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Buhari’s re-election will sustain fight against corruption – says Ribadu

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), says President Muhammadu Buharis re-election will sustain the fight against corruption in the country. Ribadu, who was the Chairman of President Buharis re-election Campaign Organisation, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja. According to him, the ongoing anti-graft war in the country marked deviation from the past and Buharis emergence as winner of the presidential poll will help to sustain the feats. I do not think there is any anti-corruption agency in the world today that is doing what EFCC is doing. The facts are out there, the figures are there, the results are there. As an anti-corruption agency your work is to investigate, put it forward to the court system and I do not think there is any one organisation in the world that has the results that EFCC is showing now. The number of cases they have in the courts, the recoveries they...

Buhari likely to dissolve cabinet before May 29, spokesman says

The special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, says President Muhammadu Buhari is likely to dissolve his cabinet before May 29, 2019. Adesina, while speaking on a program on Arise TV on Thursday, February 28, said President Buhari will not spend much time in choosing his cabinet members. " One thing about governance is that the first mandate was for four years. "That mandate lapses on May 29, and shortly before May 29, the president is likely going to officially dissolve his government. That is the way it is usually done," the spokesperson said. Adesina added that " He says thank you to everybody that he has called to work with him and then he dissolves that government officially. “Then when he is inaugurated for a second time, he now reconstitutes a government; he appoints his personal aides, he forms his cabinet, he appoints other people to fill other positions." The President attracted widespread criticism after it took him...

Atiku was destined never to be president, says Oshiomhole

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, says former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was destined never to become president of Nigeria. Oshiomhole stated this while addressing journalists at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, February 28, 2019. The APC chairman accused Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of having poor understanding of the voting pattern of the regions. "It borders on arrogance that our future is tied on his presidency. Atiku is destined never to be president of Nigeria," Oshiomhole announced. He continued: "Leadership is about character. Atiku's desperation is so obvious, so desperate that in 2003, he challenged his own boss president Olusegun Obasanjo not to do a second term. And they fought naked in Wise market. "Rather than Atiku that rigging has come to stay and why the numbers don't add up in the absence of massive rigging, I just think that h...

Court removes Lulu-Briggs as Rivers governorship candidate

A federal high court sitting in Port Harcourt has removed Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State. Justice E.A Obile said Lulu-Briggs did not participate in his party's primary elections and should not be the governorship candidate. The court ordered the name of Lulu-Briggs to be replaced with Precious Baridon , the authentic governorship candidate of the party. The court also ruled that Dumo Lulu-Briggs should henceforth desist from parading himself as the candidate of Accord Party. Lulu-Briggs' candidacy was challenged by the Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who argued that he failed to meet the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the primary elections. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Here is how the new Facebook ‘clear history’ tool will help you delete all your private data

Facebook will soon release a tool which allows users to delete their private information captured on their account. The tool which is named ‘clear history’ will work a bit like similar functions in web browsers, which people often used to cover their tracks of any activity done. In May last year, Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature and revealed that it will be a simple control tool to clear your browsing history on Facebook, “what you’ve clicked on, websites you’ve visited, and so on.” Now, Facebook’s chief financial officer, David Wehner has come to reveal that the tool will be rolled out later this year. The moment the tool is rolled out, users will be able to see information about the apps and websites interacted with, and then will be able to clear this information from the account. Mr Wehner said, “You’ll even be able to turn off having this information stored with your account,” adding that, “You may have to sign back into every website, and you may have to reconfigure...

A dirge to a dying democracy; a stolen mandate

The maniacal and below-par Machiavellian cling to ego-trippping political power of the APC was evident on Saturday. Aside the celebrated incompetence of the election postponement, aside the blatant attempt to subvert public enthusiasm that comes as an attendant to the postponement, aside the brazen classlessness of the 14 million votes the APC posted as returns for its primaries, aside the sham of the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorials; February 23, 2019 represents a rainbow of disappointment and dark humour in the political evolution of Africa's largest democracy. The maniacal and below-par Machiavellian cling to ego-trippping political power of the APC was evident on Saturday. But that's not the crux here. The issue is how their cohorts argue that the PDP must matter-of-factly, for the sake of democratic sportsmanship, concede defeat and publicly congratulate Buhari. While this is the standard norm in countries where the system freckled more by loyalty to propriety than partisan...

