Live Updates Of Nigeria’s Governorship Elections

12: 21 INEC officials arrive early at Jos North polling units

Electoral agents and materials arrived in some polling units in Rock Haven, Farin Gada and Alikazaure areas of Jos North as early as 7:30am.

The atmosphere is generally peaceful and calm with minimal problems with card readers compared to the challenges experienced in the last presidential election of March 28.

12: 30 Low turn out of voters in Kano

By: Adeola Ajakaiye, Kano

Prevailing situation in the commercial city of Kano indicates that the governorship and state Assembly elections are witnessing low turn out of voters.
BusinessDay observed around 9a.m in most of the polling centers visited in the state capital that most of the electorate are refusing to turn-out in the manner which they did in the previous presidential and National Assembly elections.

It was noted that unlike in the previous elections when business activities in the state were locked-down because of the polls, this time around people were seen attending to their businesses.

However, the election in most of the places started within the scheduled time of 8a.m as staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were on ground at the polling centers for the accreditation exercise.

In the same vein, unlike what happened during the previous elections, this time around the smart card reader devices were working well in most of the polling centers.

It was specifically noted at the Tarauni Primary School, which is situated in the metropolis, where a sizable number of polling booths are sited that only very few voters were seen on line getting accredited.

Our correspondent, who monitored the election at the primary school as at 10a.m could see some of the electoral officers chatting among themselves, waiting for the voters to come.

As at the time of filing this report, the election has been very peaceful and taking place amidst heavy security mounted by operatives of Nigeria police and the military.

12: 55 Crisis rocks Benue polls, dozens feared killed

By: Barnes Agirigi, Makurdi

Crisis erupted in some parts of Benue State following a reported clash between rival political parties in the state. Casulaty rate is not yet clear but BusinessDay gathered that dozens of people have been killed in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, the yam hub.

Sporadic shooting lasted all through Friday night in apparent bid to scare away prospective voters.
Prior to the governorship and state Assembly elections, the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Attahiru Jega, had threatened tough sanctions against politicians planning to forment trouble in order to mar the exercise.

Jega was in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on April 9, 2015 for a major stakeholders’ interactive session with INEC ahead of the governorship and state Assembly elections.

He regretted that despite the efforts made by the umpire to give Nigerians credible, free and fair elections, some elements were still bent on sabotaging such efforts.

Following the ugly incidents in some parts of the state, the turnout has been very low compared to the presidential and National Assembly elections.

13: 55 President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark casting his vote at Otukpo Ward 1