We Are Compiling Results, BVAS Was Perverted - Labour Party

 Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun has claimed that the Bimordal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was “perverted” during the presidential and National Assembly elections, IGBERETV reports. 

While being interviewed on Channels Television, Osuntokun said Labour Party is compiling its results of the exercise. He also claimed that the party won some states by wider margins.

He said; 

“BVAS has been perverted. Something that is to serve a good course has now been perverted. Because once the BVAS does its role – takes a picture of the results – the polling agents will have it.

“So, the polling agents have all the results and we have our own that is presently being compiled.

“It has been said before – about nine opinion polls – prior to the election said Obi was going to win.

“INEC has another opportunity on Saturday (governorship and state house of assembly elections) to redeem itself.”

Osuntokun also said that the presidential and National Assembly elections should be a source of worry for President Muhammadu Buhari who promised to leave a credible exercise.

He added; 

“He wants Nigerians to remember him for the best election ever conducted. But look at the absurdity of what has happened! Is this the legacy he wants to bequeath?”

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Celebrates His 40th Birthday

 The Labour Party Governorship candidate for Lagos state, Mr Gbadebo vivour Rhodes celebrates his 40th birthday in grand style.

Mr Gbadebo, a true son of Lagos, young and vibrant Labour Party Governorship aspirant for Lagos is 40 years old.

DSS Uncovers Plans To Cause Chaos After Guber Elections

 The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted the public of orchestrated plans by some persons to cause a total breakdown of law and order in the country shortly after the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

The Service also raised the alarm over what it described as unnecessary palpable political tension in parts of the country prior to the elections.

The DSS also advised the citizens to shun fake news, hate speech and such other utterances that may be inimical to peaceful co-existence.

Part of the DSS statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, stated that the DSS “also wishes to draw attention to the unnecessary palpable political tension in parts of the country prior to the elections under reference.

“It is observed that some of the players are at daggers drawn with one another. The development holds dire consequences for national peace and stability. It is in view of these that the Service warns politicians and their supporters to engage constructively.

“Everyone is advised to shun fake news, hate speech and such other utterances that may be inimical to peaceful co-existence. Election should not be seen as a do or die affair. There is no basis for anyone to take laws into their hands. This is even more so that aggrieved persons can take advantage of our courts and seek redress. We should have faith in our institutions.

“Over this election period, the Service has remained committed to providing conducive environment for a peaceful exercise.

“In this regard, it separately and in collaboration with sister agencies, carried out mop up operations to thwart nefarious plans and activities of undesirable elements to outrightly undermine the electoral processes.

“For hitch-free gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the Service has partnered with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the required peace is maintained before, during and after the exercises.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Service will work to make sure that no person or group, no matter how highly placed, disrupts the scheduled elections in any part of the Federation. It is committed to the safety and security of citizens who may wish to go out to exercise their civic responsibility. All and sundry are, therefore, enjoined to abide by the rules of engagement particularly the Electoral Act and extant guidelines.”

Army Recovers 1,671 PVCs, Ballot Papers In Lagos Apartment

 Personnel of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, yesterday, recovered 1,671 Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in an apartment in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos State.

Three persons were subsequently arrested in the apartment, while the prime suspect was said to be on the run. 
Vanguard gathered that the startling discovery was made in the course of a preliminary investigation into an incident that occurred in the area, yesterday.

The Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Isang Akpaumontia, who paraded the suspects and recovered PVCs, ballot papers and other items before journalists at the Ikeja Cantonment, said the arrest and recovery were made following a tip-off.

Most of the recovered PVCs had the year 2022 as the registration number, while others had years 2011, 2012 and 2021 with all the owners being residents of Lagos State. 

Briefing journalists Akpaumontia said: “Earlier today (yesterday), three young men were arrested with 1,671 PVCs. This was after early information was received. With the support of the Department of State Services, DSS, we were able to arrest them.

“They were arrested with some drugs, dagger, charms and over 1,000 PVCs. They were arrested at the Apapa general area, in a house where we traced them to. The owner of the house, who is the prime suspect, was traced to a hotel. But he took off.

“We are going to hand these suspects and exhibits over to our immediate headquarters to do the needful because things have to be done the way they should, so as to discourage others who think they can take laws into their hands and go scot-free.”

Sanwo-Olu Sympathises With Victims Of Ikeja Train, BRT Accident

 The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathized with victims of the train accident that occurred in the state at about 7am today March 9, IGBERETV reports.

A passenger train rammed into a Lagos State Government staff bus on its way from Ikotun enroute Alausa, the state secretariat, at the PWD area of the state. Two females were killed while several other passengers in the bus were injured.

Taking his Twitter handle, Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed for the families of the victims and appreciated the efforts of the rescue team.

He wrote;

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the train/bus accident . The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos state Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities. Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.

My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. A big thank you to well- meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on the ground and we will share more information shortly."

INEC Must Transmit Governorship Election Results Electronically - Court

 The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to directly and electronically upload from the polling units to the IReV the results of the forthcoming, governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Lagos State.

Justice Peter Lifu made the order while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Labour Party and 41 others, in which they sought an order of mandamus to compel INEC to obey the Electoral Act and its guidelines for the conduct of the elections.

The judge held that the court had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit because it was commenced in accordance with the provisions of the law.

He also held that the subject matter of the suit was not a pre-election issue because the reliefs sought by the applicants deal with preparation for elections and not the conduct of the elections.

Justice Lifu further stated that all that the applicants were trying to do was to compel the electoral body to comply with the Constitution, its regulations, and guidelines, following its failure to do so during the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25.

Therefore the court granted the applicants “an order of mandamus directing and compelling the defendant and all its agents and their privies or any persons acting under their directions to comply with and enforce the provision of Clause 37 of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022 for the conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State on 11 March 2023, to wit: Mandating the Presiding Officer of all Polling Units to paste the Publication of Result Poster EC60(E) at the Polling Units conspicuously after completing the EC8A result sheet.”

Desmond Elliot Appeals To Surulere To Re-Elect Him Into House Of Assembly

 Desmond Eliot who has been in this post since 2015 is soliciting for votes from Surulere residents for re-election into the house of assembly seat.