Category: Lead

• LP presidential candidate lists three grounds of appeal

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Peter Obi, has asked the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) to, among others, declare him the winner of the election.

In the alternative, Obi prayed the court to cancel the election and conduct a fresh poll.

These are among the reliefs he is seeking in a petition he filed with his party at the court’s secretariat at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Obi and LP reportedly filed their petition yesterday with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bola Tinubu (President-elect), Kashim Shettima (Vice President-elect) and their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), listed as respondents.

The petitioners are challenging the election on three grounds, alleging that Tinubu “at the time of the election, was not qualified to contest the election”.

They are also contending that Tinubu’s election “was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act,” and that he (Tinubu) “was not duly elected by majority of the valid votes cast”.

They also argued that Shettima was not qualified to contest the election on the ground of his alleged double nomination as a senatorial candidate for Borno Central and as a vice presidential candidate.

The petitioners averred that they “shall contend at the trial that the purported sponsorship of the second and third respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) by the fourth respondent (APC) was rendered invalid by reason of the third respondent knowingly allowing himself to be nominated as the vice presidential candidate whilst he was still a senatorial candidate” for the Borno Central Senatorial District.

Obi and LP prayed the court for four sets of alternative prayers.

The first set includes:

•That it be determined that at the time of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, the second and third respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) were not qualified to contest the election.

•That it be determined that all the votes recorded for the second respondent in the election are wasted votes, owing to the non-qualification of the second and third respondents, among others.

Alternatively, they sought:

•An order cancelling the election and compelling the first respondent (INEC) to conduct a fresh election at which the second, third and fourth respondents (Tinubu, Shettima and APC) shall not participate.

No date has been set for the hearing of any of the petitions.

As alternative to the earlier prayers, the petitioners are also seeking the set of prayers.

These include:

•That it may be determined that the second respondent was not duly elected by a majority of the lawful votes in the election for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on February 25, 2023; and therefore, the declaration and return of the 2nd respondent as the winner of the presidential election are unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever, among others.

• Yakubu never worked under me, says governor

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has debunked the claim by former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi on his relationship with the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The governor described as ludicrous Amaechi’s allegations that Prof. Yakubu once worked under him as a minister.

He urged security agencies to arrest his predecessor over his claims that he (Amaechi) opposed the reappointment of Yakubu because the INEC chairman was nominated by someone in President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s camp of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike said Amaechi’s public tantrums were tantamount to public incitement and should be treated as a threat to national security.

The governor, in a broadcast yesterday on the outcome of the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly election in Rivers State, described as laughable Amaechi’s outburst that the just-conducted general election by INEC was the worst in Nigeria’s history.

He said: “The truth was that Mahmood Yakubu never worked under me. Both of us worked in the Federal Ministry of Education. He was the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), supervised by the Minister of Education, while I was the Minister of State for Education.”

“At any rate, was Mahmood Yakubu the INEC chairman in the 2015 general election in Rivers State when we defeated him and his political party as a sitting governor and Director General of Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidential Campaign?

“Was it not the same Mahmood Yakubu that conducted the 2019 general election, which the APC and President Mohammadu Buhari won? Was he working for Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when, as a sitting super Minister of Transportation, he could not win 25 per cent for President Buhari in Rivers State in the 2019 general election?”

Wike wondered why it took such a long time for Amaechi, who was minister for over seven years under President Buhari, to speak out about his opposition to Yakubu’s reappointment.

The governor said in his frustration, Amaechi publicly denounced and claimed to know so much bad things about the Federal Government that he served for over seven years.

He added that the former minister lacked the courage to tell Nigerians what he claimed to know about Buhari’s government, which he alleged had failed.

Wike said: “In saner climes, law enforcement agencies should have invited such a devious and malignant character for hate speech, public incitement and threat to national security, public safety and order.

“By his mischievous statements, Rotimi Amaechi attempted to attribute, locate and blame his infamous political failures and frustrations in Rivers State on the INEC’s chairman.

“In the 2015 general election, we defeated him as a sitting governor and Director General of the Buhari Campaign in Rivers State. In the 2019 general election, we beat him as President Buhari’s super Minister and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign.

“He could not even influence 25 per cent of the votes for his party, even after using the army to cause mayhem and attempt to rig the election. In 2023, we defeated him as an ordinary person. This shows that Rotimi Amaechi cannot win any electoral contest with us in Rivers State.”

The Federal High High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out the Federal Government’s suit seeking to recover and forfeit the sum of N70trillion it alleged was stashed in 29 bank accounts by looters.

The sum was said to be enough to fund Nigeria’s budget for three years, and the looters, according to the government, were public officials.

Justice Peter Lifu held that the Federal Government’s lawyers and the private lawyers which it subsequently gave a fiat, did not diligently prosecute the case.

The judge expressed shock that the Plaintiffs/Applicants’ Counsel from Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, to Femi Falana SAN “suddenly developed cold feet over this alleged public interest case”.

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice are the Plaintiffs/Applicants in suit FHC/L/CS/968/2021.

The 19 Defendants/Respondents, including 17 banks, are Zenith Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Plc, Citi Bank Ltd, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Heritage Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, United Bank For Africa Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Eco Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The government filed the suit through an ex-parte motion of August 5, 2021 before Justice Tijani Ringim during the court’s annual vacation.

