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Anambra Election Most Credible —Ojukwu
Ikemba Nnewi and former Presidential candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2007 general elections, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, yesterday said the February 6 governorship poll in Anambra State was the most credible election ever conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the country.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu Wants Anambra Election Model Replicated Nationwide FORMER Biafran leader and national leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said yesterday that his only regret about Anambra State election held on February 6, 2010, was that the exercise was not a national election. Speaking for the first time on the conduct and outcome of the exercise, which was won by his partyss candidate, Governor Peter Obi, he stated that the country could have been wonderful if the kind of exercise held in Anambra was reflected all over the country since the inception of democracy. He declared: aI regret that that exercise wasnst a national election. It would have been wonderful if the results were the same as reflected in other elections. The conduct of that election was very exceptional, the best I have ever seen in Nigeria and what I am looking forward to is a repeat of this pattern, what we can point out to for people to say, do like Anambra". He continued: aI asked my people to stand by me and the result clearly indicated that my people stood by me and are still standing by me. There are very few people on earth given this privilege. I thank God also for finding me worthy of such a manifestation, I feel very proud. Absolutely elated and before I say anything, let me use this opportunity to thank the people of Anambra State for their loyalty, diligence and support. Anambra people followed me to the last day and they produced a result, which is so resounding that even now, people are still talking about it. I feel justified about it as one thing which I have done in life, that at the end of the day, I am where the people are. The congratulatory messages I have been getting show that it is not just Anambra, but the world over". Addressing journalists at his residence in Enugu, Ojukwu insisted that for the first time, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted an exercise that was widely accepted, urging a repeat and reflection of such in future elections in the country. On criticisms by the Action Congress (AC) that the election was rigged in favour of APGA, Ojukwu said: aWhat do you expect them to say? Do you expect them to say we support APGA for beating us? It is not possible, we are Nigerians. I said we did very well and I have expected them to say odd things, but everything that was done can be verified. In any case, you and I know that if you go into an election and you donst get the result, not what the people wish but the one that you think you deserved, you go to the court, isnst it?" He continued: aI am inviting the AC, which does not feel that the election was fair not to hesitate but to go the courts and get the result they deserved. We will be willing to follow them". The APGA leader, who though agreed that there are imperfections in every human endeavour, stated that the mere fact that 23 out of the 25 political parties which participated in the election had accepted the outcome and in fact, congratulated the party and its candidate for the victory ,was a clear signal that the exercise went as the most transparent ever held in the country. Giving resounding pass mark to the INEC led by Prof. Maurice Iwu for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the election, he advised the AC and its candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige, not to pull down the state over the loss in the exercise. Ojukwu, however, called on Obi to justify the mandate by ensuring rapid development of the state and avoid any move that could discriminate any part of the state. aI have supported him and I will continue to support him. I havenst seen anything that will make me not to continue to support him. But he is a human being, I would urge him not to rest on his oars but to set out to prove to the Igbo in Anambra and others the justification for their support. I would like to say to him, develop Anambra even more rapidly than you have done before. He should move further to entrench democracy virtues in the state", Ojukwu added. On the 23 candidates that participated and praised the outcome of the election, Ojukwu described their position as agentlemanly", stressing that it was actually the spirit of the game. aI am particularly happy that good phenomenon has manifested itself in Anambra. We went in like sportsmen to a contest, the result became very clear at the end of the contest and those who were beaten accepted defeat. All I can say to them is thank you very much and I open my arms to receive them because they are my brothers and sisters. Nothing has changed, it is just that we didnst think the same way and I will urge the new government of Anambra not to discriminate against them, to remember that we went into this contest as gentlemen, let us get out of it as gentlemen too. That is the way the game should be played", he stressed.
Anambra guber: Ojukwu Satisfied with Outcome Former warlord and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has expressed satisfaction with the February 6 governorship election in Anambra State, describing it as the most credible election ever conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in the country.
Anambra 2010: Soludo Has no Moral Right to Challenge Obi in Court – Akunyili By EMMANUEL OBE The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has said that it would be morally inappropriate for Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to go to the tribunal to challenge the election of Mr. Peter Obi in the February 6, 2010 governorship election in Anambra State. Soludo, the immediate past Central Bank of Nigeria governor was the Peoples Democratic Party standard bearer, while Obi was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. Twenty-three other candidates including a former governor of the state and Action Congress standard bearer, Dr Chris Ngige, participated in the election. Akunyili who spoke in Awka on Saturday while reconciling aggrieved PDP members in the state, said having congratulated Obi on winning the election, Soludo had lost the moral right to challenge the outcome of the poll. She said, "If somebody loses election, whether rightly or wrongly, it is better to study what happened before making a statement. But if that person makes the mistake of saying, 'Congratulations for winning the election,' no matter what happened after that, it is more honourable to stop. "If you say congratulations and go to court, that is damaging for your integrity. So, we needed to tell ourselves the truth. But some people are not telling themselves the truth. That is the crux of the matter." The meeting attracted hundreds of PDP faithful including former state chairmen of the party like Chiefs Frank Oramulu, Pandola Okwuosa, Frank Oduah, Dan Ulasi, and Tony. There were also former and present members of the house of assembly and former commissioners. But national officers of the party from the state, National Assembly members, Soludo, and other key stakeholders in the last governorship election that defected to other parties were not in attendance. The parley was disorderly as supporters of Soludo at intervals kept heckling the speakers who they accused of working against the party in the February 6 poll. At a point, many people seated in the hall had to leave because of a choking smell of teargas in the hall dropped by unknown persons. But the minister said the meeting, a sequel to an earlier one held in Abuja on February 15, was successful to the extent that members of the party had agreed to reconcile their differences. She said, "I am happy that the meeting held because people that could not pay their transport to Abuja were able to come here. Let us settle with one another because too many people are aggrieved; people that wanted to run election and did not succeed. "We are telling everybody that if we keep dwelling on yesterday, we will never have a better tomorrow. At the end of this meeting I see that many people are getting converted and because I am a very busy person, I have already asked the elders of the party to take off from where I have stopped today because I don't really have the time."
