Speaker: PDP Reps warn against imposition of candidates

The Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives said on Tuesday that its members would resist any candidates imposed on the House by a political party as the Speaker.

The caucus noted that the legislature was an independent arm of government, which must be allowed to‎ elect a Speaker for itself as against a candidate imposed by a party.

Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, who spoke for the caucus in Abuja, stated that lawmakers were “concerned ” over ongoing moves by the All Progressives Congress to allot the speakership to specific geo-political  zones‎ in the country.

Ogor spoke just as a member of the APC, Mr. Nasir Garo, advised his colleagues to remain united and support any decisions the party might take on zoning of offices.

Ogor warned that‎ the approach of the APC could be “counter-productive ” by way of a revolt vote against the choice of the party for the position.

He recalled that in 2007, Mr. Dimeji Bankole ultimately became the speaker after members vehemently opposed Mrs. Patricia Etteh, who was then the choice of the PDP.

He added that in 2011, the current speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, again emerged as a revolt vote against the preferred choice of the PDP to zone the seat to the South-West.

Ogor said the House had always opposed imposition of candidates because it wanted to decide its case by voting the “best among the best to be the speaker.”

He noted that while the PDP was not disputing the fact of being the minority party in the in-coming 8th Assembly, the members would not allow the APC to impose any candidates on the House.

Ogor spoke further, “Section 50 (B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) ‎is very clear on how the Speaker should emerge.

“It does not say a political party should decide who will become the Speaker, but that members of the House shall elect from among themselves a Speaker‎.

“So, the Speaker is not a Speaker of the APC, but the Speaker of the House. The methodology of zoning they have adopted will lead to crisis if not carefully handled.”

The South-West and the North-East have been named as the two zones likely to produce the next Speaker.

The meeting of the National Working Committee of the party ended on Saturday with the two zones mentioned to produce the Speaker.

But, the PDP caucus insists that while the APC will go on to zone the positions, the House will defend its independence by electing a candidate “who is the choice of the House.”

He added, “No party will decide for us who becomes the Speaker. We will pick our Speaker by ourselves.”

However, Garo, while cautioning his APC colleagues against playing into the hands of the PDP, argued that there was nothing wrong if the APC guided members on the choice of Speaker.

Garo, who is from Kano State, claimed that the country was still growing politically and could not afford to dismiss zoning.

The APC lawmaker added, “For me, Nigeria is not yet politically mature to jettison zoning. It is important that we carry every zone along, especially in the distribution of political offices in the land.

“The issue of zoning is very important and we should maintain it.”

Six Countries Turn Down Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke’s Asylum Request, BCA Report Says

The report, dated March 2015, focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections. It said the notorious Minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely-protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for the first time in her Ministerial career.

No fewer than six countries have already refused to grant an asylum request by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Business Council for Africa (BCA) said in its just-released monthly report, noting that about US$ 1 trillion is the latest estimated figure of the ong of the

Nigerian treasury between 1960 and 2005 alone.

The report, dated March 2015, focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections.

It said the notorious Minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely-

protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for

the first time in her Ministerial career.

“Given her reputation, it comes as no surprise to learn that 6 countries have

already refused to grant her asylum to live in their countries as she now wishes to

leave Nigeria at the earliest possible opportunity,” it said BCA recalled President-elect Muhammadu Buhari lamenting that the rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption, one where stealing is not corruption but a way of life, and that his administration will pursue all public

offices and individuals who are believed to be guilty of corruption.

