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Tag: Makinde

  • Court dismisses suit challenging Makinde’s candidacy

    An Oyo State High court sitting in Ibadan on Tuesday dismissed the suit filed by Senator Ayoade Adeseun and Sunday Adeyanju challenging legality of the primary elections that produced Engr. Seyi Makinde (governor-elect) as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last governorship/House of Assembly election in the state.

    Adeseun, who was Makinde’s opponent in the PDP primaries held in October 2018 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan had claimed that the list of delegates that participated in the election was imported and doctored.

    The complainant in the suit had prayed that the court to declare the primary elections of the party as undemocratic, null and void.

    During the court proceeding which started January 2019, the claimant’s counsel, Michael Lana, presented 14 witnesses, while the defendant’s counsel presented eight witnesses.

    The presiding judge, Justice Ganiyu Sunmonu, ruled on Tuesday in favour of PDP and dismissed all claims of the claimants.

    Ganiyu said the Adeseun’s counsel could not prove with substantial evidence that the delegates list for the primary was doctored.

    The judge said “he who assets must prove.

    The claimants must provide the names that were removed, to prove that the list was doctored.”

  • Challenges before Makinde

    On May 29, out-going Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will hand over to a new helmsman, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE examines the challenges that will confront him.

    Naturday March 9 was a watershed in the history of Oyo State. An opposition candidate, Oluseyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was elected governor.  Though his electoral victory came as a shock to many outside the state, the anti-Ajimobi sentiment, which spread like wildfire, somehow crystallised into a sort of movement across the state only few weeks before the elections. For those who live in the state, therefore, his election was not unexpected.

    Makinde’s victory will bring back the PDP to power in Oyo State after eight years of operating as an opposition party. Its last governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was defeated in the 2011 election as an incumbent. Since then, he has tried in vain to bounce back.

    When Makinde is sworn in as the eighth  civilian governor on May 29 he will inherit a number of legacies from the outgoing administration of Abiola Ajimobi. He also faces huge expectations from residents, particularly in areas which the opposition and the public perceive Ajimobi as having done poorly.

    Makinde will inherit some ongoing projects, including road and silo construction. Some city roads are currently being dualised in addition to those already completed by the outgoing administration. He will also inherit laudable projects such as the Education Trust Fund (ETF), Security Trust Fund (STF), School Governing Boards (SGB) for all the public secondary schools, world-class Agodi Garden and the First Technical University, Ibadan, among others.

    The new governor will also inherit highly improved governance system, peace and security in cities and towns whose economic activities have been strengthened  by Ajimobi’s urban renewal policy.

    Though many voters preferred the PDP in the elections, they will not accept poor maintenance of the infrastructure already put in place. They will expect an upgrade of many more infrastructure, in continuation of the Ajimobi governance culture. The urban renewal policy has brought back good night life, and attracted national and global retail brands, thereby creating jobs and boosting economic activities, boosted the supermarket, bakery, fashion, real estate and other  businesses. Residents will expect the sustenance of this policy to keep the businesses alive and booming. They will expect the sustenance of the peace and security initiatives, including the joint security outfit codenamed  Operation Burst and the STF which is attracting funds for security activities.

    One of the major criticisms against the Ajimobi administration is its inability to pay salaries and pensions regularly during the economic recession well as inability to clear all pension arrears. The case of the state-owned tertiary institutions also fall into this category. The huge expectation of voters is that Makinde will address it. But, the challenge lies in the state’s ability to accomplish them in the face of scarce resources. For instance, 100 per cent of federal allocation was dedicated to payment of salaries and pensions by the outgoing government. Aside from the fact that there is shortfall, subventions to tertiary institutions are not captured by the federal allocation. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and special revenues such as Excess Crude Oil income have been largely relied upon for running of government and sundry expenditure. Yet, there is the need to rebuild infrastructure, fund education, healthcare and develop agriculture. Makinde faces the huge challenge of plugging these shortfalls to meet voters expectations.

    The Olubadan Chieftaincy Review conundrum is a challenge which Makinde will be expected to resolve. For those who think Ajimobi was wrong to have undertaken the review, they will expect Makinde to reverse it. For those who support it or think tampering with the review with cause more trouble, they will expect the new governor to look away. Either way, Makinde is sure to court controversy.