' I did not fail, I can't fail', Akpabio describes his loss as a temporary setback

Senator Godswill Akpabio has described the outcome of the Saturday, Feb 23 national assembly elections as a temporary setback, after losing his senatorial seat. The former governor of Akwa Ibom state lost his bid to return to the national assembly after he was defeated by Chris Ekpeyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to the announcement made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP candidate got 118,215 votes to defeat the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 83,158 votes in the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district election. The former Senate minority leader however said he did not lose the election, adding that something must have gone wrong during the collation of the results. While speaking to the press shortly after the presentation of certificates of return to President Muhammadu Buhari and vice president Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja on Wednesday, February 27, the lawmaker said he is going to challenge the outcome i...

' We are not jittery', SGF responds to Atiku's plan to challenge election results

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari and his supporters are not worried about the plan by PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to challenge results of the presidential elections held on Saturday, Feb 23. Having gained more votes in the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced Buhari as the winner of the presidential poll. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 11,262,978 votes. The PDP candidate, Atiku, rejected the outcome of the election describing it as the worst election in Nigeria's history. He vowed to challenge the result in court. Reacting to Atiku's decision, Mustapha said there is nothing to worry about. He said, " We are not jittery at all because the process was open and transparent. It was a credible election and we will continue to...

Yoruba actor, Alfred Rotimi is dead

Yoruba actor, Alfred Rotimi Popoola has passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2019 in Abeokuta, Ogun state. Well known as 'Ilu Venture', Rotimi reportedly died at his residence in Abeokuta after a brief illness. The actor's death was confirmed by the Abeokuta chapter of Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN. ALSO READ : Yoruba actress, ‘Ijewuru’ passes away In a statement confirming his death, the association announced plans by the actor's family to bury him on Thursday, February 28, 2019. “ It saddens me to announce the untimely death of our beloved colleague Hon. Alfred Rotimi Popoola aka Ilu Venture. After brief sickness yesterday 27th Feb., 2019. "There will be a short memorial service at St Jude Cathedral, Church, Iberekodo, Abeokuta by 12:00noon on February 28th. In order to give him last respect we planned to join the family at Lantoro Mortuary by 10am tomorrow from where we will move to the church. May his soul rest in pe...

Buhari felicitates with Anyiam-Osigwe at 90

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Mrs Dorothy Chinyere Anyiam-Osigwe, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Anyiam-Osigwe Group, on her 90th birthday. Mr Femi Adesina, Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made the felicitations in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday. Adeshina said Buhari joined family members, friends and associates of the nonagenarian in celebrating a lifetime of achievements and Gods benevolence to the passionate teacher. Buhari affirmed that as the President of the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, Osigwe had made significant contributions to human development in the country through the annual lecture series of the foundation. He said that such contributions were worthy of commendation by all true lovers of knowledge and the place of education in nation building. The president paid tribute to the exemplary leadership of the Anyiam-Osigwe matriarch, whom he described as a passionate mother, entrepreneur and humanitarian. He wished the celebra...

Residents of Umuahia, Benin react over Buhari’s re-election

Some residents of Umuahia and Benin, both in Abia and Edo have reacted to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari to remain in office for the next four years. While some expressed jubilation over the re-election, others who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) congratulated the president calling on him to carry everybody along in his second term in office. In Umuahia, Mr Dennis Okoronkwo, a trader at Isi Gate said I thank God for the peaceful elections. I was not surprised at all that Buhari won, because I saw it coming. People are saying Atiku Abubakar should not accept the result, but I would advise him not to listen to them. Election should not be a do-or-die affair. We need to move forward in this country. Also, Mr Chinedu Kalu, a resident urged those who are aggrieved to sheath their swords and allow peace to prevail. Is it not an election? Somebody must win and somebody must also lose. So, we have to move forward in this country, he said. Celebrating the victo...

NDLEA arrests 36 youths for drug abuse in Kwara

A total of 36 youths, including three females, were arrested for drug abuse over the past two weeks in Kwara, Mr Ona Ogilegwu, State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has said. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday that the suspects were between 14 and 25 years of age. “We arrested 25 people for drug abuse a week before the election, while the remaining 11 were arrested four days to election in 16 different spots within Ilorin metropolis, in areas like Asadam, Maraba motor garage, Idiape and Oko-olowo ” We usually counsel those that consume Indian hemp and prosecute the dealers of Indian hemp for the law to take it course on them, ” he said. The NDLEA boss said that more youths were involved in abuse of drugs such as Tramador, Indian hemp, and even inhaling pit latrine. “Three months ago, acting on information from a reliable source, we seized over three tonnes of compressed Indian hemp, coming into the state from Ghana,” he said. ...

