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  • APC commences screening of 12 Edo Gov aspirants today

    APC commences screening of 12 Edo Gov aspirants today

    Ahead of the February 17 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State, the party will commence screening of the 12 aspirants jostling for the its ticket in the September poll today by 12 noon. 

    The exercise is to commence immediately after the inauguration of the Prof. Taoheed Adedoja-led seven-man Screening Committee at the National Working Committee (NWC) Hall of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

    The screening will last for two days. Six aspirants are slated to go through the screening committee per day.

    The Nation learnt that those billed for the exercise today by 1pm – 3 pm are former  Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central and former Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen.

    Member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Engr. Gideon Ikhine are billed to appear before the committee between 3 – 5 pm.

    Tomorrow,  the immediate Edo APC  chairman, Col. David Onabure Imuse; Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd) and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor will face  screening between 10 – 12 pm

    Former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South) Blessing Agbohmere; member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency Hon. Dennis Idahosa and  Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe are slated to appear before the committee between 3 – 5 pm.

  • Edo 2024: APC, LP aspirants intensify campaigns

    Edo 2024: APC, LP aspirants intensify campaigns

    • Arhiavbere, Akpata, Idahosa, Agbohmere market pro

    Ahead of the September 21 Edo State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), has said he has what it takes to collapse the structures of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

    He told reporters at the APC national secretariat in Abuja after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms that the party needs a candidate with the capacity to face incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki’s election train and any other political party.

    “The governor took our mandate to PDP, so  we are ready to take it from him. The man with the capacity must face him to make sure we return this mandate to the APC. This why I’m in the race.

    “I can assure you that I have the capacity and I can collapse structures in PDP and even in the L abour Party to add to what we already have in APC.

    Read Also; No petrol supply issues, says NNPCL

    “We are going to work to make sure APC presents the best candidate, and I can assure you the best is the one standing right before you (journalists).

    “This is why I have said in my slogan that it’s my turn,” Airhiavbere said.

    According to the former Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), “Edo South has the highest voting strength of about 58 per cent; two local governments in Edo South will swallow Edo Central. The voting strength of Ikpoba Okha and Egor will swallow the whole of Edo Central.

    “Edo North as at today has the minister back to back – Etsako East produced Clement Agba; Etsako East also produced the current minister, Abubakar Momoh, an engineer. The Speaker today in Edo State House of Assembly is from Edo North. Our leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is from Edo North.”

    Airhiavbere added: “You don’t give what you don’t have – if you don’t have a daughter, you can’t give her out in marriage. Edo South is where the battleground is.”

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has said he is not a mole, agent, place-holder or surrogate of Governor Obaseki of the PDP in the LP in Edo State.

    He said the opposition LP was the party of choice in Edo, with many people joining the party on a daily basis in the state and other parts of Nigeria, in view of its being people-centred.

    Akpata, an indigene of Benin Kingdom, who is a frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of LP, spoke yesterday in Benin at an interactive session with reporters.

    He assured people that he would emerge victorious at the February 22 primary election and September 21 governorship poll.

    The governorship aspirant, who had practised Law for 30 years, said with his integrity, maturity, excellence and track record of impressive performance, especially as NBA’s president, there was no way he could be the sponsor of Sunday’s protest by some LP members at Edo secretariat of the party in Benin, and earlier attack on the National Youth Leader of LP, Anslem Eragbe, in Benin.

    He said attempts to smear his character, by linking him to acts that he had no knowledge of or involved in, would certainly fail.

    The governorship aspirant said he had confidence in the discerning wisdom of members of the LP, Edo people and indeed Nigerians to reject all forms of violence, propaganda and deceit, stressing that united in diversity, a greater Edo State would be built.

    A leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the APC in Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, has described himself as clean, and the man to beat during the February 17 primary election.

    He hailed the national leadership of APC for finding him worthy to be among the four of the 29 governorship aspirants that were recommended to vie in the party’s primaries.

    The youthful Idahosa, who is also the representative of Ovia constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, spoke yesterday during an interactive session with reporters at the secretariat of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin.

    Besides Idahosa, the three other outstanding and recommended governorship aspirants, who also won their units, wards and local governments during the 2023 general election are former Edo Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen; ex-Edo Chairman of APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd.) and the representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpekholo.