It observed that despite an earlier promise, it is now understood that Buhari’s anti-

corruption fishing net will include Ministers currently serving under President

Goodluck Jonathan. Alison-Madueke’s departure from Nigeria is likely to be

followed by several other PDP elders, party members and supporters as well as

some former Government officials, as Buhari's anti-corruption drive will be far-

reaching. “It will be very interesting to learn in the coming months exactly how far back in

Nigeria's history his administration will go in the pursuance of those who have

robbed Nigeria of US$ 1 trillion, which is the latest estimated figure of theft from

the Nigerian treasury between the period 1960-2005. Given that President

Jonathan's administration is considered the most corrupt of any of its

predecessors, that figure is going to be considerably magnified, but whether the

new President will wish to pursue former Heads of State is a matter of interest and

considerable debate to Nigerian observers. It is this subject that is primarily

responsible for Buhari's success in winning the election as well as his campaign

promises to eradicate Boko Haram, revive the economy and rebuild Nigeria to make

its position as the number one country in Africa.

While BCA agreed that the March/April 2015 were “the most credible elections in

Nigeria's history”, it said they could not be called the most incorruptible.

On the contrary, it referred to them as the worst because of the amount of money

that the PDP so freely and openly spent on trying to secure the re-election of Mr.

Jonathan. “The stories and reports from throughout the 36 States of the amount of money

distributed by the PDP to elders, rulers, church leaders, unions and youth leaders

amongst others in an endeavour to favour the voters towards the PDP has

backfired badly,” the report said BCA said that if the 2011 elections were considered bad, the 2015 elections will

undoubtedly go down as the most corrupt in Nigeria's history, certainly since 1999,

as the amount of money being distributed as bribes primarily by the PDP so very

openly would readily confirm.

It reported that since November when campaigning began, President Jonathan and

General Buhari during their travels made no fewer than 109 promises of what they

intend to achieve if given the mandate in the presidential election.

“President Jonathan's campaign continued to hinge on his party's Transformation

Agenda and the achievements of his Government in the last 4 years, particularly in

the agricultural sector, job creation and the empowerment of women,” the report

said. In that regard, it credited Jonathan as having achieved a great deal during

his tenure.

It said it was however Jonathan’s failures - rampant corruption, insecurity, inability

to eliminate the Boko Haram insurgency, failure in such sectors as the economy,

and power in particular, and the overall feeling that he was ruled rather than led -

that have cost him his re-election bid.

The report also stated that in the 2015 elections, up to 250 Nigerians lost their

lives, describing that deplorable record as speaking volumes for the control

achieved by the Police at the campaign rallies by the two main candidates.

It described the cost of the campaigns of the two main parties as “simply

staggering”, noting that by the first week of March, Buhari had spent some N332.58

billion as compared to the expenditure of President Jonathan which amounted to

N1.05 trillion.

“This is without taking into account the cost of other expenses for such items as

campaign rallies, where the PDP has spent N1.06 billion against Muhammadu

Buhari's APC's N595.08 million, and clearly demonstrates the desperate lengths

that the PDP have gone to in order to try and secure the re-election of President

Jonathan.”

Oyo Governorship Candidate Removes Transformer He Donated To Community Because He Lost His Election

According to a report by Daily Trust, a transformer donated to the people of Sabo community in Ibadan, Oyo State by PDP governorship candidate in the state, Sen Teslim Folarin, was removed a day after the election on Sunday April 12th by some aides of the former Senate Leader.

He had donated the transformer just weeks prior to the election, but when he came 4th in the election, he probably decided the people were not loyal enough and took back his gift…:-). Continue…

From Dailytrust

An alarm raised by members of the Sabo community on sighting those removing the Transformer in the early hours of Sunday did not move the perpetrators who eventually removed the
transformer to an unknown place.

Members of the Sabo community instantly stormed the palace of the Sarkin Hausawa, Alhaji Ahmed Dahiru Zungeru where they expressed their worry, a development which compelled the Sarki to wade into the matter by calling on Folarin’s political associate within the community, Alhaji Bashiru Maiborno, for clarification.

Daily Trust gathered that it was at this stage that Baiborno spiritedly made moves to effect the return of the transformer to Sabo community, but he was rebuffed as the Sabo community vowed not to take back the transformer from Senator Folarin.