Justice Ringim upheld the applicants’ motion and made an interim order freezing the accounts on August 6, 2021.

Upon resumption from annual recess, the case was re-assigned to Justice Lifu on September 22, 2021.

The new judge began hearing the matter on November 24, 2021, and on May 27, 2022, vacated the Ex-parte Order following the Plaintiffs/Applicants’ failure to comply with the Ex-parte Order after over nine months.

Delivering judgment on the substantive suit, the judge criticised the Federal Government for not diligently prosecuting the suit.

Justice Lifu held that since the vacation of the interim order “It has been back and forth, with various excuses, applications for adjournment at the instance of the Plaintiffs/Applicants counsel, Mohammed Ndarani Esq. SAN.

“From all indications, the instant case has clearly lost its stance as the Plaintiffs/Applicants seem not to be interested in the matter any longer having failed consistently to be present in court since 9th December 2021.

“The Chambers of Femi Falana SAN that just filed Notice of Change of Counsel on the last adjourned date has suddenly withdrawn appearance today.

“Going through the Originating Process filed by Mohammed Ndarani Esq. SAN, which is no longer extant as the Ex-parte Order was set aside on 27th May 2022, there is nothing left again for this Court to adjudicate upon.

“It is amazing that the Plaintiffs/Applicants Counsel from Ndarani SAN to Falana SAN have suddenly developed cold feet over this alleged public interest case which has generated so much public interest on the issue of an alleged N70trillion hidden in some accounts, allegedly belonging to some public officers.

“In the circumstances of this case therefore the application of the Learned Counsel for NNPC, M. T. Danzaki Esq.,and Access Bank Plc, I. S. Etefia Esq., succeeds.

“This case is hereby struck out for want of diligent prosecution and I make no order as to cost.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele has apologised to Nigerians for the glitches experienced while trying to effect various e-payment transactions.

Emefiele made the apology at the post Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

The CBN governor admitted that some “isolated cases still persist” but these cases were being resolved.

Responding to questions on the soundness of Nigerian banks in the wake of several banks collapse in the United States of America, Emefiele said Nigerian banks had zero exposure to the failed banks in the USA.

As a result, he assured that all Nigerian banks are safe and sound thanks to the existing prudential guidelines instituted by the CBN to protect banks against collapse that will wipe out depositors’ money.

Read Also: Godwin Emefiele: Not until I have been disgraced

According to Emefiele, “no depositor has lost one kobo since 2008 from bank crisis because of the prudential guidelines put in place to protect depositors fund.”

He also warned bank shareholders to mindful of the fact that “banking licence is a privilege not a right it can be withdrawn if shareholders misbehave.

“We would rather dispense with the shareholders than put depositors money at risk.”

At the end of the MPC meeting, it agreed to increase Monetary Policy Rate to 18 percent from previous 17.5 percent adopted in January.

Details Shortly…

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to all Nigerians to embrace the healing process now that the election circle is completed.

He also reassured Nigerians of his resolve to ensure inclusiveness in governance for the attainment of the nation’s full potential under his watch.

The President-elect in a congratulatory statement he signed in Abuja on Tuesday admonished all governors-elect and state lawmakers-elect to be magnanimous in victory while those who lost should have large hearts for tolerance and respect for the greater interest of the nation.

He noted that last weekend’s election was pivotal to the growth and sustenance of democracy and democratic governance at the state level.

Tinubu maintained that the consolidation of democratic governance at the sub-national level will bring more development and improved quality of life to the masses. 

He further said that “the more we entrench and consolidate the gains of our democratic venture across the length and breadth of our country, the more our people benefit in terms of dividends of democracy and good governance.”

The statement reads: “With the conclusion of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, I congratulate all the elected governors and assembly members for earning the mandate of the people. The March 18 governorship election held across 28 states and the state legislative poll across the 36 states of the federation have brought the 2023 election circle to a fitting close.

“I must praise President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, Observer Groups, Civil Society Organisations, development partners and the electorate for the success of the elections. The election is pivotal to the growth and sustenance of democracy and democratic governance at the state level.

Read Also: JUST IN: Peter Obi, LP urge tribunal to void Tinubu’s election

“Consolidating democratic governance at the sub-national level will bring more development and improved quality of life to the masses. The more we entrench and consolidate the gains of our democratic venture across the length and breadth of our country, the more our people benefit in terms of dividends of democracy and good governance.”

The former Lagos State governor however condemned the violence and some infractions recorded during and after the elections in some states.

According to him, “I’m saddened by the reported isolated infractions during the elections and its aftermath in some states. I strongly condemn it. Also, the report of arson after the announcement of governorship resulted in one state that did not represent who we truly are: peace-loving people.

“The physical and verbal assaults committed are unacceptable and antithetical to democratic ethos.

“Elections should be a celebration of our maturing democracy and freedom of choice and ought not to be moments of grief. I am particularly pained by cases of ethnic slurs, which are capable of creating needless mischaracterisation reported in some locations.

“My appeal is for us to rise above our differences, which, in reality, are fewer than the valued strings that bind us together as a people irrespective of the circumstances of our births.

“As former governor of Lagos State, I can attest to the strength in our diversity and togetherness. As your President-elect, it is that spirit of inclusiveness we engendered in Lagos that I intend to bring into national governance so that together we can attain our full.

