NewsOnlinereports that Nigerians will go to the poll today to elect a new president and 468 federal lawmakers. It is the first phase of the 2023 general election with the governorship and state assembly poll holding in two weeks.
This year’s general election is the seventh since the restoration of democracy in the country. The previous elections were held in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the 18 registered parties are fielding candidates in today’s election, the most keen in Nigeria’s contemporary political history.
The presidential candidates and their parties are Christopher Imumolen (Accord), Hamza Al-Mustapha (AA), Omoyele Sowore (AAC), Dumebi Kachikwu (ADC), Yabani Sani (ADP), Bola Tinubu (APC), Peter Umeadi (APGA), Princess Ojei (APM) and Charles Nnadi (APP).
Others are Sunday Adenuga (BP), Peter Obi (LP), Rabi’u Kwankwaso (NNPP), Felix Osakwe (NRM), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Kola Abiola (PRP), Adebayo Adewole (SDP), Ado Ibrahim Abdulmalik (YPP) and Dan Nwanyanwu (ZLP).
Despite the array of presidential hopefuls, analysts and watchers of Nigeria’s democracy have, however, dubbed the election a four-horse race between Messrs Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso.
Regardless, whoever emerges the winner of today’s contest will be sworn in on 29 May for a four-year term to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari whose second term in office lapses on that day.
On the other hand, over 4,000 candidates are standing for elections into the two chambers of the National Assembly. While about 1,100 are gunning for 108 out of the 109 seats in the Senate, a total of 3,057 candidates are contesting for the 360 seats in the House of Representatives. Election will not hold in Enugu East Senatorial District until 11 March because of Wednesday’s murder of the candidate of the Labour Party, Oyibo Chukwu.
The lawmakers that will be elected today will be inaugurated in June as members of the 10th session of the bi-camera federal legislature.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 93.5 million Nigerians registered to vote in the general election but a little over 87 million, who picked their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), will actually participate in the poll. The voters, spread across the 36 states of the federation, 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards, will exercise their franchise in 176,846 polling units.
A total of 1.5 million people will serve as agents for the 18 political parties in the election.
In the main, INEC, which recently held a mock accreditation, said it is ready for the polls amid apprehension caused by the naira crisis and security challenges. Its Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, assured that it is committed to a free and fair process because its allegiance is to the country.
Apart from deploying thousands of ad hoc staff, with the NYSC contributing about 200,000 for today’s election, the electoral management body is also deploying new technologies, namely BVAS and IReV, which it believes are rigging-proof and ensure the transparency and credibility of the polls.
The security agencies and the military, on their part, said they are ready to secure the polls. To ensure a peaceful process, they will be deployed close to a million personnel in all the states and FCT with the police alone accounting for over 310,973.
Some other security outfits deploying their personnel are NSCDC (102,000), FRSC (21,783), Nigeria Correctional Service (11,336), NDLEA (9,447), EFCC (350), and Nigeria Immigration Service (21,640).
Already, the political parties and their candidates at both national and subnational levels have signed pacts to ensure a violence-free process.
A total of 229 observer groups comprising 196 domestic and 33 international observers will also be deploying 146,913 observers for the election. Some of the foreign observers are drawn from the European Union, Commonwealth, African Union, ECOWAS, NDI, and IRI. Similarly, media organisations and other relevant bodies have been accredited by the election management body to observe the election.
To be sure, today’s general election presents another major opportunity for Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, to test the 2022 Electoral Act signed into law by Mr Buhari exactly a year ago on 25 February. The president, at different fora, pledged to bequeath to the country a sustainable democratic culture that will remain lasting.
Quick Facts about Nigeria 2023 Presidential Election
✓ 18 Political Parties
✓ 93,469,008 Registered Voters
✓ 1,491 Electoral Constituencies
✓ 774 Local Government Areas
✓ 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards
✓ 176,846 Polling Units
✓ 15,331 Contestants.
Follow this thread as NewsOnline Nigeria brings you live updates on the presidential election from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Live News and Updates of the 2023 Nigeria Presidential Election:
PU: 054, War College, FCT: Christian Okafor, a 300L radiography student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, supports voters with free drinks and snacks at his polling unit.
11:00 a.m. Voting has begun at Dutse Capital School polling unit.
INEC officials just arrived Polling Unit 081 in Ojodu Grammar School, Ojodu, Lagos, at 10:56 a.m.
Buhari voted at Sarkin Yara
President Muhammadu Buhari voted at Sarkin Yara Polling Unit in Daura.
Buhari cast vote10:30 a.m.:
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo arriving at his Polling Unit 22, ward 11, Olushomi compound, Abeokuta North LG.
