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Tag: Governor-elect

  • Ekere, Akpabio, Etiebet blame INEC for APC’s loss in Akwa Ibom

    EVEN with his declaration as governor-elect, Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel should not rejoice, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has said, insisting that the trophy was wrongly awarded to the incumbent

    Three APC leaders in the Southsouth state said the party would do everything legal to reclaim its victory, adding that their party won in 26 local government areas of the state.

    Obong Nsima Ekere (governorship candidate), Senator Godswill Akpabio and Chief Don Etiebet blamed APC’s loss in last Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    According to them, the INEC chair refused to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, from Akwa Ibom, in line with the umpire’s practice since 1999.

    Ekere, at a press briefing in his Ewet Housing Estate residence in Uyo, the state capital, alleged that Igini had from the outset shown through his utterances and actions that he was determined to frustrate the APC from winning elections in the state.

    He said: ‘“Now, interestingly, months before the elections, the APC family in Akwa Ibom State had expressed a lot of reservations about the character of Mr. Mike Igini.

    “We had told the entire country and the world that Mr. Igini had shown the world that he was far from neutral in the way he was preparing for the elections and his utterances amongst his staff during training sessions and the things he said showed clearly that the man had a mindset that he had sworn severally that under his watch, the APC cannot win elections in Akwa Ibom State.

    “All we wanted was for INEC to allow Akwa Ibom people decide for themselves who they wanted. It was not for INEC and the resident electoral commissioner to come and decide for Akwa Ibom people which political party must win and which one must not win under his watch.

    “He is supposed to be a neutral umpire. His (Igini’s) conduct and the things he has done both in the presidential and National Assembly elections and the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections have confirmed our fears.

    “What we find so difficult to understand is why it was difficult for the INEC chairman and other authorities to listen to our pleas to change Mike Igini as the REC in Akwa Ibom.”

    Arguing that Igini had stayed long enough as the REC to be redeployed, the APC candidate said: “From 1999 when elections started again in this country, every election year, the REC and other staff of the INEC who have been resident in a state for a period of time were always moved around.

    “That way, you are sure they will not allow their alliances and their friendships they have developed in the state within that period they have stayed to influence their conduct.

    “Surprisingly, INEC refused to do this. And this is the first time this is happening. They allowed Mr. Igini to frustrate the wishes of Akwa Ibom people. This is most unfortunate.”

    Ekere insisted that his party was robbed of victory at the polls.

    He claimed that his party won in 26 of the 31 local government areas.

    Ekere said: “I want to thank the people of Akwa Ibom State for the love for our party which was expressed through the ballot paper on Saturday.

    “It was clear that from the result collated from the fields, our party, the APC won the election in 26 out 31 local government areas of the state. But we were denied of that victory in the connivance between the PDP and INEC

    “We have evidence of this and we will use appropriate legal means to reclaim the mandate. I urge you all to remain calm”

    Senator Akpabio also blamed the APC’s fate on Igini, saying he found it hard to understand why his Essien Udim Local Government Area, with voting strength of 105,000, was allotted just a bit above 6, 000 votes.

    He said the elections were massively rigged by the PDP in connivance with the INEC leadership in the state.

    Etiebet vowed that the APC will do everything legally permissible to reclaim its victory, insisting that the party won in 26 local government areas.

    He accused INEC of changing the results announced at various polling units which put the APC in a clear lead ahead of the PDP.

    Responding to the allegations  Igini said he came to the state to change the old way of doing things, adding that the election was free and fair, devoid of any bias.

    Igini asked the losers to direct their petitions to the tribunals.

    He said: ”We have conducted the elections, so I don’t want to be joining issues with people. I have heard everything they have said about me.

    ”After the elections, the constitution says results can only be questioned in the form of petitions and in election tribunals that have already been set up and inaugurated.

    ”At any point in time, any person who has issues with the outcome of the elections should go to the tribunal.”

    Igini denied backing any party, and challenged any politician to prove that he has ever had any private meeting with them or collected any form of gratification to rig the elections.

     

     

  • ‘Sanwo-Olu’s victory is confidence vote for Tinubu’

    The Grand Patron of the Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group in Lagos State, Chief Lanre Razak, has congratulated Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his victory at the polls.

    He attributed Sanwo-Olu’s landslide victory to the goodwill the  All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, enjoyed among Lagosians.

    Razak said Sanwo-Olu ’s triumph over his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, as well as the election of 40 lawmakers from APC into the House of Assembly, was the best way for the electorate to appreciate Asiwaju Tinubu for his invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of the state.

    In a statement in Epe yesterday, Razak said the people should expect good governance and more dividends of democracy from the incoming governor, considering his pedigree as a former private sector guru and a participant in the Lagos public service for years.

    Read also: ‘Why I pound yam at Mama Afrika Restaurant, Newark’

    He said he was confident that Sanwo-Olu would prioritise the interest of the ordinary people.

    Razak, a former commissioner for Public Transportation, said: “I want to assure Lagosians that there will be more socio-economic transformation during Sanwo-Olu’s tenure. Lagosians and others will be happy that they have made the right choice.”