    Idahosa said; “I am performing excellently as the representative of Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, and by God’s grace, I will extend the impressive performance to all the 18 local governments of Edo State. I am optimistic of emerging victorious during APC’s primary election on February 17 and the main poll on September 21, to succeed Governor Obaseki on November 12.”

    A governorship aspirant in the February 17 APC shadow election, Dr, Blessings Agbohmere, has said that he is full of ideas to move the state forward by enthroning good governance and improving people’s welfare.

    He made this known yesterday to reporters at the APC national secretariat in Abuja shortly after submitting his N50million expression of interest and nomination forms for the party’s ticket for the forthcoming Edo governorship election slated for September 21.

    Agbohmere said his priority, if elected as Edo’s next governor, would be infrastructural development, good and accessible health care, improved security, agriculture and education, among others.

  • APC wins seven Reps, two Senate seats in rerun/bye elections – INEC

    APC wins seven Reps, two Senate seats in rerun/bye elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission said on Tuesday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won two senatorial seats, seven House of Representatives and 11 House of Assembly seats in last Saturday’s rerun and bye elections across the country.

    Results from two House of Representatives seats in Akwa Ibom and Enugu are yet be announced as a result of suspension of elections by the commission in the affected constituencies.

    A statement by the National Commissioner in charge of information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun onTuesday night said certificates of return will be presented to the new lawmakers on Wednesday.

    The statement reads: “On Saturday 3rd February 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission conducted legislative bye-elections and re-run elections across the country.

    Read Also: No petrol supply issues, says NNPCL

    “Seven political parties won seats in both the National and State Houses of Assembly. They are Action Democratic Party (ADP- 1 Senate seat), All Progressives Congress (APC -2 Senate, 7 House of Representatives and 11 State House of Assembly seats), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA – 1 state House of Assembly seat), Labour Party (LP -1 House of Representatives seat), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP -3 state House of Assembly), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP -5 House of Representatives and 10 state House of Assembly) and the Young Progressive Party (YPP -3 House of Representatives and 1 state House of Assembly).

    “Certificates of Return will be presented to the newly elected Federal lawmakers, comprising 3 Senators and 15 Members of the House of Representatives. The presentation is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday 7th February 2024, at 2pm at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

    “The presentation of Certificates of Return to the State lawmakers-elect will be conducted by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the respective States where the bye-elections or re-run elections took place.

    “These presentations are to be arranged by the RECs and are expected to be completed by the end of this week. Elected members are encouraged to liaise with the RECs for further details.

    “Additionally, detailed results from these elections are now available for public view on the Commission’s official website and social media channels”.

  • Tinubu, APC politicising protests against economic hardship, PDP alleges

    Tinubu, APC politicising protests against economic hardship, PDP alleges

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to politicise the legitimate grievances of Nigerians.

    “The action of the APC in threatening Nigerians for exercising their democratic and constitutional right to protest in the face of misrule, agonizing poverty, hunger, killings and other harrowing experiences under the Tinubu administration shows that the APC is insensitive and relishes the life-discounting situation in the country,” the PDP alleged in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Tuesday.

    The party added: “It is an assault on the sensibility of the people that rather than providing answers to how the Tinubu-led APC government in a space of nine months, turned the nation’s economy upside down leading to terrifying food scarcity and catastrophic high cost of living, the APC is seeking to label and clamp down on the suffering masses.

    “The APC is insensitive to the fact that because of its policies more than 104 million citizens have sunk deeper into poverty; Nigerians can no longer afford their daily meals with families now going to bed on empty stomachs as poverty rate soars to over 46%.

    “Any government that has an idea of macro-economic policy management ought to have recognized that the suffocating policies of abrupt increase in the pump price of petroleum products, high cost of electricity and arbitrary floating of the Naira as executed by the Tinubu administration without due considerations, would have excruciating consequences to the economy as being witnessed today.

    Read Also: Opposition parties engineered Minna, Kano protests, says APC

    “The APC must understand and come to terms with the fact that there is frustration in the land because of the suffocating economic and social policies; laidback attitude to security and massive corruption in the Tinubu administration.

    “Instead of being hypocritical by pointing fingers at the opposition, the APC should admit the failure of its policies and take urgent and concrete action to get President Tinubu to lift his knees off the neck of Nigerians so that the people can breathe.”

    “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life, sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.”

    – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (27 February 1807 – 24 March 1882)

  • Opposition parties engineered Minna, Kano protests, says APC

    Opposition parties engineered Minna, Kano protests, says APC

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused opposition political parties of masterminding the mass protests that rocked Niger and Kano States on Monday over the rising cost of living. 

    The party in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka alleged that the coordinated nature of the mass protests bears a bold stamp of an orchestrated and coordinated effort to instigate unrest and undermine the government.

    Protesters on Monday morning blocked the ever-busy Bida Road, Kpakungun in Minna brandishing placards with inscriptions like: “No food, we are dying of hunger“; “reduce fuel price” and “Help us, let us get food cheaper.”

    Some major streets in Kano were also taken over by mostly youths protesting the soaring prices of foodstuff, particularly rice, maize, beans and millet.

    Appealing for understanding, Morka said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was committed to doing everything in its power to mitigate the transient pains of critically important reforms that are crucial to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians.

    Read Also: Protest rocks Minna

    He advised Nigerians to ignore what he termed the guile and unpatriotic attempt by opposition elements to destabilize the country for their selfish interest.

    According to to APC spokesman: “In its arrant desperation to portray the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration as under-performing, opposition parties have resorted to instigating unsuspecting young people to protests in the streets of some major cities.

    “The protests in Minna and Kano on Monday were the manifestation of this devious and unpatriotic plot. That the protests happened simultaneously in both cities is not coincidental. It bears the bold stamp of an orchestrated and coordinated effort to instigate unrest and undermine the government. This mercenary opposition tactic is a clear and present threat to public peace and national security.

    “While we recognize the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protest, we urge our good people to be vigilant and not lend themselves to the treacherous attempt by the opposition to promote social strife by its incendiary rhetoric and manipulative plots.

    “The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is solidly committed to doing everything in its power to mitigate the transient pains of critically important reforms that are crucial to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians. It behoves us as good citizens of our beloved country to stand fast with our government in this noble stride. In due time, these policy reforms will yield an enduring beneficial transformation of the material conditions of life in the country.

    “We implore Nigerians to shun the guile and unpatriotic attempt by opposition elements to destabilize the country for their base and parochial political gains.”

  • How prepared is the opposition to dislodge APC in Ondo?

    How prepared is the opposition to dislodge APC in Ondo?

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to retain power in Ondo State during the governorship election in November. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also scheming to dislodge the ruling party. Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR reports

    How prepared are the opposition parties? That is the question many political analysts are asking as Ondo State heads to the polls this November to elect for a new governor. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will complete the tenure of his late boss, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu by February next year.

    The victory of Akeredolu in 2016 showed that residents in the state respect the political understanding that power should be rotated among the three senatorial districts. It was the general belief that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lost power because former Governor Olusegun Mimiko supported the candidacy of Eyitayo Jegede who hails from Ondo Central. Mimiko also hails from Ondo Central. As such, political parties are expected to field candidates from the Ondo South senatorial district in the coming election.

    Ahead of the election, which is scheduled to hold in November, political parties, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will conduct their primaries in April. Already, several aspirants have indicated interest in contesting the polls. There are 18 registered political parties, but the serious contenders for the election are from the two major parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP.

    There is a long list of aspirants on the platform of the ruling APC. They are Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; serial contender, Chief Olusola Oke; Secretary to the Ondo Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; a former lawmaker, Mayowa Akinfolarin; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; Brigadier-General Olamide Ohunyeye (rtd); Morayo Lebi; Edema Gbenga, former representative of Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); and Ayo Oritedi.

    For the PDP, only three aspirants have indicated interest in vying for its ticket during the forthcoming primary. They are Chief Sola Ebiseni and Adeolu Akinwumi and a former commissioner for Information, John Mato.

    A chieftain of the PDP who pleaded anonymity said the party is not ready to take power in Ondo State. The chieftain said the party failed to take advantage of the political imbroglio in the ruling APC occasioned by the ill-health of late Akeredolu. He argued that the PDP was fighting the cause of Aiyedatiwa instead of exploring ways to deepen the crisis in the APC.

    He said: “Our party is not serious. The governorship election is coming up this year. How many persons have declared interest in running on the platform of the party? We are not grounded in many local government areas. The removal of Fatai Adams as our party chairman will also affect the party negatively.”

