#NigeriaDecides: Nigeria 2015 Governorship, State Assemblies Elections – LIVE UPDATE

I12.16

Kano Update:

Kano Deputy Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been accredited at his village Ganduje of Dawaken Tofa  

12.11

Oyo

At most polling units in Akinyele LGA, accreditation has been completed due to the good working condition of the card readers.

At Sasa, an Hausa community in Akinyele LGA, there is a relative good turnout of voters as accreditation continues.

Meanwhile, at Bodija, an elitist area of Ibadan, there is very low turnout of voters here.

12.09

Ogun

The police AIG and other service chiefs set out for election monitoring in Ogun

12.08

Anambra

There is low turnout in Nnewi, generally. Accreditation is yet to commence in areas like St. John of the Cross Egbo and Cathedral Church of St. Mary.

There is nothing going on at Ozubulu and Oraifite both in Ekwusigo LGA. Some INEC staff were sighted are without materials. One of the voters in Ozubulu that gave his name as Dom alleged that a PDP chieftain, Emeka Offor, arrived Ozubulu with some thugs and disappeared with voting materials.

Turnout in Ekwusigo remained generally poor.

11.41

Benue

There was an incident in Terkaa Local Government Area of Benue state, Friday evening, when INEC officials were transporting election materials. Suspected hoodlums snatched three cartons of electoral materials and set them ablaze. The incident affected delay in distribution of electoral material in most polling unit within the council area.

11.40

Lagos

The National Coordinator of Pan Yoruba organisation, Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams, being accredited for the Governorship/State assembly elections this morning at his Ward B2 polling unit in Soba/Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State. 

11.35

Rivers

Additional reports from Rivers suggest that those who beat up the Channels TV reporters are not soldiers but political thugs.

11.34

Lagos/Enugu

Lagos: At polling Unit 014, Ward 8 of Ikeja, Lagos at 10 a.m. only 24 out of registered 480 voters have been accredited. The Ogudu area of Lagos witnessed minor skirmishes between PDP and APC earlier today. Security officer intervened to douse strayed nerves Enugu: Enugu East LGA, Ward 09, PU: 26- No Card reader as at 10:28 a.m.

11.33

Rivers

David Iyofor, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, has just issued a statement saying his boss' telephone number has been cloned.

He said, "This is to inform members of the public that the Telephone numbers of the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon CHIBUIKE Rotimi Amaechi has been cloned and the criminals who did the cloning are using his phone numbers to send out fake text messages to people not to come out and vote.

"Please that text message is not from Gov Amaechi. The Governor's position remains that Rivers voters should come out to vote today. People should disregard that fake text message."

11.29

Plateau

Malfunction of card reader in Langtang south In Langtang south, about 50 per cent of the card readers are not functioning. Langtang south has about 66 polling units out of the 4041 polling units of the states.

In Jos South, of the 450 registered voters at GSS Canader polling unit, 200 have been accredited as at 11:25 a.m.

But INEC official contacted at the polling unit said most voters are having challenges in getting therir thumb prints read by the card reader. They have had to engage in manual accreditation of voters.

The gubernatorial candidate of the People's Democratic Party, Gyang Pwajok, was accredited at about 10:40 a.m at the Alikazuare polling unit. He has gone back home and is expected to return when voting commences.

11.27

Adamawa

Adamawa PDP governorship candidate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu undergoing accreditation at his Bako ward in Yola South local government   

11.24

Adamawa/Edo/Imo

Adamawa: Cross section of voting points for Adamawa state, Michika LG, Wabilimi Tili, Ward 7 polling units - 02/13/16/001-007. Edo: Faulty card reader at PU: 12/06/04/007, Esan West LG, Edo state Imo: Owerri Municipal PU-001/002 W-1, Government House Owerri: INEC Officials arrived at 9.00 a.m.

11.23

Rivers/Delta/Imo

Rivers: Security agents mounted road blocks on Ikwere Road, Rumuigbo, Port-Hacourt Delta: PU10/18/07/001,Udu LG, Delta as at 8.45 a.m, no INEC official, material or security agent Imo: PU 003, W 03 LGA: Obowo-, Imo State: INEC observers came at 9.14 a.m. Accreditation began at 9:35 a.m. There were five party agents and three security agents present.

11.19

Kebbi

Malfunctioning Card Readers has stalled the commencement of accreditation despite early arrival of officials in many Polling Units visited in Zuru, Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

At the two voting points of Zegdari Polling Unit, thumb prints of most of the voters were rejected necessitating the filling of Incident Form for about 60 per cent of voters.

Unlike the Presidential election, the Governorship and State Assembly exercise witnessed low turn-out of voters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission officials are operating from their motorcycles since there are no furniture.

"We arrived here before 7 a.m. We couldn't get chairs and table to work on," the Presiding Officer said. The INEC PRO, Abdullahi Kebe, when contacted, said the issues are already receiving attention.

