Category: Lead

• Egwu, Suswam, Ortom, Apoti-Uduaghan, Al-Makura, Ugwuanyi, Ayade, Abdullahi, Ibn Na’allah, others lose out

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief; Nsa Gill, (Calabar); Justina Asishana, (Minna); Onimisi Alao, (Yola); Dare Odufowokan; Adekunle Jimoh, (Ilorin); Sanni Onogu, Abuja Tajudeen Adebanjo, (Lagos); Ahmed Rufa’i (Dutse); Kolade Adeyemi (Jos), Jos; Bisi Oladele (Ibadan); Fanen Ihyongo (Kano); Ogochukwu Anioke, (Abakaliki); Sola Shittu, (Gombe); Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi; Segun Showunmi, (Ibadan); From Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Linus Oota, (Lafia)

Lawan wins fifth term

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has been declared the winner of Saturday’s election.  He will be returning to the Upper Legislative Chamber in June for a fifth term.

He currently represents Yobe North Senatorial District, which comprises Machina, Nguru, Yusufari, Bade, Jakusko, and Karasuwa councils.

Lawan polled 91,318 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bello Ilu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 22,849 votes.

Speaking with reporters yesterday, the Senate president said his constituents prayed and fasted for his return.

He also thanked the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state and national levels for supporting him.

Umahi gets Ebonyi South

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umayi has been declared the senator-elect for Ebonyi South  zone.

Umahi, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scored  28,378 votes to defeat his rivals, Linus Okorie of Labour Party,  who scored 25, 496, votes to come second. Eleje of APGA scored 11,398 votes to come third.

The INEC Returning officer, Prof. Augustine Ogugua Egwu of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, who announced the results in Afikpo North Local Government Area headquarters, declared that Umahi, having scored the highest votes cast to defeat his opponent, hereby stands elected as the winner.

Governor  Bello  to represent Niger North

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has won the Niger North Senatorial Seat. He defeated  his PDP  opponent  with 12,044 votes.

Announcing the result in Kontagora, the Returning Officer, Prof Kolo Zakiyos said that the Governor got 100,197 votes while the PDP candidate, Shehu Muhammad Abdullahi scored 88,153 votes and the NNPP Candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Wali got 13,886 votes.

Similarly, the current Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Senator Sani Musa was re-elected  on the platform of the APC

Musa got 159,650 votes while his closest opponent in PDP got 125,242 votes.

Adebule, Abiru, Eshilokun-Sanni win in Lagos

The three candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Lagos West, East and Central Senatorial Districts, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni have been elected.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Senatorial District Collation Officer, Prof Solomon Akinboye declared Dr Adebule, the former Lagos State Deputy Governor, winner, having scored the highest votes at the Collation Centre in Ikeja GRA.

She polled 361,296 votes to defeat a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Segun Adewale, who got 248,653 votes.

Prof Akinboye of the University of Lagos expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.

INEC Returning Officer for the Lagos East Senatorial election, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Oladipo, declared Senator Abiru as the winner of the Lagos East Senatorial election.

The results showed that he polled 178,646 votes to defeat his closest rival of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who garnered 80,249 votes.

In the Lagos Central Senatorial District, the Returning Officer, Prof Owolabi Lateef Kuye, announced at the collation centre, Sura, Lagos Island that Eshinlokun-Sanni was returned elected with 131, 828 votes.

Prof Kuye said the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, beat the PDP’s candidate, Gomez Adewale Francis, who got 69,320 votes.

He noted that the election was relatively peaceful in most of the polling units within the district.

An elated Eshinlokun-Sanni assured his constituents  of good representation at the Red Chambers.

APC clears three seats in Oyo

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have won the three senatorial elections in Oyo State.

While Sen. Fatai Buhari won the Oyo North Senatorial District election for the third consecutive time, Dr. Yunus Akintunde won that of Oyo Central and  Sharafadeen Alli  got Oyo South.

INEC Returning Officer Prof. Victor Okoruwa, announced Buhari polled 90,078 votes to emerge victorious.

The PDP Akinwale Akinwole and Accord Party candidates Shina Pella polled 77,034 and 54,732 respectively.

In Oyo Central, Akintunde polled 108,776 votes to defeat the PDP’s candidate Chief Bisi Ilaka who scored 101,213 and Accord candidate Faozey Nurudeen who polled 41,743 votes.

Declaring Akintunde as the winner , the Returning Officer Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun said Akintunde fulfilled all requirements and was  returned as the valid winner of the poll.