    A leadership crisis recently hit the PDP as the state chairman, Fatai Adams, was removed and Tola Alabere was appointed as acting chairman. Adams was removed ahead of last Saturday’s bye-election for the Akoko Northwest/Akoko Northeast Federal Constituency seat. He was said to have kicked against the decision to support Olalekan Bada as its consensus candidate for the by-election.

    A spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, said five aspirants have indicated an interest in contesting at the party primary. He said there were many others in talks with the party leaders ahead of the primary. He said: “The PDP is serious. We are not for an open circus show. We are working towards getting a consensus candidate and not getting involved in a rancorous primary. The PDP is battle-ready. No member of the party who knows what is going on will say the party is not serious.”

    Chairman of the Boot Party, Ondo State chapter, Comrade Alex Adeniyi, has warned the opposition parties however that it would be difficult for any party to defeat the ruling APC without fielding a strong candidate. Adeniyi said three aspirants have already indicated interest in running on the BOOT Party platform. He said the party would field candidates from any part of the state.

    Adeniyi said the BOOT Party would not zone its governorship ticket to Ondo South but would give its ticket to an aspirant who has the courage and the fear of God, irrespective of the senatorial zone he hails from. He said: “There are 18 opposition political parties. It will be difficult to remove the incumbent without a strong candidate. Our party already has three aspirants.

    “We have people with a track record that we can present as a credible candidate. Politics is a game of numbers. When we look at the possibility of us winning the election, stepping down will then not be an option. No political party can solely finance elections. We are going to present a candidate that will not work behind our back to negotiate. We want to participate to win. The people have seen what other parties can offer and they want a change.”

    Meanwhile, aspirants on the platform of the PDP have promised better deals for the people. They believe that the election would be an easy ride for the party if the right thing was done. Akinwumi who hails from Okitipupa in Ondo South Senatorial District is an engineer by profession. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Science degree from the University of East London and specialises in Computer System Engineering. He was a Special Assistant to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko for 28 months before he tendered his resignation on personal grounds. His campaign mantra is “OYA” which his supporters said represents a wake-up call to the people that the time to play roles in a manner that would enable them to fulfil their aspirations.

    Akinwumi said he has been trained and exposed to what governance entails and that he is conversant with what is going on within the political terrain of the state. This, he added, would help him win the election. He added: “I believe I have what it takes to aspire for this exalted office; I served the government of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko between 2009 and 2011 and I worked very closely with the governor as one of his key staff within the office of the governor. This allowed me to come close in terms of what governance is all about in Ondo State because I had the privilege of information about the locality of our dear state and all of these I will aggregate together and bring together by the way of my aspiration.

    “It takes a lot of courage for a young man to come and say he wants to be the governor, particularly with the uncertainties shouldering the political space, the power of incumbency and elections that usually end up in court.

    “The PDP is still in vogue in Ondo State. Defeating the APC will be very easy. Cross-carpeting cannot affect us. We don’t know what would still happen in the APC platform. It is service to the people that is driving me to contest. It is my passion to serve. If you see my tax clearance you would know that I am committed to this party even though all my income is not coming from Ondo State but I reside in Ondo and I contribute to the economy of Ondo State.

    “Politics can be very funny at times. It is about permutations. What I need to do is to work on my people and make people understand what I want to do. If you are talking about structure in the PDP, I am part of that structure. I am the leader of this party. I also command followership of the people that form the structure.”

    Read Also: APC retains 59 Senate seats with wins in Ebonyi South, Yobe North

    Mato is a former deputy governorship, candidate. He has promised to introduce fresh and better ideas to turn the state around. In his declaration, he appealed to PDP leaders to give an aspirant like him the vision to fix the state as the standard bearer of the party.

    Mafo said: “Today’s event is rather an August gathering to provide a moment, an avenue for sober reflections on the way forward for our dear state and beloved people at this critical stage of our history, particularly as another election beckons.

    “We desire a governor, like a Messiah, who will love the people and serve them diligently by providing water for their thirst, affordable food for their hunger, durable roads for their mobility, gainful employment for their livelihood, health care delivery for their wellbeing, qualitative education for their knowledge, and general empowerment for their survival, if not comfort.

    “I therefore consider myself to be tailor-made, suited, prepared, endowed, and ordained to serve the state.”

    Chief Ebiseni is Secretary General of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere. He left the PDP to work for the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general election and returned to the party a few months ago. He has previously served as local government chairman and a commissioner. He said this year’s governorship election was unique because it would be a defining moment for the state.

