Many Top Nigerians, as usual, has reacted to the outcome and challenges facing the 2019 State Governorship and State House of Assembly Election that that held in 36 State of The nation including the Capital Territory And also we have the Situation room report.
Many top Politicians From Various Political circus has laid their voices to the Elections.
What is happening in Rivers State should concern all Nigerians and the entire world. Where is the Gen. Abdulsalami Peace Committee? Where are the International Observers? Why should Soldiers take over INEC collation centres to aid changing of results?- Ayo Fayose
Violence, shooting and ballot snatching is a policy of APC. And Democracy died in Nigeria…No point conducting elections, oh what a Shame. – SDM
I am saddened even as I condole with victims of terror attacks that occurred this morning in Shuwa, Adamawa State. We will continue to pray for victory over terror._ ATIKU
Congratulations to PDP’s Seyi Makinde who is now the Governor elect in Oyo State. The people of Oyo have spoken very loudly and entrusted you with a mandate not just to develop the State but reject the arrogance displayed by the last occupant. May peace reign in South WEST_Kayode Ogundamisi.
Good morning people of Rivers State. It is no secret anymore that people who we thought should have looked out for us now have turned and began to haunt us with the military. But every attempt to scuttle and silence us in this election shall fail ultimately. We are proud of the support you have given us so far, and we know we will be here serving you for the next four years because Rivers and Niger Delta people are an independent breed, Please let’s come out in our numbers to cast our votes. God bless Rivers State._ WIKE
My friend was on a flight to Lagos from Abuja and was praying that INEC would not rig the flight to Kano.I am praying that the good results we are seeing for PDP from Kano, Imo, Bauchi and Sokoto will not be magicked by INEC._ RENO OMOKRI
My wife joined me to vote at the very peaceful and orderly election at our PU. I am happy to hear that INEC has resolved issues at PUs with initial logistics issues. Please go back to your PUs & cast your votes. _Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The results of mass ignorance and crushing poverty are now manifesting all across Nigeria… Two Feared Killed, Vehicles, Beer Depot Vandalised as Thugs Attack Collation Centre in Ondo_Dele Momodu
In many other states, the APC, in connivance with INEC orchestrated the deliberate diversion of electoral materials meant for certain areas to unknown destinations, resulting in the frustration of electoral processes in the affected area. We know that the APC plot to derail our hard- earned democracy and impose a fascist regime on our nation, but we are resolute in standing with Nigerians and all lovers of democracy to ensure that nobody, no matter how vicious, is allowed to vanquish our democracy._PDP
I was accredited and cast my vote in the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections at Ogunmodede Junior/Senior College, Epe. I urge Lagosians to exercise their civic duties peacefully and cooperate with the officials for a free, fair and credible election_ AMBODE
After voting, Abdullahi Ganduje boasts: “I will get more votes than Buhari had in Kano.”
I received with shock, the sad and distressing news of the assassination of my brother and colleague, Hon. Olatoye Temitope Sugar, in Oyo State today. The murder of Hon Sugar in election violence today is primitive, wicked, inhumane, barbaric and highly condemnable. He was a fine gentleman, committed patriot, dedicated, hardworking lawmaker and worthy representative of his people. We mourn him and all those whose lives were cut short by forces of evil and soulless men. Our heartfelt condolences to their families. We pray for speedy recovery for all those injured. Elections are not war and should never be, they are and should be for service to God and country and not conquest with the barrel of the gun. The rate of killings, thuggery, ballot snatching, voter suppression and other forms of electoral malpractices -some aided and abetted by security agencies- in these elections portend great danger to our democracy and the survival of the Nigerian nation since the will of the people as expressed in the ballot does not always count. It is unbelievable that 20 years after the return to civilian rule, Nigeria is still stuck in the dark, primitive and uncivilized age where elections are seen as war and a do-or-die affair. The killers of Hon Sugar and all those who lost their lives in election-related violence must be brought to book. We call on the President and Commander-in-Chief to set up a commission to investigate these killings and bring the perpetrators to book._YAKUBU DOGARA
Meanwhile The Situation Room has this to say
With votes on-going in the 2019 Governorship and State Houses Assembly elections, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) is receiving field reports from its observers and networks, across the country. Situation Room hereby makes the following;
General : Situation Room notes that at the time of this statement, voter turn-out remains low. However, Situation Room commends the resilience and determination of Nigerians to actively participate in the electoral process, despite the fear and apprehension created by the build-up to the elections. In the build up to the election, there has been the high-level deployment of security agencies as well as politically induced violence. These have dominated the discourse so far on the elections and could be a major determining factor for voter behaviour and the resultant outcome of the election. There are indications of improved logistics management of the elections while institutional overreach is still a cause for concern for a level playing field for the elections.
