The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) Chairman,
Attahiru Jega has formally
announced the presidential election
results at the Commission's office in
Abuja.
The results showed that the
incumbent President, Goodluck
Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), has won the race with
over 22 million votes (22,495,187)
and 58.89 per cent beating his
closest rival, Muhammadu Buhari of
the Congress of Progressive Change
(CPC) who got over 12 million votes
(12,214,853) and 31.98 per cent.
Nuhu Ribadu, the Action Congress
of Nigeria (ACN) candidate came
third with slightly over 2 million
votes (2,079,151) and 5.41 per cent.
A total number of 39, 469, 484
votes were cast but 1,259,506 votes
were rejected as invalid votes.
The election results were announced
under a peaceful atmosphere
though amidst worries over the
violence which broke out in some
cities in the northern part of Nigeria
that many though will hinder the
announcement. After the results
were announced, the different party
agents were called upon to sign the
result sheets and collect copies of
the result.
‘Be accountable'
Meanwhile, a development agency,
ActionAid Nigeria has warned
Nigerian politicians against what it
described as "preventable eruption"
in the country. "The Nigeria political
class has to realise that it cannot
continue to waste the lives of the
people it seeks to lead". ActionAid
said in reaction to violence that
broke in some parts of Nigeria
yesterday morning.
In a statement issued by the
organisation, it condemned the
violence and called on politicians to
urge their supporters to embrace
peace; saying that the worst hit of
these sort of violence are usually the
poor.
Hussaini Abdu, the Country's
Director advised the contenders of
the elections to seek measures other
than violence in seeking redress for
cases of election rigging.
He said that "Democratic contest
should rather be characterised by
exchange of ideas, healthy political
rivalry and a genuine commitment
by politicians to work towards the
one gal of eradicating poverty and
placing Nigeria on the path to
genuine greatness and nationhood."
ActionAid also called on security
agencies to guarantee the safety of
lives and properties and ensure that
all the cruelty perpetrators are
brought to book to serve as
deterrent to others. The organisation
also commended INEC for its efforts
at achieving a free and fair election.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International
has advised political leaders to
influence their supporters to stop all
human rights abuses.
Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty
International deputy director for
Africa, urged the Nigerian military
not to use excessive force to douse
the mayhem hitting the north.
"We are extremely concerned about
the escalation of violence in northern
and central Nigeria by protestors
and urge the Nigerian authorities to
ensure that excessive force is not
used against protesters."
"The security forces' response to
this unrest must not lead to further
human rights violations. The police
and military must respect human
life and use proportionate means to
police demonstrations," Tawanda
Hondora said.
February 05, 2010, 02:50:22 AM