Presidential election results

States APC PDP AAC ANN YPP Total valid votes Total rejected votes Total votes cast Abia 85,058 219,698 212 88 720 323,291 21,180 344,471 Adamawa 378,078 410,266 282 162 109 811,534 49,222 860,756 Akwa Ibom Anambra Bauchi Here is the final results according to each state for the presidential election held on Saturday. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Atiku rejects Buhari's presidential election victory, heads to court

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has rejected the result of the 2019 presidential election which crowned President Muhammad Buhari as winner. The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  Prof. Mahmood Yakubu , officially announced the incumbent the victor in the early hours of Wednesday, February 27, 2019, nearly five days after Nigerians trooped to the polls on Saturday, February 23. Buhari won  15,191,847  of the total votes cast while Atiku gained  11,262,978  votes, an astonishing victory margin of  3,928,869  votes. In a signed statement released on Wednesday, Atiku refused to accept the result, alleging that the election was plagued by electoral malpractices that disenfranchised millions of people who voted for him or were willing to. He alleged that there was widespread voter suppression in his stronghold states across the country while there were questionable voter t...

Oscar award winning director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, named Cannes jury president

Oscar award recipient, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, has been named the jury president for the 2019 Cannes film festival. Pierre Lescure , the president of the festival , and its artistic director, Thierry Frémaux , confirmed Iñárritu’s choice as jury president. The ‘Babel’ director was chosen by the Cannes team to head the jury of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival because ‘he’s not only a daring filmmaker and a director who is full of surprises but also a man of conviction and an artist of his time,’ Pierre Lescure , the president of the festival, and Thierry Frémaux , its artistic director, said Lescure and Fremaux. ALSO READ : African filmmakers to market films at 2019 Cannes film festival 2019 Cannes film festival will take place from May 14, 2019 to May 25, 2019. Responding to the announcement, Iñárritu said, “ Cannes is a festival that has been important to me since the beginning of my career. I am humbled and thrilled to return this year with the immense honor of presiding over the j...

Big Brother Naija 4 online auditions end today

The Big Brother Naija 2019 online auditions are scheduled to end today, February 27, 2019. MultiChoice Nigeria announced an online audition for BBNaija 2019 after a two-day physical audition, which held between Friday, February 1, 2019, and Saturday, February 2, 2019. ALSO READ : Viewers will vote a housemate into Big Brother Naija 2019 The BBNaija 2019 online audition lasted three days, kicking off on Monday, February 25, 2019, and lasted till Wednesday, February 27, 2019. The criteria for the online audition include * Avoid all forms of filters, special video effects, copyrighted music, and background music. * Video must be maximum 2 minutes in length. * All entrants must have an active DStv or GOtv subscription. ridoola.blogspot.com

Former governor, Akpabio loses senatorial seat

The former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio , lost his bid to go back to the national assembly in the election held on Saturday. According to the announcement made on Tuesday by the Returning Officer, Prof Peter Ogban , the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate lost his senatorial seat to Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the poll. The PDP candidate got 118,215 votes to defeat the APC lawmaker who got 83,158 votes. The former Senate minority leader lost his bid to further represent Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Army arrest 8 fake INEC staff allegedly working Wike

The Nigerian army has arrested 8 suspects posing as election officials to disrupt the presidential election in Rivers state. While parading the suspect at 6 division of the Nigerian army, Port Harcourt, army spokesperson, Colonel Sagir Musa , said the suspects posed as staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and tampered with electoral materials. He said the suspects confessed to be working for the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike . Parading the suspects before journalist, the army spokesperson said they have on phone record conversation between the governor and the suspects.  ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

gunmen attack Kaduna, many feared killed

Many people have been reportedly been killed following an attack by unknown gunmen in Maro Village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state. According to report, the gunmen attacked the village in the early hours of Tuesday, Febuary 26, razing many houses on fire. more details soon. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Jussie Smollett has earned over N554M as ‘Jamal’ in ‘Empire’

Jussie Smollett has been rewarded for acting the role of ‘Jamal Lyon’ in the TV series, ‘Empire,’ with over $1,530,000 (N554 million) as salaries. Currently, in Season 5, Huffington Post reported that Smollett was paid $65,000 per episode on the most recent series of Empire . With an average season of ‘Empire’ recording 18 episodes, Smollett would have made a sum of $1.17million in a single season. ALSO READ : ‘Empire’ producers reportedly slash Jussie Smollett's role from 9 to 4 scenes However, Smollett’s pay has not always been high. When the ‘Empire’ first took off, it was reported that the man, who played ‘Jamal Lyon’ made $20,000 per episode for his role. According to the UK Express, Smollett’s salary was in line with the what other on-screen children of Lucious Lyon and Cookie Lyon got as salary. Trai Byers (Andre Lyon) and Bryshere Y Gray (Hakeem Lyon). The major characters of the ‘Empire’ series, Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon) and Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon) were...

