Mr. Festus Keyamo, spokesman of APC Presidential Campaign Council, has condemned postponement of the general elections, but urged its supporters to remain resolute, patient and determined.
The Council was reacting to the shift of the presidential and NASS elections to February 23 and that of governorship and state houses of assembly to March 9.
Keyamo, the Director, Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council, said in a statement on Saturday“We condemn and deprecate this tardiness of the electoral umpire in the strongest terms possible.
Keyamo said they received the news of the postponement with “great disappointment and disillusionment’’.
“President Muhammadu Buhari had since cooperated fully with INEC by ensuring everything it demanded to conduct free and fair elections were promptly made available to it.
“This news is therefore a huge disappointment to us and to our teeming supporters nationwide and around the world, many of whom have come into the country to exercise their franchise.
“We do hope that INEC will remain neutral and impartial in this process as the rumour mill is agog with the suggestion that this postponement has been orchestrated in collusion with the main opposition, the PDP, that was never ready for this election.
“We note that all the major credible demographic projections have predicted a defeat of the PDP and it seriously needed this breather to orchestrate more devious strategies to try and halt President Buhari’s momentum. Read more
The Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos, on Saturday bubbled with a lot of activities as residents and the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) faithful thronged the venue for the 2019 Presidential campaign rally.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the atmosphere was charged with excitement as thousands of people holding brooms sang and chanted APC slogans, while awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari.
While supporters in APC attires and dresses were waiting as at 11:54a.m., musicians like King Wasiu Ayinde and some other upcoming acts delighted them with various musical renditions.
Nollywood personalities like Jide Kosoko, Funke Daramola and `Remi Surutu’ were also around, adding spice to the gathering.
Market women, youths holding brooms and APC flags danced endlessly to rave songs being dished out by the DJ.
Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr @FemiHamzat with their wives in APC Colours ready for today’s Presidential Rally.
The independent national electoral commission (INEC) today opened the official recruitment portal for electoral adhoc staff for the 2019 general elections. All Interested applicant for the available Election Staff Positions for the 2019 Elections are required to Click on this Link to Register. All applicant who are yet to complete their application for available Election Staff Positions for the 2019 Elections, are required to Click on this Link below to Login.
All Applicants are to visit the Eligibility Page, where they will review the qualification criteria for their chosen Election Staff Position.
Apply Offline
Having difficulty filling the form online? CLICK HERE to download an offline form. Read more
There were some moments of wrangling in Nigeria’s first TV debate on Friday night among political party candidates ahead of the February 16 presidential election.
And expectedly the feud was between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Dr Peter Obi, the vice-presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The first argument arose when Obi derided Buhari administration’s anti-corruption efforts as tantamount to closing the shop and chasing the thieves.
Osinbajo rebutted the analogy and asked Obi, whether anything will be left in the shop if criminals looted all the inventory.
The two speakers also disagreed on whether Nigeria has improved its ambience to attract foreign investment. While Obi reeled out statistics about the volume of foreign investment in other economies, Osinbajo punctured by the fact that the countries Obi cited, such as South Africa and China have one thing in common: adequate infrastructure. Read more
Inaugural speech by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015
I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.
I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.
I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.
An exclusive interview with Nigeria’s President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as he sits with TVC News; unveiling his plans for Nigeria ahead of Handover in May 29th, 2015.
[ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY GOVERNOR-ELECT OF LAGOS STATE, MR. AKINWUNMI AMBODE. APRIL 12, 2015]
FELLOW LAGOSIANS, yesterday, election day, History beckoned. Courage stood tall. Fairness and Justice raised their heads. Democracy blew its trumpet. You, the people, the electorate, answered its call by marching to a victory only you could achieve.
You contested against an old and ancient device, the use of money and power to manipulate the result and thwart democracy. In the end, the sovereign will of the people proved worthier than money and mightier than brute force. Your collective voice remained the voice of Lagos.
Now, the official announcement from INEC has come. Democracy has triumphed once again. INEC has declared me the 14th governor-elect of our beloved Lagos. I know that it is only God that crowns KINGS. To Him be all the Glory. Read more
The People’s Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in Lagos state, Jimi Agbaje, just called to congratulate Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos state Governor-elect, on winning yesterday’s elections. Ambode expresses appreciation for his sportsmanship.
PUBLIC ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN TO LAGOSIANS ON THE APRIL 11 2015 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS
Dear Lagosians,
Governor Fashola
First let me thank you all for turning out to vote on the 28th March 2015 and for doing so peacefully to make history by electing the All Progressives Congress candidates in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Once again, I must address you as we approach Saturday’s elections, when you will be electing a Governor who will continue after me and consolidate on the progress we have built together.
You will also be electing members of the State House of Assembly who will make laws on your behalf to assist the Governor and his team in the Executive arm.
Although your votes will be cast for one political party or the other, let me remind you that you will actually be voting for your wellbeing, security, prosperity and future.
You will also be voting for the future of your children. You will be choosing candidates and a party that you will entrust your lives to.
Think hard, think clearly, think deeply. Ask yourselves a few questions. Read more
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (left) & General Muhammadu Buhari (right)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Wednesday congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress on his declaration as the Presidential –elect, saying what is most important now is about building Nigeria.
The Governor who spoke in a chat with newsmen at the Ikoyi residence of the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the two main parties ran a very fierce campaign in the build up to the March 28 elections.
Governor Fashola who also served at the Director of the Fund Raising Committee of the Buhari-Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation, said with the state of things in the country, every hand should be on the pump to build the country.
