The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last election in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri and his running mate, Commodore Benjamin Nathus (retd) have announced their resignations from the party.
It was gathered that most of the local government chairmen of the party in Bayelsa joined Eradiri and Nathus to dump the party.
Eradiri, who was recently conferred Fellowship by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) sent his resignation letter to the state chairman of the party in Yenagoa.
In the letter dated December 8 and titled, Letter of Withdrawal as Labour Party Member, Eradiri said he took the decision to enable him to pursue his political career on a platform ready and prepared to provide the kind of leadership that Bayelsa deserves.
Eradiri appreciated members of the party, who believed in his vision for a better Bayelsa and allowed him to be the governorship candidate.
“But unfortunately, we couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership”, he said.
Eradiri noted that it was a great moment working together politically and traversing the nooks and crannies of the state in the quest for leadership.
Eradiri, who came third in the governorship poll, said his decision was supported by his loyalists.
Also in his letter of withdrawal, Nathus said the move was borne out of his decision to seek a platform committed to a leadership that would propel Bayelsa towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
He said: “I am profoundly grateful for the support and camaraderie of the party members who have shared in our vision for a thriving Bayelsa and graciously provided me the opportunity to serve as a deputy governorship candidate. The journey has been enriched with invaluable experiences and insights”.
Nathus said he was honoured to work with dedicated colleagues and engage deeply with communities in the pursuit of transformative governance.
Eradiri, who confirmed his resignation from the party, said he was undergoing serious consultations to decide the next political platform that would enable him to provide service to the people.
“We are consulting seriously and engaging all stakeholders to know the next political party to join. Our next party of interest will be such that will enable us to provide service to the people and mice Bayelsa forward”, he said.
Five opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was witnessed by four serving senators, including APC’s former National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Ede Dafinone (Delta), Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (Delta), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross Rivers).
The defectors are four Labour Party (LP) lawmakers and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, who is also the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Eriathatake Ibori-Suenu.
Ibori’s daughter, who is representing Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, was elected on the platform of the PDP.
The defectors are: Tochukwu Okere (Imo State), Donatus Mathew, popularly called the Okada Man (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River) and Iyawe Esosa (Edo).
In their defection letters read on the floor of House during plenary by Speaker Tajuden Abbas, the lawmakers hinged their action on the crises rocking the LP and the PDP.
Okere said the legal tussle in the LP made it difficult to ascertain who the party’s true leaders are, thus making it impossible to know the clear direction it was heading.
Donatus Matthew said he has reflected on the crisis in the party and concluded that he could not achieve a clear political direction, if he remained in the Labour Party.
The lawmaker said though he had worked tirelessly to support the party, he had realized that his political ideals were better represented in the APC.
Akiba Bassey blamed the factionalisation of the LP and the achievements of Governor Bassey Otu as his reasons for joining APC.
The lawmaker noted that Section 68(1g) of the Constitution allowed him to change the party that sponsored him for reasons of internal wrangling.
He said there were two factions of the party at the national level, which had also been replicated at the state and local government chapters.
Bassey said the development had made it difficult for him to attend LP’s meetings and that it had been impossible for him to take concrete decisions.
He stressed that as a result of Governor Otu’s outstanding performance and exemplary leadership, his supporters had abandoned him in the Labour Party, hence his decision to join the APC.
Esosa Iyawe hinged his decision on his inability to identify who should control the national leadership of the party and the various cases in court as a result of the party’s leadership crisis.
Citing constitutional order, House Minority Whip Ali Isa asked the Speaker to declare the seats of the five lawmakers vacant.
The lawmaker said the parliament should learn to respect the nation’s Constitution, adding that the law provided that those who defected from the parties that sponsored them should lose their seats.
He said: “We are discussing with some members of the APC and that discussion has reached an advanced stage. They will soon come to the House to announce their defection to the PDP. I hope the Speaker will not invoke this constitutional provision then.”
But Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinoni said there was no crisis in the Labour Party.
According to him, those insisting that there is a crisis in LP are only out to malign the integrity of the party.
He said: “Mr. Speaker, no matter the defection here today, the truth is that Labour Party is still above and ahead of the New Nigeian People’s Party (NNPP) in this House. My party is not in a crisis, and remains one. Those who said there is a faction in the Labour Party are only maligning the party.
“I am not surprised at what has happened here today because we expected this to happen. This is because people join political parties without an ideology. So, they have decided to join a party that has brought hunger to the land.
“We are waiting for them. By 2027, we are waiting to give them their rightful ticket. When Jesus was carrying the cross and the women were crying for him, he told them not to weep for him. Those who have defected will continue to weep.”
Also, the Labour Party has threatened to take a legal action against its four lawmakers who defected to APC.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the LP asked its legal team to begin legal actions against the defectors and to also start the process of “regaining our mandates in line with the 1999 Constitution and 2022 Electoral Act, as amended”.
The statement said: “Though the Labour Party leadership is undaunted by the defection, it has, however, elected not to allow it slide and has, therefore, instructed its legal team to commence the legal actions against the defectors and to also commence the process of regaining our mandates, in line with the 1999 Constitution and 2022 Electoral Act, as amended.
“The party will also approach the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare vacant the seats occupied by these former Labour Party members, in line with the House Rules. It is inappropriate and unacceptable for these lawmakers to continue to function as representatives of their constituencies – illegally.
“The party has also decided to open a ‘Hall of Shame’ register for these lawmakers or any lawmaker or elected officer of the party who engages in fraudulent act of defection without first dropping the mandate obtained under the ticket of the party.
“The following lawmakers include (1). Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Imo East) (2). Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency) (3). Tochukwu Okere (Owerri Federal Constituency), (4). Donatus Mathew (Kaura Federal Constituency.) (5). Iyawe Esosa (Oredo Federal Constituency) and Daulyop (Plateau). These lawmakers will feature prominently in the register.
“On that note, we will call on Nigerians to beware of these genres of politicians lacking in clear democratic ideology and ethos rather than ‘Jumpology’ ideology; jumping from one party to the other, in disregard to the enabling laws and without any ideological leaning.
“If we really want this democracy to thrive, we must isolate these political merchants and opportunists and help bury their mercantilist political enterprise by snubbing, affronting and rejecting them in future polls having exhibited a grave level of character deficit by betraying public trust.”
The Labour Party (LP) has vowed to pursue legal action against five defected lawmakers elected on its platform.
The party, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh on Thursday in Abuja, asked its legal team to commence legal actions against the defectors and to also commence the process of “regaining our mandates in line with the 1999 constitution and 2022 Electoral Act as amended.”
The Reps members who defected from the LP included Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo) and Daulyop from (Plateau).