“I will give priority to expanding the civic space and safeguarding citizens’ freedom to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law.

“Indeed, the elections are over. The people have voted to elect their governors and state legislators that will serve them for the next four years. The time for leadership and governance is now upon us.

“In a democracy, the majority would have their way but that majority must not suppress the minority from having their say. As democrats, we have to safeguard free expression. Winners must be magnanimous and those who did not win should have a large heart for tolerance and respect for the greater interest of the nation.”

…Charge to elected officers

Tinubu said, “As the elected, the only way to justify the trust and confidence of the people and the mandate entrusted in us is to commit ourselves to the service of the people. We must all work diligently and sincerely to make life better for the masses. As elected officers, we have no other assignment than to be burden-bearers for the masses and ensure they have a better life than we promised during the campaigns.

“We must take urgent steps to unite the people; those who voted for us and those who did not. We must champion the healing process by embracing the opponents and their supporters. As I have stated previously, the time for politicking is gone. This is time for nation-building, a task beyond one individual or a section of society. We need every hand from wherever it may come to be on deck.

“I am ready to work with you all as your President. I will be a worthy partner you can trust and rely on as we all bond together, in the unity of purpose and renewed hope for, the betterment of our blessed country and beloved people,” Tinubu assured.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 elections, Peter Obi has asked the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to among others, cancel the election and conduct a fresh one.

Obi’s request forms part of the reliefs being sought in a petition he filed with his party at the court’s secretariat located at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

It was learnt that Obi and LP filed their petition early on Tuesday, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bola Tinubu, Shettima Kashim (vice president-elect) and their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) listed as respondents. 

It is the petitioners’ contention that Tinubu “at the time of the election was not qualified to contest the election.”

Read Also: Peter Obi: Proving possibility of a new Nigeria

They are arguing that the president-elect “was not duly elected by majority of the lawful votes cast at the time of the election.”

The petitioners, represented by a team of lawyers led by Livy Ozoukwu (SAN) want the court to hold that “at the time of the presidential election held on 25 February, 2023,” Messrs Tinubu and Shettima “were not qualified to contest the election. “

They also want the court “to determine that all the votes recorded for” Mr Tinubu “in the election are wasted votes, owing to the non-qualification” of the president-elect and Mr Shettima. 

The petitioners equally want the court to hold that the 2nd respondent (Tinubu) having failed to score one-quarter of the votes cast at the Presidential Election in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was not entitled to be declared and returned as the winner of the presidential election held on 25 February, 2023.”

They want the court to issue an “an order cancelling the election and compelling the 1st respondent (INEC) to conduct a fresh election at which the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu), 3rd respondent (Shettima) and 4th respondent (APC) shall not participate.”

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday declared that it is his turn to become the Senate President.

Kalu made this assertion while answering questions from reporters at the National Assembly.

Read Also: Intrigues as Wase, Kalu, Gagdi jostle for Speakership

He urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the seat to his village in Igbere in Abia North Senatorial District.

He said with his position as the Chief Whip of the ninth Senate, he is the most ranking Senator from the South East and therefore deserves the position.

Details shortly…

• Labour Party leads in Abia
• Fubara, Otu, Oborevwori are governors-elect

From Fanen Ihyongo, Kano; Tony Akowe, Abuja; Duku Joel, Borno; David Adenuga, Bauchi; Justina Asishana, Minna; Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba; Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi; Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki; Linus Oota, Lafia; Kolade Adeyemi, Jos; Nsa Gill, Cross River; AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt and Tajudeen Adebanjo

AFTER the declaration of governorship poll results in 23 states, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won in 15 states, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in eight and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in one.

Labour Party (LP) candidate Dr Alex Otti is leading in Abia State, polling 172,386 from the results of 16 of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) declared so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He is being trailed by Okey Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has garnered 78,248 votes.

But the electoral umpire suspended the collation of results from the remaining local government – Obingwa, following controversy over alleged over-voting.

The APC lost the governorship seats in Plateau (Northcentral) and Kano (Northwest) to the PDP and the NNPP respectively.

But, what the ruling party lost in the two states, it gained in Benue (Northcentral).

The APC also retook Sokoto (Northwest), where its candidate Aliyu Ahmed got 453,661 votes to defeat Umaru Saidu of the PDP. 

Saidu trailed the APC candidate by 407, 632 votes.

The states won by the APC are Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Gombe, Sokoto, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Cross River and Kaduna.

Those won by the PDP are Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Delta, Rivers, Zamfara, Taraba and Plateau.

Ten winners were declared on Sunday, but the exercise was put on hold in Adamawa, Kebbi, Abia and Enugu States.

The results declared so far are:

Delta

PDP governorship candidate Sheriff Oborevwori was declared the winner of the Delta State election.

He garnered 360,234 votes to defeat Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC, who polled 240,229.

LP candidate Ken Pela scored 48,047 votes.

The PDP won in 21 of the 25 LGAs; the APC won in four.

But the APC rejected the result announced by Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill.

Registered voters in the state stood at 3,221,697, while accredited voters were 710,829.

Valid votes were 671,738; 15,384 were rejected of the 687,121 cast.

Oborevwori dedicated his victory to God, saying: “He removes kings and raises kings. It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.”

He added: “It is a remarkable mandate for my party because it affirms that you believe and understand that the right foundations have been laid by the current administration to build a stronger and more prosperous Delta State.”