'Anambra Governorship Election Has Been Won And Conclusively Lost' All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh recently spoke to a group of journalists on the fallout of the February 6 Anambra State governorship election, insisting that apart from winning outright majority in 13 councils, its candidate, Governor Peter Obi, scored up to 25 per cent of the valid votes cast in 15 councils. GODWIN IJEDIOGOR was there and reports. What is your reaction to allegations by some political parties that they were short-changed in the recent governorship election in Anambra State continue to attract allegations that some parties were short-changed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? The governorship election has been won and conclusively lost, because its results have been accepted by all and sundry, except one political party, Action Congress (AC) and its candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige. In a contest where 25 parties and candidates took part and the result is not being challenge by 23 parties and their candidates, but have accepted the results and congratulated the governor, you don't need any further proof that the election was credible, free and fair. Otherwise, many people would have been heading to the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge its outcome. The fact that AC and Ngige continue to insist that the election wasn't credible goes to show that they are not ready for democracy in Nigeria. The essence for going into an election is to win or lose. Once the election is credible, free and fair, anybody who loses should accept defeat and concede victory to the winner. That is what grows democracy in any country. So, the attitude of AC and Ngige should be condemned by true democrats. We had always had many petitions arising from past elections in the state, challenging their outcome. In 2007, for example, apart from the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that was declared winner, all the other political parties and their candidates went to the tribunal to contest the outcome, and they were all united in calling for its cancellation. No other candidate claimed to have won the election; the contention was that there was no election at all. But in this case, we had more candidates than in the previous elections, yet only one is challenging the outcome. All the other candidates and local and foreign observers accepted the election as being credible, free and fair. The votes used to determine the winner of that election were genuine votes casted by the people of Anambra State. There was no case of manipulation of figures, apart from the failed attempt Ngige to smuggle in about 10, 000 votes into his home local government area, during which the returning officer was caught in the process. There were no cases of ballot box snatching, joggling of figures or crediting votes to the wrong candidates. That is why everybody concerned, except ac and its candidate, agreed that the election was conducted on an even ground; it was a level playing field for everybody.
So, it dangerous for our democracy for one party and its candidate condemn an election adjudged to be free and fair by over 97 per cent of those who participated or observed the election, just because they lost.
It is unexpected of AC, a party that professes to be fighting for a change and genuine democracy to survive in Nigeria. Their action shows that they have nothing to contribute in growing democracy in Nigeria.
Their action is clearly out of reality. If not for mischief making, AC should have been the first party to congratulate APGA and its candidate, since they claim to be in opposition. They lost the chance and even allowed the PDP they disparage on daily basis to take the lead. Could Ngige be a vendetta, considering that Governor Peter Obi unseated him through the courts? What the governor did was to get the court to pronounce that Ngige did not win the election, based on available results. Obi didn't push him just because he wanted to push him out; he won the election, which was stolen by Ngige, in collaboration with others. Obi and APGA went to court peacefully without urging anybody to demonstrate, and Ngige, through his antics kept us in court for three years until the Court of Appeal in Enugu restored our mandate. It was the court that sacked him, not Obi, because he was sitting on a seat he did not deserve. So, no vendetta of his can be justified in the present journey of Ngige to bring the entire election to public ridicule. Out of 21 local government areas of the state, Ngige won in only four, against Obi's outright victory in 13, and 25 per cent in two others. Ngige scored 25 per cent in only five, while Obi scored at least 25 per cent in 15. You can see the whopping gap; Ngige was nowhere set to win the election, hence one is amazed at his position on the election. Anambra State has three senatorial zones and 21 LGAs in three senatorial zones, distributed equally. In Anambra South, Obi won outright in five out of the seven councils (majority of the valid votes casted in the LGAs) and came close second in one other, meeting the mandatory 25 per cent. In the Anambra South, Obi won outright in five councils and scored 25 per cent in six councils. Chukwuma Soludo of the PDP, Andy Uba of Labour Party (LP), Nicholas Ukachukwu of Hope Democratic Party (HDP) all come from this zone. Soludo did not win in any LGA, APGA defeated him in his own community, in his ward of 14 polling booths, APGA won in 12 and he won only in two. Even Uba lost to APGA in his own LGA. Ngige won only in Nnewi North LGA. Ukachukwu proved his strength in his Nnewi South council, where no other candidate got up to 25 per cent. In the Central zone, where both Obi and Ngige come from, Obi won majority of the valid votes cast in four LGAs, while Ngige won in three. The North zone was a shopping ground for all the candidates, because no governorship candidate came from there. Soludo, Uba, Ukachukwu, and Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) candidate, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife picked their running mates from there. But Obi won outright in four LGAs and scored over 26 per cent in one other LGA. Ngige did not win in any LGA there, Soludo won in two, and Uba in one. Taking a general look, you would see that Obi contested the election against himself only; he had no real challenger, from available figures by INEC. He won across the three senatorial zones- five LGAs in the South, four in the Central and four in the North, apart from scoring up to 25 per cent in two others. No other candidate was able to achieve that. Ngige won in only four LGAs. So, there was no reason for this noise about Obi not meeting the requirements. If it were a contest where Ngige came close to Obi, probably there would have been some basis to believe that may be the other person would have won if certain things were done the other way.