    He added: “From serving as an elected local government chairman to being commissioner three times in the strategic Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, we have a comparative advantage in the knowledge of the state and the geopolitical distribution of its natural resources. These include oil and gas, forestry resources, economic crops, solid minerals etc.

    “Diversification of the economy of the state from over-reliance on the Federation Account is the only means of getting out of the woods and must be prioritised. There is a creative way of developing our resources within the constitution’s provisions.

    “Certain social services which set our state apart ideologically and have been discontinued or abandoned must be resuscitated in terms of quality and affordable education and health services, including the Mother and Child hospitals which will be fairly extended in the zones and many such welfare programmes. It is a cheap petit-bourgeois mindset to argue that the state cannot afford such existential programmes.”

    How the opposition parties manage their primaries would determine how far they would go in the governorship election. The November election will remain a battle between the APC and the PDP.

  • APC prunes 29 governorship aspirants to four in Edo

    APC prunes 29 governorship aspirants to four in Edo

    The twenty-nine governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have been pruned to four, ahead of the February 17 primary election.

    This was made known yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of Edo APC, Peter Uwadia-Igbinigie, a lawyer.

    The four leading aspirants are former Edo Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen; representative of Ovia constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa; former Edo Chairman of APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd.) and the representative of Edo Central, Senator Monday Okpekholo.

    Of the four aspirants, two (Imasuen and Idahosa) are from Edo South, while the other two (Imuse and Okpekholo) hail from Edo Central.

    Uwadiae-Igbinigie said: “The advisory committee, led by the representative of Owan Federal Constituency, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, had a primary objective of encouraging aspirants vying for the party’s ticket to consider reduction in their numbers.

    “In the screening, the four governorship aspirants received a positive evaluation. The advisory committee operated within its terms of reference for efficient primary management.

    Read Also: APC retains 59 Senate seats with wins in Ebonyi South, Yobe North

    “The initiative does not undermine the governorship aspirants’ constitutional rights in their pursuit of APC’s ticket in Edo State, evident in their procurement of the expression of interest and nomination forms.”

    Edo publicity secretary of APC reassured the governorship aspirants, who had purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms, of a level-playing field.

    He urged the aspirants to be ready to appear before the screening committee put in place by the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, between February 8 and 9, while adhering to the party’s timetable.

    Uwadiae-Igbinigie noted that the intervention was to dispel any misconception surrounding Ihonvbere’s committee’s purpose, while emphasising fairness and adherence to established procedures.

    The Edo APC publicity secretary said as the party would be navigating its internal procedures, it had a commitment to transparency and equity in the election of its governorship candidate.

  • APC organises lunch to mark Sokoto’s victory

    APC organises lunch to mark Sokoto’s victory

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) like-minded supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto has organised a lunch to celebrate the victory of the governor at the Supreme Court.

    The organisers represented by Usman Abubakar of Mabera Area, said the event was in appreciation of God and to strengthen their loyalty to Mr President, Governor Sokoto and the party leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko as well the party on which platform the victory was realised.

    Read Also: Edo 2024: APC prunes 29 governorship aspirants to four

    According to him, the event was also a show of love, unity and resilience for the party and those who matter.

    “This is in furtherance of what we believe in as true party members and supporters who recognise and appreciate APC political feat.

    “It is also a show of political strength and signal that come 2027, we will repeat same victory for BAT and our amiable governorh”, he said.

    Also speaking, Lawa Mabera said the event was to rebuild and renew the hope in APC members in the area while explaining that it was also a political strategy of sowing the seed of confidence for the party on the political soil in the state in order to attract more followers ahead of 2027.

    “We purposely took the step to demonstrate our spirit of sacrifice and commitment to the course of APC, Mr. president and our governor towards stemming the renewed hope agenda being driven in the state by our leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko”, he stressed.

  • Edo 2024: APC prunes 29 governorship aspirants to four

    Edo 2024: APC prunes 29 governorship aspirants to four

    The twenty-nine governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state have been pruned to four ahead of the February 17 primary election.

    The disclosure was made on Monday, February 5, by the publicity secretary of Edo APC, Peter Uwadia-Igbinigie, a lawyer.