    The Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) issue is another challenge before Makinde. In an era when football is completely privatised for efficiency and profit-making, lovers of 3SC expect the government-owned football club to come tops in competitions. They have emotional attachment, which grew from the club’s glorious history. Makinde is expected to handle the issue in ways that will please the stakeholders. The same goes for Crown Football Club, Ogbomoso.

    Perhaps, one of the greatest challenges before Makinde is how to manage the coalition that produced his victory. The coalition include Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Sharafadeen Alli’s Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin’s African Democratic Congress (ADC). Both Alli and Lanlehin are not likely to drop their governorship ambition for 2023 and beyond. That may be a headache for Makinde. Besides, leaders of the two parties parade people that have richer public service experience. In today’s Oyo State politics, once politicians are elected or gain political appointments, they believe they must continue to occupy one political position or the other while those who are yet to be patronised keep pressuring their leaders to have their own turn. Makinde faces this challenge of pleasing everyone in the coalition while also pleasing the voters.

    Having succeeded in returning the PDP to power, and with age on his side, Makinde will surely work towards having a second term. This will necessitate a lot of schemings as a political leader.

    It is hoped that the governor-elect will draw enough wisdom and political sagacity to navigate through the heaps of expectations and challenges to write his name in gold.

  • Ajimobi to Makinde: beware of praise-singers, avoid acrimony

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has advised the Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, to beware of praise-singers as he prepares to take over the state administration on May 29.

    The governor also enjoined Makinde to avoid acrimony and attract people from both his party and across other parties to help him in managing the state’s affairs.

    He gave the advice yesterday when playing host to the governor-elect, who visited him at the Agodi Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Also yesterday, former President  Olusegun Obasanjo advised the governor-elect to run a democratic system.

    Obasanjo said Makinde has the onerous task of striving to transform the capital of former old Western Region, urging the people to keep supporting him to succeed when he eventually take over.

    The elder statesman gave the advice when he received the governor-elect, his deputy, Akeem Ademola and others at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    But, Ajimobi, who received the visitors in the company of top government functionaries, urged the incoming administration to sustain the peace and security brought to the state by his administration among other achievements.

    He also urged Makinde to adjust in the areas his genuine intentions might have been resisted and opposed.

    He hailed Makinde for initiating the visit, saying such was a departure from the norm and urged the incoming government to sustain the level of relationship and cordiality.

    He assured the incoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of his readiness and availability to ensure the success of the government in the interest of the people.

    Ajimobi said: “I congratulate you on the opportunity nature has given you to serve humanity. For me, it is a matter of changing baton and I commend your noble move, which is different from the past when after someone lost the election, they will start making troubles and abusing each other.

    “To me, I am so happy that we are moving this state to a high level. Our own was relatively peaceful and for you to say you want to come and greet me, it is a departure from the past. For me, we must continue on this path.

    “The peace and security that we have created must be sustained and I know you as a man of peace, who is not criminally-inclined. I commend you for coming and for me, it is a reflection of your kind of person.

    “I will advise that in the spirit that you have started, reach out to all and sundry and make it all inclusive to bring in everybody, particularly your party members and others in Oyo State that can add value.

    “We have done our best in Oyo State, especially in terms of security and you must sustain it. In the last eight years, Oyo State has been ranked as one of the most peaceful in the country.

    “We will be available to you should you need our advice.

    “Beware of praise-singers, avoid acrimony. It is always better to leverage on relationship instead of dwelling in acrimonies.”

    Makinde said the visit was to see the governor first hand since after the conclusion of the elections and also said the incoming administration would be requiring the help of the incumbent in the interest of moving the state forward.

    The ex-Head of State also advised Makinde to shun corruption.

    “Be transparent and embark on developmental projects, which would be a delight to the people of Oyo State. Please run a government that will be making them to ask, where has this type of government been all these years in Oyo State.

    “You must give them something (positive), you must give them good democracy and not that one of my younger brothers will call democratic so sa po’ (pocketing democracy).

    “Where there is misunderstanding, call yourselves (your people) together and make peace in the overall interest of Oyo State.”

    He promised to support the incoming new government and be available anytime his service is needed.

    Makinde said the visit was meant to appreciate Obasanjo and seeks wisdom from the elder statesman.

