09.40

Ekiti

Large turnout of voters at Baba Femi’ House. Unit 007. Isan Ilafon Ilemosho, Onye LGA. INEC officials and corps members say they have not experienced any issues with PVCs or the card readers. Accreditation still on going.

09.40

Cross-River/Abuja/Adamawa

The card readers are not functioning at Polling Unit 7, Ward 3 in Calabar. Meanwhile, the card readers at GSS Wuse Zone 3 are working perfectly well. Its taking each individual a minimum of 40 seconds to accredit one person. Accreditation began at 8:30am in ward 2 (EC30A) PU Numan LGA Adamawa state.

09.41

Nasarawa

There is a large turnout at several polling units in Nasarawa State. At Kadarko polling unit of Tudun Kofa ward of Keffi Local Government voters, voters have lined up since 7am waiting for INEC officials. When PREMIUM TIMES visited Tudun Kofa ward office of INEC, officials were seen distributing materials while NYSC waited to deploy to their various centres. At Agwan mission polling unit of Agwatashi of Obi Local Government area, the card reader refused to work despite the early arrival of officials.

09.47

Plateau

PU18 Yekwa shendam LG, plateau state. Queeing as INeC official were just arriving

09.47

Delta

House of Reps election in Ethiope East and West Constitutency in Delta postponed due to shortfall in ballot papers, says Aniedi Ikoiwak, the REC

09.51

Cross-River

Polling Unit at Ikot Eneobong 006, Ward 9 in Calabar opened at 7.30am. Accreditation has not started because an INEC official informed the voters that the card readers is undergoing some network problems

09.51

Nasarawa As Nigerians goes to the poll today, their was massive turn out in Nasarawa state as people troop out as early as 6am. In kadarko polling unit of Tudun Kofa ward of Keffi local government voters, have lined up since around seven o clock waiting for the INEC officials. When premium times visited Tudun Kofa ward headquarters Officials were seen distributing materials while NYSC were seen waiting to move to their various centers. However in Agwan mission polling unit of Agwatashi of Obi local government area, despite the fact that the officials came around 8am. The card reader refuse to work.

09.53

Abuja

Voters are still yet to begin at the Polling Unit at Lugbe King of Kings Secondary school FHA.

09.55

Oyo

09.55

Nasarawa

Accreditation yet to commence in Jigirya, kawaji ward in Nasarawa LGA of kano state

09.57

Jos/Katsina

09.58

Zamfara

No election materials have been provided at Damba polling units in Gusau LGA, Zamfara state. The voters are still waiting in queues.

10.03

Abuja

Accreditation  began at exactly nine minuites ago at 9:50 am at Polling Unit 34 Nig 99 Sec, NICON Insurance Wuse, Abuja.

10.04

Adamawa

In the absence of security officials , the accreditation still running peacefully at PU: 002 michika – IDPs PU Yola town, Adamawa state.

10.06

Lagos

At 10am, there is still no sign of INEC officers at the polling units in Agege area.

10.10

Katsina

Its 9:41, and polling officials are just arriving at Karamnawa PU 011 in Bare ward of Bare local government Katsina.

10.11

Abuja

Soldiers are said to have barricaded the Abuja-Kuje road turning back journalists and observers heading to the town. A witness said even European Union observers were blocked at a military checkpoint at Dantata on the way to Kuje. One of the journalists locked said he has information that some ruling party politicians are plotting to rig in the town.

10.18

3 card readers fail to accredit Jonathan

Three voter card readers have failed to read President Goodluck Jonathan’s biometrics and accredit him for voting at the Otazi playground polling centre in his home town, Otueke, Bayelsa State.

Mr. Jonathan arrived Polling Unit 13 at about 9. 20 a.m. He is yet to be accredited at 10 a.m. as three different card readers failed to capture his biometrics.

Patiently waiting for a fourth card reader, a sweating Mr. Jonathan said he was not worried. He said he will wait as the malfunction might just be a little delay.

“President Jonathan is just one person, so if we have problem with one person, as far as the elections is going on well nationally,” he said. “I’m not worried, there might be a delay, my interest s that we conduct a credible election.”