    The four leading aspirants are former Edo deputy governor, Lucky Imasuen; the representative of Ovia constituency of Edo state in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa; the immediate Edo chairman of APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd.); and the representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpekholo.

    Of the four governorship aspirants, two (Imasuen and Idahosa) are from the Edo South senatorial district, while the other two (Imuse and Okpekholo) hail from the Edo Central senatorial district.

    Uwadiae-Igbinigie said: “The advisory committee, led by the representative of Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, had a primary objective of encouraging aspirants vying for the party’s ticket to consider a reduction in their numbers.

    “In the screening, the four governorship aspirants received a positive evaluation. The advisory committee operated within its terms of reference for efficient primary management.

    “The initiative does not undermine the governorship aspirants’ constitutional rights in their pursuit of APC’s ticket in Edo State, evident in their procurement of the expression of interest and nomination forms.”

    Read Also: APC retains 59 Senate seats with wins in Ebonyi South, Yobe North

    Edo publicity secretary of APC also reassured all the governorship aspirants who had purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms of a level-playing ground.

    He urged the aspirants to be ready to appear before the screening committee, put in place by the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, between February 8 and 9, 2024, while adhering to the party’s timetable.

    Uwadiae-Igbinigie noted that the intervention was to dispel any misconception surrounding the Ihonvbere’s committee’s purpose while emphasizing fairness and adherence to established procedures.

    The publicity secretary of APC in Edo also stated that as the APC would be navigating its internal procedures, it had a commitment to transparency and equity in the election of its governorship candidate.

  • APC retains 59 Senate seats with wins in Ebonyi South, Yobe North

    APC retains 59 Senate seats with wins in Ebonyi South, Yobe North

    • YPP floors Soludo’s APGA in Anambra
    • Ex-IG son’s victory excites Aiyedatiwa

    The ruling  All Progressives Congress (APC) has retained its dominance in the Senate with victory in Saturday’s by-elections in Ebonyi South and Yobe East districts.

    The party has 59 Senators. It is trailed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 37 senators; the Labour Party (LP) seven; the Social Democratic Party (SDP), two; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), two; and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), one. 

    Plateau North Senatorial District is outstanding.

    According to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC won the two senatorial seats in Yobe East where Musa Mustapha was declared winner and in  Ebonyi South where Prof. Anthony Ani beat his opponents.

    Ani won with 46,270 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ifeanyi Eleje of APGA who garnered 3,513.

    Silas Onu of the PDP polled 2,783 votes and Mr Linus Okorie of the LP scored 2,710 votes.

    Mustapha scored 68,778 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Aji Kolomi of PDP who had 18,878 votes.

    However, the rerun was inconclusive in Jos North Senatorial District where INEC said it would conduct fresh poll in 16 units.

    In Kano State, the ruling NNPP won two House of Assembly seats, thereby maintaining its hold on the grassroots.

    The YPP, which produced Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in last year’s election, floored APGA in Anambra. The party also won House of Representatives seats in Ebonyi State.

    Mustapha will take the seat vacated by Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, who is now Minister of Police Affairs.

    Mustapha was Commissioner for Transportation and Energy in the State before his election.

    Ani will replace  Dave Umahi who is now minister of Works.

    The APC won the House of Representatives by-elections in Surulere I, Lagos State with Fuad Laguda and Akoko North West/NorthEast  Constituency, Ondo State with the victory by Ifeoluwa Ehindero.  In the rerun poll in Kaduna, Gabriel Saleh Zock won the Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency seat.

    Fresh polls in Jos North’s 16 polling units

    Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner Oliver Adungu said INEC  will conduct fresh polls in 16 polling units in Jos North District and Bassa Federal constituency.

    He said the ballot papers for the 16 polling units were missing at the weekend, adding that the matter was referred to security agencies for investigation.

    The REC said the Returning Officer, Fred Ogboji, had been suspended.

    Adungu told Ogboji: “You are directed to step aside from office to enable the commission to carry out proper investigation and circumstances that led to the missing of House of Representatives ballot papers in 16 polling units in your Local Government.

    “You are further directed to handover to Elekwa Onyemauche,  the Local Government Supervisor, and the two RA supervisors of Tudun Wada – Kapong   Naraguta B (E.O Shendam and E.O Kanke Local Government Areas respectively) to coordinate and complete the remaining process.”