11.14

Oyo

Accreditation continues across Oyo state

In Ogbomoso, the Labour party gubernatorial candidate and former governor of the state, Alao Akala was accredited by 8:30am.

Ogbomoso, which is the home town of Akala remains remains peaceful as accreditation continues.

There is a massive turnout of voters in Ogbomoso and Ibadan areas of Oyo state.

Also, other governorship aspirants, Rasheed Ladoja, Social Democratic Party's Seyi Makinde and Peoples Democratic Party's Teslim Folarin have all gone for accreditation as the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi is yet to go for accreditation.

At Beere, a violence prone area of Ibadan, Military men have seized dozens of motorcycles for flaunting the no movement order. Thugs were also seen hanging around the various polling booths in Beere.

11.02

Lagos

So far it's been a peaceful and orderly exercise in most polling units visited from Victoria Island to Ikeja. But turnout has been low in most polling units, compared to that of the presidential election. There are also fewer security agents and roadblocks across the state

11.01

Plateau

Shortage of electoral materials in Pankshin

In Pankshin, Local Government Area of Central Plateau state, INEC officialS said there have insufficient electoral materials in a polling unit at the centre of the town in Pankshin. Our source say there are few electoral materials compares with the number of registered voters.

The INEC official who asked not to be named said "in Pankshin, we have a situation that needs to be addressed. We were given 700 ballot papers to be use for 1000 voters, so if the turnout to be massive, we may have shortage of materials."

Voters turned out at Mangu, Bokkos, Kanam and Kanke Council Areas, all in Plateau senatorial district.

10.55

Kano/Ogun/Oyo

Kano: Accreditation in progress at Kano State, Gezawa LGA, Babawa Ward 01, PU12. Ogun: PU: 27/19/03/003 Remo North LG Osun State, there is a faulty card reader. Oyo Ibadan South-East Oyo state, Ward 12, PU: 18: Card reader not reading thumb prints.

10.54

Jigawa

Accreditation is still going on at Yankawshi local government, Jigawa state, Karkana PU ward.  

10.52

Kano Update

Shahuci Ward Kano, low turnout, and at the moment all voters present have been accredited  

10.51

Kaduna

Verification of voters in Sabongari Tudun Wada, Kaduna. Things seems to going on smoothly.

10.50

Akwa Ibom

In Ibiono Ibom, Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East in the National Assembly, Ita Enang reported that electoral materials in his unit, Ikot Akpan Nya Ididep, and all other polling units in the area were carted away at about 9 a.m. by armed agents of the Peoples Democratic Party. They left only the photocopies of the result sheets.

10.48

Akwa Ibom

In Etoi Ward 4, Unit 4, which is Methodist Primary school, people have come out, but the materials and officials have not arrived as at 9: 50 a.m. Tensions are high as all the youthat the Polling Unit say they are eager to vote the ruling PDP out of office.

10.47

Jigawa

Very low turnout in Hadejia town. This a polling unit at the secretariat.  

10.44

Lagos/Rivers/Ebonyi

Lagos: Ongoing protest in Ogudu, Kosofe LGA over stolen ballot papers at 10: 01 a.m.

Rivers:Observers reporting incident of sporadic shooting at Ikuru Town, Andoni LGA Rivers state.

Ebonyi:Afikpo South LGA Ebonyi state, Oso Ward II, PU 003: Sensitive materials being transported have allegedly accosted by thugs

10.35

Rivers Update

Observer on the field reports that the houses of Rivers State Commissioner of Women Affairs house, INEC and some police vehicle have been burnt.

10.33

Benue

Low turnout of voters in Naka, Benue In Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue state, there are few voters who came out for accreditation. A voter, John Kwaghtamen, who has been accredited, told our reporter via telephone that INEC officials are waiting for voters.

10.32

Kano Sheka Polling Unit in Kano. INEC officials have not arrived. People waiting 

10.30

Gombe

Accreditation started on time in all the polling units visited so far. It is also going on smoothly. However, a strange hazy weather is being experienced in Gombe metropolis which has affected voter turn out. But we also observed that people are beginning to troop out to the polling units as the sun continues to rise.

Voters are seen queuing and getting accreditation in Jeka da Fari and Dawaki wards, where the candidates of the two leading parties, PDP and APC would vote respectively.

We however, gathered that there is large turn out of voters in Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom local governments in Southern Gombe district.

10.26

Plateau

Accreditation going on in Jos north Haruna Hadeja street polling unit 013 

10.25

Nasarawa Update

About 236 rejections were recorded so far in some unit 003 of Alushi Ginda ward of Nasarawa Eggon.

But the exercise was orderly as people are accredited and those rejected by the card reader their names written in the incidence forms.