In the Oyo South senatorial race, Alli polled 111,513 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Joseph Tegbe of (PDP) who scored 92,481 votes. Accord Party candidate Chief Kolapo Kola-Daisi polled 33,641 votes to come third.

Alli was declared winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Wole Olatokun of the University of Ibadan.

Echocho, Karimi  take Kogi East, West Senatorial Districts

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kogi East Senatorial District and Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho) winner.

Also, his counterpart in Kogi West, Steve Sunday Karimi won the  West Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.

Senator Jibrin, who is returning to the Upper Chamber for the second term, defeated Dr. Victor Adoji of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Declaring the results, the INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Musa Adeku Ibrahim said Jibrin polled 108,784 votes while Victor Adoji scored 81,867.

Kwara APC clears  three seats

In Kwara State, the ruling party cleared all the three senatorial seats. While Senator Oyelola Ashiru won the South Senatorial District, Alhaji Umar Sadiq won the North.

Ashiru, who is returning to the National Assembly for the second term, polled  55,966.  Senator Rafiu Ibrahim of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 34,950.

INEC Returning Officer, Prof Ajibola Akanbi made the announcement at the collation centre in Omu Aran.

Senator Ashiru defeated Prof Wale Suleiman of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Sadiq polled 78,015 votes to beat his closest rival, Issa Bawa Adamu of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP who got 41,443 votes, while Labour Party, LP Candidate, Moses Rebecca polled 1,947 votes.

Returning Officer for Kwara North, Prof. Oluwole Akinola declared Senator Sadiq as the winner after scoring the highest number of votes in the elections.

Akwa Ibom Speaker wins North-East

Mr. Anieken Bassey, Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, who contested for the Akwa Ibom North-East senatorial seat, has emerged victorious.

Bassey vied for the seat on the ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The Returning Officer, Prof. Enoidem Usoro, who announced the results in Uyo on Monday, said Bassey got 98,634 votes.

His closest rival, Mr Ukpong Emaeyak Nkanga of All Progressive Party (APC), got 43,204 votes.

Yari for Zamfara West

The former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has won Zamfara West Senate position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Returning Officer, Zamfara West Senatorial Election, Prof. Rufus Tinuola announced the results at the collation centre in Talata-Mafara on Monday.

Tinuola said Yari scored 147,346 votes against his closest opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bello S-Fagon, who scored 58,832 votes.

He said other candidates were:  AA Party scored 65 votes, Ibrahim Musa of ADC scored 150 votes, Ahmad Lawali of APP scored 75 votes and Aliyu Yahaya of LP with 111 votes.

APC takes Ebonyi North , Egwu loses

Mr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has won in Saturday election to represent Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the Senate.

The Returning Officer, Mr. Nwogo Obasi announced the result at the INEC office in Abakaliki Local Government Area on Sunday.

Obasi said that Nwebonyi defeated Senator Sam Egwu, the first civilian Governor of Ebonyi State, who was seeking the position for the third term.

“Nwebonyi of the APC scored 65,863 votes to win, while his closest opponent, Mr. Ejiofor Chukwu of the Labour Party scored 42,283 votes to emerge second.

“Egwu, who came third got 26,569 votes.

PDP wins Kaduna North

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Alhaji Khalid Ibrahim-Mustapha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of Kaduna North Senatorial District election.

Prof. Saleh Ado of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the INEC Returning Officer for the election, announced the result in Zaria on Monday.

According to him, 12 political parties keenly contested the election.

Ado said Khalid-Mustapha secured 250, 026 votes to defeat his closest rival, the incumbent senator, Kwari Suleiman Abdu of the APC, who scored 190,008 votes.

He said that Usman Bawa of NNPP scored 28,511 to come third, while Sidi Ibrahim Bamalli of Labour Party polled 28, 418 votes.

The returning officer also said Ahmed Wakili of the PRP scored 3453 votes; Abdullahi Suleiman of ADC, 3,678 and Hassan Muktari of the ZLP, 582 votes.

APC gets two seats in Jigawa, PDP one

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won two of the three senatorial seats in Jigawa State.  The PDP took one.

The results indicated that Alhaji Mustapha Khabib of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared winner of Jigawa Central Senatorial district.

The INEC Returning Officer for the senatorial election, Prof Usman Haruna, who declared the results on Monday in Dutse said Mustafa polled 153,731 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Sabo Nakudu of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who polled 134,802 votes.

Alhaji Mustapha Khabib also defeated Mr. Musa Bako of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), who secured 18,662 votes, Musa Abdullahi of ADC who got 620 votes, Hindatu Ibrahim of NRM who got 462 votes and Gambo Bala Amina of SDP who scored 292 votes.