Governor Godwin Okowa congratulated Oborevwori.

The PDP urged Omo-Agege to congratulate Oborevwori and accept defeat in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the electoral process was credible and followed due process.

But, Omo-Agege rejected the result, alleging that the exercise was characterised by vote buying and suppression.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunny Areh, the Deputy Senate President vowed to challenge the “fraudulent result using all legal means.”

He said: “The declaration was made despite the myriad of infractions and acts of impunity on the part of the PDP in the course of the election. These were brought to the attention of INEC with incontrovertible proof.

“The March 18 election was characterised by massive fraud, unprecedented vote buying and voter suppression perpetrated by the PDP in the course of the election.

“The fraudulent nature of PDP’s so-called victory is just too damning and daring for it to be acceptable in any decent society. 

“Most of those infractions are in the public domain and known to INEC officials and the security agencies involved in superintending the election.”

Ebonyi

APC candidate Francis Nwfifuru garnered 199, 131 votes to defeat Ifeanyi Odii of the PDP, who polled 80,191. 

APGA candidate, Bernard Odoh, placed third with 52,189 votes.

Nwifuru thanked the Ebonyi people for entrusting him with their mandate.

He promised to consolidate infrastructure, human development and industrialisation of the state from where the administration of Governor Dave Umahi will stop on May 29, 2023.

Nwifuru, who is the current Speaker of the state House of Assembly, described his election as a victory for equity and justice.

Cross River

APC governorship candidate for Cross River State, Bassey Otu, was declared the winner.

He scored 258,617 votes to defeat 10 candidates of opposition political parties in the state.

His closest contender, Sandy Onor of the PDP, scored 179, 636.

Kano 

The NNPP’s Abba Kabir Yusuf won the governorship election in Kano State with 1,019,602 votes.

He defeated APC candidate, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, who polled 890,705 votes.

PDP candidate, Sadiq Wali, got 15,957.

The Returning Officer (RO), Prof. Ahmad Doko Ibrahim, said Yusuf met the legal requirements to be declared the winner.

There were 5,921,370 registered voters, of which 2,032,955 voters were accredited, while 2,400,964 votes were cast.

Of the votes cast, 1,977,872 were declared valid, while 27,092 votes were rejected.

The APC in Kano pleaded with its members and supporters to remain calm in the face of provocations.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew to avoid post-election violence.

Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, said: “The curfew is to prevent hoodlums from causing chaos.” 

The NNPP said its victory represents the beginning of a new Nigeria which the party stands for.

National Publicity Secretary, Agbo Major, vowed that Yusuf will not disappoint the people.

He said: “The people have spoken loud and clear for change and expressed confidence in our great party to provide strong leadership and dividends of democracy to assuage the pains of poor governance inflicted on them by the outgoing APC government in Kano.”

Kano residents took to the streets to celebrate NNPP’s victory despite the curfew.

Kaduna

Senator Uba Sani of the APC was declared the governor-elect in Kaduna State.

He secured 730,002 votes to trump Mohammed Isa Ashiru Kudan of the PDP, who got 719,196 votes.

LP got 58,283 while the NNPP polled 21,405.

The state collation officer, Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, said 4,335,208 voters were registered.

Those accredited to vote were 1,581,662; valid votes cast were 1,546,747, while  19,114 were invalid from the 1,565,861 votes cast.

Kudan won in 13 LGAs while Sani won in 10.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed won re-election on the PDP platform.

He polled 525,280 votes to defeat the APC candidate Abubakar Sadique, who scored 432,272.

NNPP’s Haliru Jika came third with 60,496.

Mohammed won in 15 of the 20 LGAs, while Sadique won in five.

The RO/Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Prof Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, said registered voters were 2,749,268 and the accredited were 1,058, 381.

The number of total votes cast was 1,049,600, of which 1,034,379 were valid and 15,221 were rejected.

APC rejected the result. Its collation centre agent, Abdulmumini Kundak, refused to sign it, alleging there were irregularities.

Sadique, a retired Air Marshal Baba, said his party agents were prevented from accessing the collation centres, where he alleged that the PDP tampered with the results.

Speaking on a television political programme, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, urged his supporters to remain calm and not resort to violence.

“We vehemently reject the results announced by INEC. The ruling party unleashed violence on the voters because they know that the PDP has been rejected by the people.

“They did not allow elections to take place in many areas; they opened fire on the electorate to chase them away before they commenced the rigging process. Some of our people are recuperating in the hospital as we speak,” he said.

According to him, he could have defeated the incumbent governor with over 200,000 votes had the result not been tampered with.

Niger 

APC governorship candidate in Niger State, Umar Bago, scored 469,896 votes to defeat PDP’s Isah Kantigi, who polled 387,477.

Announcing the results at 2.45 pm, the RO, Prof Clement Allawa, said the LP got 3,415 votes, NNPP scored 3,378 and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 1,746 votes.

The total number of registered voters was 2,698,344, while 899,488 were accredited. At the end of voting, 873,020 were valid while 16,936 were rejected.

Bago urged his opponents to join him in moving the state forward.

He praised Kantigi for showing the spirit of sportsmanship by conceding defeat.

The governor-elect urged his supporters to be humble in victory.