10:28 a.m.: Voting activities commenced at Sagamu GRA. Ex-Ogun governor and APC candidate, Gbenga Daniel, waiting to vote.
PUs 183 and 184
10:06 a.m.: INEC officials still setting up equipment as voting yet to commenced at PUs 183 and 184, Gwarinpa Estate Primary School.
Blessing, a first-time voter, said this was the third polling unit she had visited, with no luck of locating her voting area.
PU 32, INEC officials looking for chairs, tables while voters wait endlessly for election to commence.10:06 a.m.:
Ifeanyi Okowa voted at his Ward 2, Unit 17, Eghoma primary school Polling Unit at exactly 9:45 a.m.
Ward 2 Unit 17 Eghoma primary school Okowa cast his vote at exactly 9:45 am
Gwarimpa Estate Primary School, Abuja
10:13 a.m.:
PU 184, Gwarimpa Estate Primary School, Abuja. Ms Ngadi, a voter and Peter Obi supporter brought her kitchen stool and snacks to the polling unit. She says she will not leave until she casts her ballot.
PU 184 Gwarimpa estate primary school, Abuja. Ms Ngadi, a voter and Peter Obi’s supporter brought her kitchen stool and snacks to the polling unit. She says she will not leave until she casts her ballot.
10:20 a.m.: PU 032 Akiode Ojodu, voting yet to commence as INEC officials rushed to set up, would-be voters waiting to cast their vote.
10:20 am PU 032 Akiode Ojodu, voting is yet to commence as INEC officials rush to set up while voters wait on queue.10:14 a.m.: Tinubu arrived polling unit with hordes of entourage to vote in Ikeja, Lagos. The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu have just arrived at PU 085, Ward 3 in Ikeja to cast their ballot
I won’t accept a political appointment from Atiku or Tinubu if I lose: Peter Obi
The Labour’s presidential candidate told journalists at his polling unit on Saturday when asked if he would consider working in the government of whoever emerge as president.
“No. That won’t come. I’m not looking for a job. I just want to serve the people. I want to help the poor people out of poverty,” Mr Obi said.
Peter Obi speaking to journalist at his polling unit
Mr Obi, a former vice presidential candidate under the PDP, resigned from the main opposition party on May 24, 2022, days before the presidential primaries that produced Atiku Abubakar. He joined the Labour Party shortly afterwards and picked its presidential ticket.
PU 103, Ojodu, Lagos
10:05 a.m.: Angry voters wait for the arrival of INEC and security officials at PU 103, Ojodu, Lagos.
STATE: Akwa Ibom GEO-POLITICAL ZONE: South South SENATORIAL DISTRICT :Akwa Ibom South TIME: 9:30 PU: 4/5 LGA:ONNA WARD:1 Voting materials just arrived at the polling unit. Armed security personnel are seen on ground
9:08am Ondo State Ondo Central Senatorial District Ifedore LGA Ward 08 PU 017 Voting has commenced. Priority voting is observed at this PU. The queue is a bit rowdy but the elderly were given special consideration.
STATE: Yobe GOE-POLITICAL ZONE: North East SENATIORIAL DISTRICT: Yobe East Time:09:14am PU ;bulturi yarimari buni gari gujba local government SITUATION REPORT: Election officers and security have arrived and the voters are ready
9:01am South East Region Enugu State Enugu East Senatorial District Enugu South LGA Ward: 015 PU: 13 INEC ad-hoc staff are yet to arrive at this PU.
09:08am Oyo State Oyo South Ibadan North LG. WARD: 10 PU: 033 No security personnel is present here yet.
State: Edo Senatorial District: Edo South Local Government: Oredo Ward: Urubi/Enbiemwen PU: Okemole 2, Emokpae Primary School, Time: 9:13 am Situation Report: Polling Unit 25 Presiding officer declared voting
9:03am South West Region Lagos State Lagos East Senatorial District Somolu LGA Ward 08 PU 011 Voting is ongoing as voters take turns casting their votes. There appears to be a low turnout at this polling unit. #NigeriaDecides2023
9:08am South East Region Abia State Abia South Senatorial District Osisioma LGA PU: 057 Ward: 006 INEC ad-hoc staff are present. However, voting is yet to commence.
7:43am Osun State Osun Central Senatorial District Osogbo LGA Ward 01 PU 16 INEC ad-hoc staff are on the ground. The voting cubicle has already been set up. Voters’ register has been pasted and voters are checking for their names.