The electoral body announced Alhaji Babangida Husaini Uba of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of the JIgawa northwest senatorial district who scored 187,049 votes.

Declaring the election result the returning officer, Professor Ahmed Baita Garba said Alhaji Babangida Husaini defeated senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of PDP who scored 134,199 votes and Nasuru Bala of ADC scored 2,644 votes.

Goje, Dankwambo, Yaro are winners in Gombe

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared former Governors Danjuma Goje of All Progressive Congress APC and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Peoples Democratic Party PDP as winners of Gombe Central and North senatorial election in Gombe State.

This is coming on the heels of a similar declaration of Tony Siyaku Yaro of the PDP as the winner of Gombe South senatorial election.

Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje of APC polled 102,916 votes to defeat PDP Abubakar Aliyu who polled 37,870 votes.

Former Governor Hassan Dankwambo of the People’s Democratic Party PDP polled 143,155 to defeat APC candidate Senator Sa’idu Alkali who polled 77,948 and NNPP Candidate who polled 4061.

At Gombe South Honourable Tony Siyaku Yaro of the PDP polled 97,956 to defeat incumbent APC Senator, Joshua Lidani who polled 36,879 and New Nigeria People’s Party NNPP Candidate Abigael Albashi who polled 1,551.

Ortom loses to Zam

History has repeated itself as the incumbent Governor Samuel Ortom of the Peoples PDP, lost the Benue North West Senatorial seat to the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate Chief Titus Zam.

Zam 143,151 to defeat Ortom who secured 106,882 and Labour Party candidate, Mark Gbilah who polled 51,950 votes.

Chief Titus Zam, hails from Gwer west Local Government area in Benue North West Senatorial district.

He was a council chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, and later Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Chief Zam is a political son of Senator George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Affairs.

Obaseki’s PDP loses to APC, LP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and Governor Godwin Obaseki have  lost out of the senatorial election, with candidates of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) winning the three seats.

APC won two seats through a former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who emerged the winner of Edo North Senatorial District’s election. He  defeated his closest rival, the incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena, of PDP.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Returning Officer for the senatorial district, Benjamin Adesina, while announcing the collated results at Auchi, the senatorial headquarters on Sunday, disclosed that the former Governor of Edo State (Oshiomhole) had 107,110 votes, while Alimikhena polled 55,344 votes.

The candidate of APC for  Edo Central Senatorial District, Monday Okpebholo, also on Sunday emerged victorious, for the first time since 1999, that a party other than the PDP would be the winner.

LP’s candidate in Edo South Senatorial District, where Obaseki hails from, Neda Imasuen, a lawyer, was yesterday (Monday) morning declared the winner by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Julius Obasuyi, polling 167,250 votes, with PDP’s Matthew Iduoriyekemwen having 61,749 votes, while APC’s Valentine Asuen polled 57,933 votes.

Ayade loses out

Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade’s hope to return to the Senate has been dashed.

Ayade, who was the APC candidate for the Cross River northern senatorial district lost the election to Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the People’s Democratic Party.

Sen. Jarigbe is the incumbent Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial district.

He was declared winner having pollled 76,145 votes to defeat his APC opponent Gov. Ben Ayade who scored 56, 595 votes

The Returning officer in the election, Dr. Emmanuel Emanghe who spoke on behalf of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC commended everyone who had been in the field and who had made it possible for a successful poll.

Egwu loses to APC

Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu has lost his bid to return to the Senate for a third term.

This is as the All Progressive Congress made a clean sweep of all the National Assembly positions in Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

Egwu, candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial zone lost  to a former State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi Nwebonyi was last night declared winner and the Senator-elect for Ebonyi North Senatorial district by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Nwebonyi, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC)  garnered a total of  65,863 votes.

His closest opponent, Ejiofor Vincent Chukwu of Labour Party scored 42,283 to emerge second while Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu of PDP came a distant third with 26,569 votes.

Ugwuanyi loses to LP

Enugu State governor and senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has lost his bid to go to the Senate.

Ugwuanyi lost in Saturday’s National Assembly election to the candidate of the Labour Party,  Okey Ezea polled 104, 492 votes as against the governor’s 46, 948 votes, while the APC candidate, Eze Simon came third with 6,816 votes.

Al-Makura fails in Nasarawa

Former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has lost his second term bid to represent the people of Nasarawa South Senatorial District to the candidate of the PDP, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo.