Nasarawa

APC’s Governor Abdulahi Sule of Nasarawa State polled 347,209 votes to defeat his main challenger, David Umbugadu, of the PDP, who garnered 283,160 votes.

Sule, in his acceptance speech, said he has learnt lessons and would be magnanimous in victory.

“I didn’t want my ambition to cost lives,” Sule said.

Benue

Benue governorship candidate, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia of the APC, was declared the winner.

The RO/Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof Faruk Kuta, said the cleric polled 473,933 votes to defeat PDP’s Titus Uba, who scored 223,914.
LP’s Hemma Hembe got 41,841 votes.

Alia won in 17 LGAs, PDP won four and LP won one.

Borno

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum of the APC was re-elected in a landslide.

He polled 545,542 votes to defeat Mohammed Jajari of the PDP, who got 82,147 votes.

Plateau

In Plateau State, PDP candidate Caleb Mutfwang won. 

He polled 525,299 votes to defeat APC’s Goshwe Yalwatda, who scored 481,370.

Mutfwang won 10 of the 17 LGAs. 
LP candidate, Patrick Dakum, has congratulated the governor-elect.

He prayed that God would give Mutfwang the wisdom to govern the state.

Rivers

Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialaye Fubara, was declared the governor-elect after polling 302,614 votes.

He defeated APC’s Tonye Cole, who scored 95,274.
Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, came third with 46,981 votes.

LP’s Beatrice Itubor garnered 22,224 votes.

The RO/Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Delta State, Prof. Akpofurah Rum-Rukeh, who made the final declaration at about 11 pm, said Fubara won in all the 23 LGAs.

There was jubilation in most parts of the state, especially in Opobo, where the governor-elect hails from.

Zamfara

Dr Dauda Lawal-Dare of the PDP was declared the winner of Zamfara governorship election. He polled 377,726 votes from the 14 LGAs.

Lawal defeated Governke Bello Matawalle of the APC who scored 311,976 votes.

Taraba

The PDP maintained its dominance in Taraba as Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas was declared winner of the governorship election.

He polled 257,926 votes to defeat Prof Sani Yahaya of the NNPP came second with 202,277.

Emmanuel Bwacha of the APC came third with a vote of 142,502.

By Onimisi Alao, Yola; Jide Orintunsin, Abuja; Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi; Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu and Tony Akowe, Abuja

Anxiety has enveloped Adamawa State, following the suspension of the announcement of the weekend governorship election result in the Northeast state.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his All Progressives Congress (APC) challenger, Senator Aishatu Binani, were running neck and neck before the poll was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Also, there were apprehensions in Kebbi, Abia and Enugu states as the electoral agency suspended collation of results.

The exercise was also inconclusive in Benue State.

According to INEC, a supplementary poll will be conducted in Kwande local government today.

Adamawa:

Adamawa Collation Officer, Profesor Muhammed Mele, said the election was inconclusive because the margin of win between the leading two parties was lower than the number of collected PVCs in places where the election did not hold.

Making the final announcement at end end of collation about 7.30pm yesterday, Mele indicated that a repeat election will be held in the affected places.

Fintiri was set to win the poll after polling 421,524 votes. Binani got 390,275 votes. 

The votes received by the various parties, according to INEC, were:

AA 641, ADC 2,986; ADP 2,134; APC 390,275; APGA 876; APM 602; ADP 284; LP 2,729; NNPP 4,847; NRM 1,237; PDP 421,524; PRP 1,185; SDP 6,865; YPP 1,425 and ZLP 199.

The APC complained about the suspension of results.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement in Abuja, accused the PDP of calculated efforts to disrupt the final collation and announcement of result.

Morka accused the PDP of resorting to intimidation, massive thuggery, violence and undue pressure on the electoral and security agencies to upturn and subvert the people’s wishes.

The statement reads: “We draw the urgent attention of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and our security services to massive thuggery, violence, intimidation and undue pressure by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calculated to disrupt final collation and announcement of the result of the Governorship election in Adamawa State.

“Election results show a clear and decisive victory for Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani), the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate. Faced with the imminent and certain prospect of loss in the election, thugs and political actors have unleashed heavily armed thugs to disrupt further collation of result and subvert the will of the Adamawa people as expressed at the polls. The Governor is reported to have torn result sheets at the collation centre in a show of unprecedented impunity and executive brigandage.

“The result of the election in Fufore Local Government Area of the state must not be tampered with as Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) holds a clear, unassailable lead, only awaiting final collation and declaration by INEC.

“Nigeria is on the cusp of a major democratic record with the election and emergence of the first female Governor of a State in the country. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to stand together to protect and uphold this historic victory for women and our country.”

Kebbi:

The Collation and Returning Officer, Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, said there were cancelations in 20 of the 21 Local Government Areas.

Sa’idu said: “We aggregated the total number of collected PVCs in those polling units and it came to a total of 91,829.

“When we checked the results, the two leading political parties in this contest, APC and PDP, polled 388,258 and 342,980 votes respectively. When we looked at the difference, it stands at 45,278.”

He said INEC had no option than to refer to the Electoral Act 2022, Section 51, Sub-sections two and three for guidance.

According to him, the law reads: “Where the number of votes cast in an election in any polling unit exceed the number of accredited voters in that polling unit, the presiding officer shall cancel the result of the election in that polling unit.