Senate adjourns plenary with only 10 senators present

The senate in it sittings on Tuesday, February 26 adjourned plenary till March 12. Senate reconvened to the red chambers after 3-weeks break for the presidential and national assembly elections. DailyTrust report that in the Tuesday sitting presided by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki , it was observed that only 10 senators were present. The Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan , moved for the adjournment till March 12 as majority of the senators are still busy with election matters. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

INEC Chairman accused of mounting pressure on Rivers state Resident Electoral Commissioner

Results from Emohua, Ikwerre, Okrika and Asari Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State were rejected by the Commission. The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of elections DIG Lakanu have been accused by sources within the Rivers State Government of mounting undue pressure on the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obo Efanga to re-inject earlier rejected results from 2 local Governments of the State.  Results from Emohua, Ikwerre, Okrika and Asari Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State were rejected by the Commission through its respective Local Government Area Electoral Officers (EOs) who confirmed them to be concocted by the Military at gunpoint. Recall that Rivers State as well as other States like Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party, witnessed undue militarization during the elections.  Elections had to ...

INEC officer disappears with election results to protest non-payment of allowances

The elections conducted in a polling unit in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State were cancelled after a presiding officer disappeared with the results. While presenting the result of the LGA on Monday, February 25, 2019, the collation officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Prof. Sule Mohammed , disclosed that the officer absconded with the results to protest non payment of his allowances. "We waited in vain after the exercise had been concluded for several hours, only to be told that the P. O. had disappeared with the results. "We later gathered that the young man said he took the decision in order to protest the non-payment of his allowances by INEC," he said. Prof. Mohammed said the details of the presiding officer has been provided to security agencies for appropriate action. The conduct of the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections that took place on Saturday, February 25, has been marred by several logistica...

Osinbajo delivers Ikenne for Buhari

At Prof Osinbajo’s polling unit in Lagos, the APC party agent explained to journalists that his party were overwhelming favourite to win but that some of the electorate were not happy with the anti-corruption fight of the government. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo delivered some major votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election which held on February 23, 2019. In Ikenne where he hails from, the ruling APC garnered 10, 184 votes with the main contender, Atiku Abubakar and his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) getting 8,509 votes. At Prof Osinbajo’s polling unit in Lagos, the APC party agent explained to journalists that his party were overwhelming favourite to win but that some of the electorate were not happy with the anti-corruption fight of the government. “Some of the persons living in these highbrow areas aren’t too happy with the anti-corruption fight of the federal government and some had even shared their grievances with me this morning,” ...

Atiku beats Buhari in Oyo

Atiku has beaten Buhari in Oyo State. Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has defeated incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest State of Oyo. According to the results released on Monday by AbdulKareem Suleiman-Age, INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) Chief Collation Officer for Oyo, Atiku polled 366,592 votes.  Buhari polled 365,229 votes. While Atiku won in 18 of the 33 local governments in Oyo, Buhari won in 15 local governments.  Result breakdown A breakdown of the results shows that Atiku won in Ibarapa east, Ibarapa north, Ogbomosho north, Ogbomosho south, Afijio, Saki east, Kajola, Iwajowa, Ibadan north west and Olorunsogo, Ona Ara, Surulere, Ibadan North, Ogo-Oluwa, Akinyele, Orire, Lagelu and Ibadan North east. Buhari won in Egbeda, Irepodun, Oluyole, Itesiwaju, Saki west, Atisbo, Iseyin, Orelope, Ibarapa central, Ido, Oyo east, Atiba, Oyo est, Iba...

"We've taught Akpabio a lesson", says Akwa-Ibom group

The Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement has accused Senator Godswill Akpabio of attempting to disrupt the peaceful conduct of elections in the state. In a statement on Monday, February 25, 2019, by its leader, Emmanuel Sam, the group described Akpabio as "a man allergic to free, fair and credible elections". "Despite Akpabio’s unceasing antics of oppression, the people of the state have kept their heads above ground by demonstrating to Akpabio that no leader can do without his followers, hence his failure at the poll," he said. Reacting to the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly’s elections, he said: "Akwa Ibom people have taught Senator Akpabio a lesson he will not forget in a hurry." The leader of the socio-political movement commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the free fair and credible elections, and Governor Emmanuel Udom for the peaceful political aura he created for people to vote freely. According to him, Akwa Ibom people have...