10.20

Plateau Update

There is high turnout of voters at Laduradu, polling unit of the governor, Jonah Jang. At the deputy governor's lodge, Ignitus Longjan, at Rayfeild in Jos south LGA, the situation is the same. The turnout is also high.

Voters were seen on a long queue waiting to be accredited. A voter, Pam, appealled for more hands at the polling unit to hasten the process.

10.19

Benue

Low turnout in Benue

At VIP polling unit in North Bank, Makurdi in Benue state, very few voters have come out for accreditations.

A voter, Terhemen Francis, who spoke with our reporter who said has been accredited said INEC officials are waiting for voters.

The situation is similar at the Kanshio polling unit also in Makurdi along Otukpo road.

10.18

Lagos/Ekiti Updates

Lagos: PU 075 Ward Ejigbo is still awaiting INEC officials.

Ekiti: Polling Unit 003, Isapa Ward, Ekiti L.G.A Card Reader suddenly stopped functioning.

At Polling Unit 5, W3, Ikpoda LG, Edo, PU opened 7.15 a.m. but accreditation is yet to start because card reader is showing the previous accreditation.

Accreditation start at 8:00 a.m. at 004/10/13,005/10/13,002/10/13,003/10/13 at Iyin Ekiti without issues.

10.11

Kaduna Update:

The turn out in Kaduna is low especially when compared to the Presidential election turnout. There are people at many polling unit visited including those in Kawo road, Kawo, Lere street Unguwan dosa, Aliyu Dilli road, Dosa. Others visited were those at Uguwan Shanu and Unguwan Kanawa and Hayin Banki. All in Kaduna North Local Government.

Officials of INEC arrived at the PU earlier than in the Presidential election. Polling unit As at writing this report some PU started accreditation as early as 9: 00 a.m.

10.06

Kwara Update

Accreditation ongoing in Ilorin metropolis. Fewer complaints about the card readers, however, there is noticeable a low turnout especially at Ward 009 Government secondary school, Ilorin.

10.03

Kaduna

At Barnawa New Extention Polling Unit, Kaduna South, All INEC officials at this PU and other PU visited have commenced accrediting of voters. PUs at Barnawa shopping Complex, Narayi Sabin Tasha at Chikun Local government has INEC officials accrediting voters and and every thing is goin on well so far.

10.02

Osun

Gunmen believed to be working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) early today took over the Town Hall Polling Zone in Ilase-Ijesa, Obokun Local Government, State of Osun, to scare away prospective voters.

Though a detachment of Police and other security agents came to the scene to restore order during which the thugs dispersed, the gunmen returned shortly after the law enforcement agents departed. Sporadic gun shots were heard shortly after this which forced many prospective voters scampering to safety.

The Osun APC Situation Room calls on security agents for more vigilance.

09.55

Plateau

Too few voters present at NUJ polling unit in Jos

There are no voters at the Nigerian Union of Journalists polling unit in Jos. Officials of INEC posted to the centre are seated and doing nothing.

One of the official approached for interview declined to speak. An electorate who has been accredited at the NUJ polling unit said the INEC officials were waiting for the electorates.

09.51

Kano/Plateau Update

#Kano: LGA Gezawa, Ward Babawa 01, PU 012 accreditation started on 8:40 a.m.

#Plateau Jos South, PU 024, Ward Dashik 2 INEC Officials arrived at 7:00 a.m and started accreditation at 8:00 a.m.

#Plateau Jos South, PU 024, Ward Dashik 2 accreditation still in progress

09.49

Rivers

The Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari has just gone on air to debunk a claim that Governor Rotimi Amaechi sent a text asking people to boycott the election.

She urged the people to go out and vote, saying Mr. Amaechi is not responsible for the message.

09.48

Rivers

A soldier has just seized our reporter's phone at Okirika and deleted all the pictures he took showing the movement of electoral materials to the area.

He is currently at the military checkpoint on the road leading to the home of an ex-militant commander, Ateke Tom.

09.46

Nasarawa State

Accreditation has commenced at Alushi medical centre unit 004 of Alushi Ginda ward of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government of Nasarawa State.

However, there are some misgivings as some people are complaining over allegations of rigging plans in favor of a particularly political party.

Chris Aroma, a voter in the unit, said he was chased out by some people who insisted that he most vote for PDP. But generally, the accreditation was fast as people were accredited within a minute.

09.40

Imo/Edo state

Imo: PU-013, Ward number 13, Ehime Mbano LGA. - Two INEC officials showed up, without materials. Edo: As at 8.41 am, accreditation yet to start at PU 09, Ward 3, Ore Edo LGA, because INEC officials were setting up barricades for crowd control.

09.38

Lagos State

The polling unit at Akin Adesola Street. 