9:05am South West Region Osun State Osun Central Senatorial District Osogbo LGA Ward 07 PU 10 Voting has commenced and two women as seen here were dropping their ballot papers into the ballot box. #NigeriaDecides2023
State :Edo Edo South Local Government: Oredo Ward: Urubi/Enbiemwen PU: Okemole 2, Emokpae Primary School, Time: 9:10 am This is the Edo State polling unit , voters are present waiting for voting to start #NigeriaDecides2023
8:53am South West Region Osun State Osun Central Senatorial District Osogbo LGA Ward 08 PU 06 Voting is yet to commence at this PU, a police officer is seen here addressing voters on the queue.
STATE: Bauchi L.G.A : Misau WARD: Gundari ward PU: Mangari primary school 028 GEO-POLITICAL ZONE: North East SENATORIAL DISTRICT: Bauchi Central TIME: 8:57am
Please Refresh every 10 minutes for new updates on the ongoing 2023 Election Results from Polling Units Across the country
State: Kwara
Local Government: Ilorin South
Election Type: Presidential
No. of valid votes: 244
No. of Invalid votes: 03
State: Niger.
Local Government: Kotangora
Ward 04
PU: 9
Election Type: Presidential
No of Registered Voters: 865
No of Accredited Voters: 211
No. of valid votes:
No. of Invalid votes:
List of Parties and Total Vote per party:
State: Edo
LGA: Etsako West
Location: Azama Primary School, Ward 11 collation centre
Time: 5:33 p.m.
Situation Report.
Results collation and Announcements.
PU 25
SENATE
APC: 19
PDP: 32
LP: 9
HOUSE OF REPS
APC: 12
PDP: 34
LP: 17
PU 04A
SENATE
APC: 77
PDP: 45
LP: 12
HOUSE OF REPS
APC: 28
PDP: 37
LP: 68
PU 04B
SENATE
APC: 75
PDP: 44
LP: 17
HOUSE OF REPS
APC: 41
PDP: 32
LP: 59
PRESIDENTIAL
APC: 42
PDP: 29
LP: 64
PU 05
Senate & Reps
Collation ongoing
STATE: PLATEAU
GEO POLITICAL: North Central
Senatorial District: Southern Zone
LGA. Qua’an Pan
Ward: Koplong
Pu. 010
Results:
A.P.C: president 6
P.D.P president 23
L.P president 26
A.P. C: senate 6
P.D.P: senate 40
L.P senate 12
A.P.C reps. 4
PDP reps. 44
LP reps. 10
STATE: KWARA STATE
TIME: 5:04 AM
Geo-Political Zone: North Central
Senatorial District:
Kwara South
Local Government: Offa Local Government
Registration Area: Ojomu South East
Polling Unit: Open Space Gedegbe Area.
State: Niger.
Local Government: Kotangora
Ward 04
PU: 9
Election Type: Presidential
No of Registered Voters: 865
No of Accredited Voters: 211
No. of valid votes:
No. of Invalid votes:
List of Parties and Total Vote per party:
STATE: PLATEAU
GEO POLITICAL: North Central
Senatorial District: Southern Zone
LGA. Qua’an pan
Ward: Koplong
PU. 010
Results:
A.P.C: president 6
P.D.P president 23
L.P president 26
A.P. C: senate 6
P.D.P: senate 40
L.P senate 12
A.P.C reps. 4
PDP reps. 44
LP reps. 10
State: Edo
LGA: Etsako West
Location: Azama Primary School, Ward 11 collation centre:
Time: 5:20 p.m.
Situation Report
Results collation and Announcements.
PU 25
PRESIDENTIAL
APC: 17
PDP: 26
LP: 22
PU 05 PRESIDENTIAL
APC: 96
PDP: 90
LP: 158
PU 04A PRESIDENTIAL
APC: 42
PDP: 27
LP: 60
STATE: KWARA STATE
Geo-Political Zone: North Central
Senatorial District:
Kwara South
Local Government: Offa Local Government
Registration Area: Ojomu South East
Polling Unit: Open Space Gedegbe Area.
Rivers State East Senatorial District LGA: Phalga, Port Harcourt
Ward: 1
PU: 27, 28 &29
Time: 5:13 p.m.
Election has been concluded and results announced APC 31 and Labour Party leading with 118.
Kano State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, lost his polling unit to Kwankwaso.
APC – 51
NNPP – 56
PDP. – 2
LP – 3
Polling Unit 07, Ward 16, Rivers South East, Rivers State
Presidential
APC 13
PDP 8
LP 106
Senatorial
PDP 19
LP 80
APGA 1
FOOD BASKET 1
ACTION 1
APC 27
Buhari’s polling unit
PU 003, Sarkin Yara ‘A’ Ward, Daura, Katsina State
APC: 523
PDP: 03
Polling unit 005, Sabon Gari Hunkuyi Ward, Kaduna North, Kaduna State
Presidential
NNPP: 9