Efforts by our correspondent to get Senator Folarin’s personal reaction on the development was futile as he could not be reached.

Maiborno however insisted that the transformer was removed with a view to keeping it in a safer place. “Senator Folarin is a man of his words,” Maiborno told inquisitive journalists.

One year anniversary: We will rescue chibok girls, bring them home if… – Buhari

Nigeria’s President-Elect, General Mohammadu Buhari has assured parents of the over 200 missing chibok girls that his government would rescue and bring back him their children.

He however said that the rescue mission was dependent on whether the girls were not still alive as he does not have the information for now.

IVORY COAST, Abidjan : A woman holds a sign to call for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants on May 19, 2014 during a sit-in organised by Human Rights organisations in Abidjan. The “#bringbackourgirls” slogan has become a huge global phenomenon following the abductions Nigerian girls by Boko Harm AFP PHOTO

Buhari who gave this assurance to mark the first anniversary of the sad development also promised to educate the girls as against the creed of Boko Haram that “western education is evil”.

It will be recalled that today marked the first year since the 276 girls were kidnapped by the members of boko haram from their school in Chibok, Borno State.

The President-Elect in a statement from Daura, Katsina State from his first day of his administration, boko haram would be met with the collective will of the Nigerian people.

The statement read thus: “Today we remember the kidnapping of 276 girls from a school in Chibok one year ago. This crime has rightly caused outrage both in Nigeria and across the world.

“Today is a time to reflect on the pain and suffering of the victims, their friends and families. Our thoughts and prayers, and that of the whole Nigerian Nation, are with you today.

“I want to assure all of them, and particularly the parents, that when my new Administration takes office at the end of May, we will do everything we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act differently from the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly.

“This new approach must also begin with honesty. We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.
But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them home.

“What I can pledge, with absolute certainty, is that starting on the first day of my Administration Boko Haram will know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas.

“Boko Haram” means “Western Education is Sinful”. When they are defeated militarily, as they will be, we will ensure our citizens in the affected areas have improved educational opportunities as a direct counterbalance to Boko Haram’s twisted ideology. In particular we will educate ever more young girls ensuring they are empowered as citizens of Nigeria

“Let us use this anniversary to remind each other that the attack on Chibok was an attack on the dreams and aspirations of our young people.

“We stand united in our pledge to resist terror in Nigeria – not just through military means but also through the power of opportunity and the hope of a better future for all”.

Ekiti: Plan To Subvert Justice By Dasuki, Adoke Uncovered

It was learnt that a desperate Dasuki was cajoling the CJN about an outright dismissal of most of the Justices of the Supreme Court on corruption grounds, when the new government assumes office next month. Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose was overheard in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, reassuring his supporters that the needful had been done with the Justices and that he had been assured that the judgment would go in his favor.

Sambo Dasuki, National Security Adviser

Ahead of tomorrow's impending judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the June 21 2014 Governorship Election in Ekiti, our correspondent has gathered that there are desperate moves by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Muhammed Adoke to subvert the decision of the court.

A credible source told our correspondent that the NSA has been mounting pressure on Adoke to intimidate and bribe the Supreme Court Justices responsible for adjudicating on the Ekiti Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The case which has gone through the lower Tribunal and the Appeal Court is looking at allegations of eligibility and perjury by Governor Ayodele Fayose and the illegal use of the military to truncate the June 21 elections in the state.

It was gathered that Dasuki and Adoke visited the CJN clandestinely who later gave the nod that the other Justices of the Supreme Court involved in the matter should give the duo an audience.

Though it is yet unclear wether the Supreme Court Justices promised to accede to his request, despite the offer of billions of naira as gratification if the deal could be pulled through.

It was learnt that a desperate Dasuki was cajoling the CJN about an outright dismissal of most of the Justices of the Supreme Court on corruption grounds, when the new government assumes office next month.

Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose was overheard in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, reassuring his supporters that the needful had been done with the Justices and that he had been assured that the judgment would go in his favour.