INEC 'steps down' Rivers LGA results where Buhari scored 72,000 votes

Due to disagreement between officials and party agents, the collation officer of the presidential election in River state, Annefiok Essien has 'stepped down' the result of Emohua Local government Area. The collation officer for the LGA, Pang Enubari , had presented results which included the All Progressives Congress (APC) scoring 72,745 votes while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 7,148 votes. However, the results were protested by PDP party agent who claimed that the Electoral Officer (EO), Kenneth Eta announced that collation did not take place in the LGA. The EO revealed that the LGA's collation officer was nowhere to be found between Saturday to Monday and queried the source of the results presented at the Port Harcourt collation centre. Following the development, Essien asked the officials and party agents to harmonise and return for the presentation. When subsequently asked about the LGA results he was presenting, CO replied: " they are not with me h...

' I don't want to depend on rumours', Buhari explains

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he will not depend on rumours rather, he will wait for the formal declarations by the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) on the outcome of Saturday's general election. Speaking to journalist upon his arrival to Abuja from Katsina where he participated in the election. He said, " I don’t want to depend on rumours, but we will rather wait for INEC to announce the results." " Well, l hope that Nigerians will appreciate that it was this government which made sure that they were allowed in security and peace to cast their votes for whichever party and candidates they wanted," he added. The announcement of election results for the presidential election is currently ongoing. You can follow the live coverage of the announcement of results here . ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Atiku officially beats Buhari in Abuja, INEC announces

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, got a monumental victory over President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory. While announcing the results for the 2019 presidential election in Abuja on Monday, February 25, 2019, it was disclosed that Atiku won 259,997 votes in the capital. Despite being the incumbent, President Buhari came second with 152,224 votes recorded. When he defeated the then-incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan , in the 2015 contest, Buhari lost the capital. Despite the setback, President Buhari beat Atiku in Osun and Ekiti with only three states currently announced by INEC in the ongoing meeting taking place in the capital. Buhari beat Atiku in Ekiti with 219,231 votes to 154,032, and in Osun with 347,634 votes to 337,377. One of Buhari and Atiku, a former vice president, is expected to win the election. You can follow the live coverage of the announcement of results here . ...

Imo governor, Okorocha wins senatorial election

Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of the Imo west senatorial election. He was declared winner by the returning officer, Francis Ibeawuchi , on Monday, February 25 at the collation center in Orlu local government area of Imo state. Okorocha polled 97,762 votes to defeat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Jones Onyereri who got 68,117 votes. The APC candidate also defeated the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who emerged third with 30,923 votes. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Ex-governor Orji Uzoh Kalu wins Abia North senatorial

Former governor of Abia, Dr. Orji Uzoh Kalu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of the Abia North senatorial election. The APC candidate got 30,580 to defeat his closest opposition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who polled 21,940 votes. Kalu who served as Abia State state governor between 1999 to 2007 was declared winner by the returning officer for the senatorial election, Dr. Charles Anumodu . ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Oyo governor, Ajimobi loses senatorial election

 Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost his election bid to represent Oyo South Senatorial district in the senate to the opposition candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ajimobi, whose second term as governor will come to an end in May lost to PDP's Dr. Kola Balogun , a former commissioner in the state under the regime of Adebayo Alao-Akala . According to the results announced on Monday by the collation officer, Professor Wole Akinsola , Balogun got 105, 720 votes to defeat his rival of the APC, Ajimobi who got 92,218. Ajimobi who represented the state at the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011 lost his bid to go back to red chamber after his eight-year rule as governor. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Tech startups in Sub-Saharan Africa to get $6 million equity investment from World Bank subsidiary, IFC

The fund will be channelled through fund manager, TIDE Africa. International Finance Corporation set aside $6 million for tech startups in Africa The fund will be channelled through TIDE, owned by UK-based venture capital firm TLcom Capital LLP. Majority of investments will be concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa - Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Tech startups from Sub-Saharan Africa markets to get $6 million investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of World Bank Group. The fund, according to Business Daily Africa, will be channelled through fund manager, TIDE Africa. TIDE, owned by UK-based venture capital firm TLcom Capital LLP, will be responsible for the identification and funding of the technology enabled and innovative startups in SSA. “IFC is considering an equity investment of up to $6 million (Sh600 million) in TIDE Africa Fund. "Majority of TIDE’s investments will be concentrated in Anglophone Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana...