Their letter of defection to the APC was read on the floor of the Green Chamber by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
The statement said: “Though, the Labour Party leadership is undaunted by the defection, it has however, elected not to allow it slide and has therefore instructed its legal team to commence the legal actions against the defectors and to also commence the process of regaining our mandates in line with the 1999 constitution and 2022 Electoral Act as amended.
“The party will also approach the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare vacant the seats occupied by these former Labour Party members in line with the House Rules. It is inappropriate and unacceptable for the these lawmakers to continue to function as representatives of their constituencies illegally.
“The party has also decided to open a ‘Hall of Shame’ register for these lawmakers or any lawmaker or elected officer of the party who engages in fraudulent act of defection without first dropping the mandate gotten under the ticket of the party.
“The following lawmakers include 1. Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Imo East) 2. Reps Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani Federal Constituency) 3. Reps Tochukwu Okere (Owerri Federal Constituency), 4. Reps. Donatus Mathew (Kaura Federal Constituency.), 5. Reps Iyawe Esosa (Oredo Federal Constituency) and Daulyop from (Plateau). These lawmakers will feature prominently in the register.
“On that note, we will call on Nigerians to beware of these genres of politicians lacking in clear democratic ideology and ethos rather than ‘Jumpology’ ideology; jumping from one party to the other, in disregard to the enabling laws and without any ideological leaning. If we really want this democracy to thrive, we must isolate these political merchants and opportunists and help bury their mercantilist political enterprise by snubbing, affronting and rejecting them in future polls having exhibited a grave level of character deficit by betraying public trust.”
The Labour Party that sprung surprises in the 2023 general election has not attained similar feat as the party’s performance in the following off-season elections has indicated a loud departure from its impressive showings. ASSISTANT EDITOR EMMANUEL BADEJO reports
That the Labour Party asserted itself and broke new grounds during the 2023 general elections was not in doubt. It performed beyond imagination of many political juggernauts, who had wished away the workers’ political party. It broke new grounds in the South-West, South-East, South-South and in the North-Central. Its feat led to tongues wagging within the political circle and in the country.
While the incumbent, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who flew the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 8,794,726 votes, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came second with 6,984,520 votes while the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi of the LP came third with 6,101,533 votes.
Though 18 political parties participated in the election, it was obvious ahead of the election that the race was among the trio of the APC, PDP and the LP. Consequently, after the presidential election and going by the result the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced, Tinubu and Atiku won 12 states each, while Obi won 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Shockingly, Obi won Lagos State, the APC’s stronghold. It is interesting to note that since 1999, the state has been under the leadership of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and the APC. Even when the state was in the opposition party, the party at the center could not defeat the ruling party in the state in national, state or local government elections.
Indeed, many people described the LP’s victory in Lagos as phenomenal. The LP also floored Keyamo at his polling unit in Delta State. Beyond the South, the party also made some inroads into the North. In the presidential election, the party won seven LGAs in Kaduna State; 23 LGAs in Benue State among others.
Similarly, the LP candidate floored the two dominant parties at the nation’s capital, Abuja when he polled 281,717, while Tinubu scored 90,902 and Atiku 74,199 votes. He also won in all the 10 polling units at the presidential villa.
In Adamawa State, Atiku’s stronghold, Obi floored him at PU35, Karewa, Yola north LGA with a difference of 38 votes.
Also, the LP presidential candidate won in Delta State, the stronghold of the PDP where its vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, is the incumbent governor. The LP won with 341,866 votes against the PDP’s 161,600 and the APC’s 90,183 votes.
In the same vein, he won in Cross River State – a state that had an APC member, Ben Ayade, as the incumbent governor.
Although the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, had said Obi could not win the election, the LP candidate defeated his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as well as APC and PDP in the state. The LP also won the polling unit in the state Government House as well as the National Assembly seats.
The Labour Party also sacked some political heavyweights in the Senate and House of Representatives. In all, the party moved from having one member in the Senate to eight members, while in the House of Representatives, the number rose to 22.
For example, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State lost his senatorial bid to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to the Labour Party candidate, Okechukwu Ezea. Ugwuanyi scored 46,948 while Ezea polled 104,948 votes.
In Abia State, the PDP lost two House of Representative seats to the Labour Party while the LP senatorial candidate for Abia Central zone, Darlington Nwokocha, defeated the APC and PDP candidates.
The LP candidate for FCT Senatorial, Ireti Kingibe, also sacked the current senator, Philip Aduda, of the PDP, a three-time senator. Kingibe scored 202,175 votes while Aduda scored 100,544 votes. Another LP candidate, Obika Chinedu, won his bid for FCT House of Representatives also defeated PDP candidate, Micah Jiba.
Similarly, in Edo State, LP’s Neda Imasuen won the Edo South Senatorial District seat beating his closest rival from the PDP, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, with a margin of 105,501 votes.
Also, LP’s Darlington Nwokocha scored 92,116 to defeat a former National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Augustine Akobundu, who polled 41,477 for the Abia Central Senatorial District seat.
For Amuwo-Odofin Constituency in Lagos State, LP’s George Adegeye emerged victorious with 46,702 votes defeating his closest rival in the APC, Lanre Sanusi, who polled 12,946 votes while the incumbent, Oghene Ego, of the PDP had 5,752 votes.
Pundits described LP’s performance as impressive, saying they saw a revolutionary trend in the country’s politics. They said the feat showed that elections in Nigeria were fast moving away from being decided by the candidate’s political party platform to the candidate’s character and competence, as well as the electorates’ perception of the candidate. The party was adjured by many as the third force in the nation’s political arrangement, which had captured the heart of the youths and many Nigerians yearning for a change from then government.
However, Obi, the trader, and former Anambra State governor changing the game and leading the new third force in Nigeria’s political sphere, lost the presidential election after having won 12 states, including Lagos and other former strongholds of the two previously dominant parties with a total of 6,101,533 votes.
Analysts agreed that the feat by these opposition parties, especially the LP, was a phenomenal because it was the first time since the return to democracy in 1999 that the opposition political parties would pull such a big surprise to join the APC and the PDP, considered by many as opposite sides of the same coin, in the national legislature.
Those who follow political journey in Nigeria have described the development as inspiring because if the new entrants play their cards very well by working together or forming a strong alliance, they would pose a formidable force to challenge the APC and the PDP in the legislature.
In his word after the election, Obi had said: “The world has taken note and will not forget so easily. We shall endure and persist until we get to our destination because a new Nigeria is our destination. A destination, not an event.
“Going forward, we in the Labour Party and the Obidient movement are now effectively ready to take over the reign of government.
“We are glad that the nation has heard us loud and clear. We shall now expand the confines of our message of hope to the rest of the country.