    The governor-elect admitted that Oyo State was “in a bad shape but pledged to apply wisdom to make things better”.

    Former Deputy Chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, who facilitated the visit, said he called Obasanjo barely 24hours ago to fix the appointment.

    Some of the personalities in the entourage of Makinde include a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola; business mogul Femi Babalola, PDP state chairman Kunmi Mustapha, his Campaign Director General Bayo Lawal and campaign team’s spokesperson Prince Dotun Oyelade.

    Others are Mr. Olayemi Buhari, Mrs. Bosede Adedibu, Mr. Dare Adeleke, Mr. Akin Fagbemi, Mr. Tunde Tijani and Chief Jacob Adetoro.

     

     

  • Ibadan Obas-in-Council greets Makinde

    The Ibadan Obas-in-Council has congratulated Oyo State Governor-elect Seyi Makinde, admonishing him to walk his talk in terms of electoral promises.

    Rising from their meeting at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Obas-in-Council, consisting the promoted members of Olubadan-in-Council and the promoted Baales in Ibadanland, rejoiced with Makinde over his victory at the polls held across the state last Saturday.

    Makinde of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) defeated his closest rival, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.

    Read also: Ajimobi to Makinde: beware of praise-singers, avoid acrimony

    In a message signed by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on behalf of the council, the governor-elect was asked to run an all-inclusive government that would reflect the combined efforts of the forces that saw him through the excruciating election.

    Ibadan Obas said: “We are happy for the governor-elect that at last, the Almighty creator crowned his efforts of many years back with this victory. We enjoin him to be magnanimous in victory, seeing the entire state as his constituency without any form of discrimination.”

  • Ajimobi to Makinde: beware of praise-singers, avoid acrimony

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has advised the Governor-Elect, Mr Seyi Makinde to beware of praise singers as he prepares to take over the administration of the state on May 29.

    The outgoing governor also enjoined Makinde to avoid acrimony and leverage on relationships by attracting people from both his party and others from across party divide in the state to help him in managing the affairs of the state.

    He gave the advice on Thursday when playing host to the Governor-Elect who paid him a courtesy call at the Agodi Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Addressing the visitor in the company of top government functionaries, Governor Ajimobi urged the incoming administration to sustain the peace and security brought to the state by his administration among others feats while also adjusting in the areas his genuine intentions might have been resisted and opposed.

    He commended Makinde for initiating the visit saying such was a departure from the norm and urged the incoming government to sustain the level of relationship and cordiality.

    He assured the incoming PDP government of his readiness and availability to ensure the success of the incoming administration in the interest of the people of the state as a whole.

    Ajimobi said “I congratulate you on the opportunity nature has given you to serve humanity. For me, it is a matter of changing baton and I commend your noble move which is different from the past when after someone lost the election, they will start making troubles and abusing each other.

    “To me, I am so happy that we are moving this state to a high level. Our own was relatively peaceful and for you to say you want to come and greet me, it is a departure from the past. For me, we must continue on this path.

    “The peace and security that we have created must be sustained and I know you as a man of peace who is not criminally inclined. I commend you for coming and for me, it is a reflection of your kind of person.

    “I will advise that in the spirit that you have started, reach out to all and sundry and make it all inclusive to bring in everybody, particularly your party members and others in Oyo state that can add value.

    “We have done our best in Oyo state especially in terms of security and you must sustain it. In the last eight years, Oyo state has been ranked as one of the most peaceful in the country.

    “We will be available to you should you need our advice. You should look at the areas we have done well and sustain it and in the areas we have not, please adjust it. We have always been brothers and I believe you deserve it and you have won irrespective of how you did it. The spirit we have started, we must be sustained.

    “Beware of praise singers, avoid acrimony. It is always better to leverage on relationship instead of dwelling in acrimonies.”

    Earlier in his remarks, Makinde said the visit was to see the governor first hand since after the conclusion of the elections and also said the incoming administration would be requiring the help of the incumbent in the interest of moving the state forward.

    Read Also: Ajimobi to election losers: Embrace peace, prepare for next election

    Makinde said “The visit is to see you first hand since after the election. We will require your help. Electioneering is over and certain things that we might have said were just for the campaign talks, but now is the time to face reality.