Commencement of Polls: In most parts of the country, voting started on time. The average starting time of voting at most polling units across the country was 8:30am. However, there were few cases of late arrival of materials and polling officials in some States.
Logistics Preparations for the elections: It would appear that while logistics preparations for the Governorship and State Legislative elections may have improved from the earlier election of February 23, concern remains that
there are still some shortcomings. Reports of late delivery of materials and delayed commencement of polls were received from some States, including Imo State. Situation Room is also concerned about INECs handling of its personnel and Ad-hoc staffs. Our observers report multiple cases of protest by INEC officials and Ad-Hoc staffs on issues around welfare in Anthony, Ejigbo, Ketu, Mile 2 & Ojodu in Lagos State and Vom in Plateau State.
Involvement of the Military
Situation Room continues to be concerned about the excessive and intimidating deployment of military and security personnel throughout the 2019 Nigeria General Elections. Under section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, security personnel can only be involved in electoral duty as requested by INEC. The Act specifically states: “PROVIDED that the Commission shall only request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election officials” The Situation Room continues to voice its concern with the level of deployment of the military in the elections. The level of deployment of military arsenal including fighter jets and attack helicopters remains a serious concern for us. Indications from the field on the low voter turn- out points to concerns from citizens on the military deployment. There are reports of observers and poll officials being arrested across Oruk Anam LGA of Akwa Ibom State by Military and police personnel with phones and other personnel effects being confiscated. There are reports of the Military arresting poll officials and carting away materials in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State. In Okrika LGA there are reports of military interference in the process.
Election Security: The Situation Room is concerned that despite this high deployment we are still having pockets of violence. In Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State suspected thugs were reported to have set fire to election materials at the RAC. In Etinan LG in Akwa Ibom State, Youth Corps members were attacked by suspected thugs while voting materials were snatched and a police officer shot in Odukpan LG of Cross River state. Six (6) Journalists were kidnapped in Ahaoda West LGA of Rivers State. We had seven (7) deaths so far today. Two (2) in Egbe Yagba in Kogi and the others in Rivers States including Emilia Gilbert a former Chairperson of Andoni LGA. The Situation Room continues to reiterate its earlier position that no election should cost the life of any Nigerian and calls on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute all election offenders irrespective of their party affiliation. It is also calling on political actors to call their supporters to exercise restraint.
Low Voter Turn-Out:
At the time of writing this statement there is evident low voter turnout. The low turn-out of voters can only but be attributed to two factors voter apathy arising from the effect of the disappointment of citizens over poor conduct of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the excessive and heavy deployment of military and security personnel for the elections, that has now created fear in the citizenry, including concerns over the neutrality of these security personnel and indeed the integrity of the electoral process.
Vote Buying: There are reported widespread incidences of vote buying across the country by our observers and the Situation Room is concerned this could undermine the credibility of the outcome of the election. Sokoto, Zamfara, Ekiti, Kebbi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ondo and the Borno States among others have reported cases of vote buying.
Conclusion: As voting sets to close, Situation Room implores Nigerians to continue to exercise their right o vote and prepare to observe the collation process. Situation Room also calls on INEC to ensure that the electoral process delivers on a credible election, including ensuring that the collation of results at the ward, Local Government and State levels are in line with its own guidelines and the law.