Dasuki was said to be contacting prominent Yoruba leaders to help stem the growing opposition towards Fayose in the South West Zone, especially in the event that the ruling goes in his favour. He noted that the Ekiti Governor had been good to Jonathan's cause.

A retired General was contacted directly by Fayose for his assistance, but his plea met with brick wall, as the respected General turned him down.

With a perceived belief that there is a rift between the former governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fayose sent emissaries to him that he is prepared to defect to the APC if he could assist him scale the Supreme Court hurdle.

We also gathered authoritatively at the weekend that the Justices and the judiciary are of the opinion that Fayose is not deserving of the seat, especially given the treatment he gave the judiciary in the build up to his inauguration as governor.

Legal experts have also canvassed that it would be a travesty of justice if Fayose is allowed to profit from the judiciary, which he has succeeded in desecrating severally.

Our source noted that the judiciary may find a very good reason to nail him, with eligibility, as a major ground for election nullification, regardless of wether or not he won the June 21 election. This is especially so because he would have been deemed not to have qualified to run for the office in the first instance.

The same desperation by bigwigs of the PDP was displayed in Lagos when the President virtually relocated to the Southwest in the build up to the Presidential and governorship polls.

Having lost many governorship seats in the just concluded April 11 polls, the PDP chieftains are of the view that they must do all they could to retain Ekiti, at least through the judiciary.

APC sweeps gov polls

 
Wins 19 states, leading in four others
WITH ferocious intensity, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, swept into its kitty most of the 29 governorship seats contested at the weekend. The huge victory has catapulted the party to the enviable position of the dominant party in Nigeria.

With the results announced at press time, the APC won in 19 states and was leading in Plateau and Kebbi states while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Gombe and Enugu and was coasting home to victory in Rivers, Delta and Taraba.

This came as the PDP made in-road to the Lagos State House of Assembly winning six seats for the first time as APC’s Mr Akinwunmi Ambode won a tightly contested governorship election beating PDP’s Jimi Agbaje.

Meanwhile, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday, broke the re-election jinx, which has dogged Oyo State politics since 1983 by winning the governorship polls after fencing off Senator Rasheed Ladoja of the Accord Party; Christopher Alao Akala of the Labour Party and Teslim Folarin of the PDP among others.

States where the APC won the governorship are Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Lagos, Kwara, Katsina, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Zamfara, Oyo, Ogun, Benue, Imo, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Benue (see table).

Umahi wins Ebonyi in landslide victory

Ebonyi State Deputy Governor and PDP Governorship candidate, Engr Dave Umahi won the April 11 governorship election after scoring 289,867 votes to beat his closest rival, Edward Nkwegu of the Labour Party, who polled 124, 817 votes. The governorship candidate of APC, Senator Julius Ucha came third with 27, 583 votes.

Dave Umahi

Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Collation Officer and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku declared that Umahi had met all the constitutional requirements and returned elected.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Chief Martin Elechi was defeated in his home town in Ikwo Local Council, as he was unable to deliver his preferred candidate, Nkwegu.

APC’s Abubakar wins in Bauchi

In Bauchi State, Mr Mohammed Abubakar of the APC won the governorship election.

Abubakar scored 654,934 votes to beat his main challenger, Auwal Jatau of the PDP who scored 282,650 votes across the 20 local councils of the state.

Abubakar won in 19 local councils while Jatau, who won only in Bogoro local government area of the state where he polled 16,980 votes as against the APC which had 9,914 votes.

The Bauchi State returning officer, Mohammed Kabiru Faruk, a Professor and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State who announced the results at the INEC office in Bauchi returned Abubakar as the winner after meeting all the requirments.

El-Rufai prevails in Kaduna as Yero concedes defeat

El-rufai

Kaduna State Governorship candidate of the APC, Mallam Nasir El Rufai emerged winner of the contest, beating his main rival,incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of the PDP.