“I think both sides ran a very fierce campaign. So you can imagine as they say: The fiercer the conflict, the sweeter the victory but what is important now is building Nigeria really and so it is every hand to the pump really”, he said.
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari was returned as the winner of the March 28, 2015 Presidential election in the early hours of Wednesday by the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Attahiru Jega.
General Muhammadu Buhari scored a total of 15, 424,921 votes to beat his opponent and incumbent President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored a total 12, 853,162 votes.
The President-elect fulfilled the constitutional provision of scoring the highest number of votes cast and achieving a spread of at least 25 percent of the votes cast in two-thirds of the States with his spread of at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 27 States of the federation.
Acceptance Statement by General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Die is Cast
I am immensely grateful to God for this day and for this hour. I feel truly honoured and humbled that the Nigerian people have so clearly chosen me to lead them. The official announcement from INEC was the moment the vast majority of Nigerians had hoped and been waiting for. Today, history has been made, and change has finally come. Your votes have changed our national destiny for the good of all Nigerians .
INEC has announced that I, Muhammadu Buhari, shall be your next president. My team and I shall faithfully serve you. There shall no longer be a ruling party again: APC will be your governing party. We shall faithfully serve you. We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government.
Our long night has passed and the daylight of new democratic governance has broken across the land. This therefore is not a victory for one man or even one party. It is a victory for Nigeria and for all Nigerians. Millions of you have worked for this day. So many have risked life and livelihood; and others have died that we may witness this moment.
And it is with a very heavy heart that I report many deaths and injuries amidst the jubilations yesterday. We send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives; and wish speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries. I appeal to all our supporters to celebrate this victory with prayers and reflection instead of wild jubilation. Read more
BRIEF PRESS STATEMENT BY GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR, PRESIDENT ELECT ON THE PLATFORM OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, APC. APRIL 1ST, 2015
Your Excellency, the Vice President elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, your Excellency, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, the Director General of APC Presidential Campaign, 2015, your Excellency, the former Governor of Edo State and National Chairman of our great party, your Excellency the Governor Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, your Excellency, the former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, Your Excellency, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Engineer Oni, your Excellency the former Governor of Kwara, Bokola Saraki, your Excellency, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, Please, let me stand on existing protocol.
At exactly 5:15pm this (Tuesday) evening President Jonathan called to congratulate me on my victory. For this I want all Nigerians to join me in congratulating and appreciating Mr President for his statesmanship.
President Jonathan engaged in a spirited campaign and was a worthy opponent. I extend my hand of fellowship to him. I look forward to meeting him soon as we plan the transition from one administration to another. He will receive nothing but understanding, cooperation and respect from me and my team.
The good people of Nigeria, answered the call of history. When the account of this fine moment is written, it will be said that it was the people themselves who led this nation to democracy.
You stood in line patiently for hours in the sun, rain and then in the dark to cast your ballots. Even when the vote was extended to Sunday in some places, you still performed your civic duty. You did so peacefully. You voted with your heart. Your vote affirms that you believe Nigeria’s future can be better than what it is today.
You voted for change and now change has come.
INEC has released the official results of the Presidential election. INEC has declared that I gained the most votes with the required spread and thus won this election. In a more profound way, it is you, Nigerians that have won. The people have shown their love for our nation and their belief in democracy.
The declaration of INEC accurately reflects the will of the people. While there might have been some logistical obstacles and irregularities associated with the exercise, the result shall stand as what the people want.
I thank all Nigerians who have made this day possible. Our country has now joined the community of nations that have used the ballot box to peacefully change an incumbent President in a free and fair election. To me this is indeed historic.
Most people will welcome the result because it is the one they voted for. Others will naturally be disappointed. I ask that we all be circumspect, respectful and peaceful in these times. This was a hard- fought contest. Emotions are high. We must not allow them to get the better of us. This is not the time for confrontation. This is a moment that we must begin to heal the wounds and work toward a better future. We do this first by extending a hand of friendship and conciliation across the political divide. We hope and pray our friends in other parties reciprocate.
I thank all the members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for their commitment and their hard work through the formation of the party, the campaigns and the Presidential elections. Let me equally extend my appreciation to the MEDIA, Civil Society and the Security agencies for their selfless service.
The International press and our friends abroad deserve special commendation for their support throughout the process. We promise a robust and dynamic engagement with your countries in matters of mutual interest to nations.
In the interim, I call on all Nigerians to be law abiding and peaceful. The eyes of the world were focused on us to see if we could vote in a peaceful way and carry out a representative election in an orderly manner. You have proven to the world that we are a people who have embraced democracy and a people who seek a government by, for and of the people.
We have put one party state behind us. You have voted for a party and president that will serve and govern but never rule over you. Change has come. A new day and a new Nigeria are upon us. The victory is yours and the glory is that of our nation – Nigeria.
I will make a more formal address to the nation tomorrow (today) after receiving the certificate of return from INEC.
STATEMENT BY KOFI ANNAN ON THE OUTCOME OF THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
GENEVA, March 31
The Nigerian people have spoken, and they have elected General Muhammadu Buhari. I offer him my warmest congratulations on his electoral success.
At the same time, I wish to express great appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for his service to the nation and for accepting the electoral outcome in a democratic spirit.
My congratulations go as well to Professor Attahiru Jega and the Independent National Electoral Commission for their extraordinary efforts to ensure that the elections were held in a transparent manner as well for ensuring that most Nigerians had the opportunity to cast their vote. Read more
