₦airaland Forum

The world takes notice when Nigerians, citizens of Africa’s largest democracy, decide. By participating peacefully and enthusiastically in the recent electoral processes in March and April, millions of you stood strong to re-affirm Nigeria as a leader for democracy in Africa—and around the world. It was an honor for me to lead the U.S. observer mission during the presidential and National Assembly elections last month. Today, I join the chorus congratulating you and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the April 11 vote, which built upon the earlier successes in March.

Many Nigerians waited for hours, in sun and rain, to cast their ballots and see their votes counted. When I spoke with voters, I was struck not only by their patience, but also by their determination to show Nigeria’s dedication to democracy and to democratic principles. Elections are ultimately about people—the volunteers and poll workers who manage polling stations, the party candidates and supporters who craft policies and political platforms, the civil society activists who work for transparency, the journalists who report on the campaigns and events on election day, the political leaders who accept victory or concede defeat, especially when stepping down is in the country’s best interest. It is about those men and women who shared their stories with me as they stood in line and those members of the security services who remained neutral and vigilantly guarded against fraud and intimidation. Again, we salute you all.

I especially want to reiterate President Obama’s accolades for INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega. Under Chairman Jega’s steadfast leadership, the staff of INEC succeeded in conducting a generally smooth electoral process and making improvements between March 28 and April 11. We commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase credibility and transparency in the electoral process, including through the use of technology. Despite some technical glitches, it is clear that technology and use of social media—INEC’s online posting of results for each polling unit, live tweeting of results, the use of biometric permanent voter cards and electronic card readers—improved efficiency and limited fraud. I encourage Nigeria and other nations to continue to explore the use of relevant technologies in future elections.

This electoral process, however, was not without violence and irregularities in a number of states. Some individuals worked to undermine the will of the Nigerian people, interfering with electoral processes and resorting to violence and voter intimidation. We regret any loss of life and destruction of property. As Secretary Kerry said when he visited Nigeria in January, violence and rigging have no place in democratic elections. Anyone found to have incited violence or interfered with electoral processes will be unwelcome in the United States and subject to visa sanctions.

When President Obama spoke to you last month, he said successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today. Now more than ever, it is up to all Nigerians to stay united so that Nigeria can move forward with a clear set of priorities for the future. We welcome the commitments made by both President Jonathan and President-Elect Buhari to work closely together in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new government.

This next phase is critical as the world continues its hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria. Indeed, because you showed up, stood in line, and respected the results of elections even when you may have disagreed with the outcome, Nigeria will serve as an example to other African countries and nations elsewhere in the world preparing for elections. Nigerian democracy will be a beacon across the continent and beyond.

With deep appreciation for the long friendship and partnership between our two great countries, the United States looks forward to the inauguration on May 29 and the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship. We are deeply committed to working with you, the Nigerian people, for many years to come. Nigeria, you made us all proud!


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/when-nigeria-decides-nigeria-wins-by-thomas-greenfield/

Thanks for the info. This does not look good at all for APGA. From the look of things PDP will be ahead and getting squared is even hard let alone going ahead of them. I just think PDP will win this.

donklens:
Abia guber re-run holds April 25

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abia state has scheduled the governorship re-run for the state for the 25th of April
The re-run is to take place in the affected polling units and wards in 9 local government areas of the state.
The local government areas affected are; Aba North, Aba South, Bende, Isiala Ngwa South, Isiala Ngwa North, Umuahia South, Bende, Arochukwu, Ohafia and Osisioma.
In a similar vein, Saturday the 18th of April has been slated for a re-run into the Umuahia North state constituency which is the only house of assembly election left for INEC to make the result public.
It will be held in three wards in Umuahia North state constituency, which has not been concluded.
These re runs are due to the inconclusive elections in the affected areas, which has left the entire state in a political limbo since the governorship election was held last weekend.

Could you please post a break down of the valid votes counted so far? Who is leading who and by what margin, please?

lalasticlala:
http://www.punchng.com/news/abia-governorship-poll-inconclusive-inec/

Could you please post a break down of the valid votes counted so far? Am wondering how PDP would be leading by 57,000 votes.

IsraeliAIRFORCE:
The election has been declared inconclusive until elections are conducted in all those areas that were cancelled and other places election fail to hold.

For the mean time PDP leads by 57,000 from valid results declared

Please how is PDP leading by 57,000 votes. Could you please post a break down of the valid votes? Please!

Super1759:
bestest news ever. The rerun or supplementary will be a show down. Ihejirika should order all soldiers even the ones in sambisa forest to be in Abia state. If apga doesn't win,then knw that something is wrong with me

Please stop calling me names. I voted for APGA at back of Nigerian Brewery Aba. I want Alex to win, so read the message i quoted and said it will be day light robbery for PDP to win in abia. So why the name calling?

i thought Nairaland is where matured minds meet.

Camsydarling:
You are a foooooooooool. APGA must win. I don't care where Otti hails from, all I care is a Messiah that will come and rescue Abia from the land of Egypt

Who is spreading fake news? Did i say anything about the results? If you don't understand simple English, why don't you ask those who do.

Camsydarling:
Why are you a capital liar? Pls stop spreading fake news. You better pray for a change.

Day light robbery! God dey!

Bigchief46:
CONFIRMED final collated Abia Guber results:- PDP: 297,046; APGA: 147, 081. Margin of PDP victory: 149,965 votes

Where are you? I would love to come join the celebration, am in Aba.

slap1:
BREAKING NEWS!

Celebration galore over here!!!!

ALEX OTTI HAS WON!

#Ottified

Don't ask for source now, a top politician called here from Umuahia. It's settled! Ottified!

Am not surprised at all. PDP has it in there genes to rig elections. But i just pray that God will for once show mercy on Abians and help us out.

harmless011:
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Abia state just announced that he has rescinded the cancellation of the results in Obingwa, Isialangwa north and Osisioma. He was prevailed upon by Olisa metuh and other PDP bigwigs to rescind it.
PDP and rigging na woah

That is my greatest fear!

FitnessNigeria:
Aba people dey vex. Hope T.A orji wont try to manipulate the results at the center.

You are not entirely sure he will win. The results are not completely in, so hold your celebration for now. PDP can't be trusted, they can do anything to make sure they retain Abia.

Deltagiant:
Finally, after sixteen odd years of Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji, Ndiabia are finally free.
It's not easy. Dr. Alex Otti had to resign from his multi millon salary job as the CEO of Diamond to save Abia state and it seem to have paid of.

I will expect him to liase with his APGA and fellow banker, Dr. Obiano of Anambra to set a road map of industrialisation of Aba, refocus on the Obuaku seaport project.

Nice one