APC Sweeps Lagos Council Polls As Results Trickle In – Newstrends
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APC Sweeps Lagos Council Polls As Results Trickle In

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‏Strong indications have emerged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, may win all the slots of the Saturday, Local Government elections to elect Chairmanship and vice-chairmanship, as well as councilorship officers into 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, going by results from wards and council areas

so far.

 

Though, the exercise, marred with apathy, hitches and pockets of violence, was adjudged to be generally peaceful across the state.

 

Security apparatus were adequately deployed across the polling areas in the metropolis to ensure safety of lives and property of citizens. They were seen moving in convoy patrolling some areas.

 

Commander of the Rapid Response Team, RRS, of the Lagos Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Yinka Egbeyemi, led a t of personnel to trouble

prone areas to maintain peace.

 

LASIEC, had earlier stated that the results of the polls would be announced by the presiding officers at each polling unit and subsequently, the final results will be

announced by it after collations across councils.

 

One of the early results received by Vanguard showed APC sweeping the votes in Iba LCDA. Ward E, pulling unit 022 update showed councilorship, APC 93, APGA 1, PDP. 11

 

While chairmanship recorded APC 98, APGA 0, PDP 3, void 4.

 

Vanguard also gathered that the youngest council chairman, under the APC platform in Coker-Aguda LCDA, emerged winner with an emphatic result.

 

Details of results were still been awaited as of press time.

 

Same reports of APC winning filtered in from such councils as; Oriade, Oshodi, Apapa, Ono, Amuwo-Odofin, Surulere, Agege, Alimosho, Ikeja, Ikoyi, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ikorodu, Epe, Ipaja Mosan -Okunola, riverine areas in Badagry, among others.

 

Situation reports

Meantime, there was low turn out of voters in a contest with a total of 6,570,291 registered voters across 13,323 polling units in 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.

 

Vanguard gathered that on the final list of candidates for the election according to LASIEC on the eve of exercise, a total of 133 candidates will be contesting for the office of the Chairman with 131 Vice Chairmanship candidates.

 

Of the 133 candidates for the office for the Chairman, 16 are women and of the 131 Vice Chairman candidates, 106 are women. Indicating that the contesting parties fielded more women for the office of the Vice-Chairman.

 

While 15 parties are to contest in the election, it was observed that an average of three political parties was on the ballot papers for both the LGA/LCDA chairman and council election.

 

While experiencing some hitches in logistics, late opening and commencement of polls was a general observation across the state.

 

Specifically, Mushin, Ikoyi, Ikeja, Obalende, Amuwo-Odofin, Somolu, Surulere, among other LGAs, recorded late deployment of electoral materials.

 

It was observed that officials were still waiting to be deployed to their assigned polling units by 8:16 am. By 10:00 am, only 17 of the polling units visited in Mushin had polling officials present and were concluding set-up to commence accreditation and voting process.

 

However, in Ward C Surulere and in Lawanson, Mushin LGA, most of the Polling Units did not have security personnel on-site as of 11 am.

 

Additionally, a few security personnel were seen on the streets of Lagos state.

 

It was also discovered that majority of political parties did not deploy party agents to the polls: APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, agents were the only party agents seen in the majority of the polling units visited.

 

While other party agents were seen in few polling units.

 

COVID-19 compliance

No strict compliance with COVID-19 Protocol: Though, it was observed that the provision of hand sanitizers and handheld infrared thermometers across the polling units, there was no enforcement on the usage.

 

Polling officials and voters were not adhering to the COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical safety protocol and physical distancing.

 

There were reported cases of violence following violent disruption of the accreditation and voting process across polling units in Somolu LGA; this was caused by the confusion over the inclusion of a party name on the ballot.

 

The aggrieved party faulted the name printed on the ballot which had YP which is not one of the officially recognised political parties. In a few of the polling units, the YPP supporters protested the non-inclusion of their party on the ballot and asked voters to boycott the election.

 

Pre- exercise events

Recall that in the run up to the exercise, People With Disabilities, PWDs, under the aegis of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, accused the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, of plans toexclude over 2 million of their members from actively participating in the Juiy 24, council polls in Lagos State.

 

Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Anyaele, stated this on Thursday, at a public presentation of findings on the pre-election assessment of LASIEC provisions for PWDs for July 24, 2021 Local Government elections, held in Maryland, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Ikeja.

 

According to Anyaele: “We are worried that LASIEC has decided to exclude over 2 million PWDs in the July 24 council polls in Lagos.”

 

He added that despite series of petitions, “LASIEC has not complied with the provision of the law on inclusiveness of PWDs in the exercise.