    “You have done your own part. Our state is dear to all of us and we shall share your vision like I had said in one of our numerous interactions before the elections. We want to work together with you and make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible.”

    Some of the personalities in the entourage of Makinde include, the deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, business mogul, Femi Babalola, PDP state chairman, Mr Kunmi Mustapha, the Campaign Director General, Bayo Lawal and Spokesperson of the Campain team, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

    Others are, Mr Olayemi Buhari, Mrs Bosede Adedibu, Mr Dare Adeleke, Mr Akin Fagbemi, Mr Tunde Tijani and Chief Jacob Adetoro.

  • Opposition to Makinde: resist pressure to plunder Oyo

    AN opposition party in Oyo State, the Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP), has advised the governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, to beware of praise-singers and be fair to all residents, irrespective of their political leanings.

    The party gave the advice in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, stressing the need to resist the pressure to “share the money”.

    The statement, which was signed by its governorship candidate, Mr. Oluseye Smith, advised him to be careful of praise-singers and party members, who may see his electoral victory as an opportunity to corner state resources.

    He said Makinde must resist the pressure from sycophants, who might be “mounting pressure on him to share the money”.

    Congratulating Makinde, the party also advised him against pursuing vendetta.

    The statement reads: “The governor-elect must ensure that the resources of the state are not cornered by a few, who might be seeing his victory as theirs. The resources of the state must be geared towards developing both human and capital projects that will benefit all. He must not be seen to be pursuing vendetta. He should endeavour to form an all-inclusive government to move the state forward. He must resist pressure from his supporters to plunder the resources of the state.”

  • Oyo: Ajimobi congratulates Makinde

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has congratulated the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr Seyi Makinde, who was declared winner of Saturday’s election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    In a congratulatory message, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying that now that the elections are over, Engr Makinde should ensure that all stakeholders were carried along in his administration.

    The governor urged Makinde to start getting prepared for the onerous task of governance by putting behind him all the electioneering acrimonies and prevail on his followers and supporters to guard against acts and utterances capable of igniting crisis in the state.

    Ajimobi said, “In the last eight years we have ensured adherence to the rule of law. We have done a lot to ensure the growth and development of our dear state through our visible unprecedented achievements, as acclaimed by the masses of Oyo State and the outside world.

    “While congratulating you and wishing you a successful tenure, I enjoin you to focus on the sustained development of our state in the areas of peace, security, as well as safety of lives and property that the state has enjoyed in the last eight years.

    Read Also: My victory similar to Agbekoya struggle, says Seyi Makinde

    “I extend to you the right hand of fellowship and promise to avail you my wealth of experience on critical developmental and governance matrix for the continued growth of our dear state and for the betterment of the lives of the entire citizens of the state.

    “Since the duty of every government is to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for citizens to go about their lawful duties under a peaceful and secure environment, may I advise that you leverage on our widely-acclaimed achievements in these areas.”

  • Polls: Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Makinde, AbdulRazaq win

    Governors-elect… Ugwuanyi, Yahaya, Ikpeazu, Abubakar, Umahi, Emmanuel

    BABAJIDE Sanwo-Olu, banker, politician and public administrator was yesterday declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Lagos State.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced also frontline businessman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as winner in Kwara State.

    Inuwa Yahaya won in Gombe State. Dapo Abiodun carried the day in Ogun State. His victory was announced at 1am. The governors-elect ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The electoral umpire also announced Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winners of the governorship elections in Oyo and Enugu states.

    The results from many of the states were still being collated by the electoral umpire this morning.

    Sanwo-Olu, two-time commissioner in Lagos, polled 739,445 to beat his closest rival, Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, who polled 206, 141.

    The defeat is the third to be suffered by Agbaje in the  Centre of Excellence.

    His first was in 2007 as the Progressives Action Congress (PAC) candidate. He lost to Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He also lost to incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC in 2015 as the PDP candidate.

    Agbaje called Sanwo-Olu to concede defeat at 7.07pm, shortly after the APC candidate was declared governor-elect. Here is a report of the events in the states where the elections had been concluded last night:

    KWARA

    AbdulRazaq was declared the winner of the election after polling  votes.

     

     

    Announcing the result, the state’s Chief Returning Officer, Prof Muhammad Sanusi Liman, declared that “having scored the majority votes out of all the participating parties, AbdulRazaq is hereby declared as the governor-elect of the state”.