He also said no sacrifice is too much for Nigeria. He encouraged other voters to be patient with INEC in getting their accreditation done.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, had said that if the card reader fails to capture a voter’s biometrics, the commission’s staff at the polling units will resort to manual accreditation.

10.20

Lagos

The All Progressives Congress , APC, has raised the alarm over suspicious, election-related activities being carried out at the Federal Government Press on Mobil Road, opposite Coca Cola, at Ajegunle, Lagos. In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said workers at the facility were sent home early on Friday, apparently so it can be made ready for use today (Saturday, March 28th) for a ‘presidency’ assignment.

10.21

EKITI At Iworoko Ekiti, Irepodun Ifelodun LGA, voters are gathered outside waiting for the arrival of INEC officials and materials

10.21

Bauchi

No Polling Unit in Soro, Ganjuwa LG in Bauchi state, has INEC officials as of now.

10.24

Cross River

10.24

Oyo

As at 9:53, INEC officials are yet to arrive some polling centres in Ibadan south west local government. No INEC officials sited at Unit 070, ‎71, 72, 62, 80, 81, of Ward 12, Ibadan South West Local Govt. Electorates trooped out en mass to various polling centres and are eagerly waiting for officials. No security operatives are at these centres also. Accreditation has begun in a few polling centres. At unit 045, 046, 047, ‎ward 12 of Ibadan South West Local Govt, voters trooped out en mass and the card readers are working well here. The weather if fine but sunny.

10.26

Rivers State

Peaceful accreditation ongoing at polling unit 001, Omagwa in Rivers State

10.28

Jos

At Latya polling unit, Du ward, Jos South lga, Plateau, there have also been failures of finger print accreditation capture.

10.29

Bauchi

10.30

Edo

At 9:42am at New Era college, Oredo ward 07, Edo state, no INEC officials and materials were provided.

10.32

Abuja

Accreditation started at a polling unit located at OAU quarters, Wuse 2, at 9.40am. Voters arrived as early as 5.00am. When INEC officials finally showed up, they did not arrive with, instead they came with a register. The INEC official then read out the names on the register before voters were accredited. It appears so many prospective voters were not listed. “We are not aware of this,we do not know why we can’t locate their names on the register. Its not our fault, it’s the fault of INEC,” an INEC official said.

10.34

Nasarawa

In kofar Hausa primary school polling unit 002 and 003 in Keffi local government, accreditation started around9am. It takes three to five minutes to clear one person.  

10.35

Rivers

Voters queuing for accreditation in polling units in Mile One area in Port Harcourt

10.38

Adamawa

Voters have shown a high level of enthusiasm as many trooped out to the various polling units as early as 6 am and waited for the electoral officers to arrive. Many people trekked long distances to their various polling units following the ban on movement of vehicles. The security situation is also calm as police and military patrol vehicles are seen combing the major streets of the state capital. Also, buses and pickup trucks approved to convey IDP’s were seen busy conveying the displaced persons from Madagali and Michika Local Government areas to their voting centres across the state capital. As at 8:30 am, most polling centers had started accreditation exercise while in some while materials arrived some of the polling units late. Similarly, the card readers in most of the polling units were working smoothly as many accredited voters said they did not encounter problems with the machines while being accredited. Reports from Gaya Lamurde and Sabon Layi in Mubi North local government have indicated that as at the time of filing this report (9:40am) materials were yet to arrive the polling units although it was reported that the exercise was going on smoothly in other parts of the local government. However, reports from Ganye, Numan, Shelleng, Maiha, Girei, Song, Lamurde and Mayo-Yola Local Governments showed that things were going on smoothly except for late arrival of materials in some places.

10.39

Kano

Voters queuing for accreditation in Danwere ward kano

10.40

Jos

At Daship2 024-Zawan B-Jos South, Plateau state, only one card reader is being used with no spare batteries.

10.40

Nasarawa

Materials have been distribution across the ten wards of Doma local government area and accreditation started around 9.30am. No incidence of card failure has been reported so far. In Kofar Madaki polling unit of Madaki ward, over 100 people have so far been accredited and so far the exercise has been peaceful.

