Presidential Polls:President Jonathan In Early Lead

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria is conducting 2011 presidential elections today, Saturday, April 16, 2011, Huhuonline.com brings the situation reports and updates for Presidential Polls at the various polling booths across the country..
The presidential election kicked off across the country as accreditation of voters was reported to have started as early as 8:00 am.

In Otuoke, in Bayelsa, country home of President Goodluck Jonathan, reports say that the President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was accredited alongside his wife, Patience, his mother, Eunice and several other aides at about 8:15am at his Otuoke polling unit, in Bayelsa State. It is also reported that there are more turn-out of people queuing up for accreditation and voting.

President Jonathan Spends N107 Billion In Two days, Meets Jega In Private

presidential Goodluck Jonathan is deploying state resources far and wide in an unprecedented effort to buy every inch of support. A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official told SaharaReporters today that in the extraordinary spending spree, the Goodluck Jonathan team had mopped up some N107 billion in funds from the Nigerian economy.

Much of the monies is going to the northern parts of Nigeria where the campaign has handed over N2 billion to each key state governors and People's Democratic Party (PDP) officials to capture the north for Jonathan.

Electoral Fraud:University of Benin Remanded in Prison

A lecturer at the University of Benin and Returning Officer in the controversial National Assembly election in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Benin, Mr. Paul Iroghama, has been remanded in the Oko Prisons, Benin till April 21, 2011, which is the
next adjourned date in a suit filed against him by the Edo State Commissioner of Police. Iroghama, who was arraigned at the Magistrate Court 2 in Benin City before Magistrate I.V Iyoha, was charged with tampering with the results of the National Assembly election in the Local Government Area.

Why the ACN/CPC Accord Failed

The stage was set, the agreement was sealed, and Northern advocates for consensus had prevailed as Nuhu Ribadu had agreed to step down for Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, in exchange for a position as chief of staff, if Buhari emerged as president.
But, wary that the arrangement specifically favoured Nuhu Ribadu and that Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) may not be able to control Gen. Buhari if he emerged decided to rock the boat. Sources who did not want to be mentioned, told HUHU that Action Congress of Nigeria may be playing both sides, as they were simultaneously talking to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), about forming an alliance.

James Ibori Extradited to London

The former governor of Delta State, James Ibori has been extradited to the United Kingdom from the United Arab Emirates to face trials for alleged money laundering and other sundry matters.

Huhuonline.com sources in the UAE disclosed that embattled James Ibori was re-arrested Thursday night in his Dubai mansion and taken to an extradition processing center from where he was later flown to the UK.

Ribadu Bow Out for Buhari

Barely days to the presidential election, opposition political parties in a bid to reposition themselves and improve their chances of defeating the incumbent, has begun to sift the boys from men and pretenders from contenders.
Against this backdrop, HUHU can disclose that the negotiation between the two leading opposition parties, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) ended, with Nuhu Ribadu, ACN presidential candidate bowing out of the Presidential race.

Ivory Coast generals pledge loyalty to president

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – Five generals pledged their loyalty to President Alassane Ouattara on Tuesday following the capture of the country's strongman leader after a four-month standoff, as French and Ivorian forces worked to eliminate the last pockets of resistance.

Ouattara's spokesman Patrick Achi confirmed that the generals who had been fighting on Laurent Gbagbo's side right up until his capture swore allegiance before Ouattara one by one at the Golf Hotel, where he set up his presidency after Gbagbo refused to acknowledge losing the November presidential election.

Ivory Coast standoff ends as Laurent Gbagbo is captured

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – The elected president of this West African nation heralded "the dawn of a new era of hope" when a bloody, four-month standoff ended with the capture of his rival, the longtime strongman who lost the vote but refused to give up power.

Video of former President Laurent Gbagbo being led into a room in a white undershirt was broadcast Monday on television as proof of his detention. He would not sign a statement formally ceding power after losing a Nov. 28 election to economist Alassane Ouattara.

More than 1 million civilians fled their homes and untold numbers were killed in the power struggle between the two rivals that threatened to re-ignite a civil war in the world's largest cocoa producer. Gbagbo's security forces have been accused of using cannons, 60 mm mortars and 50-caliber machine guns to mow down opponents during the standoff.

Ngige won, says INEC returning officer

•’I was under pressure to declare Akunyili winner’ •Ngige kicks

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer/collation officer in Anambra Central Senatorial District, Alex Anene, has alleged that his life is in danger.

He claimed that he is being pursued by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) officials and the state government because he refused the offer of N10million, a duplex and a car to announce the result in favour of APGA candidate Prof Dora Akunyili.

House of Reps Speaker Bankole Concedes Defeat; VP Sambo Hurries Out of Kaduna

As the routing of the ruling People's Democratic Party unveils surprise after surprise, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has also done the unprecedented and the unthinkable: concede defeat to his opponent.

In a press release today signed by Chief Kayode Odunaro, his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Bankole commended Nigerian voters for the peaceful nature of the elections.

Mr. Bankole said the outcome of yesterday’s election on the whole reflected the wishes of Nigerians in the national quest to enshrine an enduring democracy.

The outgoing Speaker congratulated all the winners and urged the losers to absorb their defeat in good faith. “For me the race was not a life and death duel,” he said. “Of more importance is building, maintaining and developing our democratic institution and processes as a means towards true national development and greatness.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the members of the National Youth Service Corps for doing a good job, while he condemned those bent on scuttling the electoral process through violence, particularly through bombings.

Mr. Bankole’s concession today comes on the heels of other significant defeats for the PDP that include, in Ogun State, that of Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the daughter of former president Obasanjo; and in Osun State, the defeat of the former governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as well as Senator Iyiola Omisore. The ACN is also sweeping Edo state while the DPP has claimed to have won various seats in Delta state.

Reports reaching SaharaReporters today also indicate that the Vice president, Namadi Sambo left Kaduna abruptly after the PDP lost the election in his ward by a wide margin.