    The APC won all the 24 seats in the House of Assembly.

    Yesterday’s declaration ended the age-long Saraki dynasty in the Northcentral state.

    The APC had earlier won the three senatorial seats in Kwara during the February 23 Presidential/National Assembly Elections. Senatae President Bukola Saraki lost his bid to retain the Central Senatorial slot for the PDP.

    President Muhammadu Buhar331,546 votes to defeat his closest rival, Abdulrazak Atunwa of the PDP, who garnered 114,754i also beat his PDP challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Reacting to the victory, the state chairman of the APC, Bashir Bolarinwa, said it was a victory for all and a new dawn for the people.

    A leading politician, Wole Oke, noted: “It is the end of fourth term in the wilderness for the youth in Kwara State political arena and landscape. It is now an opportunity for the emergence of other hitherto suppressed political might and the development and growth of potential political giants the state.”

    GOMBE

    APC’s Inuwa Yahaya was declared governor-elect with 364, 129 votes. He defeated Usman Nafada of the PDP, who scored 222,868 votes.

    NIGER

    Incumbent Governor Abubakar Bello had last night won 24 of the 25 local government areas of the state. He looked good to defeat his PDP challenger Umar Nasko.

    KEBBI

    Governor Atiku Bagudu of the APC was declared governor-elect in Kebbi State.

    The results were announced at the Collation Centre for 2019 Governorship Election by the Collation Officer, Prof. Hamisu Bichi, in Birnin Kebbi.

    He said Bagudu of APC scored 673,717 votes. Senenator Isah Galaudu of the PDP polled 106,633 votes.

    “Atiku Bagudu of APC, having certified the requirement of the law and scored the highest votes is hereby returned elected and declared the winner of the March 9, Saturday governorship election in the state,” he said.

    Bichi said 1,789,975 voters were registered; 820,078 accredited and 814,084 voted. There were 793,388 valid votes and 20,696 votes rejected.

     

    OYO

    The PDP candidate was leading after the announcement of 32 of the 33 local government areas.

    But the APC cried foul, saying the PDP candidate jumped the gun by celebrating before he was declared governor-elect.

    As the final collation of results got underway, the APC fired a petition against Makinde to the state INEC headquarters.

    The party accused Makinde of what it described as a “breach of electoral laws”, demanding his arrest and prosecution.

    Makinde was accused of releasing a video in early yesterday in which the PDP candidate “pointedly proclaimed himself winner of the governorship election in Oyo State when INEC, the authorised umpire has not concluded same nor declared any such results”.

    The petition signed by the APC state secretary, Mr Mojeed Olaoya, alleged that Makinde by the action is clearly inciting the citizenry against an eventual credible outcome of the elections.

    RIVERS

    INEC yesterday announced the suspension of all processes in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, until further notice.

    The suspension was made in a statement issued in Abuja by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye.

    Okoye said that the suspension was due to widespread violence and disruption that characterised the elections in the Southsouth state.

    He said that based on reports from INEC officials on the field, the commission had determined that there had been widespread disruption of elections conducted on Saturday in the state.

    The statement reads: “These initial reports suggest that violence occurred in a substantial number of polling units and collation centres; staff have been taken hostage and materials, including result sheets, have either been seized or destroyed by unauthorised persons.

    “In addition, safety of our staff appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the commission is concerned about the credibility of the process.

    “Consequently, at a meeting held Sunday, March 10, the commission has decided to suspend all electoral processes in the state until further notice.

    “This is in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and Clause 47(e) of the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.

    “The commission has also established a Fact-Finding Committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.’’

    The commission appealed to the people of Rivers, particularly voters, for their understanding, adding that it was probing the circumstances of these disruptions.

    Rivers with 23 local government areas has 4,442 polling units and 3,215,273 registered voters out of which 2,833,101 persons had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    Security agents yesterday cordoned off the INEC office, barring people, including reporters, from participating in the collation.

    The team of security personnel, comprising the Federal Special Anti- Robbery Squad (F-SARS) and the Police Mobile blocked the two sides of Aba Road, which leads to INEC office from Waterlines and GRA junctions.

    More than 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were patrolling the area.