10.41

Cross-River

Although the Polling officers at Calabar, ward 4, PU 110 arrived at the appropriate time,  faulty card readers delaying  accreditation.

10.43

Lagos

Accreditation has begun at Polling Unit 011 at Arowojobe Street, Oshodi. A check of the accreditation time shows a range of 11 seconds to 1 minute 5 seconds per person. At a nearby polling unit, some voters whose cards couldn’t be read were asked to wait by INEC officials.

10.43

Kano

Long queue at Muhammadu Rabiu polling centre Kano. In Dala local government, accreditation is ongoing.

10.44

Taraba

Kofar Wakilin Tasha Jalingo: accreditation started on time and there are no reported cases of card reader failures yet.

10.45

Katsina

Aisha Buhari getting accredited in Daura

10.47

Rivers

A voter being verified with a card reader at Ward 12, unit 5, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

10.47

Katsina

The card reader brought by polling officials at Karamnawa unit of Bare ward in Bare local government has failed to read voters at PU 011. The officials arrived the unit at 9:41am and could only accredit two voters after 45 minutes. They have gone back to the local government headquarters to get a replacement.

10.53

Anambra

Accreditation is yet to commence as at 10:41 am at St. John of the Cross Catholic church Egbo Uruagu Nnewi

11.00

Abuja

Adhoc INEC staff arriving polling unit 006 at Area 2 shopping complex Abuja to start accreditation moments ago.

11.01

Kano

Accreditation  is yet to commence  in Kwalli polling station, Kankarofi ward, Kano municipal, all in Kano as at10:45am. INEC officials are yet to arrive.

11.01

Oyo

Accreditation is going on smoothly at popular places in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Accreditation going on at polling centres along Ring Road and in Molete a‎rea of the city with military personnel stationed at flashpoints. ‎Soldiers were seen at Challenge roundabout, Molete roundabout and the popular Iwo road roundabout‎.

11.02

Kano

Accreditation is yet to commence at Kwalli polling station, Kankarofi ward, Kano municipal, Kano.  As at10:45am. INEC officials were yet to arrive.

11.02

Anambra

As at 10:58 a.m. accreditation is yet to commence at St. Mark’s Anglican Church Nnewichi Nnewi. INEC staff are present but are only giving numbers to voters present.

11.05

Bayelsa

President Jonathan returned to his polling unit with his wife, Patience, amidst heavy security to re-try his accreditation. He was accredited manually via the incident list. Attempts to match his finger prints with the card readers failed.

11.09

Rivers

Peaceful accreditation ongoing at polling unit 001, Omagwa in Rivers State.

11.11

Rivers

Amaechi at polling unit in Ikwere Local Government Area where accreditation is yet to start at 10.50am due to the non supply of result sheet by INEC.

11.13

Lagos/Nasarawa

While four card readers and four spare batteries were provided at the Alakuko court hall 005 Ifako Ijaye Lagos state, the card readers at Giza, Keana LG of Nasarawa state, have malfunctioned.

The accreditation is going on peacefully at Polling Unit the 083 in Ijegun, Lagos state despite the late arrival of the INEC officials.

11.15

Lagos

While four card readers and four spare batteries were provided at the Alakuko court hall 005 Ifako Ijaye Lagos state, the card readers at Giza, Keana LG of Nasarawa state, have malfunctioned. The accreditation is going on peacefully at Polling Unit the 083 in Ijegun, Lagos state despite the late arrival of the INEC officials. Accreditation commenced at 8am at Majidadi B’ PU Kfn Alh. Ladan and still on going smoothly as well.

11.30

Cross-River

Election materials still being distributed to Adhoc staff in Calabar, Ikot Ishie ward 6 (08/06/002) which is delaying accreditation. At Polling Unit at 10 ward 9 Yong Edema Calabar South, accreditation opened at 8:00 a.m. but have card reader issues.

11.37

Nasarawa/Cross-River

12.04

Ekiti

Accreditation completed in most of the polling units in Oye Ekiti.