    Ehindero’s son wins in Akoko constituency

    Ifeoluwa, son of former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, won the House of Representatives seat for Akoko Northwest/Akoko Northeast Federal constituency.

    The APC candidate polled 35,504 votes to defeat his rival, Olalekan Bada of the PDP, who got 15,328 votes.

    The returning officer, Prof.  Johnson Fasinmirin, who declared Ehindero winner, said the total votes cast were 51,896;    valid votes    51,341  and rejected votes, 555.

      Spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, had boasted that PDP would use the by-election to show the world that the party was still kicking and alive in the state.

    The Chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin, said the outcome of the poll was a confirmation that the PDP has become extinct in the state.

    Adetimehin said: “Our victory is for the people. It is a confirmation that the APC remained the only political party in Ondo State.

    “We campaigned and the people believed Ehindero will follow the footsteps of Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to bring dividends of democracy to them.”

    YPP wins in Anambra

    YPP chieftain Peter Uzokwe won the House of Representatives seat in Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo constituency with 25,518, defeating the APGA candidate who scored 25,412

    Also, in the Orumba North and South constituency,   Chinwe Nnabuife of YPP was returned as winner with 14,416 votes, defeating the former lawmaker, Ezenwankwo, of PDP, who scored 13087.

    The YPP candidate won with  1,329 margin in Orumba North and South federal constituency.

    APC sweeps Kebbi

    In  Yauri/Shanga/Ingaski constituency, APC candidate Garba Umar won the House of Representatives election with 54,885 votes, defeating Garba Hassan of PDP, who got 16,652 votes.

    Umar will replace Tako Sanunu, who is now minister of State for Education.

    Kamba wins in Arewa/ Dandi constituency

    The candidate of APC,  Garba   Kamba, was declared the winner of the rerun in 25 polling units in the Arewa/Dandi Federal constituency.

    He garnered 32,432 votes to defeat his PDP rival,  who scored 31,858.

    The Returning Officer, Prof.  Aliyu   Turaki made the declaration at Kamba Collation Centre before presenting a certificate of return to him.

    APC, PDP candidates win in Sokoto

    The PDP candidate, Umar Yusuf, was declared the winner of the re-run in Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency.

    The Returning Officer,  Prof. Abubakar Abdullahi-Bagudo, said Yusuf, who polled 2,249 votes, defeated Abubakar Umar of the APC, who got 3,741 votes.

    Also, the Returning Officer for the House of Assembly poll in Bodinga North Constituency,  Professor Farouk Tambuwal, announced Magaji Abubakar of the PDP as the winner. He got 6,488 votes, defeating Yusuf Marafa Danchadi of APC, who polled 5,893 votes.

    PDP candidate rejects Ebonyi South result

    The PDP candidate, Silas Onu, described the election as shameful.

    In a statement, Onu lamented that INEC in Ebonyi State connived with the ruling APC to thwart his candidacy.

    “In the build-up to the election, we also saw how institutions can become an obstacle to achieving the mandate given to them by law.

    “We say this as a result of the shameful conduct of INEC, especially the Ebonyi State office that has literally become an extension of the APC in the State.

    “So many of our voters were told that the PDP was no longer on the ballot as “Court had disqualified Silas Joseph Onu.”

    “People gave up on the process, hence the very low turn-out on the election day.”

    “So, INEC allocated accredited figures in polling units where results were cancelled to APC and that is how they emerged.”

    Umahi hails outcome

    In his congratulatory message to Ani, Works Minister Dave Umahi emphasized that this victory signified the people’s confidence in the ability of the APC and the winner to provide effective governance.

    He implored Ani not to let down the constituents who entrusted him with the mandate to represent them in the 10th Senate.

    PDP consolidates in Adamawa

    The candidate of PDP,  Mahmoud Kallamu, won the House of Assembly by-election in Mayo-Belwa Constituency of Adamawa State.

    PDP now has 16 members in the 25-member House of Assembly, leaving the remaining nine for APC.

     Kallamu scored 1,306 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Ibrahim Italiya, who got 874 votes.

    The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Ardo of Modibbo Adama University Yola, said Kallamu won six of the seven polling units in the election.

    Protest in Kaduna over polls

    There was violent protest yesterday in  Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leading   to the death of Mansur Shafiu, a graduate of Kaduna State University.

    Violence erupted when counting of ballots started. Some thugs snatched the ballot box and whisked away the INEC officials.

