCT.

The day started on a sour note when PDP agent Elder Godsday Orubebe almost disrupted the announcement of results. As soon as the process which started on Monday, resumed yesterday, Orubebe requested to make an observation. He was obliged. He created a scene,  swearing and screaming as he accused Jega of bias. The calmness with which Jega handled Orubebe’s distraction saved the day.

But the day ended on an exciting note as President Jonathan conceded defeat even before the final tally. He called Gen. Buhari a little after 5pm, to congratulate the APC candidate.

Jonathan’s action did not only douse tension but earned him accolades.

Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar told reporters after meeting with the president at the Villa that Jonathan told him that he called Gen. Buhari around 5.15 p.m.

The APC also confirmed the “historic call”.

“President Jonathan called at 5.15pm, “Gen. Buhari’s campaign spokesperson Garba Shehu said.

Asked if Jonathan conceded, he said: “Yes, and General Buhari has accepted and thanked him for this.”

The president confirmed his call to Gen. Buhari in his message to Nigerians last night, saying: “I have conveyed my personal best wishes to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.”

It is the first time in Nigeria’s history that a sitting government will be defeated in an election.

President-elect Gen. Buhari shelved his planned address to the nation at about 12:45am. It was shifted till 11.000am this morning

Party officials announced the decision to cancel the address after a long wait for INEC to formally confirm Buhari’s victory.

Before the announcement, supporters besieged the party secretariat to catch a glimpse of Gen. Buhari, dancing and singing. The podium was already set and leaders of the party, including House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, were at the secretariat.

The supporters left disappointed, but with great enthusiasm and anticipation.

All streets leading to the party’s secretariat were taken over by youths celebrating Gen. Buhari’s victory.

The youths, holding broom were singing and drumming.

Video of Orubebe disrupting proceedings at INEC collation centre

For those who missed it, here's the video of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and PDP party agent Godsday Orubebe attempting to disrupt the announcement of the presidential election results at the collation centre in Abuja this morning as it was about to start. (Read previous story here). He was shouting abusive words at INEC chairman, Prof. Jega. Called him tribalistic, partial, selective and that he has been compromised. His conduct was shameful to say the least. Watch ...

Read Prof. Jega's epic response to Orubebe this morning

After PDP party agent Godsday Orubebe created an embarrassing scene at the collation centre in Abuja this morning, trying to disrupt announcement of results (read here) a very calm Jega told him;

"Mr Orubebe, you are a former Minister of the Federal Republic .You are a statesman in your own right. You should be careful about what you say or what allegations or accusations you make. Certainly you should be careful about your public conduct"

Jega's response to Orubebe has been hailed as mature and worthy of praise. In fact, there's a meaning for Jega now. 'Jega' - meaning - 'To be inexplicably chilled in the midst of stupidity or conflict". lol. Prof Jega's full response after the cut

Atiku Abubakar congratulates Gen. Buhari on his victory

The former Vice President wrote a congratulatory message to Buhari which he shared on Facebook. See it below...

My hearty congratulations to His Excellency, General Muhammadu Buhari, for being elected the next president of our beloved county, Nigeria. You have led our party, the All Progressives Congress to an unprecedented victory within two years of it’s official formation, and in so doing, written the most important chapter of our democracy.

The great Nnamdi Azikiwe once wrote that “history will continue to vindicate the just”. Your victory in the polls, with votes from across the length and breadth of our country, bears witness to the acceptance of not just our party, the APC, but also your ideology of justice, fair play and zero tolerance for corruption as the bedrock for national rebirth.

At this historic moment, it is most important to say a hearty thank you to every Nigerian who voted for the APC. Your votes have not just elected the first opposition party into federal power, but has also set a precedent which will have positive implications for democracy across Africa.

Dear GMB, the journey has just begun. Millions of Nigerians have put their trust in you, because they were not satisfied with the status quo. You represent the hope of a new generation of Nigerians, and you cannot afford to fail them. Our party has made a promise of change to our young people, to secure and rebuild our country, create jobs and opportunity, and improve citizens’ welfare. We will stand behind you to ensure we keep those promises, just like we did during these elections.

Our country needs a new direction. We have voted for you, and our party won the election, but when you assume our highest office, you must become the president of not just the APC, but all of Nigeria, including the people who did not vote for you. We look up to you to heal the fractures of our country, and truly unite this country like never before.

To President Jonathan, I want to specially thank you for conducting a historic election. Your party may have lost the elections, but you have won the admiration of the world by not interfering with the wishes of Nigerians. History will be kind to you.

It is my sincere hope that we will all come together as one country, to build the Nigeria of our dreams.
God bless Nigeria.

Okorocha congratulates Buhari

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for emerging victorious at the presidential election.

Okorocha reacted in a terse statement through his media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, commended Ndigbo for subscribing to the mantra of change.

While describing Buhari’s victory as divine, Okorocha also commended Nigerians for subscribing to change for better.