It was an election where the people of the state came out to make a very strong statement that they are very happy with the governor they have had in the past four years and were ready to re-elect him. His acceptability across the three senatorial zones was clearly an endorsement of his even distribution of developmental projects. Every part of the state have benefitted from his administration. The results were not contrived, but a reflection of the way the people had assessed the candidates. But even Soludo, who initially congratulated Obi later called for the voiding of the election? That is the tragedy of the situation. Ngige called Soludo to retrace his steps after coming up with a jaundiced calculation and alleged that Obi did not score up to 25 per cent in 14 LGAs. I am sure Soludo did not know the basis of Ngige's calculation. But since we came out with our own calculations, Soludo has not made any statement. Apart from that, Soludo must have discovered the mischief in Ngige's action, that soon after calling him to join his action, Ngige started calling for run-off between Obi and himself, thereby excluding Soludo from the exercise. Soludo must have realized that Ngige was trying to use him to secure a run-off election. But if he is still desirous of challenging the results of the election based on Ngige's calculations, he is free to go on. We assume that he must have understood the facts, hence taken them in his strides. An Anambra indigene has gone to court to ask that Obi should not be sworn in based on the same results? No court will hear him on this matter, even as an indigene of Anambra State. He cannot stop Obi's swearing-in because this is an election matter, which the regular courts don't have jurisdiction on. No court in Nigeria can grant an injunction that a candidate that had won an election and to whom a Certificate of Return had been issued should not be sworn in; it is only an election tribunal that can hear matters arising from an election, and it goes to the Court of Appeal, which is the final arbiter. And the Electoral Act is very clear on who can bring a petition before the tribunal. It is either the candidate or political party in the election. The person you are talking about was not a candidate in that election, nor did he represent any party. He has no basis or locus standi in the matter. So, on March 17, Obi would be sworn in for a second term in office. Any person with the locus to challenge his election can go ahead. Do you see Ngige's petition lasting as long as three years as Obi's petition lasted from the 2003 election? Whatever path he chooses to tread, he will harvest from the prevailing conditions. In 2003, Ngige lost the election but stole Obi's mandate. He kept us at the tribunal with frivolous excuses for almost three years until he ran out of time and the court sent him packing. I, the present case, initially he started by saying that voters were disenfranchised and therefore the election was not acceptable, as many of those that would have voted for him could not vote. But realising that he cannot use that to set aside the election, he went to discover through fraudulent calculation that Obi did not meet the requisite spread. He accepted the result of the election by calling for a run-off between him and Obi, thereby eliminating the 23 other candidates. He is on a vain pursuit; a wild goose chase, based on his calculations, because he used invalid votes in arriving at his destination. He failed to remember that in the tribunal judgment that removed him from office, the invalid votes were set aside before any calculations were made. The same happened in the case between Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole of AC and Prof Osariemen Osunbor and that between Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko of LP and Dr. Segun Agagu of PDP. Why should it now be different in Anambra? AC benefitted from this lawful calculation in Edo State, and election must not be credible only when a particular person has won it. It can be credible when you lose in a free and fair manner or exercise, as it happened in Anambra State on February 6. What is your reaction to Soludo's allegation that the election was 'administratively' rigged by INEC for APGA? He was talking about the same issue of voters' register, which made it impossible for some people to vote. But that did not affect the credibility of the exercise based on fairness. That some people could not find their names on the register was not a new issue on the day of election. Everybody knew that the register was in a mess. Even AC claimed to have written to INEC three times before the election about it, yet they went into the election with what they saw as a faulty register. It was their choice. So, Soludo said he accepted defeat in the election, despite what he called the flaws that characterised it, because it was obvious to him that no candidate had any advantage over the others as a result of this problem. All the candidate went into the election under the same atmosphere or condition, with the same voters' register. Having been accepted across the state, if more people had voted, Obi's lead would have widened. It was an election where all the candidates faced the same pitfalls. No candidate was aided by the pitfalls, hence the election was adjudged credible, free and fair by even the European observers that monitored it, who went further to recommend that the issue of voters' register be addressed. On AC's call for INEC chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu's sack, I think it is double speak, because the same AC has been benefiting from Iwu's works in the rerun elections in Edo State. You can condemn somebody when he does anything wrong, but if he does anything right, you have to commend him as well. INEC was transparent in the February 6 election. I am not just saying this because my party won. INEC was open in its dealings before, during and after the election. So, Iwu and INEC should be commended, not condemned for doing a good job.