“We shall meet the people in the places where they feel pain and answer their needs for hope.
“At marketplaces, motor parks, town halls, board rooms, and university and college campuses, we all carry and deliver the message of a new Nigeria. As stakeholders and elected Labour Party officials, we shall remain loyal to our manifesto.
“We will continue to canvas for good governance and focus on issues that promote national interest, unity, and cohesion.
“We will continue to give primacy to our constitution, the rule of law, and the protection of ordered liberties
“We will offer the checks and balances required in a functional democracy and vie robustly in forthcoming elections to elect those who share our vision of a new Nigeria.
“Given our present national circumstances, there is a compelling need for a strong political opposition.
“We shall, therefore, remain in opposition, especially because of the policies and the governance modalities that we in the Labour Party campaigned for, especially reducing the cost of governance, moving the nation from consumption to production, reducing inflation, ending insecurity, promoting the rule of law, guaranteeing the responsibility to protect, and stabilizing the Nigerian currency; are not the priorities of the present administration nor is it interested in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Obi’s statement sounded welcoming, but he seemed to have forgotten that four years is a very long time in the ever-dynamic politics in Nigeria..
But some analysts have said Obi’s traction soared on ethnicity and religion, adding that a house built on those legs will not stand.
They wonder how the Obidient without grassroot supporters, representatives, and political structure sustain the momentum in the next four years.
It is also surprising that the party’s showing during the 2023 presidential and the NASS elections did not reflect in the off-season elections held in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, and Ondo States. Even in places where it won during the presidential election, it failed woefully during the off-season election.
For instance, in all the five season elections, the LP managed to garner 89,473 votes. While LP had 64,081 votes in Imo, it got only 900 votes in Bayelsa. In Kogi, it recorded paltry 567 votes, got 22,763 in Edo State and only 1,162 votes in the last off-season election that was held in Ondo State.
Visible cracks have in recent times clogged the wheel of the party, leading to factions and fragmentation within the LP. Many political enthusiasts had predicted a virile opposition had said the internal wrangling in the party has affected the chances of the party in those elections.
But, the LP has maintained a similar posture alleging irregularities in all the elections. Obi described Edo’s election as ‘state capture’.
Obi, who played a leading role in the campaign for the LP’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, his candidate in the election, said this in a post on his X handle, few hours after the election.
Akpata lost his polling unit (PU), ward and local government and only managed to garner 22,763 votes. Despite Akpata’s abysmal performance, Obi, however said what happened in the Edo election did not in any way represent the democratic process Nigerians chose as a method of electing its political leadership.
“Instead, it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values. Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country.
“I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power,” Obi said.
He said Nigeria had invested significantly in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and must be allowed to function and used properly in order to free the electoral process from the “massive falsification that has plagued it and worsening”.
“To the agencies and individuals being used to undermine our democracy simply because they hold positions of authority, please remember that your time in office is not eternal. The society that you are helping to destroy today will eventually take her revenge on you tomorrow.
“To the lecturers and others complicit in perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing in damaging the very foundation of our democracy. The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future,” Obi said.
In Ondo, the reinstated LP candidate, Ayodele Olorunfemi, bemoaned his failure to the election, blaming former Anambra State governor, Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for his predicament.
Olorunfemi’s loss came a few days after INEC returned his name on the ballot as LP flag bearer for the November 16 poll, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal.
Following weeks of suspense, Olorunfemi heaved a sigh of relief when the Court of Appeal in Abuja vacated an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court ordering the electoral umpire to recognise Obi’s anointed candidate, Olusola Ebiseni.
Reacting in an interview, Olorunfemi vowed not to forgive the former LP presidential candidate and the NLC for the role they played in scuttling his Ondo governorship campaign.
When asked if he succeeded in having a last-minute door-to-door campaign with his supporters after winning his appeal, a saddened LP flag bearer confessed that his campaign for the election was neither here nor there.
He said, “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election. These people spoil things for us with that PDP reject they wanted to force on the party. Their insistence on having Ebiseni on the ballot ruined everything for me.
“They just capitalised on the crisis between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress to create problems. Can you imagine that Ebiseni wrote a letter to the court in my name without my knowledge, saying I have withdrawn from the race? They cannot exclude me from such a position.”
The developments have continued to whittle the expected virile opposition political watchers had predicted, causing the LP to continue to decline in its intended aspiration to seats of power.
Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been declared winner in 13 out of 18 local government areas.
Aiyedatiwa won in Ifedore, Akoko Northwest, Akoko Northeast, Owo, Ose, Akoko Southeast, Akoko Southwest, Idanre, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Ondo East, Ondo West and Irele.
He is leading with a wide margin.
Aiyedatiwa secures landslide victory in Owo LG
Announced by local government collation officer Prof Abdulmojeed Ijaiya
Total registered voters – 143,751
Accredited – 38,340
A – 08
AA – 03
AAC – 16
ADC – 353
ADP – 140
APC – 31,914
APGA – 36
APM – 12
APP – 05
LP – 42
NNPP – 06
NRM – 03
PDP – 4,740
PRP – 05
SDP – 22
YP – 08
YPP – 06
ZLP – 15
Total valid votes – 37,334
Rejected – 983
Total votes cast – 38,317
APC wins in Ifedore
APC 14157
PDP 5897
Reg voters 83831
Accredited voters 21024
Valid votes 20438
APC wins in Ondo East
APC 8163
PDP 2843
Registered voters 52274
Accredited voters 11864
Valid votes 11544
Rejected votes 308
Ondo polls: Akinterinwa wins local council
A former Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, Wale Akinterinwa, has secured victory for the All Progressives Congress in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo.
In the result announced, the APC scored 16600 while the PDP had 4442.
APC wins in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo
APC 16600
PDP 4442.