  • The new governors-elect in Southwest

    Abiodun

    Dapo Abiodun was born May 29, 1960. He is the Governor-elect of Ogun State.  Abiodun is the board Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission. He is the managing director of Heyden Petroleum and the founder of First Power Limited.

    He hails from Iperu Remo in Ogun State and belongs to a royal family. He was born into the family of Dr Emmanuel and Mrs Victoria Abiodun from Iperu Remo, in Ogun East senatorial district.

    He studied civil engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ife, Osun State and subsequently, Accounting at Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Georgia, United States of America (USA). He is the managing director/CEO of Heyden Petroleum Ltd (HPL), an indigenous player in the downstream, midstream, and upstream oil and gas industry in Nigeria. He is also reportedly the founder of First Power Limited.

    Read also: Polls inconclusive in Kano, Benue, Sokoto, three others

    Abiodun was a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2015 general elections.

     Makinde

    Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, the Oyo State governor-elect, was born December 25, 1967. He is the Group Managing Director of Makon Group Limited, an indigenous oil and gas company in Nigeria. He established his first oil and gas private business called Makon Engineering and Technical Services, (METS) at 29 in 1997, after earning years of work experience with international oil and gas companies.

    Makinde contested for the Oyo State 2015 gubernatorial seat on the platform Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    He was born to a renowned teacher turned accountant, the late Pa Olatubosun Makinde and Madam Abigail Makinde of Aigbofa compound in Oja’ba, Ibadan. He is the third child of the family.

    Makinde went to St Paul Primary School, St Michael Primary School, Yemetu, Ibadan, Bishop Phillips Academy, Monatan, Ibadan and the University of Lagos (Unilag), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

     Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu was born on June 25, 1965. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, the London Business School, Lagos Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He was the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC).

    He holds a B.Sc in Surveying and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD). He was the treasurer at former Lead Merchant Bank from 1994 to 1997 after which he moved to the United Bank for Africa as the head of foreign money market. He then proceeded to First Inland Bank, Plc (now First City Monument Bank) as a deputy general manager and divisional head. He was the chairman of Baywatch Group Limited and First Class Group Limited. He is a board member of the Department for International Development (DFID/DEEPEN) Fund and Audit Committee of Caverton Offshore Services Group, PLC.

    He began his political career in 2003, when he was appointed Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the then deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro. He later became acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. In 2007, Sanwo-Olu was appointed Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions.

  • Lagos Speaker, monarch greet governor-elect, lawmakers

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker and Chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria Mudashiru Obasa and Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi have sent a message of congratulation to the state governor-elect, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on their victory at the just-concluded governorship election.

    The Speaker also felicitated with returning and new members-elect of the state House of Assembly for what he described as “hard-earned but well deserved victory at the polls”.

    Obasa’s message was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak.

    “It was tough for us all, but at the end of the day, a well-deserved victory for all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a confirmation of the love Lagosians have for our great party and the giant strides we have been achieving in the state,” he said.

    The Lagos Assembly Speaker expressed appreciation to Nigerians, particularly Lagosians, for reposing and renewing their confidence in the APC in Lagos State and also at the federal level.

    Also Oba Elegushi congratulated the governor-elect, describing his victory as a vote for continuation of good governance.

    In a statement from the Elegushi’s Palace, the monarch said with the overwhelming votes secured by the APC candidate, Lagosians have made their choice, which is to see more of the developmental strides witnessed in the State since 1999.

     

  • Ambode congratulates governor-elect, lawmakers-elect

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as well as the 40 House of Assembly candidates of the party for their resounding victory at Saturday’s polls.

    Sanwo-Olu was declared winner of the election and governor-elect by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.

    He trounced his closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje with 739, 445 votes to 206,141.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said the feat was a reward for the vigorous campaign embarked upon by the APC candidate and his running mate across the length and breadth of the state.

    The statement reads: “Lagosians have spoken loud and clear with their votes and have overwhelmingly voted for a government they believe will continue the trajectory of growth that we have experienced in the last 20 years under the APC.

    “It is therefore with great pleasure that I congratulate our great party for a resounding victory yesterday. Again, the people of Lagos have decided to stay on the path of infrastructural drive, economic growth and all round development.

    “While I congratulate the Governor-Elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on their well-deserved victory, let me also thank all Lagosians for keeping faith with the APC,” Governor Ambode said.

    “Governor Ambode also congratulated all the 40 candidates of the APC in the State Assembly elections for emerging victorious, adding that it would ensure a seamless relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government.”

    Also yesterday, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Mudashiru Obasa, congratulated governor-elect, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy governor-elect, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat on their victory.

    He felicitated with returning and new members-elect of the House of Assembly for what he described as “hard-earned but well deseved victory at the polls”.

    “It was tough for us all but at the end of the day, a well deserved victory for all members of the All Progressives Congress  (APC), a confirmation of the love Lagosians have for our great party and the giant strides we have been achieving in the state”, Obasa said in statement by his media aide, Rasak  Musbau.