Governor Yero conceded defeat even before the final announcement of the results in favour of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

El-Rufai tweeted that Governor Yero had called to congratulate him.

El Rufai tweeted at 3:20pm yesterday saying, “I just received a phone call from Gov. Mukhtar Yero congratulating me for winning the Kaduna guber election. I thanked him too”.

Meanwhile, the returning officer for Kaduna state Gubernatorial election, Prof. Jafar Makau Kaura, declared Mallam Nasir El Rufai of the APC as the governor elect of Kaduna State at 6.20 p.m.

APGA sweeps Assembly polls in Anambra

Results of 25 out of the 30 House of Assembly seats in Anambra State have been declared by the INEC, with the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state winning all.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, who gave details of the Saturday’s polls in the state, said that there would be elections on April 18, 2015 in four state constituencies where the exercise was inconclusive.

The result of Anambra West state constituency was still being collated at the time the REC was briefing reporters.

Areas where there were inconclusive polls include Aguata 1 constituency (where election will be repeated at Uga ward), the whole of Ekwusigo constituency where a chieftain of one of the political parties led thugs to cart away election materials before the commencement of the exercise on Saturday, as well as in Anaocha 1 constituency, where there would be repeat election in five polling units at Adazi Ani, one polling unit at Adazi Nnukwu and Agulu Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In Anaocha 11 constituency, there would be a repeat exercise at Nri Wards 1 and 2.

The 25 constituencies already declared for APGA were Aguata 2, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Awka North, Awka South 1, Awka South 2, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala 1, Ihiala 2, Njikoka 1 and Njikoka 2.

Others were Nnewi North, Nnewi South 1, Nnewi South 2, Ogbaru 1, Ogbaru 2, Onitsha North 1, Onitsha North 2, Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Orumba South and Oyi.

Oyo: Ajimobi breaks re-election

Governor Abiola Ajimobi has become the first governor to govern Oyo State twice.

He defeated two other former governors in the state to clinch victory in a keenly-contested election.

This came as Accord Party refused to sign the result sheets saying he was directed by his party not to sign.

The secretary of the party, Nureni Adisa, said the mandate of his party had been stolen.

The former governors who contested with the incumbent governor are Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala of Labour Party and Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord.

At press time, Ajimobi had won 20 out of the 33 local governments in the state leaving Ladoja with only seven and Akala with six.

Ambode wins Lagos gov poll

Akinwunmi Ambode

Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC has emerged winner in the governorship election in Lagos beating his close rival Jimi Agbaje of the PDP

Ambode polled 811,994 votes to defeat Agbaje of the PDP, who polled 659,788 votes.

APC won in 15 local government areas, while PDP won in five local government areas across the state.

Prof Isaac Adewole, INEC, returning officer for Lagos State governorship election, announced Ambode as winner at about 7. 30 pm having satisfied all the requirements in line with the electoral act

According to Adewole, the margin of lead between Ambode and Agbaje is 152,206 while the total number of voters is 13,972, this he said was far less than margin of votes and would not invalidate the exercise.

He said both parties scored 25 percent of votes cast in 20 local government areas.

While describing the exercise as one of the most credible elections in the country, Adewole expressed his appreciation to INEC officials, security agencies, IG, Suleiman Abba and AIG, Joseph Mbu and other security agencies for providing adequate security as there was no recorded life loss throughout the exercise.

Representatives of each of the contesting political parties later signed the result sheets.

Ambode, in a swift reaction to his victory as posted on his facebook, thanked all Lagos residents for trusting him and promised to fufill all his campaign promises in collaboration with them.

He said: “Thank You Lagosians we promise to serve you better. Thank you for trusting APC, we will work harder to serve you better.”

Cancelled votes

Some results were cancelled in some polling units in areas like: Mushin, Kosofe, Agege Alimosho, Epe. The electoral officers said the results were cancelled for electoral offences such as over-voting and thuggery.