Registers voters 81954
Accredited voters 22256
APC wins in Idanre
APC 9113
PDP 8940
Registered voters 91392
Accredited voters 19712
Rejected votes 748
Valid votes 18430
APC wins in Irele LG
APC 17117
PDP 6601
Registered Voters 78982
Accredited voters 24772
Valid votes 24031
Rejected votes 718
APC wins in Akoko Southwest
APC 29700
PDP 5517
Registered voters 116368
Accredited voters 36300
APC wins Owo LG
APC 31,914
PDP 4840
Registered voters 143751
Accredited voters 38340
APC wins in Ondo West
APC 20,755
PDP 6387
APC wins in Akoko Southeast
APC 12140
PDP 2692
Registered voters: 41978
Accredited voters 15150
APC wins in Akoko Northwest
APC 25101
PDP 5502
Registered voters 84908
Accredited voters 31265
Rejected votes 309
APC wins in Ose local government
APC 16555
PDP 4472
Registered voters 78307
Valid votes 21265
APC wins in Akoko Northeast
APC 25657
PDP 5072
Registered voters 93285
Accredited voters 31734
Valid votes 31182
GBALEGI, L.A PRY SCH GBALEGI
28/08/01/012
Ward: ALA-ELEFOSAN
LGA: IDANRE
OLUKARES COMP., OPEN SPACE AT OLUKARES MARKET
28/01/03/011
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
GARUBA OBAYAJI/GOMINA MARKET, IN FRONT OF GARUBA COMP
28/01/03/001
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
KOLADE BANKOLE/BAMISAYE/INU-ODI, IN FRONT OF AMODUS HOUSE
AJIJOLA ALAJI TAOSIRI/GBADA COMP., IN FRONT OF TAOSIRIS HOUSE
28/01/03/006
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OGBOHUNEKUN/OLAITAN COMP, IN FRONT OF OGBOHUNEKUNS HOUSE
28/01/03/013
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
IBAKA OWONIKOKO, MOSLEM PRY. SCH. OKELA
28/01/03/008
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ALAJA AJARA HOUSE, IN FRONT OF OLD NEPA OFFICE
28/01/03/002
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OSABI, L.A PRY. SCH. IKADO
28/01/03/007
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
APC’s Aiyedatiwa wins polling unit
By Osagie Otabor, Akure
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa his won his polling unit with 128 votes.
His opponent, Agboola Ajayi, polled three votes.
Aiyedatiwa voted at Unit 5 Ward 4, Obenla , Ilaje Local Government area.
IBAKA OWONIKOKO , MOSLEM PRY. SCH. OKELA
28/01/03/009
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
C.A.C/TAIWO, ST. JOSEPHS C.A.C PRY. SCH. OKELA
28/01/03/010
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
INNEDUNNE COMP, BEHIND POST OFFICE
28/01/03/012
Ward: IKADO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKEARAN, ST. JAMES ANG PRY SCH UGBE
28/01/07/010
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
SURULERE, AT C/J7 SURULERE UGBE
28/01/07/014
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKEARAN, ST. JAMES ANG PRY SCH UGBE
28/01/07/011
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AGEDE/ODORO, OPEN SPACE IN ODORO II
28/01/07/004
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKE ARAN, ST. JAMES ANG. PRY SCH, II UGBE 28/01/07/018 Ward: ISOWOPO I Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKE UGBE, AT ALABI AJILEYES HOUSE
28/01/07/012
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OJA UGBE UNIT
28/01/07/021
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OLORO/OLUSA, IN FRONT OF OLOROS COMP
28/01/07/001
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ISHA UGBE/AKO UGBE, AT CHIEF OLISAS HOUSE 28/01/07/016 Ward: ISOWOPO I Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
COMMUNITY PRY. SCHOOL, UGBE
28/01/07/019
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ADULOJU, AT ADULOJUS HOUSE
28/01/07/015
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
SABO UGBE, AT BAWAS WARE HOUSE
28/01/07/009
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ST SILAS CAMP (OKA), ST SILAS PRY SCH ISE
28/01/07/005
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OLORO/OLUSA, NEAR OLOROS COMP
28/01/07/002
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
TUPA CAMP/AYEGBE ISE, AYEGBE GRAM. SCH. ISE
28/01/07/008
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ISHA UGBE/AKO UGBE, AT CHIEF OLISAS HOUSE
28/01/07/013
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OWOLOKO BRIDGE AT IFELODUN STREET LANE THREE JUNCTION UGBE
28/01/07/017
Ward: ISOWOPO I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
UGBE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL 28/01/07/020 Ward: ISOWOPO I Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ADEDOGAN, AT AJAGBES HOUSE
28/01/11/003
Ward: OORUN I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OMOLOKOJAS COMP., AT BADAS HOUSE
28/01/11/005
Ward: OORUN I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
TAFA/SALIU AREA, OSELE GRAMM SCH IKARE 28/01/11/007 Ward: OORUN I Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AKINOLA COMP, EBENEZER A/C PRY SCH OSELE
28/01/11/002
Ward: OORUN I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ARUGBO/APONODA OPEN SPACE
28/01/11/008
Ward: OORUN I
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AOFIN COMP, AT MR A.B OGUNMOLAS HOUSE 28/01/11/001 Ward: OORUN I Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AORO/MATERNITY/OYINMO/LOKOJA ,ST PETERS PRY SCH 28/01/11/006 Ward: OORUN I Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AGUDA/COOP STORES, ST. ANDREWS PRY SCH
28/01/12/005
Ward: OORUN II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ADULOJU/AKINDIPE/OLUWABUSI AREA/ORIMOLADE/OLORUNTUYI/ANIMASAUN & MATERNITY: AT ADULOJUS HOUSE 28/01/12/001 Ward: OORUN II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
DADI OLABODE/OJUMU/ROTIMI/AFERE AREA/AFRO MUSCO/ST STEPHEN CHURCH, NEAR AFERES HOUSE 28/01/12/009 Ward: OORUN II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OLAITAN/ORUNGBEMI/OLODORUWA AREA/JIMBA AREA, A.U.D PRY SCH ODORUWA 28/01/12/002 Ward: OORUN II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
MOJERE CAMP/AROWOLO/AGBOPERE, AT MOJERE CAMP 28/01/12/006 Ward: OORUN II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODORUWA/IMORU/OBAYAJI, NEAR ODORUWA 28/01/12/003 Ward: OORUN II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
DADI/OLABODE/OJUMU/ROTIMI/AFERE AREA/AFRO MUSCO/ST STEPHEN CHURCH, INFRONT OF AFERES HOUSE 28/01/12/004 Ward: OORUN II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OWOLABI, ST. GREGORYS PRY SCH ILEPA
28/01/06/003
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OWOLABI, ST. GREGORYS PRY SCH ILEPA
28/01/06/002
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OLUGBOJA,NEAR OLUGBOJAS HOSPITAL
28/01/06/010
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ZUMURATU-DEEN PRY SCH, ILEPA 28/01/06/012 Ward: ILEPA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
BUS-STOP AT LGA SECRETARIAT, ILEPA
28/01/06/011
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ADUMASI, NEAR ADUMASIS HOUSE
28/01/06/005
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OLISA, IN FRONT OF OLISA S HOUSE
28/01/06/008