    A group of young women, under the eagis of “Port Harcourt Significant Girls”, who staged a peaceful protest at the GRA Junction, were dispersed as they moved towards the INEC office.

    The protesters, clad in black dresses, were asking that the votes of the people be allowed to count.

     

    OGUN

    Abiodun of the APC was heading for victory as he had won in 11 of the 15 local government areas’ results announced by the INEC. Three of the council areas were won by Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied People’s Movement (APM). The PDP won in one. The results from five local government areas were still being awaited.

    But the APM rejected the governorship, House of Assembly results in the Gateway State, alleging that the collation had been “hijacked and compromised”.

    According to the APM, the outcome of the collation did not reflect the wishes of the people as freely expressed during the polls.

    Announcing its rejection of the of the results as released by the Independent National Commission (INEC), the APM Campaign Organisation Director-General, Sarafa Tunji-Ishola, told reporters that the process was disrupted by hoodlums and results falsified to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former minister cited Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Ifo, Obafemi/Owode and the nine local governments in Ogun East Senatorial District as areas where the exercise was allegedly disrupted and results doctored in favour of the APC.

    He said: “The exercise which started on a peaceful note was disrupted as the counting of votes were being completed by hoodlums and unidentified uniformed men who hijacked the process and went ahead to collate falsified results sheets in many local council areas including Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Ifo, Obafemi/Owode and particularly all the local government areas in all parts of the Ogun East Senatorial District.

    “In local government areas like Sagamu, Odogbolu and Ogun Waterside that were won by the APM, the results were changed to deny our party its well-deserved victory.

    “In other local governments won by the APC, the figures were altered to increase the margin between the APC and the APM.

    “The disruptions were clearly designed to ensure that the APM does not meet the required constitutional requirement of 25 per cent of votes in the council areas of Ogun East Senatorial District and to suppress the electoral strength of the APM in Ogun Central Senatorial District where the party clearly enjoys superior strength.

    “In the night, some armed men purportedly working for a top Federal Government official from Ogun State went round many of the local government areas, hijacked result sheets and forced party agents to sign already-filled result sheets under duress.

    “These infractions are against the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria and the electoral act. The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) made a formal protest on these infractions to the Resident Electoral Commission of INEC in Ogun State as reports from our agents across the state revealed these atrocities.

    “We requested that INEC should investigate these infractions and suspend the announcement of the purported results of the elections pending the completion of such investigation. We were surprised that the INEC went ahead this morning to announce the disputed results from many of the local government areas.

    “I hereby, on behalf of the APM, formally reject the collation process that was hijacked and compromised because it did not reflect the wishes of the people of Ogun State as freely expressed in 09 March 2019 Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    “The APM wishes to put INEC on notice that we shall explore every means within the provisions of the constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to challenge this miscarriage of justice. We shall also ensure that the wishes of the people of Ogun State as freely expressed at the polls are protected.”

    ENUGU

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuayi was declared elected to retain his seat for the PDP after polling 449,935 to beat Senator Ayogu Eze  of the APC, who reportedly boycotted the election. He came a distant second with 10,423.

    The Enugu State Collation Officer, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, declared Ugwuanyi as duly elected after winning in all 17 council areas.

    ABIA

    Incumbent Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was returned governor-elect after defeating his APC challenger Uche Ogah with 261, 127 votes to 99, 574.

    JIGAWA

    The incumbent Governor of Jigawa, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru has won the gubernatorial election conducted in the state on Saturday.

    The Returning Officer for the governorship election in Jigawa, Prof, Azubike Nwankwo, Provost, Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna declared the result in Dutse on Sunday.

    Nwankwo said that Badaru, who contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), was returned elected with 810, 933 votes to beat his closest rival, Alhaji Aminu Ringim, who scored 288, 356 votes, followed by Alhaji Bashir Adamu of Social Democratic Party (SDP), who got 32,894 votes.

    He explained that the total number of registered voters are 2,109,477, accredited voters, 1,169,924, total votes cast, 1, 163, 206, while valid votes stood at 1, 139, 054, and rejected votes, 24, 152.

    The Returning Officer stated that the election was free and fair adding that due process was followed before the declaration of the result.

    Nwankwo had also announced that the APC won all the 30 seats for the state House of Assembly.