The returning officer of the election Dr Ahmad Ashiku who declared the results said the PDP candidate polled 93,064 votes to defeat Al-Makura of the APC who garnered 76,813 votes to come second while Mohammed Agwai of the NNPP got 30640 votes.

In Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Arch Shehu Tukur, the anointed candidate of the APC national Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu lost to a former member of the house of representatives, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

The INEC returning officer of the election for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Prof Nasirudeen Baba says Wadada of the SDP polled a total of 96488 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Shehu Tukur who scored 47717 votes.

The PDP candidate, Musa Galadima came third with 46820 votes.

In Nasarawa North Senatorial District, the zone of the Governor, the INEC returning officer, Prof IIemona Adofu of the Federal University, Lafia declared incumbent Senator Godiya Akwashiki of the SDP as the winner with 44,471 votes.

Saminu Turaki loses

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Husaini Babangida Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of Jigawa North-West senatorial district election.

Announcing the result, Prof Ahmed Baita Garko, the returning Officer, said Uba won with 187,049 votes while his closest rival, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 134,199 votes.

Collation of Kebbi central results stalled as returning officer disappears

Nasuru Bala of Action Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 2,644 votes

The guidelines barring governors, ministers, foreign missions and other public servants from making cash withdrawals from public accounts will come into effect tomorrow.

Banks have notified their customers about the directive and urged them to use digital channels.

The Nation learnt that 167 countries are now on the lookout for any governor, minister and other public officials who withdraw cash from public accounts from March 1.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has activated the Egmont Secured Web (ESW) protocol to share information with the countries if any governor is flagged for money laundering.

The NFIU in a circular dated January 4 directed all financial institutions to discontinue cash withdrawal in naira and foreign currency from public accounts at all levels.

Also included are accounts of foreign missions operating in Nigeria, those of all development partner institutions, mutual funds and investment funds.

It said: “Cash withdrawals from public accounts would be treated as a money laundering offence.”

NFIU warned that any governor who breaches the law by withdrawing cash from government accounts will automatically be flagged and 167 countries would be notified.

A source at the NFIU said the agency was in touch with 167 countries through the ESW– a secured network in which all the 167 Egmont group member countries share information.

It was learnt that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are bracing for the shift to a cashless government.

At the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Budget Office of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was gathered that the handling of cash has been significantly curtailed or eliminated in some instances ahead of the March 1 date.

Cash withdrawals from public accounts will be prohibited as well as the payment of estacodes and overseas allowances to civil and public servants in cash.

Also prohibited is the local government’s N500,000 cash withdrawal limit for public accounts and instituted funds.

The NFIU said: “In the unlikely event that a public official feels he may need cash withdrawal, he may apply for approval for a waiver from the Presidency which may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

“Under no circumstance shall any category of public officers be given a standing or continuous waiver to withdraw cash from any public account in any financial institution or designated non-financial institution.

“The President will only consider requests for cash withdrawals from public accounts on issues dealing with the border, defence, securities or medical. 

“Where certain individuals must move with cash, it’s in such cases we say write to the president.”

The NFIU said it became necessary to stop the rate at which cash was being taken out of public accounts “without recourse to the money laundering laws and sometimes for corrupt purposes”.

• INEC declares Tinubu winner in Ekiti

Any attempt to whip up ethno-religious sentiments that could undermine Nigeria’s unity must be rejected, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Committee (APC-PCC) counselled yesterday.

Calling for calm from stakeholders in the Nigerian project, the APC-PCC Adviser on Communications and Public Affairs, Dele Alake, restated the party’s commitment to the unity of the country.

In a statement, Alake said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be allowed to conclude the release of the presidential poll it conducted on Saturday.

He said the sanctity of the result must be preserved to further deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, those stampeding INEC to upload the results without doing the due diligence, must refrain from self-help.

The statement reads: “As the nation awaits the release of the final results of Presidential elections, the APC and PCC appeals for calm from all stakeholders and Nigerians in general. We believe strongly in the unity of this country and any attempt to wipe up sentiments along religious or ethnic lines must be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“Since the voting process rounded off in most of the 176,606 polling units across the 774 councils of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday, we have continued to monitor developments. We are happy that it ended on a peaceful note nationwide.

“Results have been announced at polling units, collated at wards and Local Governments. The sanctity of these results must be preserved in the interest of our democracy.

“We, therefore, want to seize this opportunity to commend members of our security agencies for the professionalism demonstrated in providing relative conducive climate for generality of voters to exercise their franchise across the country.

“A fact already attested to by the consortium of election monitors – both local and international – that Nigeria made a significant progress in her democratic journey with yesterday’s conduct.