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ADEKOYA, IN FRONT OF ADEKOYAS HOUSE 28/01/06/009 Ward: ILEPA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKEGIRI/OLD ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICE, ILEPA
28/01/06/014
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
INDEPENDENCE, L.A PRY SCH .ILEPA 28/01/06/007 Ward: ILEPA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AGBORIKI, MOSLEM PRY SCH ILEPA 28/01/06/006 Ward: ILEPA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ADUMASI, AT ADUMASIS HOUSE
28/01/06/004
Ward: ILEPA II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
AGBORIKI/HAPPY JOINT JUNCTION, INFRONT OF C&S CHURCH, ILEPA 28/01/06/013 Ward: ILEPA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODE ELESHO/ODE OKELOKO, IN FRONT OF CH. ALAKELUS HOUSE 28/01/01/001 Ward: EDO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
IYOFEN/ULAGBO/IPINOLA/OKUN/UGBIGBO, IN FRONT OF CHIEF FELES HOUSE
28/01/01/009
Ward: EDO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODEKE/AISA/ODE ASSI ALU, IN FRONT OF CHIEF ASSIS HOUSE
28/01/01/002
Ward: EDO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODEKE/AISA/ODE ASSI ALU OPEN SPACE NEAR CHIEF ASSIS HOUSE 28/01/01/003 Ward: EDO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODEKE AISA/ODE ASSI ALU OPP. ONIGBEDES HOUSE
28/01/01/007
Ward: EDO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODE ODALURE/OSORO/ODE IMOKU/ODE OLORI/OKEGBEDE BARRACKS A.U.D PRY. SCH. 111 28/01/01/006 Ward: EDO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ARAROMI, IN FRONT OF ATUNLUSES HOUSE
28/01/01/010
Ward: EDO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODE KOLOFIN/ODEAGBARI IN FRONT OF CHIEF OLORUNS HOUSE
28/01/01/004
Ward: EDO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODE ODALURE/OSORO/ODE IMOKU/ODE OLORI/OKEGBEDE BARRACKS A.U.D PRIMARY SCHOOL III 28/01/01/005 Ward: EDO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODELUKE, IN FRONT OF LATE CHIEF ODELUKES HOUSE 28/01/01/008 Ward: EDO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
KOWODE MARKET/SUBERU/ODENIYANS HOUSE, NEAR CHIEF ADUNLUS HOUSE
28/01/13/002
Ward: OYINMO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
MR OBATIMEHINS/ALA YEYE AREGBESOLA/MR SUNDAY OLORUNTUYI, OLUMOFINS COMP
28/01/13/004
Ward: OYINMO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OMOTUNWASE/MR GIWAS HOUSE, AT LATE PA ALIU BAKARES HOUSE 28/01/13/008 Ward: OYINMO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OMOTUNWASE/MR GIWAS HOUSE NEAR LATE PA ALIU BAKARES HOUSE
28/01/13/009
Ward: OYINMO
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OSANIYI/ODENUSI/AKINNUGBAGBE/NIYI, AT OMOWAYES HOUSE 28/01/13/006 Ward: OYINMO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
JOHN HOLT, AT OLADUGBAS OPP TOTAL FILLING STATION 28/01/13/003 Ward: OYINMO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ATERE/OWOLABI/ALAO/ARO/ADULOJU/SUNDAY COMP, AT OMOJOLAS HOUSE 28/01/13/005 Ward: OYINMO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OSANIYI/ODENUSI/AKINNUGBAGBE/NIYI, AT ALETILES HOUSE 28/01/13/007 Ward: OYINMO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
KOWODE MARKET/SUBERU/ODENIYANS HOUSE, AT CHIEF ADUNLUS HOUSE 28/01/13/001 Ward: OYINMO Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKENJO/OKEEJE CAMP/EDEBO /OSAFA 1 & 11, BESIDE AKADIRIS HOUSE
28/01/08/008
Ward: ISOWOPO II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ODOSI 1 & 11, COURT HALL AUGA 28/01/08/010 Ward: ISOWOPO II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OSESE 1 & 11/INUMBA, AT MR SUBERUS HOUSE 28/01/08/002 Ward: ISOWOPO II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
SEKE/FULANI CAMP, ST ANDREWS PRY SCH. AKUNU 28/01/08/007 Ward: ISOWOPO II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
EBIOLU/IYOKE 1&11, NEAR MR OLUFOYES HOUSE
28/01/08/004
Ward: ISOWOPO II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OSESE 1 & 11/INUMBA, AT LATE AKINLOFAS HOUSE 28/01/08/001 Ward: ISOWOPO II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OLOWU COMP, K&S PRY SCH .OKEGBALA 28/01/10/005 Ward: IYOMETA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
ARAROMI/OSCAS, IN FRONT OF AFOLABIS HOUSE 28/01/10/004 Ward: IYOMETA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OWA-ALE AREA, IN FRONT OF OWALE D/45 OKORUN 28/01/10/008 Ward: IYOMETA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
OKETUN 1&11/OKEPAYE, IN FRONT OF OWATIS HOUSE 28/01/10/002 Ward: IYOMETA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
RESULTS
ABADARA, ABADARA/OLUTA PRY.SCH. 28/01/10/009 Ward: IYOMETA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
RESULTS
TAGBADA JUNCTION IN FRONT OF TRANSFORMER Ward: IYOMETA II Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
RESULTS
ODEKE 1 & 11, IN FRONT OF LEMINAMUS HOUSE Ward: EKAN Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
RESULTS
EKAN ILE 1 & 11, SALEMS PRY. SCH. EKAN Ward: EKAN Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST
PDP Gov candidate, Ajayi wins polling unit
By Rasaq Ibrahim, Kiribo
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Agboola Ajayi has been declared the winner of his polling unit.
Agboola, who voted at his at Apoi Ward II, Unit 004 in Kiribo, Ese Odo council area, polled 194 votes to defeat his main rival, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress who scored 003 votes.
Agboola with wife arrived at the polling booth at around 10:36 am and permitted to vote before others who were in the queue.
The couple was accredited around, 10: 45am for voting chatted briefly with voters before leaving the polling unit in a black Jeep.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote, Agboola expressed displeasure over the conduct of the excercise, alleging gross irregularities in the ongoing governorship poll.
He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies of compromising the election in favour of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
Agboola said that the preliminary report from across the 16 local government area has shown that the election so far was far below the standard, asking the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu to resign for conducting the most corrupt election in Nigeria’s political history.
He described the exercise as not only a sham but also synchronized attempt to murder democratic process, alleging that the stronghold of PDP chieftains were militarised to intimidate the voters from exercising their franchise.
RESULTS
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Unit 031 ward 02, Eruoba beside Alade
INEC Officials returning to Collation centre at Cathedral, Akure
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
BREAKING: PDP running mate delivers polling unit
By Raymond Mordi, Idanre
The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State, Hon. Festus Akingbaso, has delivered his Polling Unit 8, Ward 2, Alade Okun, Alade-Idanre for his principal, Agboola Ajayi.
