As of 7 p.m. today, March 18, 2023, polls across the country have started to close for the 2023 governorship and state assembly elections, with results and reports from various polling units trickling in.
Here are updates across Nigeria:
Thugs snatch ballot boxes in Rivers state
An observer in the Zikoko Citizen network reported that unidentified individuals snatched a ballot box at PU22 Ward 14, Obio Akpor LGA, Rivers State.
Thuggery, vote buying mar Kano elections
Local government areas such as Dala and Goron Dutse in Kano state have experienced high levels of thuggery and vote buying, with the food-for-vote taking place in some places, according to HumAngle media.
EFCC agents arrest 65 people for voter inducement
No fewer than 65 people were arrested across the country for voter inducement, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Political agents arrested for vote buying [PUNCH newspapers]
Political thugs, soldiers harass journalists
An Arise TV reporter was injured by political thugs, while drones and other equipment were seized. This was at a polling unit at the Oba Elegushi palace.
A journalist with News Central, Amadin Uyi, was also harassed by soldiers while making a video of a moving army vehicle.
Low voter turnout across Lagos — INEC postpones polls
There were reported cases of low voter turnout across Lekki and Ikorodu polling units and other places. This is due to high voter intimidation and suppression reported across Lagos state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission also postponed governorship and state house assembly elections across eight polling units in VGC, Lagos, to March 19, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.
This was because voters refused to cast their ballots after the location of their polling units were changed from within the VGC Estate to the outside of it. The reason for this was for fear of disruption by hoodlums.
Fire razes another Borno market
Borno’s largest market, Monday Market, was razed during the presidential elections. We thought we heard the last of it — until today when parts of the Gamboru market burned down as voting activities were ongoing.
The fire was said to have started in the cookware section of the market.
Sanwo-Olu and Jandor win their polling units in Lagos. GRV loses
The incumbent governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, won his polling unit in Lagos Island with 121 votes, leaving his contestants, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour and Abdulazeez Adediran (Jandor), with two and one votes, respectively.
PDP contestant for Lagos State governorship, Abdulazeez Adeniran (Jandor) won his polling unit in Ojo Local Government Area with 79 votes.
Sanwo-Olu got 66 votes, while Rhodes-Vivour only got one.
GRV wasn’t as lucky, however. Sanwo-Olu beat his Labour Party opponent on his turf (polling unit). This was with 29 votes to 18 votes which the LP candidate won.
Seyi Makinde wins in ex-governor’s polling unit
The incumbent governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, won former governor Rashidi Ladoja’s polling unit with 98 votes. His APC opponent, Teslim Folarin, only won 35 votes.
Be sure to get the latest coverage on the 2023 gubernatorial elections right here on Citizen! If you want to be part of the conversation, you can join our community here.