“As the party that was most well prepared for the 2023 polls and whose presidential candidate and others ran what has widely been adjudged the best campaign, we, of course, have a functional Situation Room to which our 176,606 agents filed accurate data in real time, bearing true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of voters expressed freely yesterday.

“But in line with extant provisions of the Electoral Act, we believe the onus for declaring election results lies squarely with INEC.

“It is for this reason we are calling on other parties to refrain from self-help at this point in form of premature declaration of results or making inflammatory statements capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we at the APC-PCC wish to express our implicit confidence in INEC to follow through the remaining steps of the election process leading to the eventual declaration of the winner of the presidential election held on February 25.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission yester adjourned collation of the presidential election results till 11am today.

Its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the adjournment was to allow the commission make special arrangement to bring the remaining State Returning Officers to Abuja.

He said the commission was confident that other states would conclude the collation and bring the results to Abuja for final collation.

The Result for the presidential election was presented to the INEC chairman, who is the Chief Returning Officer, by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orogun, Prof Akin Olawole Lasisi.

The results, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, scored 210,494 to defeat 17 other candidates.

Former vice president and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 89,554 to place second. Former Anambra State Governor and candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi scored 11,397, to place third.

Scores by other parties are A-69, AA-29, AAC-108, ADC-1,337, ADP-737, APGA-268, APM-46, APP-91, BP- 46, NNPP-264, NRM-131, PRP-48, SDP-2011, YPP-81, ZLP-460.

Prof Salami said elections in two polling units were cancelled for bypassing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and over-voting.

Responding to a question from the PDP agent, Senator Dino Melaye, Salami said: “We discovered that the number of accredited voters as contained in the BVAS was more that the number of votes cast leading to over voting and therefore, the result had to be cancelled.”

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Campbell Laing and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard as well as the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, witnessed the exercise.

• Gbajabiamila wins for sixth time

By Rasaq Ibrahim, Toba Adedeji, Ernest Nwokolo, Bisi Olaniyi, Bisi Oladele and Duku Joel

Former  Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and business magnate Jimoh Ibrahim are among the first set of Senators-elect formally announced yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

The others are  Solomon Adeola (aka Yayi), Opeyemi Bamidele, Cyril Fasuyi, Yunus Akintunde,   Yemi Adaramodu, Jimoh Ibrahim, Lola Ashiru  and Nasir Sani-Zango..

But Senate Spokesman Ajibola Bashiru, Biodun Olujimi, Francis Alimekhena and Ahmad Babba-Kaita failed in their bids to return to the Red Chamber were also made formal by the electoral umpire. Bashiru is an APC senator while Olujimi is of the PDP. Alimekhena and Babba-Kaita represent  Edo North and  Katsina North respectively in the Senate.

In Ekiti  State where the ruling  APC had a clean sweep, Bamidele was reelected in Ekiti Central. He polled 69,351 votes to beat  Lateef Ajijola of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), who scored. 26, 181 votes,

Fasuyi, according to INEC Returning Officer Sola Omotola, garnered 54,224 votes to defeat his closet opponent, Funsho Ayeni of the PDP in Ekiti North. Ayeni got 39,921. 

Adaramodu, a serving member of the House of Representatives, beat    Biodun Olujimi of the PDP   .in Ekiti South. The senator-elect polled 63, 189 votes as against  Olujimi’s  36, 191.

Senator  Bashiru lost to PDP’s    Olubiyi Fadeyi in Osun Central by polling  117,609 votes. Fadeyi had  134,229 votes

Daniel and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance   Adeola emerged victorious in  Ogun East and West respectively on the platform of APC.

Daniel garnered 115,147 votes to defeat his closest rival,   Ajibola Kalejaiye of the PDP, who scored 58,708 votes.

Adeola, who currently represents Lagos West defeated  Ganiyu Obanibasiri of the PDP by scoring 112,887 votes. Obanibasiri   60,189.

Their victories were contained in a  result sheet signed by the Returning Officer,   Christopher Onwuka.

Ibrahim of the APC emerged winner by polling  110,665 votes to defeat former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, of the PDP in Ondo South.

INEC Returning Officer Johnson Fashimilehin said:  “Having polled the highest number of votes of 110, 665 against 65, 784, I hereby declare Ibrahim of APC winner of the election in Ondo South.”

Akintunde of the APC emerged as senator-elect for Oyo Central by scoring  108,776 votes. He beat Bisi Ilaka of the PDP who had   101,213 votes.