    EBONYI

    Governor David Umahi has retained his seat in Ebonyi State for the PDP after polling 393, 343 votes to beat APC’s Sonni Ogbuoji, who got 81,703.

    Declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), State Headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Returning Officer, Prof Chukwuemeka Eze, said the governor garnered 393,343 across 13 local government arears in the state.

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Chibueze Agbo, took the third place with 10,129 votes.

    The returning officer said: “I hereby certify that I Prof Chukwuemeka Eze was the Returning Officer of the governorship election held on 9th of Match, 2019 in Ebonyi State.

    “That David Umahi Nweze, of the PDP having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of votes is hereby returned and elected.”

    Umahi in in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzo,r declared his unalloyed loyalty to the patriotic citizens of Ebonyi State for re-electing him for a second term.

    He promised to consolidate on the aggressive infrastructural, human development and aggressive industrialisation of the state, the tripod on which his administration stands.

    The Governor also reiterated his readiness to hand over power to Abakaliki bloc in 2023 after completing his second term so that power will continue to rotate round the three senatorial zones of the state in the spirit of equity and justice.

    Borno

     

    As at the time of going to press, the APC governorship candidate, Babagana Zullum, had won 24 of the 27 local government areas in Borno State.

    The collation of result of the governorship election is conducted at the Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri.

    The exercise, presided over by the state’s INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Alhassan Gali, was conducted smoothly in the presence of party agents, election observers, security agents and journalists.

    Zulum scored the highest votes cast in 24  of the 27 local government areas as indicated in the results so far submitted for collation by the variuos returning officers of the councils.

    The councils were Nganzai; Mobbar, Dikwa, Abadam, Guzamala, Gubio, Magumeri and Konduga.

    Others were Mafa, Kaga, Kukawa, Marte and Monguno.

    The election results so far collated indicated that Zulum was taking the lead against his closets opponent, Muhammad Imam, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The results as announced by the Returning Officer in charge of Nganzai, Dr Ibrahim  Mustapha, showed that the APC candidate scored 20, 196 as against the 907 votes scored by the PDP’s candidate.

    In Mobbar, Dr Kamsale Umar, the Collation Officer, declared that Zulum polled 35,828 votes while Imam scored 622 votes.

    For Dikwa; the Collation Officer, Dr. Muhammad Hassan, disclosed that the APC candidate scored 22,138 against the 1,542 votes scored by the PDP candidate.

    Dr Shamaki Usman, the Collation Officer in charge of Abadam, said that the APC candidate polled 9,968 while the PDP candidate got 50 votes.

    The Collation Officer in charge of Guzamala, Muhammad Auwal, announced that Zulum polled 28,030 votes against the 277 votes scored by PDP’s Imam.

    Also, Kachalla Mohammed, the Collation Officer in charge of Gubio, declared that the APC candidate polled 33,203 votes while the PDP flag bearer got 419 votes.

    Dr Adamu Yahaya, the Collation Officer in charge of Magumeri, announced that Zulum polled 22,261 against the 123 votes scored by Imam.

    In Kukawa, the Collation Officer, Dr Umar Adamu, declared that the APC candidates gannered 29, 040 against the 344 votes polled by the PDP.

    Salihu Ibrahin, the Collation Officer for Marte, announced thst the APC candidate got 19, 329 against the 173 votes scored by Imam, while Abdulkareem Ibrahim, the collation Officer in charge of Monguno, declared that APC polled 41,999 votes and 173 votes.

    Similarly, the Collation Officer for Konduga, Kaka Bunu, declared that Zulum scored 31, 484 votes against 2, 497 votes polled by the PDP candidate while in Kaga, the APC candidate scored 16, 647 and PDP polled 1, 166, as declared by the Collation Officer, Mr Ali Mustapha.

     

    Yobe

     

    The APC was in early lead of the governorship election with a high margin in nine local government areas so far collated out of the 17 councils of the state.

    The results were submitted at the state collation center under the leadership of Prof. Abubakar Gundiri by the local government collation officers.

    Alhaji MaiMala Buni of the APC gubernatorial candidate scored 21,765 votes in Gulani Local Government against Ambassador Iliya Damagum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 4,576 votes.

    In Fika Local Government, APC polled 36,519 against PDP’s 9,552 while in Bade Local Government APC leads with 32,213 against PDP’s 8,854.