“Sub-section three of section 51 also states that where the result of an election is cancelled in accordance with sub-section two, there shall be no return for the election until another poll has taken place in the affected polling unit.

“By virtue of these provisions and the powers vested in me as the collation and returning officer of 2023 gubernatorial election in Kebbi State, I, Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, hereby declare the gubernatorial election in Kebbi State inconclusive.”

Abia

 According to a statement from INEC, the reason for the suspension of announcement of results in Abia State is to allow for the review of the Obingwa local government results.

Security operatives have mounted surveillance on entry points into Owerri, the state capital, to forestall post-election violence.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Nnenna Oti, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), said that the announcement of result was suspended, following a directive from the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate was leading his closest rival; Okey Ahiwe of the PDP with 172,386 votes while Ahiwe had got 78,248 votes.

The leadership of the PDP in the state has warned INEC to discontinue the audit of the BVAS machines used for the governorship election in Obingwa LGA.

PDP, in a statement by its Acting Publicity Secretary and Vice Chairman, Abia North, Abraham Amah, said: “Abia PDP is constrained to state in very unequivocal terms that the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the ongoing coalition of the 2023 Abia governorship election results is very questionable because of recent decisions it has taken to favour a particular party. 

“In the process of the collation of results, the Labour Party prayed the INEC to audit the BVAS accreditation of Obingwa Local Government Area, which INEC graciously granted and has already started the audit exercise but unfortunately in the absence of PDP agents. The PDP agents have been shut out of the process while Labour Party agents are involved. 

“But to the chagrin of the PDP, its request for INEC to subject the results of six local government areas of Aba North, Aba South, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Osisioma and Arochukwu has been blatantly rejected by INEC which is a clear case of partiality on the part of INEC in favour of the Labour Party. 

“We are compelled to ask INEC to stop forthwith the BVAS audit for Obingwa because the audit exercise is going on without the PDP agents while the agents of Labour Party have been granted access. This is nothing but daylight robbery as the process is eminently compromised to favor a particular candidate. 

“We are dismayed that INEC went ahead to appoint Prof. Nnenna Otti, a first cousin of Alex Otti, one of the candidates in the Abia guber election, as the Returning Officer even when we had raised an objection to that through a petition. 

“Again, it is curious that INEC had previously made changes at the lower cader of election officers when such matters were raised but refused to act on the petition raised at the highest level.”

Enugu:

Explaining why the exercise was suspended in Enugu State, the state collation officer, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, said: “We suspended the exercise last night till this morning to enable us look into objections made by some political parties.

“We got a few of the complaints. Eventually, we have one petition, two observations and one complaint by someone who is in Action People’s Party about election in Nsukka.

“Also, someone from another party, APN said that the election in Nkanu East went well. The PDP requested that the election goes on.

“The LP in their petition is saying that in Nkanu East LGA, there was non-usage of BVAS and over-voting.  They attached printouts showing discrepancies in the number of accredited voters and the total number of votes.

“However, we are not working alone. We have reached out to the headquarters which has asked us to give them some time within which to resolve the matter in an hour or so time and get back to us.”

He added: “There’s no need for some people to create tension here in Enugu State. Some people wrote that we went back to change the results overnight.

“Nobody should be talking about changing the results because all the results are there.

“I will plead that we respect our national office and give them some time to tell us what to do.”

Two different groups of protesters took their protest to the Enugu INEC office to register their grievances over the alleged manipulation of the governorship election results by the commission.

The protesters, who were supporters of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Chijioke Edeoga and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Peter Mbah, blocked various roads leading to the INEC office.

They also demanded that their candidates be declared winner of the election.

While the LP supporters alleged over-voting in Nkanu East Local Government Area, where the PDP candidate, Mbah, comes from, and demanded that the results be cancelled, those of the PDP demanded that the collated results should be announced, and Mbah declared winner.

Spokesman of LP protesters and chairman of the party in the state, Casmire Agbo, said they were protesting because of the information at their disposal that the state collation officer had perfected plans to declare PDP winner, despite obvious over-voting in Nkanu East LGA.

“We are demanding that Nkanu East LGA where there was over-voting be cancelled because there were about 7,000 accredited voters in the area, but they returned over 30,000 votes in favour of PDP there. And we are asking why.”

The spokesman of the PDP protesters, U.S.A. Igwesi, said that the collated results should be announced and Mbah declared winner.

He said: “We are here to protest the plan by some people to force INEC to cancel the results already collated. Peter Mbah of the PDP has won the election and so, he should be declared winner because he has scored the highest votes.

“INEC and its collation officer do not have the power to cancel the results.

Benue:

INEC is to conduct the suspended governorship and House Assembly elections in Kwande local government area of Benue State today.

National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye said in a statement that there was a mix up in the sensitive materials meant for the local government.

The statement reads: “The public may recall that the Governorship and State Assembly elections in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State scheduled for Saturday 18th March 2023 had to be suspended.

“This decision followed an inadvertent mix up of some of the sensitive materials for the two State Assembly constituencies in the area i.e. Kwande East and Kwande West.

“For this reason, voters and stakeholders agreed that the elections should be rescheduled. Consequently, the Commission issued a statement that a new date will be announced for the elections.

“After further consultation with stakeholders, our Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has advised that the State office is ready to proceed with the rescheduled elections.

“Accordingly, the Commission approved that the elections shall hold tomorrow Tuesday 21st March 2023.