Edochie, Others Link Obi's Victory To Development AS congratulatory messages continue to come to the Awka Government House, Anambra State, the National Chairman, Rebirth Committee, Chief Pete Edochie has attributed Peter Obi's victory at last week's governorship polls to the massive and visible developmental projects executed by his administration in the State. Edochie, who is also a Nollywood star, has congratulated Obi on being re-elected to serve for the next four years as the Chief Executive of the state, saying it is a clear indication that he was well accepted by the people. Fielding questions from reporters in Awka yesterday, he also congratulated Obi's opponents on accepting defeat at the polls, especially on being bold to pay him courtesy visits. He, however, observed some lapses during the voting, which he urged INEC to address as soon as possible before the next general election in the country. "The overall conduct was peaceful and orderly, some voters complained of their missing names in the voters' register, and a lot were disenfranchised," he noted "We did not hear about cases of ballot box snatching, thuggery or those other electoral malpractices," he added, linking the general calm to the presence of what he described as intimidating presence of security agents. "If INEC can get it right by ensuring the voter register is updated, see that those whose names did not appear in the register can be corrected and allowed to vote, then it would go a long way to improve the election process next year," he said. In the same vein, the State Director of National Orientation Agency, Chief Geoff Ogbalu not only congratulated Obi on emerging victorious, but also on breaking what he called the jinx of not serving the second term. Ogbalu, however, urged aggrieved candidates bent on litigation to have a rethink, arguing that it would not only be a distraction to government but also to the entire people of Anambra state. "They should join hands with Obi and help move the state to the next level," he said, commending other governorship candidates for their maturity, patriotism and conduct throughout the campaign period. He remarked that all the candidates conducted their campaign peacefully, and controlled their supporters effectively, making it possible to record no violence and thuggery. Ogbalu, who pledged NOA's continued support for the Obi admininistration, suggested that the governor should incorporate ideas from the manifestoes presented by his opponents into his Anambra Integrated Development Strategy, which serves as engine for development in the state. According to him, Obi's victory is "a victory for democracy, rule of law and victory to the people." Also, the Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christian Efobi, declared Obi's re-election as a clear indication that the people were happy with his landmark achievement. Efobi, who spoke at a church service at St Pauls Anglican Church Umuoyinka, Ufuma in Orumba North Council Area of the state, described the election as peaceful, transparent, free and fair. He commended INEC for discharging its duty effectively, even as he appealled to other candidates to team up with Obi in the march to move Anambra forward. In his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Mike Udah observed that the result represented the will and mandate of the people of Anambra State. In his words: 'The election has set the tone for the forthcoming general election in the Federation. Anambra has opened another chapter in conducting credible election, while also nurturing democracy in Nigeria."
Anambra guber poll, free, fair — Obi Awka—Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, who was re-elected on Saturday for another four year term, has described the February 6 election as free, fair and transparent. Obi, who made the declaration while reacting to his victory at a news conference in Awka on Sunday, noted that in spite of the age-old inadequacies of INEC in terms of poor preparations, late arrival of election materials, said "this time they were minimal." He said that vote counting, collation and announcement of results, were relatively transparent. "I wish to commend the INEC, election observers and monitors. I accept the result of the election as declared by INEC, namely that I won this election. May I use this opportunity to thank the people of Anambra State for their massive support for me. By returning me for the second term, you have shown that you support our modest effort at transforming our dear state. "I promise you that my team and I will do more to better your lots. As for my brothers and sisters, who contested the election with me, I commend them for their patriotism and desire to serve our people. You have no doubt put a gallant fight. What is most important now is that we remain good brothers and sisters you have been over the years and join hands in building a better Anambra State for ourselves and our children." The Governor commended the security agencies, journalists, the political class, the clergy and everyone that contributed toward ensuring the success of the election.