Governor Dankwambo loses Gombe North Senatorial election to APC's Alkali

Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, has lost the Gombe North Senatorial district election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sa'idu Alkali. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost in four of the local government areas in the senatorial district in the National Assembly elections conducted on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Alkali scored 152,546 votes while Dankwambo finished with 88,016 votes. Dankwambo was first elected Gombe governor in 2011, and won re-election in 2015. He contested in the primary election for the PDP's presidential ticket in 2018, but finished in fifth position as Atiku Abubakar clinched the ticket. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

After 8 years as governor, Amosun returns to Senate as he wins Ogun Central seat

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has won the 2019 election for the Ogun Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Prof. Ayinde Akanbi , announced him the winner in the early hours of Monday, February 25, 2019. The governor won 88,110 votes in the contest, tens of thousands more than his closest opponent, Solomon Sanyaolu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 33,276 votes. Amosun was the representative of the Ogun Central Senatorial district between 2003 and 2007 before he lost the governorship election in 2007. He was finally elected governor in 2011 and was re-elected in 2015. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Oscar winners 2019: the full list

Here are the winners of the just concluded Oscars 2019 Best supporting actress Emma Stone (The Favourite) Rachel Weisz (The Favourite) Amy Adams (Vice) Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk) – WINNER! Marina De Tavira (Roma) Best makeup and hair Border Mary Queen of Scots Vice – WINNER! Best documentary Free Solo – WINNER! Minding the Gap  RBG  Hale County This Morning, This Evening Of Fathers and Sons Best costume design Black Panther (Ruth E Carter) – WINNER! The Favourite (Sandy Powell) Mary Poppins Returns (Sandy Powell) Mary Queen of Scots (Alexandra Byrne) The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Mary Zophres) Best film editing Bohemian Rhapsody (John Ottman) – WINNER! Vice (Hank Corwin) BlacKkKlansman (Barry Alexander Brown) The Favourite (Yorgos Mavropsaridis) Green Book (Patrick J Don Vito) Best production design The Favourite (Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton) First Man (Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas) Roma (Eugenio Caballero and Barbara Enriquez...

Saraki loses Kwara Central senatorial seat to APC opponent, Oloriegbe

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will not return to the upper chamber of the National Assembly after losing his re-election bid to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ibrahim Oloriegbe. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost to his APC opponent in all four local councils in the senatorial district with the final result standing at 123,268 votes to his own 68,994. According to the results announced by INEC, Oloriegbe beat Saraki with 15,392 votes to 11,252 in Asa; 30,014 votes to 14,654 in Ilorin East; 26,331 votes to 13,013 in Ilorin South; and 51,531 votes to 30,075 in Ilorin West. Saraki served as Kwara State governor for two terms between 2003 and 2011 when he was first elected to the Senate before he was elected Senate President after winning re-election in 2015. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Gov. Obaseki visits victims of election violence

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has visited members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were attacked at Owina Primary School ward 3, Oredo Local Government Area of the state. Speaking with journalists after expressing sympathy with the victims who are receiving treatment at the Central Hospital, Benin, on Sunday, Obaseki urged members of the party to remain calm. He said the APC had a policy of no-violence in its activities, noting that he had instructed the relevant security agencies to apprehend the culprits. We are lucky, it could have been worst with more casualties and loss of lives. Thank God its not more than this. We will get to the bottom of what happened at the centre. As I have always said, no drop of blood should be shed because of election. Those who carried out this dastardly act would be fished out and dealt with according to the law, the governor said. Obaseki assured that before the end of my tenure by Gods grace election violence will be a thing of the past i...

Lai Mohammed pays condolence to Olofa

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the monarch of Offa, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, over the death of his father, late Alhaji Muhammad Akanbi. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Olofas father died in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 24, and he has been buried according to Islamic rites. The Minister who was at the burial prayers in company with the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said he was in Offa, to pay the last respect to the deceased. Mohammed described the deceased as a generous, devout Muslim and a giver with humility who was well loved by his people. You can attest to these attributes from the diversity of people, high and low, that have come to pay him their last respect. The Cleric has spoken to us all, that at the end of the day, we are all going to end up in the grave. I think for a man that died at 86 years and living a legac...

PDP calls for Buba Galadima’s immediate release

According to the PDP, Galadima was kidnapped by masked security operatives on Sunday, February 24, 2019. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate release of Alhaji Buba Galadima. According to the PDP, Galadima was kidnapped by masked security operatives on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Festus Kayamo, the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council earlier called for the elder statesman’s arrest. It was alleged that Galadima recorded a video announcing PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the presidential elections which held on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Read PDP’s full statement below: The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to the arrest of a pro-democracy activist, Buba Galadima, by the Department of State Security. We as a party condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms. Buba Galadima is a patriot. His patriotism has been previously and strongly highlighted by various Niger...