“The Commission appeals to voters in Kwande Local Government Area to troop out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice. Similarly, we call on parties and candidates to conduct themselves peacefully.”

By Emmanuel Badejo, Lagos; Robert Egbe, Lagos; Augustine Okezie; Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt, Chris Njoku, Owerri, Oyebola Owolabi, Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta, Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan; Segun Showunmi, Ibadan; Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

LAGOS SDP, others congratulate Sanwo-Olu

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and the Action People’s Party (APP) in Lagos State have congratulated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his victory at the Saturday’s Governorship election in the state.

 INEC yesterday  declared Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the poll, defeating all his 15 opponents with 762,134 votes for another term in office.

 The parties, which noted that Sanwo-Olu’s victory was a show of his popularity and acceptability, urged the governor to be magnanimous and unveil a government of inclusivity.

 According to Mr. Femi Olaniyi, SDP chairman, who said the incumbent’s re-election was well deserved, said his party was open to any fruitful engagement with Sanwo-Olu to lift the state.

 “The SDP will want to use this medium to counsel the governor to prioritise inclusiveness and carry all relevant stakeholders along,” he urged.

Mr. Mode Adenipebi of the ZLP, in his congratulatory message, said that Sanwo-Olu’s reelection revealed that the people of Lagos state still wanted him to continue what he had been doing.

Noting that the electioneering had caused deep division and ethnic rivalry among residents in the state, he urged the governor to unite the people after the tensed campaign period in the state.

Similarly, Mrs. Abiola Adeyemi, APP governorship candidate, while congratulating the governor, tasked to jettison party division in governance.

She said that her party would be ready to support his administration.

Obasa promises more

 vibrant representation

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has promised a more vibrant representation in the 10th assembly to the people of Agege.

In a thank you message to the people, the speaker hailed them for their participation in last Saturday’s elections, saying the exercise is a further call to duty.

He thanked them for returning him once again to represent them and for electing Jubril Abdulkarim, a former local government chairman, to represent Agege Constituency II in the 10th Lagos State House of Assembly.

The statement by Obasa’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele also hailed residents of the state for showing love to the APC before, during and after the election process.

OGUN:

 Kashamu’s 26-year-old son wins assembly seat

A son of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, Rasheed Kashamu has been announced as one of the winners of last Saturday’s election to represent Ijebu North Constituency 1.

Rasheed who contested the election on the platform of the PDP secured 10, 004 votes to defeat the incumbent member representing the constituency, Sylvester ‘Niyi Abiodun (a.k.a Sly) of the APC.

At 26, the younger Kashamu will probably be the youngest member of the assembly in Ogun State and nationwide in this dispensation. He has a B.Sc in International Business and Management from Brunel University, London. He also has a Master of Science degree in International Finance and Investment from the University of Surrey.

Abia

 PDP faults INEC’s suspension of results collation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the collation of results of Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The party, in a statement, signed by its state chairman, Asiforo Okere, said the electoral umpire should announce the results of Obingwa LGA that had already passed through unit, ward and local government collation processes.

Okere distanced the party from the alleged attack on the commission’s office in the LGA.

KATSINA

 Katsina’ll be safer under me says governor-elect Radda

The Katsina State governor-elect, Dikko Radda, says his administration will strive hard to make the state safer and secured under his watch as the executive governor.

Radda gave this assurance in Katsina on Sunday while briefing newsmen shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the governorship election in the state.

“We will enhance the economy, educate our children, help the vulnerable, and provide productive public service,” the governor-elect said.

“We asked God to grant us victory if we are the best people to govern Katsina state. And as winners of the election, we believe it is now time to give nothing less than our best as a government.

Radda also promised to lead an inclusive government.

 Meanwhile, the PDP in the state has rejected the results  of the election, insisting that it will challenge it at the tribunal. 

 Director General of the PDP Campaign Council in the state, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa  revealed the position of the party at a press conference in Katsina.

KWARA

 Emir of Ilorin hails

AbdulRazak

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has congratulated Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on his second-term election as the Governor of Kwara.

 This is contained in a congratulatory message issued by the emir’s Spokesman, Malam AbdulAzeez Arowona, on Monday in Ilorin.

 Sulu-Gambari, also the Chairman, Kwara Council of Chiefs, described Gov. AbdulRazaq’s victory as a reflection of his hard work, commitment and dedication injected into governance since his assumption in office.

 “The people of Kwara, both indigenous and non-indigenes, have spoken loudly in appreciation of the governor’s excellent performance across the state.

 “We, on behalf of the state traditional rulers council, are indeed proud of his achievements and wish him a successful tenure in his second term.

RIVERS

‘Wike’s performance

propelled our victory’

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the opposition crying foul over the outcome of the governorship and House of Assembly elections that the performance of the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, propelled its victory in the state.

 The PDP expressed confidence in the outcome of the poll, saying the results uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was a reflection of what transpired in the field.

 The party’s Campaign Council’s Director of Publicity and Communications, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, commended Rivers people for their massive support.

 Nwuke described the comments made by agents of opposition political parties at the State Collation Centre as the “cries of the indolent”.

 He reminded the opposition that it was evident from the beginning that the PDP would win convincingly because of the good work of the Wike’s administration.