In Edo State, INEC  declared former APC National Chairman  Adams Oshiomhole winner for Edo North.

He defeated incumbent Senator  Francis Alimekhena of the  PDP by scoring 107,110 votes. Alimekhena  55,344 votes

INEC Returning Officer   Benjamin Adesina said:”Adams Oshiomhole of APC having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared as the winner of the election conducted on the 25th of February for Edo North Senatorial District.” 

Senator   Ashiru, who represents Kwara South was announced reelected by INEC  Returning Officer  Ajibola Akanbi.

Akanbi said   Ashiru of the  APC  polled   55,966 while Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim of the PDP  scored 34,950 votes.

INEC also declared  Sani-Zango of the  APC  as the winner for Katsina North 

Sanda Umar,   INEC returning officer,  said Sani-Zango won with 174,062 votes to defeat the incumbent Senator, Ahmad Babba-Kaita of the PDP, who polled 163,583.

The election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released some results of last Saturday’s House of Representatives election across the country yesterday. Our correspondents give an overview of the results. OSAGIE OTABOR (Akure), SANNI ONOGU (Lokoja), TONY AKOWE (Abuja), UJA EMMANUEL (Makurdi), JUSTINA ASISHANA (Minna), ADEKUNLE JIMOH (Ilorin), ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, (Kaduna), SEGUN SHOWUNMI (Ibadan), RASAQ IBRAHIM (Ado-Ekiti) and AUGUSTINE OKEZIE, (Katsina) report

Gbajabiamila wins sixth term

House  Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila  has been declared the winner of Saturday’s House of Representatives election. He is  to return to the House in June for a record sixth term.

 Gbajabiamila polled 19,717 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Bosun Jeje of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 5,121 votes.

The Speaker  said he remains grateful to the people of Surulere 1 for giving him the sixth term mandate, noting that he would not disappoint them.

 He said he would continue to work assiduously and bring more developmental projects to Surulere and beyond.

 He said: “I am immensely grateful to the people of Surulere for their overwhelming support. I do not take your support for granted. As your representative for the past 20 years, I have always protected your interest. I am proud of you as my constituents. I thank our teeming supporters, our Surulere APC leaders, party members, CDAs and residents for their massive support.

 “This victory is not mine alone. It is a victory for democracy. Surulere has made history by this sixth mandate given to me, which would definitely spur me to do more for you.”

 Gbajabiamila was first elected  in 2003.

 He remains the only lawmaker from the Southwest geopolitical zone to have been elected six times.

 During his 20-year journey in the House of Representatives , Gbajabiamila has served as Minority Whip, Minority Leader, Opposition Leader and Majority Leader before getting elected as Speaker in 2019. He remains the only lawmaker in Africa to have done this.

Tunji-Ojo, Adefarati,  Adegbonmire, triumph in Ondo

Former Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adegboyega Adefarati, has won the election into the Akoko Southeast/Akoko Southwest Federal Constituency.

 Adefarati contested on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Other candidates of the APC whose victory has been assured are Bunmi Tunji-Ojo for Akoko Northeast/Akoko Northwest Federal Constituency, a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, Jimoh Ibrahim  Ojogo defeated incumbent Kolade Akinjo, who was seeking a third term in the National Assembly.

 He garnered 26, 306 votes, while Akinjo had 22,390.

 Final result: Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast: APC 25, 872 and PDP 18, 403. The total number of accredited voters was 50,940.

Two Ondo Reps

members lose seat

Two members of the House of Representatives from Ondo State lost last Saturday’s National Assembly elections. They are Tajudeen Adefisoye, who represents Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency and Gboluga Ikengboju, who represents Okitipupa/Irele.

 In the result released by INEC, Adefisoye scored 20,064 against his opponent in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Festus Akingbaso polled 24,263.

 Prince Jimi Odimayo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 44,638 to defeat Ikengboju of the PDP who got 21,066.

INEC declares

Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu election inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared the House of Representatives election in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency inclusive.

The Returning Officer for the Constituency, Dr. Adams Baba made  this known after announcing the results .

 Baba said the action became necessary following the slim margin of difference between the winners and the first runner-up and the cancellation of results in two polling units of the federal Constituency.

 Baba said the difference in the results between the winner, Arch Salman Idris of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Matthew Kolawole was not up to the number of registered voters .

 Baba said: “The ADC candidate (Idris) polled 13,867, while the APC candidate (Kolawole) polled 13,605, leaving just 262 votes difference.