“By virtue of Buhari’s victory, Ndigbo and IMO people in particular, can now appreciate he wisdom behind his decision to be part of the merger

ThA saw the emergence of All Progressives Congress, APC”, Okorocha said.

The governor was of the view that it would have been disastrous if in the new order, the Igbos were nowhere to be found.

Buhari to address the nation

APC prepares red rug for Buhari

The All Progressive Congress Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will address the nation on his electoral victory.

The APC is already making arrangement for his address at its National Headquarter in Abuja.

APC would make a difference in governance of Nigeria – Amaechi

ABUJA – Rivers State governor and Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential campaign Organization, APCPCO, Mr. Chibuike Ameachi has said that the APC would make a difference in the political governance of Nigeria.

He added that where the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP has failed, APC would succeed having learnt from the outside.

This was even as the national publicity secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the integrity of the presidential candidate, General Mohammad Buhari won the vote for APC.

Both men spoke with Journalists at the national secretariat of APC amid excitement of an anticipated victory Buhari

BRIEFING: Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State during a Press briefing on poltically motivated violence and deaths in Rivers State. yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Ameachi further stated that APC would be magnanimous in victory.

He said: “We will be magnanimous in victory because the challenges are much. It is not only about celebration of victory, it is about seriousness of governance and we must show the different between us and the current government. If we say there was incompetence, we must show competence.

“If we say there was corruption, we must show that we will not be corrupt. If we say that people were denied of their basic right, we must protect their rights. If we say there was impunity, we must govern by the rule of law, and once we show that Nigerians will see the different between us and the current government.”

When asked to explain what the victory meant to him, Ameachi said: “Quiet a lot. As the Director-General of the campaign, it is good to me.

Buhari: It’s a new dawn – Oshiomhole

Governor Adams Eric Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State has congratulated the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 General elections, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory and emergence as President-elect, saying the victory represents a new dawn in the nation’s polity.

In a statement Governor Oshiomhole said “let me congratulate you, Sir, on your historic victory at the presidential election, through a process which has been adjudged as free, fair and credible by both local and international observers. Indeed, your victory, on the basis of One Man, One Vote, represents a new dawn in the democratic governance of our great country.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole

“The spread of your victory across the length and breadth of the country shows your national acceptance as the man Nigeria needs at this critical stage to reposition her from the 16 years of misrule of the PDP.

“Despite the smear campaigns against your person and candidature and the attempts to polarize the country along ethnic and religious lines, Nigerians made a bold statement by speaking through their ballots that you are, indeed, the President they want at this time of our national history.

Election tsunami: Ngige, Adeyemi, Adetunbi, Ningi, others lose senate seats -

ABUJA – WHAT may be described as election tsunami has hit the senate following the recent declaration of the National Assembly election results which took place last Saturday as some Senators regarded as ‘big boys’ like Senators Chris Ngige, Smart Adeyemi, Olubunmi Adetunbi among others lost their bid to come back to the Red Chamber.

Also on the losing list was the Senate Deputy Leader, Abdul Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central who lost his seat to the All Progressives Congress.

But apart from Senator Ningi, other principal officers like the Senate President, David Mark who is returning to the senate for the fifth times, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, the Minority Leader, George Akume among others retained their seats.

Adetunbi, Adeyemi, and Ngige

Senator Chris Ngige representing Anambra Central from the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, lost the seat to a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Kogi West, who is one of the prominent PDP Senators lost his seat to Hon. Dino Melaye, while the PDP candidate from Ekiti North took over Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi of the APC.

Senator Mark scored 99,538 votes to defeat his opponent of the APC, Daniel Onje, who scored a total vote of 50,115, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP Abia South scored 1011433 to beat his challenger from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, that had 70,502 votes.

[UPDATED] Visualisation of Presidential results in 35 states, FCT

Fayose congratulates Buhari

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on his victory in the March 28 presidential election.
Mr. Fayose in a state broadcast urged Nigerians to accept the outcome of the Saturday presidential election in good faith.
He said: “the election result is the will of God and Nigerians, and all lovers of peace, progress and development of Nigeria must accept it.”
The governor hailed the resilience and commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan and General Buhari (rtd).

The governor has been an unrepentant critic of Buhari who have impugned on his integrity, saying he is too old to govern Nigeria, sick and other petty accusations.
Fayose said the election results should not be seen as victory or loss for any political party, adding that: “To me, Nigerians and democracy won.”
He praised Nigerians for believing in the democratic process, adding that; “By this election, Nigerians have shown that Democracy has come to stay in the country.

Buhari thank supporters

Ahead of his formal declaration as President elect, APC Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari has expressed  gratitude to Nigerians for choosing him and his party over and above the PDP and their candidate, the incumbent President, Dr Jonathan Goodluck.

The APC declared victory party after Dr Jonathan called General Buhari at 5:15pm to make a concession and congratulate the winner.

Director Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Garba Shehu quoted Buhari as saying that the mood of the country as well as its current state did not warrant the type of wild celebrations reportedly going on in some cities across the country.