Akingbaso delivered the unit with a landslide victory, scoring 187 votes to the All Progressives Congress (APC) 46 votes.
The Labour Party (LP), the Action Alliance (AA) and the PLP got one vote each at the unit.
The unit’s votes were counted amid fears that the community was surrounded by hoodlums reportedly determined to carry the ballot box away.
It took the intervention of armed roving policemen who fired several shits in the air to scare the alleged hoodlums away.
The patrolling policemen were prevailed upon to remain at the unit throughout the sorting and collation of votes.
APC Deputy Gov candidate Adelami wins polling unit
Bisi Oladele, Owo
The Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ondo election Olayide Adelami has won his polling unit.
His party polled 209 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which polled 11 votes.
Adelami’s voted at Unit 16, Igboroko 2, Ward 03, Ahmadiya Grammar School, Isley, Owo. He voted by 9:40am.
The Deputy Governor commended the exercise, saying everything went smoothly, particularly in his polling unit.
He expressed confidence his party would coast to victory having campaigned vigorously and received well across the 18 local governments in the state.
Total registered voters in Adelami’s unit was 850.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Unit 10 ward 2 Scared Heart Primary School Cathedral
APC 60 PDD 46 LP 1
RESULTS
Unit 009 ward 2 sacred Heart Primary School
APC 59 PDP 36 ADC 2 NRC 1
Vote counting started by 2:30pm at Cathedral unit 10 ward 2
The candidate of the People Democratic Party(PDP) in Ondo governorship poll Agboola Ajayi has cast his vote at Apoi Ward II, Unit 004 in Kiribo, Ese Odo local government area.
Agboola with wife arrived at the polling booth around 10:36 am and allowed to vote before others who were in the queue.
The couple was accredited at about 10: 45 am for voting and chatted briefly with voters before leaving the polling unit with his black Jeep.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote, Agboola expressed displeasure over the conduct of the excercise, alleging gross irregularities in the ongoing governorship poll.
He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies of compromising the election in favour of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Agboola said that the preliminary report from across the 16 local government areas has shown the election so far was far below the standard, asking the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu to resign for conducting the most corrupt election in Nigeria’s political history.
He described the exercise as not only a sham but also synchronised attempt to murder democratic process, alleging that the stronghold of PDP chieftains were militarised to intimidate the voters from exercising their franchise.
He said: “If INEC cannot successfully organize election in just one state, then you must know that we are running into anarchy in Nigeria.
“I have been getting reports across the state and it is same, including me , I am a victim here in my unit and I want to say it is deliberate on the part of the REC and the INEC and don’t forget we have said earlier that we don’t trust Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola who is the REC ; she can’t be fair.
“The system is compromised and there are complaints everywhere in the state including vote-buying , BVAS not working and don’t forget the machine is a rigging tools for them. It is a very shameful exercise and I think Nigerians should just call on INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, if he can’t do the job, he should honorably resign because the system is totally compromised, this is sad.
“Under Professor Attahiru Jega as INEC chairman, our electoral process was getting to that international standard but Professor Yakubu has drawn us back , this is sad and Nigerians are not happy.”
On the security situation, the PDP candidate said: ” From my community here it is peaceful but accused the military operatives deployment more men to his area and I would take it up with the brigade commander. They can’t be intimidating the voters.How do you station seven to 10 armed soldiers; we are not at war here !
“On the voters turn out, despite the intimidation, people were willing to vote because they are frustrated already with things in the state and the country.”
He expressed displeasure over the delay he experienced before he could vote due to BVAS malfunction, saying ” The system is not perfect, things are not working and it took more than 10 minutes before the BVAS could accredit me”.
Ondo guber: DSS nabs suspected vote buyer with bags of money
By Samuel Oamen
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected vote buyer in the Ondo governorship election.
The suspect was reportedly captured with two bags of money suspected to be for the inducement of voters in the election.
In a video seen by the Nation, the suspect was apprehended at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007 outside St. Stephen’s Primary School, Akure, Ondo State around 9 am on election day.
Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo votes at ward 3 unit 17 in Aroye Igafo, Oke Agbe Akoko North West
By Adejo David
ADC candidate Prince Adeyemi Nejo votes
By Osagie Otabor
BREAKING: PDP’s Agboola Ajayi votes
Rasaq Ibrahim, Kiribo
The candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in today’s governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has voted at Apoi Ward II, Unit 004, Kiribo.
Agboola arrived at his polling unit located in Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state around 10:36am with wife to cast his vote.
The former Deputy Governor clad in a blue caftan was warmly received at the polling unit amid cheers by his teeming supporters.
Almost two hours after commencement of voting, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Agboola Ajayi is yet to cast his vote.
Agboola is expected to vote at his Apoi II, Unit 004, RCM at Idimado quarters Kiribo, Ese Odo local government area of Ondo state.
As of 10:16 am, the PDP candidate is yet to arrive his polling unit to vote.
One of his security aides said Agboola is sleeping as he came in around 6am.
But an impeccable source close to the PDP flag bearer told our correspondent that Agboola was on his way preparing to leave to cast his vote.
“Very soon, Agbo will be on his way to cast his vote,” he said.
Agboola’s kinsmen are at the unit waiting for the PDP governorship candidate’s arrival.
Ondo poll: Agboola arrives polling unit to vote
By Rasaq Ibrahim, Kiribo
The candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in today’s governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has arrived at his polling unit.
Agboola arrived his Apoi Ward II, Unit 004, Kiribo, Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state around 10:36am with his wife to cast his vote.
The former Deputy Governor clad in a blue caftan was warmly received at the polling unit amid cheers by his teeming supporters.
He was then accredited and issued the ballot paper.
APC deputy gov candidate Adelami votes
By Bisi Oladele
APC deputy governorship candidate Adelami voted 9:40am at Ahmadiya Grammar School, Unit 16, Igboroko 2, Ward 3, Islelu area of Owo.
He described the exercise as smooth and peaceful as at the time.
Ondo poll: Why I will win, by Aiyedatiwa
By Osagie Otabor, Akure
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has expressed optimism that he would win the ongoing governorship election because he performed well in the last 10 months.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke after he voted at Unit 5 Ward 4 Obenla community, said he was the only candidate that campaigned across the State.
He said the people listened to him and he expected them to display the love they showed during the campaigns with their votes.
According to him: “I am here at Obela community at Unit 05. It has been calm and peaceful. The turnout is encouraging. I expect same situation at other locations. I believe it should be peaceful in other locations. The people will comport themselves.
“We are peaceful in Ondo. We have been having our election in a peaceful environment. The citizens are law-abiding. I believe the election will be peaceful and credible.