Peter Obi begins second term in Anambra Soludo, Ngige, kick, Oshiomhole greets gov A HUGE festival of celebration got underway in many parts of Anambra State, especially the capital, Awka and Governor Peter Obi's Amatutu Village in Agulu Local Council after the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of last Saturday's gubernatorial polls. Obi who polled 97,843 ballots from a total votes cast of 301,232 has been congratulated by some rival candidates and parties while others faulted the election. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) candidate Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and others saluted Obi. But the PDP's candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his Action Congress (AC) counterpart, Dr. Chris Ngige, picked holes in the conduct of the exercise. In Obi's village, dancers, drummers and masquerades entertained the ever-growing crowd of jubilant people, most of whom abandoned early morning church services. Drapped in wrappers or posters of Obi, the young men and women shouted themselves hoarse with chants of victory. They kept singing, "Obi, governor for ever." The incumbent governor, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was at about 10.00 a.m. yesterday declared the winner by Resident Electoral Commissioner of Anambra State Mr. Josiah Uwazuruonye. In the second place was Ngige, former governor of the state, who polled 60,240 votes, followed by Soludo who got 59, 355 ballots. The total valid votes cast was 284,547 while 16,685 were rejected. Total number of registered voters in Anambra stands at 1,844,815. But only 301,232 voted at the election in which 25 political parties participated. With his victory, Obi became the first governor of the state to win a second term. He had emerged governor after winning a protracted election petition against the election of Ngige who was then of the PDP. Obi and the APGA were declared the winner of the 2003 governorship election and he assumed office on March 17, 2006. His election is the first in what is regarded as a one race election, where only one political office is contested for unlike in the general election where the state and federal legislative candidates run the polls on the same day. Although the election was peaceful, it was marked by late delivery of election materials, late voting, the disfranchisement of many voters who couldn't find their names on the voters' register, a protest by policemen over unpaid allowances. There was however an isolated case of ballot snatching in Nri, and the manhandling of a female electoral officer. A day after the election some policemen were still complaining that the N2000 for the election was not enough and was contrary to what the DIG promised them. Uwazuronye said that all established cases and acts of criminality during the election would be further investigated by the police. Second Republic Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Olisa Metuh, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, his mother, Mrs. Andy Uba including Ngige's father were among those who did not see their names on the register. The PDP South-East Vice Chairman, Chief Olisa Metu, described the election as a sham and blamed INEC for the failure of the logistics for the election and the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters. However, the APGA did not complain of the disenfranchisement of its members. Obi's elder brother, Damian Obi, who missed Sunday Mass to host the throng of visitors in the family house, said: "We are overwhelmed. We worked for it, we expected it. He added: Did you see the method they (Iwu and INEC) used to count the votes; they did it in the open." According to the National Chairman of the Justice Party (JP), Ralph Obioha, "no matter how old and frail Odumegwu-Ojukwu may have become, his presence and support has contributed immensely to this feat by the party." Other results are Labour Party's (LP) Andy Uba, 26,106; Nicholas Ukachukwu of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), 20, 777 and Ekwunife 9, 555. Uwazuruonye, who addressed reporters at the INEC headquarters in Awka, said: " Obi, having satisfied all the requirements, is hereby declared winner in the governorship election." He disclosed that 284, 547 votes were valid, the invalid votes were 16,685, while a total number of 301,232 votes were cast at the polls. Investigations by The Guardian however showed surprises at various council areas where some eminent citizens, community leaders and party stalwarts lost their strongholds. For instance, the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, lost his Nnewi North Council Area to AC which got 3,970 votes whereas APGA received 3,234 ballots. The same scenario was experienced at Orumba North where PDP chieftain and former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, lost to APGA. Ekwueme's PDP polled 4,371 votes while APGA garnered 6,298 votes. In Aguata Council area, the home constituency of Soludo and Uba, APGA polled 6,235 votes while PDP earned 5,269 votes, and LP scored 3,395 votes. Reacting, the National Chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh, who was visibly happy, declared Obi as deserving of the victory. He remarked: "It is the first time INEC ever held credible election in Nigeria. If the commission will continue like this, Nigeria will be a good place for all." "No party in Nigeria could have upstaged Obi in Anambra and he will continue to win and win in any election in Anambra". Meanwhile, the Anambra Election Monitoring Board at a press briefing in Awka suggested some recommendations to enable INEC conduct transparent and credible elections, especially in the forthcoming 2011 polls. The chairman of the board, Ikeazor Akariwe, proffered the following suggestions among others: INEC should make available its own vehicles to enhance movement of electoral materials to all locations on time, also review the voters register in Anambra and all other states to avoid the bottlenecks encountered in recent elections; RECs in all states be given adequate authority to act in response to situations at hand, such as directing electoral officers and other officials to allow the electorate with valid voters card to vote, even when their names are not in the register; and INEC should operate hotlines manned by its members of staff to facilitate communication when the need arises during elections. Akariwe, accompanied by other members of the board, including Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Anselm Okolo, Olufemi Aduwo and Festus Okoye, among others, emphasised that