12.15

Ondo

There are police officers keeping tabs on voters in Ondo State but soldiers are conspicuously missing as ordered by the courts

12.18

Abuja

There is still no sign of INEC officials at Lugbe King of Kings secondary school and Katampe II polling unit Mpape Bwari, area council, Abuja.

12.20

Oyo

At Sabo, the Hausa community in Ibadan, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that ‎accreditation began late as well. As at 11: 49 a.m, accreditation is still ongoing as there is a large turnout of voters. The card readers are not fully working with officials resorting to manual- checking of names on a printout paper. The community is, however, not media friendly as they warned against taking of photographs.

12.27

Abuja

The religious folks are not left out, these reverend sisters were seen ready to get accredited at the

12.31

Plateau

The INEC officials and Materials arrived at 11:30 a.m. at Jos North local government area, especially Naraguta B ward. Shaka PU, Giring ward, Jos South lga, the officials and Materials arrived at 10:00 a.m but people are still awaiting accreditation. #Lagos: The accreditation is going on smoothly with the accreditation process being completed within 10 seconds at Ibeju Lekki local govt, ward 09, PU: 006.

12.42

Ekiti

Voters at Eleyinmi Ado Ekiti waiting for the commencement of voting after being duly accredited.

12.43

Lagos/Oyo

INEC arrived by 10:30 a.m and accreditation started by 10:55 a.m. in Polling Unit 01,Olanrewaju street, Area 7 satellite Amowu- Odofin Lagos. Challenges with finger prints accreditation and no incidence form at Polling Unit 1, Ward 13, Lagelu Local government, Oyo-State.

12.47

Plateau

Card reader fails to capture biometrics of  Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang and his wife, Talatu. As at about 12: 27 pm, the duo was yet to be accredited. Speaking to journalists shortly after the card reader machine failed to authenticate him, Mr. Jang said “I am disappointed in the process, since the card reader can reject the number one citizen of the state.” Those without PVC’s at the governor’s polling unit in protest non issuance of PVCs.

13.00

Ogun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed satisfaction over the accreditation process in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital. Mr. Obasanjo expressed his view at his Ward 11, Unit 22, Olusomi Compound Polling Centre at Oke – Sokori in Abeokuta where he was accredited for the election. The former president, who arrived the centre at about 10.10 a.m., was accredited between 10.16 a.m. and 10. 17 a.m. He told journalists after his accreditation that he was impressed with the process and the orderly conduct of the people.

13.47

Niger/Akwa Ibom/Plateau

The New London polling unit- 007-Suleja in Niger state is experiencing lots of unverified fingerprints; filling the incident forms. The INEC officials arrived 8.45 a.m at Village Square PU 001, Ikot Idem Nsit, Asang ward 5, Akwa Ibom. Accreditation commenced from 9 a.m. with card readers working properly. PU 31-05-10-042 Dogon Dutse, Jos still awaiting INEC officials at about 10.42 a.m.

13.54

Lagos

14.04

Lagos

The card reader has stopped working and accreditation had stopped at Polling Unit 028A, Ward G, Amuwo odofin, Lagos. At PU 002A and 002B,ward 8, Akinyele LG,Oyo state, the battery of the card reader is almost dead and there are no extra batteries. The officials are banking on the community for generator to charge the battery..

14.05

Plateau

Two card readers were deployed to Jos south behind fototek2 with no spare card reader and no spare battery.

14.07

Lagos

The card reader at polling unit 015 Satellite, Lagos is delaying the accreditation process. It went off after accrediting 100 people.

14.09

Katsina

It is almost 2pm now and accreditation is still going on at ward 3,PU 003 in Daura where the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammad Buhari will vote. So many people are still on queue. Officials say there are 724 registered voters in the unit and all those who on queue must be accredited before voting will commence.

14.29

Edo

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State being accredited with the card reader at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho on Saturday.

14.37

Lagos

Voters reject use of incident form as alternative means of accreditation at polling units 009/008 Alakija

14.37

Lagos

The card reader has stopped working at Polling Unit 028A,ward G,Amuwo odofin, Lagos. Meanwhile, at PU 002A and 002B,ward 8, Akinyele LG,Oyo state, no extra card reader battery was brought and the power is almost off. The officials are banking on the community for generator.