“I urged the people to go out and vote. They should go out and vote. I believe with what we have done in the last 10 months, the voters know who they want.
” I am at an advantage to win because of the work I have done in the last 10 months. I was the only candidate that covered the entire state. I felt the people, I listened to them and the people were excited at my appearance. I believed they will translate the love to vote today.”
Voting underway at Agboola’s polling unit
By Rasaq Ibrahim, Kiribo
Voting is underway at the polling unit of the governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Agboola Ajayi in Apoi Ward II, Unit 004, RCM, Idumado quarters Kiribo, Ese Odo council area of Ondo State.
Accreditation and voting started at 8:05am amid heavy security presence in the polling unit.
Officials of the Department of State Security Services, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence were seen at the polling unit to ensure a violence-free election.
Announcing the commencement of the exercise, the INEC Presiding Officer for the unit said the voting would end by 2:30 pm.
She read out the voting process in line with the electoral guidelines.
She also displayed the BVAS and empty ballot box while urging voters to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations.
The INEC officials arrived at the polling unit at 7:30 am.
APC deputy governorship candidate Olayide Adelami arrives polling unit
By Bisi Oladele
Physically challenged man and his wife patiently waiting to cast their votes at Sacred Heart Primary School, Cathedral, Akure.
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Minor assists aged mother to check her name
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Dr. Tunji Abayomi, a prominent citizen of Oke-Agbe Akoko-North East, Ondo State
By Adejo David
Glitch in BIVAS delays voting at Ijebu 1, Ward 4, near Muslim Praying Ground, Agunloye, Owo
By Bisi Oladele
The polling unit has 659 total registered voters.
INEC official arrived and fixed the error and exercise started 9:02 am.
Aiyedatiwa votes
By Osagie Otabor
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has cast his vote at polling unit 6, Ward 4 Obenla community in the state.
Aiyedatiwa boarded a boat at the Ugbonla jetty to get to his polling unit
Large crowd of electorates stormed the jetty in the early hours of Saturday to go to their various communities to exercise their franchise.
Voting commences in Aiyedatiwa polling unit
By Osagie Otabor
Electorates set to vote at Ward 3 unit 17, Oke-Agbe, Akoko North West Ondo
By David Adejo
Large turnout of voters in Irele
By Rasaq Ibrahim, Irele
A good number of electorates turned out across the 10 wards in Irele council area of Ondo state for the governorship election.
The exercise has been peaceful so far as voting materials arrived at the most of the polling units as early 7am.
Our correspondent observed presence of security agencies including operatives of the Nigerian Police and NSCDC in many of the polling units visited.
Voters including the elderly, expectant women are eager to exericse their franchise.
Our correspondent observed that some officials of the leading political parties participating in the poll were with bags full of cash allegedly meant for vote buying.
At Ward 008, unit 003, Olowofoyekun 1 and 2, Anglican Pry school, Irele, party agents were seen flaunting huge cash allegedly for vote buying.
Similarly, political parties officials at polling unit 005 were also seen wooing intending voters with cash.
Ad hoc staff arrive at Unit 10 Ward 2 Sacred Heart Primary School, Cathedral Akure Central
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Voting commences in Idanre
By Raymond Mordi
Voting has commenced early in may parts of the ancient town of Idanre, the headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area.
INEC ad-hoc staff got to their units ahead of the commencement of the exercise.
Voting has began in several polling units, while the preliminaries are ongoing in many other units.
For instance, at Polling Unit 8, Ward 4, Idale-Logbosere Registration Area of the town, prospective voters were still being briefed in English and Yoruba languages by INEC officials when our reporter got there as at 8.00am.
Electorates checking their names at Unit 10 ward 2
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Electorates at Unit 10 ward 2, waiting to cast their votes
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Electorate at Irele Polling unit 019, Irele local government area, waiting to be accredited
By Rasaq Ibrahim
Electorates checking for their names at Sared Heart Primary School
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Deserted major road (Along Iyinre Road), Owo this morning
By Bisi Oladele
Commercial motorcylist transporting INEC ad hoc officials to polling unit from RAC centre for ward 008 located at Anglican Pry school, Irele
By Rasaq Ibrahim
INEC Official at Sacred Heart Primary School, Adegbola, Akure.
By Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
7:22AM
Electorates checking their names on voters’ registers pasted on wall at Ward 008, Unit 003, Olowofoyekun, Anglican Primary School, Irele in Irele local government area of Ondo state.
7:15AM
Voters in riverine communities at the Ugbonla jetty to board boat to their communities for voting
7:15AM
Security check point and empty road along Oyemekun road, Akure, Ondo State. Ondo 2024 Governorship election
7:14AM
Photos Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials for Ondo poll
By Osagie Otabor, Akure
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local government areas.
Stakeholders from security agencies, political parties representatives and Civil Society Organizations were at the Akure branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) to monitor the distribution.
The materials were first inspected to ensure they were not tampered with before being distributed.
The governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has said that he remains a strong member of the Labour Party (LP) despite the abysmal performance of the party in the just concluded Nov. 2 election in all the 17 local government areas in the state.
Otti, who was speaking at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, the state capital, during his monthly media chat with journalists and citizens of the state, attributed the LP’s poor outing at the polls to the unending internal leadership crisis that has bedeviled the party in the state and at the national levels respectively.
According to Otti, he was aware that his supporters were leaving the Labour Party to contest the local government election in another political party, but couldn’t stop them from joining another party(ies) of their choice to pursue their political aspirations.
“Political parties are simply platforms through which people achieve their political aspirations.
“I am still a member of the Labour Party. I authorized my followers to join any party of their choice.
“The crisis in the Labour Party made the people abandon the Labour Party in the last election in the state because people have a discerning mind.”
Speaking on possible release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Otti who said that he would not make public some of the steps he has taken to push for the release of the IPOB leader, however, went ahead to disclose that he has been engaging the presidency over Kanu’s continued detention, stating that Kanu, who is also an Abian would soon regain his freedom.
He went ahead to disclose that ten persons involved in pension fraud in the state would soon be arraigned in court.
This is even as he hinted that plans were underway to repatriate other accomplices from their respective countries of hideout to Abia to face trial.
On what his government is doing to arrest insecurity in the state, disclosed that he has directed security agencies in the state to fish out those behind the recent killing of a banker and two others by gunmen in the state capital.
The Labour Party in Ondo State has protested the exclusion of its governorship candidate, Chief Sola Ebiseni from the planned live debate for candidates participating in this month’s governorship election in the state.
The live debate being organised by a television station is expected to feature candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
It said it had contacted the station not to mislead but to accord the people of Ondo State the opportunities for fair assessment of the status of the political parties and the quality of the candidates for the election.