Buhari said anybody happy with the victory of the APC in the presidential election will not be involved in the molestation of opponents or the destruction of their property.

“He or she is not with me, whoever does that,” Buhari curtly said.
He is due to make a major acceptance speech in the coming hours.

Abdulsalami commends Jonathan for conceding defeat

Jonathan accepts defeat

Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar on Tuesday commended President Goodluck Jonathan (Peoples Democratic Party) for conceding defeat to the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for winning Saturday’s election.

Abdulsalami, who is the Head of the 2015 Elections Peace Committee, gave the commendation while speaking with State House correspondents after his committee met President Jonathan at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

He said that the committee was in the Villa to ensure peace was maintained in the country and that he was happy that President Jonathan had already called Gen. Buhari before the committee arrived at the Villa.

He said: “We were here to ensure peace is maintained at this moment we thank Nigerians and all international community who came to support during the elections.

“The elections have been very peaceful despite the hitches here and there. At the end of the elections, at the counting that there are a lot of upheavals that have happened but thankfully they have been contained.

“We were at the middle of a meeting with the international observers to try to see how we can still water the tension down, when gladly I called Gen. Buhari that we are going to see him, he told me that Mr. President has called him at about 5:15 p.m. and congratulated him and conceded defeat.

“We were spell bound and the reason we have come here is to thank President Jonathan for this statesmanship. In the history of Nigeria I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him and through this point, President Jonathan maintained a point that the blood of Nigerians is not worth his presidency and by his action he has proved that.”

“He has proven to be a man of his word‎ because during our interaction on this peace committee he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the elections whichever way it is done. And he has proved this.

“And I think we need Nigerians, all of us to join hands in making sure we assist him in the peaceful handing over. And I will appeal to all politicians ‎those who are celebrating and those who are sorrowing to please give peace a chance to be moderate.”

Order barring soldiers from Tinubu’s home subsists, says court

The order barring soldiers from the home of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will remain in force until the substantive suit is heard, the Federal High Court said Tuesday.

Tinubu sued the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah over the deployment of soldiers to lay siege on his 26, Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos home between February 9 and 11.

The former Lagos State governor is praying the court to enforce his fundamental rights.

Justice John Tsoho, on March 26, granted an interim injunction restraining the army from laying siege to Tinubu’s home.

The judge also stopped Tinubu’s arrest or detention during the period of the general elections.

He restrained Minimah and his privies from “arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating the applicant” until the determination of the substantive suit.

The suit was adjourned for hearing Tuesday, but the applicant’s lawyer, Chukwuma Onwuemene, who stood in for Mr Femi Falana (SAN), sought a short adjournment.

Minimah was not represented by any lawyer.

Justice Tsoho recalled that the applicant had already secured an interim injunction against his arrest and intimidation by the military, which still subsists.

He said he could not give any date before the Easter vacation, which begins next Monday.

Tinubu is seeking a declaration that the siege on his home was an infringement on his fundamental human right to private and family life protected under Section 37 of the Constitution.

According to him, the military’s action violated sections 35 and 42 of the Constitution as well as Articles 2 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

Tinubu said the siege caused him and his family “psychological and mental torture.”

His aide, Sunday Dare, who deposed to a supporting affidavit, said: “The applicant was exposed to embarrassment as many members of the public asked whether he committed any offence which warranted the siege.

“The siege portrayed him as a hardened criminal in the society.”

Jonathan congratulates Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the Saturday election.
In a telephone call at exactly 5:15pm to Buhari in Abuja, Jonathan assured him of maximum cooperation and smooth transition.

Election Result from Benue

Ameh and Gbagbo, Benue:
Benue State:
Agan Ward

Presidential:
PDP, 3,577
APC, 858
Senate:
PDP,‎ 3,904
APC, ‎578
Reps:
PDP, 3,725
APC, 673
Market/Clerk Ward
Presidential:
PDP, 629
APC, 3,093
Senate:
PDP, 727
APC, 2,933
Reps:
PDP, 2,901
APC, 984
Mbalagh Ward
Presidential :
PDP, 1,633
APC, 941
Senate:
PDP, 2, 136
APC, 220
Reps:
PDP, 2,035
APC, 512
Bar Ward
Presidential:
PDP, 1,274
APC, 2,857
Senate:
PDP, 1,391
APC, 2,847
Reps:
PDP, 1,354
APC, 2,735

Some early Results coming in

Keffi LGA: 

PDP 9, 735

APC 26, 797 

Source: @PremiumTimesng

Ijebu Ode LGA, Ogun State Presidential:

APC 14, 043

PDP 8, 972

Ewekoro LGA, Ogun State Presidential Results:

APC 9, 626

PDP 3, 227


Source: @pmnewsnigeria

Shehse ward, municipal kano presidential election results:

APC 9,749

PDP 761

Senate Results:

APC 7,426

PDP 2,754

Reps Results:

APC 7,766

PDP 1, 566


Source: @PremiumTimesng