 “Whereas, the number of PVCs collected in the cancelled polling units of Iya in Otu ward in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area is 485 and that of Open Space polling unit in Egbeda Ward in Ijumu Local Government Area is 100. This is more than the difference between the two leading candidates.”

 Baba however did not state the date when a rerun election would be conducted in the affected polling units.

APC Reps spokesman  Kalu wins Bende seat

 The spokesman of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) has won the election for the Bende Federal Constituency. He  defeated nine others by a wide margin.

According to the results announced by Returning Officer, Adindu Chidinma, Kalu polled  10,020 to defeat his closest rival and Labour Party candidate, Chinasa Frank, who scored 6,818 votes.

 The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former House member  Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje came third with 3,930 votes.

 Kalu described the outcome of the election as a moment of happiness, saying “This victory is sweet because it came with a lot of hard work and confrontation between those outside and some forces within the party.”

 APC wins Benue’s Buruku seat with 20,076 votes

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Buruku Federal Constituency election, Sekav Iortyom has been declared the winner  by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 He polled 20,076 votes to beat his closest rival, Terka Agba of the Labour Party (LP), who garnered 15,639 votes.

Jerry Gana’s son wins

The son of former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, Joshua Audu Gana has won the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency seat. He defeated the current lawmaker representing the constituency, Abdullahi Usman Gbatamangi.

 Gana who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate defeated the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker with 7,939 votes.

 Gana got 47,942 votes, while Gbatamangi got 40,002 votes.

 Adelegbe wins re-election in Ondo

The lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Timehin Adelegbe has been reelected for a second term.

 Adelegbe who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated his main rival, Ayo Arowele of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

 He got 34,550 votes, against 20,865 votes scored by Arowele.

Kwara APC Reps

member re-elected

The member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara (APC), Tunji Olawuyi, has won his re-election into the Green Chamber.

Returning Officer, Dr Nurudeen Bello made the announcement at the collation centre in OmuAran yesterday.

 Bello said of the 59075 accredited voters, the APC polled 22, 140, while his Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart got 19,092.

 The Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled  9331.

Benson wins third term as Ikorodu Rep

Babajimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives has been declared the winner of Saturday’s election.

Returning Officer, Prof. Victor Ariole made the declaration yesterday. Ariole said Benson, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 60,890 to defeat his close rival, Abdulkareem Shittu of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 15,966 votes.

Alaafin’s son, Akeem retains Oyo seat

Akeem Adeyemi, one of the sons of the late immediate past Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has won the Atiba/ Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West Federal Constituency seat for the third time.  

Adeyemi, popularly known as Skimeh, is the current lawmaker representing the constituency on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 He has been representing the constituency since 2015.

Adeyemi scored 34, 822 to defeat all other candidates who participated in the election.

 The candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mudashiru Akinlabi, scored 31,671, while Oyedemi Oyeleru of Accord scored  13, 544.

Yesufu Ademola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) scored 77 votes and Ogunniyi Olaoluwa of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) got 1,951 votes.

INEC also declared the candidate of APC, Aderemi Oseni, the winner of the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency election.

 Prof. Dayo Akinola, the INEC Returning Officer, announcing the results. He said Oseni scored the highest votes of 26, 285 to defeat his closest rival, the incumbent, Oluyemi Taiwo of the PDP, who polled 10,988 votes.

Haruna wins Dekina/Bassa seat

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  for the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency election, Paul Gowon Haruna has been declared the winner of last Saturday’s election.

Haruna scored 31,371 votes, while his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Usman Austin Okai garnered 20,295 votes.

LP wins Kaura

seat in Kaduna

The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Kaura Federal Constituency, Mr. Donatus Mathew, has been declared the winner of last Saturday’s House Representatives election.

The returning officer, Professor Elijah Ella, said Mathew scored  10,508 to defeat the incumbent member and candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Gideon Lucas Gwani who came second with 10,297 votes.

 He said the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) trailed behind with 9,919 votes, while that of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) secured 5,354 votes to come third and fourth respectively.  

Alao-Akala’s son wins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Olamijuwonlo Akala, son of the late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, the winner of the Ogbomoso Federal Constituency election.

 Mr Akala, a former chairman of the Ogbomoso North Local Government, polled 33,268 votes to beat his closest rival, Olufemi Onireti of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 27,126.

 Hakeem Salami, Returning Officer for Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Orire Federal Constituency, announced that the APC candidate scored 33,268 votes, while the PDP candidate, Olufemi Onireti, scored 27,126 votes.

 “I declare Olamijuwonlo Akala winner of Ogbomoso/North/South/Oriire Federal Constituency, having polled the total number of 33, 268 votes, while the PDP candidate, Olufemi Onireti, polled 27,126 votes,” Mr Salami said.