Director of Publicity of the LP Campaign Organisation, Prince Olu Johnson Egbodofo, in a statement, said previous debates organised by the station had three candidates in attendance.
Egbodofo stated that the intellectual pedigree and capacity of candidates have been a strong determinant of the governor of Ondo State by-elections.
According to him, “We wish to let the world know that our party and candidates are available for this debate, even at this eleventh hour. We are still skeptical that Channels will lend itself to the deliberate rigging of the Ondo State Governorship Election by pre-judging the capacities of political parties and their candidates.
“If it cannot be fair to the parties, and candidates and give the people of Ondo State fair opportunities to choose their leaders, let Channels respect its reputation and put this charade of a debate on hold.”
Stalwarts of the Labour Party (LP) at the weekend met in Lagos to resolve the lingering impasse in its fold. This move, the party said, is part of measures to rework its drive for better electoral performance in the next general election.
The event, organised by Seyi Sowunmi, a member of the LP Caretaker Committee and representative of Ojo Federal Constituency, brought together key figures, including the 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Yunusa Tanko.
Many support groups and party factions also participated, signaling a new chapter for the party in the state, according to the convener.
Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Sowunmi emphasised the importance of unity among party members.
“We’re here to unite all factions and support groups under one umbrella. This is what we’ve been striving for over the past two years,” he said, noting that the successful meeting marked a breakthrough in the Labour Party’s internal efforts to strengthen its structure in Lagos.
The unity achieved at the meeting, Sowunmi said, heralds a fresh beginning for the party in a state often regarded as a bellwether for political movements.
“Everybody in Nigeria knows that Lagos State is important. Anything good starts from Lagos; anything bad starts from Lagos,” Sowunmi remarked, highlighting the crucial role the state plays in national politics.
The meeting saw the participation of several influential support groups, including the Obedient Movement, SC Fund, Big Tank, CSF, and representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Their presence, Sowunmi noted, underscores the LP’s growing presence and influence across the country.
“This unity will make us stronger in the competition for victory,” Sowunmi added, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in upcoming elections.
On the topic of loyalty within the party, the lawmaker addressed concerns about the potential for candidates to defect to other parties.
He firmly reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party, stating, “I don’t have any intention of joining any other party.
I am Obedient Labour. I joined politics because of Obi, and his ideology aligns with mine.” However, Sowunmi left the door open for potential shifts, saying that if Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, made any future moves; he would follow due to their shared values.
Reflecting on the journey to this point, Sowunmi explained that the meeting was the culmination of months of groundwork, including visits to support leaders and key stakeholders across the state.
“Politics is about people, about listening to them, bringing them together,” he said, crediting a hands-on approach for the success of the event.
With a renewed sense of purpose, he declared, “Today is the last day of labour in vain for the members of the Labour Party in Lagos State.”
The event also provided a platform for Rhodes-Vivour to share his optimism about the party’s future.
Despite the internal strife, he remained confident in the party’s ability to come together.
“There is no political party that does not have one issue or the other. What is most important is that we are willing to come together,” he said.
He described the event as a celebration, not of conflict, but of unity and collaboration, with the goal of improving the lives of Lagosians through a stronger, more cohesive party.
On his political future, Rhodes-Vivour made it clear that he remains committed to his political journey with the Labour Party, stating, “With every election, you get stronger and stronger. We are not going quiet. We are active, we are encouraging hope in the people,” hinting at a potential run in the 2027 elections, with a renewed focus on building support and staying connected with the public.
Yunusa Tanko, representing the Obidient Movement, echoed the call for unity and preparation.
He explained that the meeting aimed to build a more formal structure for the movement across Nigeria.
“In the 2023 general election, we’ve been accused of not having structures. We intend to build this particular structure in 176,000 polling units across Nigeria,” Tanko stated, highlighting Lagos as the starting point for this nationwide effort.
Tanko also clarified the movement’s broader ambitions, noting that the Obidient Movement transcends the Labour Party.
“It moves around entrepreneurship, intellectuals, persons with disabilities, agents, all across the globe,” he said.
The movement’s focus, he explained, is on good governance for every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation.
Looking beyond Lagos, Tanko addressed the political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, seeing it as an opportunity for the Labour Party to gain a foothold.
“We’re not only making inroads in Rivers State, we want to make inroads in all the 36 states of the Federation,” he said, emphasising the party’s commitment to expanding its influence nationwide.
The Lagos stakeholders’ meeting marks a turning point for the Labour Party, as it moves to consolidate its internal factions and prepare for the 2027 elections.
Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour, former governorship candidate for Labour Party in Lagos State, has been named “Integrity Politician of the Year” by Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists.
The award at its annual event recognises leaders, who demonstrated honesty, transparency and ethical conduct.
In its citation, NACJ praised Rhodes Vivour for running a campaign that ‘prioritised the needs of people over personal ambition and his commitment to public service, especially after the elections with his health outreach and charity works.
In his speech, Rhodes Vivour hailed the award, saying it was a “humbling recognition” of his efforts to bring change to Lagos. He pledged to continue working for a more just, equitable and responsive government.
‘This award is not just for me, but for all Lagosians, who yearn for compassionate leadership and accountable governance,’ Rhodes Vivour said.
‘Your support and belief in me have been my strength. I may not have been declared winner, but I am committed to serving my people and being a voice for integrity in the public sphere.’
Other awardees are Justice Adefope-Okojie, Rev Esther Ajayi, and Justice Ayotunde Phillips.
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in next month’s election in Ondo State, Chief Sola Ebiseni has promised to provide free and qualitative education if elected governor in next month’s polls.
Ebiseni who led the party’s campaign to various communities, motorparks and markets in Akure, promised to rebuild the Akure spare parts market.
The LP candidate was accompanied by his running mate, Dayo Awude, youths, women and top party chieftains and supporters.
The candidate reminded the people about programmes and projects that had a positive impact on the people during the LP’s administration under Dr Olusegun Mimiko.
He listed the programmes and projects to include free education, payment of WAEC fees for final year students, provision of free buses for movement of students to and from schools throughout the state, and free health services, including free delivery of women in the Mother and Child Hospitals in the state.
At the motor spare parts market at Ilesha garage, he reminded the Igbo-speaking traders there about the solidarity with the Igbo Presidency by the Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political organisation where he serves as secretary-general.
He said: “I will prioritise security by ensuring safe returns of farmers to their farms. Ondo State has a comparative advantage in the abundance of coastal and forest resources, including minerals dotting the state’s landscape. From day one of our administration no child of school age will be out of school while tertiary education will be greatly subsidized.”
During the campaign, some women testified that they were saved from maternal death by free delivery at the Mother and Child Hospital during Mimiko’s administration.