  • Oni vs Fayemi: Court sets hearing for Sept 25

    *Okays ex-gov’s amended processes

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 25 this year for hearing in the suit challenging the eligibility of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi for the last govrnorship election in the state.
    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba chose the date on Wednesday after granting an application by the plaintiff, Segun Oni, for an amendment to the originating processes.

    Read Also: Fayemi: we’ve uncovered Fayose’s plan to sell govt property

    Earlier, Oni’s lawyer, Anthony Adeniyi told the court that his client has complied with the order for substituted service on the defendants.
    Fayemi’s lawyer, Rafiu Balogun said his client was just served with the court processes and needed time to respond.
    He agreed to file his client’s response before the next date.
    Details later.

  • Election observer group okays Fayemi’s victory

    A local election observer group, Democracy Vanguard, has described last Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election as a better improvement over the previous ones conducted in the Fountain of Knowledge.

    It congratulated the Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the good people of Ekiti for being violence-free while exercising their franchise.

    Read Also:I won’t disappoint Ekiti people, says Fayemi

    In a statement on Thursday signed by its State Coordinator, Yetunde Adeoluwa, the organization commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, credible and conclusive election with an improvement over previous ones.

    Adeoluwa said: “The peaceful conduct of the INEC and Security agencies during the 14th July 2018 governorship election shows that our democratic process is improving.

    “There was no record of ballot snatching, rigging, violence or electoral malpractices, as it was experienced in 2007, while there was no security clampdown compared to 2014. This is highly commendable.

    “Despite the fact that the political situation was charged for violence during the campaign, the security agencies were highly coordinated and prevented attempts by some hoodlums to truncate the electoral process.

    The deployment of the 30,000 joint operatives of the Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence, Military and other paramilitary was very effective.

    Adeoluwa advised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, to accept defeat in good faith noting that “there is nothing to challenge in court.”

    She added: “We at Democracy Vanguard encourage the PDP candidate Prof. Kolapo Olusola to accept the result in the spirit of sportsmanship. There is nothing to challenge in court because the election was free, fair, credible, and conclusive.

    “Similarly, we congratulate the Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on his victory at the polls and also call on him to use his profound pro-democracy background in offering the good people of Ekiti state good governance, devoid of pauperized stomach infrastructure and
    restore the values of the state.”

    The Civil Society group reiterated the need for INEC and the police to “prosecute every electoral offender arrested during this election period in line with the law so as to serve as deterrent to others.”

  • Mimiko congratulates Akeredolu

    Mimiko congratulates Akeredolu

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on Monday sent his congratulatory message to the Governor-Elect, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.

    Mimiko in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said “it behoves of him as the Governor of Ondo State to congratulate the Governor-elect, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and wish him success in the challenging task of governing our dear State.”

    The Ondo Governor said “It is incumbent upon me as Governor to facilitate a smooth transition between my government and the incoming one. I will, to this end, provide the ambience for a smooth and seamless transition process.”

    While promising to continue to provide leadership to the State till the takeover date, Mimiko expressed his appreciation to the people of the State.

    He said “I use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to all our citizens for the very peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the election period. I will not waiver in providing needed leadership to our dear State till the last day of my term.”

    He enjoined residents to strive to sustain the peace enjoyed in the State for the past seven years, promising to speak with them as occasion demands as his “eight year tenure inches to an end.”‎

  • Tribunal grants Obaseki motion to inspect election materials

    Tribunal grants Obaseki motion to inspect election materials

    Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted permission to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governor elect, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to inspect all materials used in the conduct of the September 28 governorship election.

     

    The motion was granted after the three-man panel heard arguments of the lead Counsel to Obaseki, Sentos Femi Owootori.

     

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice A.T.Badamasi granted the motion that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allows the APC and Obaseki inspect the election materials.

     

    Obaseki won the election after he polled 319,483 votes to defeat Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP who polled 253,173.

     

    The Tribunal had last Monday granted similar motion to the PDP and its candidate to inspect the election materials. 

     

    It was gathered that the PDP was yet to file its petition before the tribunal.

  • Edo deputy governor-elect denies harassing collation officer

    Edo deputy governor-elect denies harassing collation officer

    Edo State Deputy Governor-elect Philip Shaibu has expressed his shock over allegation by a collation officer that he harassed him with a gun.

    Shaibu said security officials were present when everything transpired at the collation centre.

    He said it was just a minor issue over results that were miscalculated and the collation officer suggested that they should go to Benin to settle the matter.

    He explained: “I was shocked when I watched it on TV, I was wondering if it was somebody else that was talking. Everything he said was completely opposite to what happened. And thank God that the DSS, police and other security agents were there when all these things were done at the collation centre.

    “The same collation officer that went on air lying that I was harassing him with gun is the same man who promised that the matter will be sorted out in Benin.

    “It is shocking that a professor of that nature is making such a wild allegation. If he is working for his pay masters he should know that we have conscience and everything we do today we must account for it before God,” he said.