    Mansur, who was hit  by the stray bullet,was rushed to the hospital, but later died around 10:00pm.

    Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan confirmed the killing, saying that, the Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi,  has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Criminal Investigation, to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits.

    However, a member of the House of Representatives from Igabi Constituency, Hussaini Muhammad Jallo, who emerged victorious at the re-rum poll, said he dedicated his victory to God and the slain Mansur.

    He said:  “We will engage the Nigeria Police Force to launch an immediate full scale investigation, with a view to fishing out the perpetrator of this killing and the deliberate attacks meted on voters during our rerun that led to snatching of ballot boxes in Rigachikun, Unguwar Yelwa Birinin Yero, Kwarau, Mando and Joga by hired thugs.”

    PDP triumphs in Jigawa

    PDP candidate  Yakubu Adamu was declared winner of the rerun in Birninkudu/Buji Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.

    The Chief Returning Officer, Prof Ahmad Baita Garko, said Adamu polled 43,053 votes, while  Magaji Da’u of APC scored 42,544 votes.

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    He said: “The election was contested and the candidates received the following votes; Kamalu Usaman of ADC scored 81 votes, Isa Ado of ADP scored 170 votes, Da’u Magaji Aliyu of APC Scott 42,544 votes, Ali Abdullahi Umar of NNPP scored 1,106 votes, Adamu Yakubu of PDP scored 43,053 votes and Abdullahi Buhari of SDP scored 62 votes.”

    Sacked Bauchi Speaker, Deputy  returns

    Former Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman has won the Ningi State Constituency rerun

    Announcing the results at the INEC Office in Ningi, the  Returning Officer, Prof. Ahmed Abdulhamid,  said Suleiman  polled 11,785 votes,defeating his opponent, Khalid Captain Ningi of APC,wo scored 10,339 votes.

    Also, the former Deputy Zpeaker, Jamilu Dahiru of the PDP, won the Bauchi Central Constituency.

    Tafoki wins Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa seat

    Former Deputy Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, won the re-run  Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency,

    The Returning Officer for the Election, Prof. Aminu Dalha Kankia, said he scored 49,807 to defeat his closet lrival at the poll

    Speaking with reporters, shortly after his declaration, Tafoki, said he perceived his election into the National Assembly as a redefinition of hope by the discerning electorate.

    NNPP wins two seats in Kano

    NNPP  won two House of Assembly seats in Kano.

    However, INEC suspended the re-run in Kunchi/Tsanyawa state constituency, following the disruptions and irregularities, including hijacking and snatching of electoral materials.

    The commission declared Alhaji Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu of the NNPP winner in Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency.

    Dr. Alhassan Zakariya Ishaq of NNPP also won the House of Assembly by-election in Kura/Garun Malam constituency.

    The returning officer of the election, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Suraj, declared that Butu-Butu polled 31,135 votes to defeat his opponent and candidate of the APC, who got 25,577 votes.

    Prof. Shehu Musa Galadanchi, the Returning Officer of Kura/Garun Malam state Assembly rerun, declared Alhassan Zakariya Ishaq of the NNPP  winner.

    Ishaq garnered 37,262 votes to defeat Musa Hayatu Daurawar of APC, who scored 30,803 votes.

    APGA reclaims victory in Yenagoa Constituency I

    APGA chieftain Amakoromo Waikumo won the rerun in Yenagoa Constituency,Bayelsa State.

    He polled 5,959 votes to beat his closest rival,  Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai of  PDP, who scored 5,263 votes.

    Declaring the result at the INEC Collation Centre, Okolobiri, the Returning Officer, Prof. Chris Onyema, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, said the APGA candidate scored the highest number of votes.

    Nasarawa Speaker commends INEC

     Nasarawa State House of Assembly Speaker Danladi Jatau commend INEC for conducting free, fair and credible by-elections where two lawmakers were returned.

     The two members are Muhammed Adamu Omadefu, representing Keana Constituency on the platform of APC and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, representing Doma South Constituency on the platform of NNPP.

    Their elections were nullified by the Court of Appeal, which ordered the reruns.

    Kaduna Speaker Liman wins rerun

    Kaduna State House of Assembly Speaker Yusuf Dahiru  Liman,  representing Makera Constituency  retained his seat during the rerun. His victory in last year’s poll was cancelled by the Appeal Court, which ordered a fresh poll.