14.37

Kano

Card reader couldn’t be accessed as password is not available at polling unit Rugar kuka 2 box 012- Danmaliki- Kumbotso- Kano state

15.00

Katsina

At almost 2pm, accreditation was still going on at ward 3,PU 003 in Daura where the candidate of the ABC, Muhammad Buhari, will vote. So many people are still on queue, officials say there are 724 registered voters in the unit, and all those who have been on queue must be accredited before voting will commence.

15.04

Lagos

It has started to pour down in Ikeja, Lagos Island, and other parts of Lagos. But voters are defying the rain, queuing up to cast their votes. Voting materials are yet to arrive at some areas in Ejigbo, Isolo local government. It has been a peaceful exercise so far.

15.10

Accreditation has ended in most parts. We have moved LIVE UPDATES to one dedicated to reporting the voting process. Thanks for following.

15.16

Akwa Ibom

The Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, arriving at a polling unit at Awa Iman in Onna LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

15.38

Cross River

INEC stops use of card readers in Cross River The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has directed its officials in Cross River to stop the use of card readers. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Okey Ezeani, said the directive became necessary due to several complaints across the state on the card readers. “From the look of things, it means we might even not use the card reader during the other elections,” he said. “IRS (is) a machine, it can fail anytime. Instead if disenfranchising voters I have directed them to stop using the card readers.” Meanwhile, some electoral officials in charge of Akam Ward in Ikom Local Government Area are said to have absconded from their polling unit. The officials reportedly fled the polling units amidst reports that there were plans to lynch them and do away with the electoral materials by agents of a political party. Despite restriction of vehicular movement across the state and heavy deployment of security operatives, there are fears across the state of safety of voters. At about 1:15 p.m., voting had commenced across many polling units in the state. However, in Obubu, the PDP governorship candidate and senator representing Cross River North, Benedict Ayade, complained of late accreditation. As at 2 p.m., voting was yet to commence.

15.43

Kaduna

Vice president Namadi Sambo and wife Amina getting accreditated at their Kabala polling unit. Kaduna this afternoon

15.58

Lagos

Inec Officials Moving Election Materials To The Riverrine Areas Of Lagos State During The Presidential And National Assembly Elections On Saturday

16.01

Niger

Former head of state, retired gen. Abdulsalami abubakar (l) and former military president, retired gen. Abrahim badamosi babangida, during the presidential and national assembly elections at uphill polling unit in minna on saturday

16.04

Bauchi

Gov. Isa yuguada of bauchi (r), being accredited during the presidential and national assembly elections at baba sidi polling unit in bauchi on saturday (28/3/15)

16.35

Lagos

Voting at two polling units at Iyalla Street in Alausa, Ikeja, has been postponed until Sunday, because card readers were not working and there was no back-up. At polling Unit 021, Adedoyin Street, Ogba, Ikeja, accreditation has ended but voting material are yet to arrive. There is no security official in sight. Eniola Michael, a resident, said he did his accreditation around 9 a.m. “Up till now we are still waiting for ballot papers. All of us here. A lot of people came from far place just for them to do their accreditation, and wait till 1 and do their voting. But they are still waiting. Nothing is being done. “We asked them (INEC officials), they said they are waiting for the ballot paper, that we should keep calm and the ballot paper is coming. You can see this is after 4 and movement starts by 5, when are we going to vote. “The card reader was perfect.” The INEC presiding officer at the polling unit said they were waiting for the ballot paper. Asked if they were not supposed to resume with all the materials, the official said he was not authorized to “disclose that information.” “The only thing I can tell you is that we are waiting for the ballot papers. If you need other information, you should meet the PRO.” Some voters who were drenched during the downpour complained that the rain washed away the voting ink on their fingers.

16.47

Report from Bida in Niger State A voter, Dr. Hafsat Shittu, wrote in as follows: “648 persons registered in this unit. More than half have not been accredited. Only 91 have been accredited, 49 incidence forms. Prospective voters are being told to fill incidence forms. “The Supervising Officer (Jibril) is here with me, he says we should continue accreditation. It is 4.16 pm, voting has not started. People are restless… “Dr Hafsat Shittu [Bida]

17.46

Kastina

Accreditation still on going at Buhari’s polling unit in Daura.