 ZAMFARA:

Speaker loses re-election bid

The Speaker of ZamfaraHouse of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya has lost his re-election bid for the Zurmi West State Constituency seat.

The Returning Officer, Mr Mudassir Isma’ila declared the result of the March 18 governorship and states Houses of Assembly elections in Gusau yesterday.

Isma’ila said that Magarya of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 9,531 votes to lose the seat to Mr Isma’ila Bilyaminu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 11,231 votes.

The returning officer said: “Bala Nasiru of ADC scored 03 votes, Aliyu Abdullahi of ADC scored 16 votes, while Muhammad Sanusi of APGA polled 10 votes.

“Isma’il Bilyaminu of the PDP having satisfied the requirements of the law is declared elected.”

IMO:

 LP, APGA kick as APC wins 25 of 27 assembly seats

The APC has been declared the winner of 25 out of 27 assembly seats in last Saturday’s election conducted in Imo State. INEC disclosed this in a statement by its head of Voter Education in Imo, Mrs Emmanuella Opara.

The statement said APC candidates, including Eddy Obinna, won in Aboh Mbaise, while Dominic Ezeriorah won in Oru West and Ebonine Ozioma won in Njaba State Constituency.

Other winners are Duru Iheonukara, Ideato South; Chisom Ojukwu, Nkeerre; Chike Olemgbe, Ihitte Uboma; Reginald Neaneri, Oru East; and Ambrose Egu, Ngor Okpala.

They also include Kanayo Onyemachi, Owerri West; Chinemetem Agbaso, Ezinihitte; Gilbert Nwosu, Oguta; and Okechukeu Udeze, Ideato North, among others.

Reacting to the party’s victory, its Publicity Secretary, Duke Cajetan said the election was a vote of implicit confidence in Gov. Hope Uzodimma by the people.

However, the Imo State chapters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the LP have condemned the outcome of the elections. APGA chairman, John Iwuala described it as a rape of democracy. He said: “It’s a rape of democracy. Declarations were not in reflection of what transpired at the booths.”

Similarly, the LP candidate for Owerri Municipal Constituency, Clinton Amadi has urged the commission to declare him the winner of the election.

Amadi, who spoke to reporters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, following the outcome of the poll, noted that the results of the election uploaded in real-time on the INEC Result Viewing portal clearly showed he won in Owerri Municipal and however, regretted that the commission declared the APC winner of the poll.

EDO:

 Women protest declaration of assembly poll inconclusive

Hundreds of women from Ovia Southwest Constituency of the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday protested at the INEC headquarters in Benin, kicking against the declaration of Saturday’s poll in their constituency inconclusive.

The protesting women, led by Mrs. Angela Okpame said they were surprised with the declaration of the peaceful election in the constituency as inconclusive by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Francis Omoruyi, and wanted the commission to declare the candidate of the APC, Sunday Aghedo, the winner.

Okpame said: “We voted for Sunday Aghedo in 2019, but he was denied inauguration. So, for four years, Ovia Southwest people have had no representative in the Edo State House of Assembly. On March 18, we again massively voted for Aghedo to represent us in the Edo House of Assembly, and he won the election. The results have been uploaded, only for one man (Prof. Omoruyi), that wants to rub the name of INEC in the mud, to announce that the election was inconclusive.”

Edo APC chairman, Col David Imuse (rtd.) also called on INEC to prevail on Omoruyi to release the real results of the Ovia Southwest constituency. He said it is surprising that the commission’s returning officer (Omoruyi) is from the same Iguobazuwa that the PDP candidate, Destiny Enabulele, hails

Oyo

APC, LP  candidates

congratulate Makinde

The governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Teslim Folarin and Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale (TTA) of the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo state, in Oyo state have congratulated the incumbent, Seyi Makinde, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was declared the winner of the governorship election in  the state.

Folarin in a statement made available to journalists on Monday congratulated Makinde for the victory.

 The APC candidate also thanked Oyo voters, APC members and other supportive stakeholders for conducting themselves on Saturday while exercising their franchise.

Folarin also urged all party faithful to remain calm

Akinwale in a message he personally signed charged Makinde to by the win remember the local governments and do more for the people of the state at the rural level.

He urged Makinde not to rule out making use of developmental ideas from other contenders for the position since everyone was particular about good governance that offers the people dividends of democracy.

 An APC chieftain in Oyo, Oyedele Hakeem Alao, urged the governor-elect to take his success at the poll as a call for more service to the people of the state.

He noted that it is important for the governor to focus more attention on areas that are germane such as education, security, health, emergency repairs of feeder roads, creation of jobs for the youths and state of the environment, assuring that he would constantly engage in constructive criticism to put his administration on its toes.

SOKOTO

Conduct victory rallies peacefully, says Wamakko

 Senator Aliyu Wamakko has called on supporters of the APC in Sokoto State to conduct themselves peacefully while organizing victory rallies in the state.

The lawmaker made the call following the declaration on Monday by INEC of the party’s governorship candidate, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto as winner of the last Saturday election.

 Wamakko in a statement by Bashar Abubakar, Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Senator, dedicated the victory to the peace-loving people of the state who stood with the party through thick and thin.

 Wamakko assured the people of the state that they will never regret reposing tremendous confidence and trust in the APC at all levels.

 He further vowed that the APC government under Ahmed Aliyu will drive the democratic principles as  real government of the people, for the people and by the people.