 

“Our expectations with reference to election and voting process during the Covid-19 in the state, access should be provided for PWDs in the process and ensure no one is left behind in participating in the electoral process.

 

Also, an international election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, on the eve of the exercise, stressed the need for LASIEC n ensuring free, fair and transparent exercise in order to boost citizens confidence in the council election process.

 

The group also expressed fears over possible apathynthat could mar the exercise in view of the low sensitization of electorate.

 

However, in situation reports released by YIaga at the end of voting signed by Mr. Eze Nwagwu and Cynthia Mbamalu, both Board members, observed that voters were intimidated, harassed/assaulted in a few polling units during accreditation and voting, in Ward B Badagry LGA.

 

According to Yiaga: “The findings presented in this statement are based on information received from the Watching The Vote, WTV observers on set-up, and the commencement of voting and accreditation at the polling units, Late opening of polls and deployment of polling materials: “As of 8:30 am, Yiaga Africa WTV observers reported that no polling official was seen in 61 of the polling units visited.

 

“Polling officials were deployed as expected: Majority of the polling units visited had an average of 2 polling officials present as stated in the LASIEC election guideline.

 

“Election essential materials were adequately deployed: WTV tracked the presence of essential materials such as the register of voters, polling official stamp, voting cubicle, ink pad, ballot boxes, incident form and polling unit booklet in polling units.

 

“These materials and many more were seen in most of the polling units that were opened.

 

However, the WTV observers reported that the majority of the Smart Card Readers were not fully charged.

 

“In addition, the reports indicate that the Smart Card Readers were not used in some of the polling units visited.

 

“WTV observers reported that voters were intimidated, harassed/assaulted in a few polling units during accreditation and voting, in Ward B Badagry LGA.

 

“Attack on WTV Observer: In PU 008, Ward B Badagry, an observer was beaten up for recording an attempt to snatch a ballot box by a party agent.”

 

In conclusion, YIaga Africa called on all political parties and candidates, LASIEC and security agencies to play their parts in ensuring a credible election.

 

“Yiaga Africa with her citizen observers is observing the election on behalf of the people of Lagos State and Nigeria, to ensure people’s votes are accurately

counted,” Nwagwu stated.

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Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

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President Biola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama

Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has assured Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama, that he can count on Nigeria’s support.

The remark was made on Tuesday during Mahama’s inauguration ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra.

He noted that Ghana has answered the question of whether Africa is capable of democratic and productive endeavors, and that it is time for Africa’s critics to stop asking the continent to prove itself.

The Nigerian president emphasized the importance of African unity and cooperation, adding that the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is a guiding spirit for African progress. Tinubu urged African nations to avoid conflict and choose peaceful dialogue to resolve differences while resisting external forces that seek to divide them.
Addressing Mahama, Tinubu said, “My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you.”

Tinubu’s remarks read:

It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.

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We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.

The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.

While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.

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The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.

May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.

Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.

Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.

I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.

May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.

God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People

God bless ECOWAS

God bless our Beloved Africa.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

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Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President

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Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President 

John Mahama has taken the oath of office as Ghana’s new president in a ceremony attended by world leaders.

He said in his inaugural address that he was prepared for the job, adding that the time had come to reset the country.

He was sworn in at Black Star Square in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, on Tuesday.

The new President took over from Nana Akufo-Ado who succeeded him in 2017. Before Mahama’s swearing-in, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was inaugurated as the country’s first female vice president.
The Chief Justice of Ghana Gertrude Torkornoo administered the oath of office at the event.

“Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” the 66-year-old new President said.

Wearing the West African country’s national dress, Mahama spoke to a jubilant crowd decked in the green, red, black, and white hues of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.


Some of those present are Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.

Others are Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea as well as former leaders.

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Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech

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Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech

 

President of Ghana, John Mahama, on Tuesday made a slip calling President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria Ghana’s president.

This happened while the new Ghana’s President was giving his inauguration speech.

“Your excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana,” Mahama said while acknowledging dignitaries at the event.

This immediately sparked huge reactions on social media including users of the X platform.

For instance, Albert Forson

@kwameforson14, wrote:

“John Mahama announces his co president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana.

“He’ll be ruling hand in hand with him.”

Another commentator, Shady Bunny🇬🇭🐇🔰@BYKAdanko, stated, “Mahama just called Tinubu president of the Federal Republic of Ghana….we’re doomed.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong support for Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra on 7th January 2025, Tinubu conveyed his solidarity and expressed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two neighbouring nations.

Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu shared a heartfelt message of brotherhood with President Mahama.

“My dear brother, I am here to walk with you. You know you can count on my support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you,” Tinubu said.

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