17.50

Taraba

Residents insist on voting. Most people in Jalingo, the capital city of Taraba State, journeyed to their villages to vote a candidate of their choosing. Jalingo looked like a ghost town with few vehicles on the streets.. In Takum town, a lot of their indigenes living outside the town came “home” says Johnny Ande, who resides Jalingo but travelled to Takum to vote. “l want to be part of history in the Nigeria project, my vote must count that is why I am home to my village, he said. “I came to vote for my President and my Senator so that I can tell my children someday that I voted during the election,” another returnee, Mary Odah, said. The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Daraius Ishaku, urged people to be law abiding at his polling unit at Gawatun. Accreditation started really late in parts of Taraba.

18.10

RIVERS STATE

Election materials started arriving polling units from 9.am. PREMIUM TIMES was at Tombia Road polling unit, GRA, Port Harcourt at 9.20 am. Over 30 voters had already arrived and were waiting for the arrival of INEC officials.

At Oroworukwu Town Hall, D-Line Port Harcourt, PREMIUM TIMES spotted a PDP poster on the wall of the building which is under construction. The town hall is used at a central distribution center for all the units in D-line.

Electoral officials were loading materials into buses guarded by security agents including the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Prisons, Nigerian Customs Service and Nigerian Immigration Service.

At Ikwere Local Government, home of the state governor, PREMIUM TIMES ran into Governor Rotimi Amaechi at Omuanwu Ward, Omute Playground Unit. At the unit, Mr.Amaechi was told that INEC has supplied all the materials except the result sheets. The voters argued that they would not be accredited until the result sheets are brought to the centre.

Responding, a visibly angry Mr. Amaechi said INEC is deliberately undermining the electoral laws by not supplying result sheets in the local government area.

“You can see that the result sheets have not been brought here. The same thing is happening all over the local government area,” said Mr. Amaechi.

“We have therefore resolved not to be involved in the election until the result sheets are brought.

“This is my local government area and this is happening. The same thing is happening all over the place.”

After talking to journalists at the unit, Mr. Amaechi, who drove himself in a bullet-proof BMW jeep, turned and drove towards his family compound in Obima but was stopped by a detachment of troops led by the Commander of the 2nd Brigade, Nigeria Army, Bori Camp, Brigadier General Essien Essien.

A minor altercation ensued between Mr.Essien and the governor over the legality of Mr. Amaechi moving around with a convoy while election is going on.

Mr. Amaechi told the army boss the problem voters were encountering in the area and noted that as the governor of the state, he has the right to make sure that elections are conducted within the ambit of the law. “Brigade Commander, why are you mountings two road blocks near my father’s compound,” he said.

“Are you being sent by President Jonathan to kill me? I had told the world that President Jonathan is trying to kill me and I am saying it again.”

Mr. Essien denied being given any instruction to kill anybody and asked the governor to go back to his home and stop moving about.

“His Excellency, we have instructions not to allow people who are not duly accredited not to move around during the election,” Mr. Essien said.

“That is why we are advising you to go back to your house and wait there until the election is over.”

The brigade commander also told the governor that the military was not blocking his house, adding that they had instructions to ensure that law and order is maintained.

The argument became a bit heated when the governor said he was going back to Government House on Port Harcourt to wait until the result sheets are brought for him to come and vote.

When Mr. Essien insisted that the governor must go back to his family house and wait, Mr. Amaechi said he would not, adding that the Brigade Commander can arrest him if that is what he wants to do.

Putting out his two hands in front towards the Brigade Commander, Mr. Amaechi said, “Arrest me if that’s what you want to do or allow me return to Government House I’m Port Harcourt.

“There is nobody in this house. It is my father’s house. I don’t have a house in my village.”

After about 12 minutes of argument between the two, Mr. Essien allowed Mr. Amaechi to drive back with his convoy to Port Harcourt but advised him not to stop anywhere along the road to monitor the election.