despite the challenges evident on Saturday, the election represented a watershed in Nigeria. PDP's spokesman attributed its failure to win Saturday's polls to what it described as irreconcilable differences in the state chapter of the party. The party described Soludo's defeat as very unfortunate, just as it said it would study the entire process and come up with its position. Alkali accused the Anambra PDP members of failing to support the party's candidate because of what he described as grievances in the state chapter. He consoled Soludo, urging him, as well as other party members in the state, to be calm and strategise for the challenges ahead. Alkali, who said the Prof. Maurice Iwu-led INEC did its best, noted that there were cases where people could not vote, adding that it was difficult for the party to ascertain where the problem came from. But Soludo said in Awka yesterday that the manner of Obi's victory "portends ominous note for our democracy and adds another dangerous dimension to the rigging process." He said that the experience of the election has "among other things revealed to me how desperately Nigeria needs fundamental electoral reforms." Speaking to journalists for the first time since the election, he listed what he claimed were the ills of the election. He alleged that the "voters' register was fraudulently manipulated to exclude hundreds and thousands of voters with valid voters card." "Even people who had verified and confirmed their names during the display of voters' register could not find their names at the polling booths. "This manipulation was systematically designed to rig us out." He claimed that throughout the campaigns, "we were never under any illusion as to the breath of the obstacle on our way. INEC as an umpire never hid its hostility towards us as well as the fact that it was an interested party to stop Soludo." Congratulating "my friend Obi," Soludo added: "The fight is not about us, but about the future of Anambra State. You will have my support." Ekwunife also congratulated Obi and said she would not challenge the election. However, Ngige said he would go to court. At a press briefing yesterday evening, he said: "Our party position on the issue of voters' register has been on for more than three months. The observed pattern was that all areas where AC stalwarts were strong, the names of the voters were not on the voters' register. That our earlier alarm led to the sacking of key INEC officials was enough admission by INEC that something sinister went wrong." The National Chairman of the Justice Party, Chief Ralph Obioha, said that his party has been vindicated when it endorsed the candidature of Obi as the best for the state in the election. He, however, advised the governor to continue with his development strides in the state as well as the sustenance of true peace and togetherness. Obioha said that Obi possessed the spirit of an emerging Igbo leader, saying that the outcome of the exercise was an indication that he was loved by his people, and urged the governor to reciprocate the gesture. He added that the victory of APGA was the antidote needed for the strengthening of institutions of democracy in the country, while asking the people to give him the necessary support to move the state further. Oshiomhole, who congratulated Obi in a statement, said despite the minor imperfections observed, the outcome of the election was a victory for the campaign of one man, one vote. According to the statement: "I wish to congratulate Mr. Peter Obi on his victory at the polls. It was a victory for "one man, one vote" where the people decided whom they wanted as their leader. "For me, the person who emerged winner at the polls is not as important as the process, the right process, through which he emerged. "I also wish to congratulate the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for providing the appropriate and needed leadership in ensuring that the will of the people is not subverted. By this, he has demonstrated that he is a true democrat who would not subvert the will of the people on the altar of party allegiance. "The leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Police also deserve kudos for ensuring that the votes of the people count. This is a demonstration that the national agencies are, at last, proving that they are truly independent and not appendages of the ruling party." "Finally, I want to congratulate the people of Anambra State for conducting themselves in an orderly manner and joining us in Edo State to send the right signal to those whose trade in stock is to rig in unwanted candidates that this is a new dawn for the campaign of 'one man, one vote' where the votes of the people must count."
INEC declares Obi winner of Anambra polls AWKA—AT 9.09 a.m,yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate and the incumbent governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, as winner of Saturday's governorship election, having scored majority lawful votes of 97,833. Obi who, by this victory, has earned another four-year mandate, fulfilled the constitutional requirement by winning two-third votes in 14 out of the 21 local government areas of the state, had the candidate of Action Congress, AC, Dr. Chris Ngige who scored 60,240 votes as his closest candidate in the keenly contested ballot. Ngige scored 25 percent in three local governments. The highly rated People's Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, came third winning in two local government areas with 59,355 votes. Surprisingly, the former Central Bank Governor lost in his Aguata Local Government to APGA. Former presidential aide, Dr. Andy Uba of the Labour Party, LP, came fourth with 26,106 while former House of Representatives member and Hope Democratic Party, HDP candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu polled 20,727. Both Uba and Ukachukwu won in only one local government area each. The only prominent female candidate and House of Representatives member, Hon. Mrs. Uche Ekwunife on PPA platform, got 9,595 votes. Declaring the result of the election, the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Josiah Uwazuruonye, said Obi had satisfied all the constitutional requirements to be elected for a second term of four years. He said: "I, Bar. Josiah Chukwudi Uwazuruonye, hereby certify that I was the Returning Officer for the Anambra State Governorship Election 2010 and that as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, the candidate of APGA, Mr. Peter Obi has satisfied the constitutional requirement and is hereby declared winner of the election."