Elliot, Lai Mohammed’s son, others declared winneras Obanikoro, Ajomale’s sons lose

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made in-road into the Lagos State House of Assembly, winning six of the 18 seats so far declared. Results for 22 constituencies are being awaited. Among the six PDP House members-elect is an Igbo, Mr Emeka Idimogu elected to represent Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II.

This is as Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Surulere I constituency and Lai Mohammed’s son, Folajimi also of the APC won the Ikeja I seat.

Meanwhile, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s son, Babajide and Chief Henry Ajomale’s son, Olayinka, failed to win their constituencies. Babajide ran in Eti-Osa II while Olayinka sought for the Oshodi-Isolo II seat.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC; Ajomale is the Lagos State Chairman of the APC while Senator Obanikoro is Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Those elected include:

Desmond Elliot (Surulere I), APC

Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara-Rotimi (Surulere II), PDP

Mr Folajimi Mohammed (Ikeja I), APC

Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja II), APC

Mr Wasiu Sanni (Lagos Island I), APC

Mr Giwa Shakirudeeen (Lagos Island II), APC

Mr Adekanye Oladele (Lagos Mainland I), APC

Mr Moshood Olarenwaju Oshun (Lagos Mainland II), APC

Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I), APC

Hon. Olayiwola Olawale (Mushin II), APC

Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin I), PDP

Hakeem Bello (Amuwo-Odofin II), PDP

Mr Mudashiru Obasa (Agege I), APC

Mr Ishahu Gbolahan (Eti-Osa I), APC

Mr Kazeem Alimi (Eti-Osa II), APC

Mr Oluwa Olatunji Fatai (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II), PDP

Mr Shokunle Hakeem (Oshodi-Isolo I), PDP

Mr Emeka Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II), PDP

PDP wins 19 House seats in Ondo as two die

The PDP in Ondo State won 19 of the 24 house of Assembly seats declared by INEC in the last Saturday election just as two hoodlums were shot dead for hijacking electoral materials.

It’s main opposition APC secured five seats while the results of Ilaje 1 and 11 constituencies were declared inconclusive.

The PDP won in Idanre, Ifedore, Ese Odo, Akure South 1, Akure North, Akoko South East, Akoko North West 11, Akoko North East, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Irele, Odigbo 1 and Odigbo11, Okitipupa 1 and Okitipupa 11, Ondo East, Ondo West 1 and Ondo West 11, Ose, and Owo 1.

The opposition APC won the seats in Owo11, Akoko North West 1, Akoko South West 1, Akoko South west 11 and Akure South 11.

Addressing newsmen in Akure yesterday on the outcome of the Saturday poll, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Olusegun Agbaje said that the two electoral offenders were shot dead by Naval Officers in the oil rich Ilaje areas of the state.

Agbaje added that eight guns, six mobile phones belonging to INEC Ad-Hoc staff and other materials belonging to the commission were recovered from the hoodlums.

Speaking on the election results Agbaje said over 35,000 voters were disenfranchised in the 73 units in Ilaje constituencies where electoral materials were hijacked   by the hoodlums.

Agbaje said that the election was characterized by low turn out of voters across the state and pockets of security breaches in some local government areas.

He listed the areas to include Akoko North West, Akoko south West, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa,Ondo East, Owo and Ose.

Amosun’s victory: PDP kicks, alleges irregularities

The PDP in Ogun State has kicked against the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the governorship election in the state.

The party said the development “ is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged as appropriate”.

The INEC in the state had declared Amosun who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as governor-elect having polled 306,988 votes to defeat the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka who polled 201,440 votes.

Reacting to Amosun’s declaration, the party, through the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization   declared the gubernatorial election “as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory”.

The party in a statement signed by Director of Media , Ifekayode Akinbode , said   “whereas , INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC.

“Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects.

“However, we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff.

“This was indeed what happened.   Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths.

“This was the situation until Sen. Amosun defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas of Abeokuta and then to Sagamu, Ota and Ifo local government areas with a full retinue of buses.