 In his reactions shortly after being declared winner, Mr Akala said: “I’m so excited.”

APC candidate takes Ibadan North seat

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency election, Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban) winner of last Saturday’s election.

 Akinremi polled 21,135 votes to defeat Lanre Sarumi of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 16,060 votes.

 Announcing the results at Ikolaba High School, Ibadan, the returning officer, Dr. Adeleke Adewole of the Osun State University, said Akinremi has satisfied the requirement of the law has emerged the winner of the poll.

 He said: “The number of registered voters is 270,332, the number of accredited voters is 57,345; total votes cast 54,436, rejected votes 2362, total votes cast 56,798

 Akinremi, who is the current lawmaker representing the Ibadan North Federal Constituency has been re-elected.

APC sweeps National Assembly seats in Ekiti

 The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all the six House of Representatives seats and three senatorial zones.

 The current lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, Olusola Fatoba has been declared the winner  with  39, 182 votes.

He defeated former Governor Ayodele Fayose’s son, Oluwajomiloju of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 12,295 votes.

 Biodun Omoleye of the APC won the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency seat by defeating his main rival, Lere Olayinka of the PDP.

 In Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, the candidate of the APC, Kolawole Akinlayo emerged winner after defeating his main challenger, Samuel Ajayi.

 Akin Rotimi of the APC won Ekiti North Federal Constituency II. He defeated the PDP candidate, Yinka Akerele and Bimbo Daramola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

 For Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Femi Bamisile was re-elected into the Green Chamber for the second time on the ticket of the APC.

 He trounced his closest opponent, Mrs Emiola Adenike of the PDP across all the wards in the three council areas in the constituency.

 In Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Air Vice Marsal Adeniyi Ojuawo (rtd) won the election in the constituency. The APC candidate defeated Henrich Akomolafe of the PDP.

APC wins Gwer/Gwer West constituency

 Asema Achado has been declared the winner House of Representatives election for the Gweer/Gwer West Federal Constituency election of Benue State.

Achado polled 26,357 votes to defeat the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidates who got 14,451 and 14,738 votes respectively. 

APC wins  in Katsina

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Alhaji Aminu Jamo of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of last Saturday’s election for the Daura/Sandamu/Maiadua Federal Constituency seat in Katsina State.

 Returning Officer, Prof. Marry Agbo yesterday declared Jamo as the winner of the poll in Daura, Katsina State.

 Marry said Jamo polled 55,964 votes to defeat his main rival, Abdulmumini Dan Amanar of the PDP who got 33,398 votes.

 She said: “Having polled the highest number of votes, 55,964 against 33,398, I hereby declare Aminu Jamo as the winner of the election in Daura/Sandamu/Maiadua Federal Constituency.”

Lado loses Reps

seat to PDP

The House of Representatives Member representing Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Constituency, Abubakar Lado Suleja has lost his third term bid to return to the House of Representatives.

Lado who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate lost to his PDP counterpart, Adamu Tanko Lokoja with a margin of 2,415 votes.

 Lokoja got 40,632 votes, while Lado got 38,219 votes.

Abdulsalami’s nephew loses to PDP in Niger

A nephew of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former Head of State, Ado Abdulsalami Abubakar has lost the Chachanga Federal Constituency election to Abubakar Abdul Buba of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Ado, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost to Buba with a margin of 14,406 votes.

The  Returning Officer, Prof Mercy Modupe Adeyeye declared Buba the winner.

 The collated results showed that the APC candidate, Ado Abdulsalami Abubakar got 19,282 votes while the PDP candidate, Abubakar Abdul Buba got 35,688 votes.

President  Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidates in today’s Presidential and National Assembly elections will win. 

He spoke in Daura, Katsina State after casting his vote in Sarki Yara Ward 003 Daura, Katsina with his wife Aisha. 

The President and his wife arrived at the Baru III, Baba Tone,Sarki Yara ” A” ward a few minutes before 10am. He voted by 10.06 am after undergoing necessary procedures, including physical capturing.

Read Also: Atiku votes, says ‘I’m very optimistic’

The President dressed in white flowing gowns and a wine / white colour cap told newsmen that all his candidates “from Daura to Lagos” would emerge victorious. 

He said: “From Daura to Lagos, my candidates will win Insha Allah.

”My government introduced measures that discourage malpractices including multiple voting and ensure credible elections.

“Before BVAS, people could do multiple voting and other reforms. Now, you can only vote once”.