Umeh told newsmen: "We feel so happy that after the strenuous struggle to pull the seat of Anambra State down we have been able to do it in a very spectacular way to the glory of God. Like we stated before, the only thing Nigeria needs to progress as a democratic country is a credible, free and fair election. And our party, APGA, has been in the vanguard of this struggle. We are very happy that this morning our involvement in this struggle has yielded the necessary dividends. "Nigeria is going to move on from this election to greater glory. There is no way we can succeed as a country if we continue to deny the people their inalienable right to elect leaders of their choice and this is the beauty of democracy. "INEC has done well, not just because we have won but because yesterday (Saturday) we were allowed to vote. Anambra State that has had traumatic experience in the past election, yesterday, did not record any incident of people writing results from their private homes and these results finding their ways to INEC headquarters for declaration. So, if INEC keeps it this way we would get out of the woods. "I sincerely thank the Nigeria Police. Before this election yesterday, Anambra State was invaded by thugs hired by desperate candidates in this election and it was an uphill task to maintain peace. The level of security provided by the Nigeria Police made the thugs to take to their heels. That was why the election was peaceful. I also thank INEC for having this disposition at this time to allow the people of Anambra State elect governor of their choice." Addressing a news conference shortly after the results were declared, the Anambra State Election Monitoring and Observation Board praised INEC for the successful conduct of the election. Chairman of the board, Barrister Ikeazor Akaraiwe, who spoke on behalf of the observers, also commended the security agencies for providing adequate security for the election just as he expressed concern over the late commencement of the election in most centres. He said: "In spite of the laudable action of INEC in commencing early distribution of sensitive election materials, voting did not start early in many units. During the board's pre-election assessment, it expressed the concern on the integrity of the voters' register. Among our key concerns were the omission of names in the voters' register and the inclusion of foreign names. The board regrets that in spite of our efforts to encourage INEC to deliver a credible voters' register, the envisaged serious challenges occurred. In many of the wards monitored by this board we observed that unacceptable number of voters did not find their names on the register." The Board, however, recommended that INEC should make provision for its transportation during election as against the present practice where party chieftains provided transportation to convey sensitive electoral materials to voting centres. Noting that corps members used for the conduct of the election were not indigenes and could not speak the native language of the people and that they were left to operate without adequate instruction on what to do with people with valid voter's card but whose names could not be found in voters' register, the Board said there was need for a review of their operation in that regard.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Ima Niboro, Jonathan applauded citizens of Anambra State for heeding his earlier advice to ensure that their votes counted in the election. He also commended efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies towards the successful conduct of the polls. The statement said: "The Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has sent warm congratulations to Governor Peter Obi, over his victory in the Anambra gubernatorial election. The VP also lauded the Anambra people for the generally peaceful conduct of the election, noting that this is an indication that Nigerians are determined to make democracy succeed. "Dr. Jonathan acknowledged the roles played by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as the Nigeria Police and other security agencies towards the successful conduct of the polls. According to him, this was an indication that the electoral reforms of the present administration were beginning to have an effect on the nation's political culture". The statement further noted that "the VP lauded all the contestants in the polls for conducting themselves in an exemplary manner, stating that if the Anambra polls were any guide, then the country is surely getting out of the woods in terms of elections and succession politics"
Obi wins Anambra guber election The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance in Saturday's gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Mr. Peter, Obi has been declared winner. Announcing the result on Sunday Morning, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Josiah Uwazuronye, said Obi, who is the incumbent governor, polled a total 97, 843 votes to emerge winner. Dr. Chris Ngige of the Action Congress came second with a total of 60, 240 votes while Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the Peoples Democratic Party polled a total 59, 355 votes to come third. The candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Andy Uba came fourth with 26,106 votes, while Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of Hope Democratic Party who was beaten to the fourth position, polled 20,77 votes, and Mrs. Uche Ekwunife of the Progressive Peoples Party polled 9,595 votes to come sixth. The REC said a breakdown of the result showed that out of 301,232 votes cast in the election, 284,547 were valid while 14,685 were voided. There were 1,844,816 registered voters in the 21 Local Government Areas in the state. SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that though the polling was largely peaceful and orderly, there were still pockets of skirmishes and violence recorded during the poll.
Anambra Guber: The 'Anyamelum Factor' News Analysis Barely four days to the Anambra State governorship election, indications are that the poll would be hard-fought between the main contenders. Governor Peter Obi of the All Peoples Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Chris Ngige of Action Congress (AC), Mrs. Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPA) and Mr. Andy Uba of the Labour Party (LP) would have to show they have what it takes to secure enough votes for the highest position in the state. The Federal Government, through the police, must now provide adequate security and a level playing field for the election. Voters would pay attention to Anambra North Senatorial District which is prone to rigging and ballot stuffing given their geographical terrain. One of the deputy governorship candidates hails from the area. The district comprises Anambra East and West, Onitsha North and South, Anyamelum, Ogbaru and Oyi. Anambra North and South and Anyamelum in particular, lend themselves more easily to election manipulation because it is a riverine area. In past elections, results were secured last from this area. Even when results were declared in the polling booths, some never arrived the collating centres because they were hijacked on the way. It was gathered that there might be attempts to delay election materials in these areas. Notably, some traditional rulers had reportedly been used to carry out rigging. The ferries that run through the creeks are mostly owned by private individuals and could be used to the advantage of the highest bidder. It is also a backwater area peopled by many that have little or no interest in politics and therefore the likelihood of putting up resistance is not there. During the President Shehu Shagari administration, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu ran for the Senate on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) against Edwin Onwudiwe of the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP). Ojukwu polled higher in most areas until the results from Anyamelum arrived and upturned the apple cart. The late Chuba Okadigbo, who hails from Ogbunike in Oyi LGA, had also beaten his opponents following higher poll results from the area. Voters have expressed a mix of excitement and unease, hoping that the election day would pass quietly without violence. At the election debate held in Awka, the state capital recently, the politicians conducted themselves in a dignifying manner until a group of unruly supporters almost marred the exercise by mounting the podium to protest perceived injustice against their candidate. The moderators quickly moved to defray the tension and the debate ended successfully. Voters would be hoping that hired thugs, such as those, are not unleashed on them on the D-day. It is argued by many that the use of instruments of coercion usually referred to as "federal might" would be a great mistake in the state. A free and fair election would be seen as a resounding rejection of the old ways politics has been conducted in the country. It would also be a good sign for the impending 2011 general elections, both local and international commentators have said. THISDAY learnt that some National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials will be staying in Enugu and Asaba, Delta State, for security reasons. INEC has also expressed its readiness for the poll. The next thing, logically, is for it to act honourably.