09.33

Kaduna State

The turnout in Kaduna is very low compared to the presidential election turnout. People are seen in many PUs visited, including, Kawo road, Kawo, Lere street Unguwan dosa, Aliyu Dilli road, Dosa.

Others visited were Uguwan Shanu, Unguwan Kanawa and Hayin Banki, all in Kaduna North Local Government.

Officials of INEC arrived the PUs much more earlier and some have begun accreditation

09.32

Plateau State

Voters are not visible at the NUJ polling unit in Jos; officials of INEC posted to the centre are seated without doing anything.

One of the officials approached for an interview declined comment, but an electorate who has been accredited at the NUJ polling unit said the INEC officials were waiting for the electorates.

09.31

Plateau State

Accreditation of voters has commenced in 11 polling units visited within Jos north and South.

It was also observed that the card reader machine was functioning in most of the polling units visited.

However, there is low turnout of voters in the poling unites visited, compare to the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

09.25

Imo State

Accreditation has commenced at Emmanuel College Azuzi Ward 2 and at  Uzi Primary School Azuzi Ward 4. At Uzi Primary School, the card reader is working in 6 out of 7 polling units. The card reader of PU 6 is not functional.

09.25

Rivers State

PREMIUM TIMES has just spotted an armored tank conveying electoral material to Okirika, home to Patience Jonathan, wife to Nigeria's president.

A total of 18 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. In Rivers State.

09.23

Rivers State

Gunshot heard at Buguma in Asari Toru LGA. Someone is said to have been shot and beheaded in the area. A Rhythm Radio correspondent is reporting that huge smoke is bellowing from the sky from the area where a youth is said to have been shot and beheaded.

09.10

Ogun State

Our first report of malfunctioning Card Readers recorded in Ogun.

Accreditation has commenced in many polling booths in the State, with some members of European Union Election Observers moving round to assess the situation.

However, some Card Readers have failed to capture fingerprints of voters. In one case, a female voter at a booth in Oke-Ilewo area of Abeokuta, was shocked when the card reader stated that, she has been accredited, when she had not.

There is also a heavy presence of security operatives,stationed in strategic locations in the town, which include points of entry.

Voters, apparently in high spirit, are trooping out gradually to the polling booths, while INEC officials are taking the time to educate them on the need for a peaceful exercise.

09.04

Kano State

PU 020, ward 38, Kano, Tarauni. INEC officials arrived at 7:40am. Accreditation started 8:10a.m.

09.03

Rivers State

Over 50 soldiers have taken over the Old GRA residence of Nyesom Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The troops charge at anybody found on William Jumbo Street, which is located near Government House.

09.01

Rivers State

Security operatives are becoming restless in Port Harcourt as they have started harassing people including accredited electoral monitors including journalists.

PREMIUM TIMES and other journalists monitoring the elections have been stopped and thoroughly searched even with their ID cards and INEC reflective jackets. The atmosphere is becoming so charged and the situation may scare voters from coming out to vote.

While security operatives, especially soldiers are harassing people within two kilometer radius of the Government House, Port Harcourt, most parts of the state are left uncovered. From the Presidential Hotel Junction to Eleme Junction, PREMIUM TIMES could not find strong presence of security operatives.

08.56

Kano State

Kano Municipal, Kankorofi Ward, PU 05. No security personnel in sight as at 8:21am

08.55

Plateau State

Jos South Local Government. P/Unit: Old Govt. House. PU No:006. INEC staff arrived 6:25am. Accreditation began at 8:00am with working card readers

08.50

Lagos State

The weather in Lagos is clear and a lot of people are seen trekking to their polling units for accreditation.

INEC staff have already arrived and accreditation have begun at some polling units across Ikotun, Ago Palace Way, and Surulere. So far, no complaints about the card reader. At Area M, Idimu, police arrested some Okada riders for violating the no-movement restriction.

08.39

Imo State

Suspected fake policeman infiltrates Inec Office in Owerri. Tear gas fired. Distribution of materials suspended and journalists barred from gaining access to the Index premises.

08.29

Oyo State

Card Reader accreditation success at Ward 11 Ibadan South West Accreditation has began at the various polling units in Ward 11 of Ibadan -South West LGA. At unit 18, 19, 20 and 21, accreditation is by done by the card reader only. Party agents are closely supervising the process and taking down the numbers of accredited voters. So far the card reader is working successfully. Security operatives - police officers and NSCDC are also on ground at these polling units

08.11

Oyo State

INEC officials have also arrived at Ward 7, unit 3 and 4, in Ido LGA and electorates are waiting patiently for accreditation to begin.

08.06

Oyo State

7:10. INEC officials have arrived at unit Unit 18, 19, 20, 21 of Ward 11, Ibadan South west local government and there is an early turnout of voters who are already queuing for accreditation. Accreditation however hasn't began. Oyo state Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, will vote here at Unit 20. Canopy arrangements has also been made available for voters.