INEC officer in detention for allegedly altering election result

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said one of the officers of the commission in Imo had been detained in Police custody for allegedly altering election results. Yakubu, who made the disclosure on Sunday at a media briefing in Abuja, said the commission would not spare any officer of the commission found to be involved in any election malpractice. The INEC boss promised that the officer would be investigated and if found guilty would made to face the full wrath of the law. One of our officersin Imo has been handed over to the security agency for allegedly altering election result. We will not condone any act of sabotage from our officers in the election conduct, Yakubu said. Yakubu also said that a corps member, Mrs Ibisiki Amachree, an INEC ad hoc staff, was feared dead in Rivers during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers He said that sporadic shooting during the exercise, whi...

2019 Elections: Observers commend INEC, condemn violence

An election observer group, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of presidential and National Assembly polls, just as it condemned the violence that led to reported killings in some parts of the country. The group in its preliminary report of the election said despite initial fears and concerns, following the initial postponement of the election, INEC performed credibly well. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, February 24, 2019, acting executive director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi , while noting some challenges with the conduct of the election in some states of the federation, however, said the frameworks and mechanisms put in place by the electoral body ensured the polls were credible. She said simultaneous accreditation and voting introduced by the electoral body in no small measure contributed to the relative success of the polls.  She noted for commendation the quick response of the INEC chai...

My photographer was shot by military – Dickson

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, on Sunday alleged that a photographer attached to the Government House, Yenagoa, was shot, and a ward chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) killed by the military. Dickson alleged that the military colluded with some politicians to perpetrate the violence, which he said, characterised Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls in the state. The PDP ward chairman, Mr Seidougha Taribi and the photographer, Reginald Dei, were reportedly shot during the elections in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Dei is in critical condition at Diete Koki Memorial Hospital Opolo, Yenagoa, but Taribi died before getting to the hospital. At a news conference on Sunday, the governor commiserated with the families of all those that lost their lives to electoral violence during the polls. ”The two were shot by soldiers and my condolences go to the families of those that were killed. ”It is regrettable that people have to die because of elec...

SEE LIVE results of Presidential Elections HERE

These are the results of Nigeria's presidential elections. Nigerians trooped to 119,973 Polling Units to vote for 72 presidential candidates, senatorial candidates to fill 109 seats and House of Representatives candidates to occupy 360 seats. Pulse has been bringing you LIVE updates of the elections all week long; and you can read up all of that here. For all the official results of the presidential election, held across the nation's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Live from the Collation Center in Abuja, stay with us and keep checking below: ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Presidential/NASS results: PDP clears poll in unit 001

The results of the counted and collated votes in the unit 001, Central Primary School shows that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cleared the polls in this unit. Miss Michelle Egbo the Chief Presiding Officer in unit 001 made this known in her final collation of the Presidential and National Assembly Polls held in unit 001 of the 13 units in Karu Ward of Karu Local Government Area. According to her, the results are as follows: Presidential Results: AA -1 AAC 2 APC 97 PDP 1516 ACPN 1 APDA 4 APGA 3 CC 1 DPP 2 GDPN 3 PCP 14 PPA 3 SDP 2 SNC 1 YPP 3 Total valid votes -1655 No of voters 4897 No of accredited voters -1836 No of ballot papers issued 4897 No of unused ballot papers 3113 No of spoiled ballot papers 4 No of rejected ballots 125 No of used ballot papers 1784 Senate Results: APC 105 APGA 320 AYM 1 DA 1 NFS 5 PDP 1256 PPA 2 PPN 0 SDP 12 ZLP 1 No of voters registered 4897 No of accredited voters 1836 No of ballot papers issued 4897 No of used ballot papers 3123 No of...

REC bans mobile phones at collation centre, as EFCC stations officials in Osun

Mr Olusegun Agbaje , the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner on Sunday banned the use of mobile phone at election collation centre in Osogbo. Agbaje, during his opening remarks at the INEC collation centre, said people at the high table would not be allowed to call or pick calls throughout the collation period. He however, said that anyone who wished to receive or pick calls must step outside the hall. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the high table include the collation officer, head of security agencies and other Senior INEC officials. The collation of the results commenced at about 9:45am at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo. Also in his remarks, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, the Presidential Election collation officer in the state appealed to party agents at the centre to be peaceful and orderly. Ogundipe said the election was another milestone in the history of the country, adding that at the end of the exercise Nigerians should see themselves as one. Meanwhi...