“What followed were reports of snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations. Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres.

“It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce results despite the overvoting, result falsification, harassment of our party agents and other irregularities. Clearly, the huge votes from Ogun central local governments of Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode as well as Ado Odo/Ota local governments in Ogun West Senatorial district were a true reflection of the rigging.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that our legal officers and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position on this election that was marred with gross irregularities. We implore our supporters, party faithful and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

“He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain. God bless Ogun State”, the party said.

Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed

 wins in Kwara

The Chief Returning Officer of gubernatorial election in Kwara State, Professor Musbau Akanji yesterday declared the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as winner of the election.

Professor Akanji said that Governor Ahmed who was seeking re-election polled 295,832 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP Senator Simeon Ajibola who scored 115,220 votes and came far second while the candidate of Labour Party Dr Mike Omotosho polled 2,973 to come third.

Similarly, the APC as declared by the respective returning officers won all the twenty four House of Assembly seats across the 16 local governments in the state.

Ugwuanyi wins Enugu guber poll

The PDP, candidate in the April 11 governorship election, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has won with 482,277 votes against his main challenger of the APC, Okey Ezea who polled 43,839 votes.

Returning officer of the election, Prof. Hillary Edoga, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, announced the result precisely at 3.36 p.m. at the INEC office, Independence Layout, Enugu.

The announcement was followed with wild jubilation as residents of Enugu made bonfires along strategic streets in Enugu metropolis.

However, the APC candidate in a press conference called for the cancellation of the election.

“As far as we are concerned, there was no election in Enugu State, so we call on the INEC to cancel the exercise and fix a date for a fresh election

“We cannot continue with this rubbish in Enugu State any longer; all of you are witnesses to what happened yesterday and if that is what we should expect in Enugu State, it is very unfortunate.

“They want to push us out of the politics of Enugu State but that will not happen; we shall never give up,” he said.

BENUE: Ortom wins gov poll

Ortom

The APC, governorship candidate in Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has emerged the winner of last Saturday’s governorship elections in the state.

In the results so far collated by INEC in Makurdi, from 22 out of 23 local government areas of the state, Dr. Ortom polled 394,047 votes to defeat Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor of the PDP who polled 302,324 votes.

Though the votes from Buruku Local Government Area were being expected at press time, it was not expected to alter the outcome of the entire result.

As it stands, the difference between the votes garnered by the APC and PDP candidates is 91,723.

Meantime, the PDP won 15 of the State House of Assembly seats so far released by the electoral body, the APC had 10, Labour Party secured one seat while results from four state constituencies were still being awaited.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was yesterday declared winner of the Sokoto State governorship election.

The state’s Collation and Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu , who is a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, declared that Tambuwal polled the highest number of votes in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Announcing the results at about 7.15 p.m, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu disclosed that the total votes cast were 958,736 while total valid votes were 926,682 and voided votes were 32,054

Tambuwal polled 647,609 votes, while the PDP candidate, Sen. Abdallah Wali scored 269,074

The Speaker won in all 23 local government areas, while his PDP challenger did not win in any local government.

In the State House of Assembly election, the APC won 28 seats, PDP won two while PDM got one seat.

Stalemate in Abia

There was stalemate in Abia State, yesterday. after the returning officer for the governorship election reversed himself on the cancellation of the results in three local government areas following a visit to the INEC office by Governor Theodore Orji.

Earlier, the returning officer for the election, Prof. Benjamin Ozurumba, had cancelled the results presented for Osisioma, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa North on the basis of alleged irregularities. The decision was, however, vehemently challenged by officials of the PDP leading to a stalemate that was only broken after the visit of Governor Orji to the INEC office where he held private meetings with the REC.

The decision to revalidate the results from the three local government areas, has, however, been seriously rejected by the APGA representatives at the collation centre. Both APGA and PDP were running neck and neck in the results, at press time.