Anambra 2010 Governorship Election AN important event on the political calendar of Nigeria is about to unfold on February 6, 2010. On that day, the long-suffering people of Anambra State will go to the polls to elect a governor out of 25 contestants representing various political parties. This election, coming after a dismal performance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the general election of 2007, in a state already notorious for political intrigues, lawlessness, godfatherism and necromancy, is worthy of note for a number of reasons. Coming as it does out of sequence with other gubernatorial elections, it offers a test case as to what can be expected in the rest of the country in 2011. If the election can be peaceful, free and fair, the people of Anambra will rightly claim credit for conducting themselves in a civilised manner worthy of emulation by other Nigerians. But if it derails, and the views of the people are not reflected in the result, then a veritable blow would have been struck again on participatory democracy in Nigeria. As at now Nigerians half-believe in the sort of democracy we have endured that for the most part tramples on the will of the people. A further assault on the people's psyche may well lead to a repudiation of representational democracy altogether, with grave consequences for the future. The election of February 6 is a star-studded event with all the major parties vying for supremacy. The stakes are high and the unscrupulous might be tempted to cut corners and to cheat. It is therefore necessary to advise the Anambra voter not to lose his head in the ensuing razzmatazz. Nigeria and indeed the whole world expect them to peacefully cast their ballots, returning only the person with the most votes as governor. Politicians are enjoined to play by the rules abhorring the use of thugs and other disruptive elements during the election. In a free and fair election we expect the losers to congratulate the winner and offer their cooperation as is done in all civilised societies. It is unfortunate that this election is coming at a time when the INEC machinery is still intact even after the 2007 general elections adjudged by national and international observers as being badly flawed. It is to be regretted also that the envisaged changes to the nation's electoral law has not occurred. The Anambra election is therefore being held under a tempestuous cloud of political anxieties. It will be up to INEC to redeem its battered image beginning with this election. Many say of INEC that the leopard cannot change his spots. Perhaps. But there are slender indications that INEC is becoming tired of its poor image and that the electoral institution just might surprise the sceptics by running a clean election in Anambra. Beyond appointing independent monitors, INEC must ensure that unlike in the past, there will be no tampering with ballot papers and ballot boxes. All electoral materials must arrive on time and voting must be concluded before nightfall. The security forces must brace up to the challenge of free and fair elections. The State Security Service (SSS) and the 29,000-strong Nigeria police must be neutral observers of the process, making sure that all irresponsible elements are arrested. Unconfirmed reports already circulating suggest that police uniforms are being sewn by politicians for party thugs; that voter card racketeering has begun and that the voter register is still incomplete. In Anambra State there are many private armed militia roaming unchecked. This group must be kept in check and the use of firearms except by authorised officers should be strictly prohibited. Only accredited party representatives should be allowed into the voting arena and they must not be seen to influence or intimidate any voter. The entire demeanour of voters should be as solemn as the faithful demonstrate when going for Holy Communion. You go in the booth, you cast your ballot and you leave. It is encouraging that many civil society groups and international observers have converged on Anambra State to monitor the proceedings in 21 local government areas comprising 326 wards and 4,623 polling units. The media should behave as disinterested observers whose only mission is to expose the truth. We call on lawyers, youths and market women to take active interest in this election as the outcome may well decide whether and how other elections will be conducted in Nigeria. Finally, our last appeal is to the people of Anambra. It has been said that a people get the government they deserve. Anambra people coming from a pedigree of political, judicial, academic, scientific, cultural, religious, and non-political achievers deserve a serious-minded governor who will deliver the dividends of democracy to them. They should reject all those who upon getting elected will become mortgaged to godfathers. Anambra needs peace and not the rulership of thugs. Anambra needs a governor capable of harnessing the considerable energies of the people at home and abroad. The best way to ensure this is for the people to protect their votes and not leave anything to chance. They should remain vigilant until the results of all 25 contestants are announced in every polling booth. We wish the people of Anambra, wisdom and sound judgement as they go to the polls on February 6.
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Chief Peter Obi |
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Anambra State Population Languages Religious Belief Capital Local Government Areas Contact Office State House |
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