Elections on-going in 4 polling units in Plateau

Elections have commenced in four polling units in Plateau following the postponement of Saturdays presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Mr. Osaretin Imahireogbo, Head, Voter Education and Publicity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos. NAN reports that election were postponed in two polling units in Attakar, one in Zawan B Ward, and another in Dadin-Kowa, in Riyom and Jos South local government areas, respectively. The delays were due to late arrival of electoral officials and materials. NAN also reports that election was suspended at the FDA polling unit of Dadin-Kowa ward of Jos South LGA due to some skirmishes. Yesterday elections were postponed in some units in Riyom and South LGA due to late arrival of electoral officials and materials. But as I speak to you, elections have commenced in those polling units and it is going on smoothly, Imahireogbo said. ridoola.blogspo...

FCT senatorial results arrive Garki collation centre

Results of the just concluded senatorial elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have started arriving Junior Secondary School, Garki Area 10, Abuja, the senatorial collation centre where it is scheduled to be announced on Sunday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed gradual return of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adhoc staff in buses with results and other electoral materials to the centre. The FCT senatorial seat is being contested for by 32 candidates including Jisalo Zephaniah of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Lancaster Ngwamma of the Younth Political Party (YPP) and Sen. Philip Aduda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to INEC, there are 1.3 million registered voters in the FCT but only 1.02 million have collected their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs). NAN also observed till late hours on Saturday that party agents were monitoring the process, while security agents were positioned in strategic locations to ensure law and o...

INEC condemns killing of ad hoc staff during elections in Rivers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the killing of one of its ad hoc staff, identified as Mrs Ibiseki Amakri, in Rivers State. While speaking during a briefing in Abuja on Sunday, February 24, 2019, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu , said she was killed while returning from election duty in Degema local government area of the state. "We've unfortunately recorded the first fatality in Rivers State. An ad hoc staff, Mrs Ibiseki Amakri, was hit by a bullet while returning from election duty in Degema. May her soul rest in peace," he said. The INEC chairman also complained about the several incidents of intimidation, abduction and violence unleashed on election officials notably in Akwa Ibom , Kogi , and Osun . He said the commission will forward a comprehensive report to the security agencies for expeditious investigation and prosecution of those involved. While Nigerians trooped to the polls for the Presidential and National Assembly ...

Kwankwaso fails to save Atiku in home LG

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso failed to hold his local council of Madobi in Kano for Atiku Abubakar, candidate of his Peoples Democratic Party as it fell to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Muhammadu Buhari. Kwankwaso, who was also a former governor only succeeded in winning his polling unit, where Atiku scored 278 votes and Buhari 215. But overall, the APC won the council with 26,110 votes almost double the 13,113 votes for Atiku. The INEC collation officer for the presidential election in the local government, Sani Umar, said the local government has 84,067 registered voters with 40,764 accredited voters. The collation officer for the National Assembly elections, Mansur Bindaw, also announced the Senate result, in which the APC scored 22,731 while the PDP got 15,913. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Confirmed: Saraki routed in first of 4 LGs in Kwara

Senate President Bukola Saraki of the Peoples Democratic Party lost Asa Local government to the All Progressives Congress, according to the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He was not the only one mourning the loss as the party’s governorship candidate Razak Atunwa comes from Efue, in the council area. Atunwa is the incumbent House of Representatives member representing Asa and Ilorin West Federal Constituency. According to INEC, while APC polled a total of 15, 932 votes, PDP scored 11, 252 votes The result of the election was announced by the Returning Officer for ASA Local Government, Prof Emmanuel Sanya at the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ilorin on Sunday. APC won in 12 of the 17 wards in in Asa while PDP won in five wards. The Returning Officer said a total of 73, 425 voters were registered in the local government, while 29, 027 voters were accredited for the election. Sanya said out of the 28, 815 vo...

INEC says no Lagos LGA result has arrived its head office for final collation

About 24 hours after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Lagos State, no single result from any of the 20 Local Government Areas has been brought to the final collation centre. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC Headquarters Office in Yaba, the final collation centre for the presidential election in the state, is still awaiting results from all the 20 LGAs as at Sunday noon. NAN reports that the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday. Meanwhile, as at noon, there has not been any presidential election result brought to INEC Office by the LGA Collation Officers for the final collation in the state. Journalists, observers are among other stakeholders waiting for the commencement of the collation. The development showed that collation of results was still at various stages at the federal constituency collations centres, senatorial distri...