    APC polled 20,657 votes in Bursari Local Government against PDP’s 2,813 while in Damaturu Local Government APC scored 26,087 against PDP’s 3,760 and in Nangere Local Government APC had 25,698 while PDP scored 4,765 votes.

    In Karasuwa Local Government APC polled 24,262 against PDP’s 2,762 votes while in Gujba Local Government APC received 17,714 votes and PDP had 1,119 votes.

    The APC also scored 11,338 votes in Tarmuwa Local Government while PDP polled 3,925 votes.

    Meanwhile results from the remaining eight local government areas were being awaited

     

    BAUCHI

     

    Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar was set to retain his seat for the APC as he was leading his opponent Sen. Bala Mohammed of the PDP with a wide margin.

    According to the results, the incumbent governor was leading in 12 out of the 17 local government areas released so far by the INEC.

    The PDP candidate won in the remaining five council areas.

    However, the State Returning Officer Prof Mohammed Kyari rejected the results from Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, over alleged disruption of the voting process by people suspected to be political thugs.

     

    CROSS RIVER

     

    Cross River Governor and the PDP candidate Prof Ben Ayade, was in a comfortable lead after the collation of results of 14 out of 18 local government areas of the state.

    In the results submitted by the various returning officers at the state collation centre at the INEC in Calabar, Ayade was leading his APC challenger.

    The senator representing the Central Senatorial District, John Owan-Enoh and Niger Delta Affairs Minister Usani Usani, were laying claim to the governorship ticket of APC in the state.

    The collation was adjourned till today.

     

    ADAMAWA

     

    With results pending from just one local government area and the PDP leading with over 30,000 votes, the party looked set to clinch the governorship election in Adamawa State.

    Results collated from 20 local government areas before  the process was suspended, PDP candidate Umaru Fintiri had garnered 361,539 votes. He was being trailed by incumbent Governor Mohammed Bindow who polled 328, 433.

     

    DELTA

     

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta polled 433, 7021 votes to lead the governorship election in the state in the results so far announced.

    In the result garnered from 14 local government areas, his closest rival, Chief Great Ogboru of the APC was trailing by 101,579 votes.

  • Ladoja, Lanlehin, others adopt Makinde as joint candidate

    Five opposition parties in Oyo state on Tuesday publicly presented a coalition governorship candidate to run against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for Saturday’s poll.

    The parties in the coalition include African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Progressive Movement (NPM).

    The coalition adopted the PDP candidate, Seyi Makinde, for the governorship poll while retaining their separate structures for the house of Assembly elections.

    The former governor, who is also the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and a chieftain of ZLP, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, made the public presentation of the joint candidate during a press conference which at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

    The event was also attended by party leaders and stakeholders in the coalition.

    The coalition put to rest the much touted and anticipated coalition in their bid to defeat the ruling party.

    While reading a speech entitled “An alliance for the freedom of Oyo State,” the ADC governorship candidate, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, said the parties decided on the move as a workable solution to what it described as “unpalatable situation where Oyo state has been remotely controlled in the last eight years.”

    Talks on the coalition have been rife but with fears mounting on the workability.

    The coalition is the first time in the history of the state that opposition parties agreed to ‘gang up’ against the ruling party.

    Lanlehin said: “It is no longer news that a good number of parties in Oyo state have deliberated intensely over the last few weeks and have come to the resolution that there is an urgent need to free our dear state from the shackles of outside oppression and domination.

    “We have therefore decided that in order to present an effective and workable solution to the unpalatable situation where Oyo State has been remotely controlled for the past 8 years by outside forces and all manner of constituted authority, there is the need to form this alliance of political parties in the state.

    “We have firmly resolved to present one candidate in the person of Engineer Oluseyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party for the office of Governor at the elections holding on 9th March, 2019.

    “He shall be heading by the special grace of God and the power of the people of Oyo State, a Government of Unity which will cater for the interest of all our people irrespective of political association.”

    Governorship candidates Sharafadeen Alli (ZLP), Bolaji Ayorinde (SDP) and Col. Feyisayo Ladoye (NPM) appealed to their supporters to vote for Makinde.

    Giving a short remark before raising Makinde’s hand, Ladoja said “It is my pleasure to present to you the agreed candidate for the election coming up on Saturday March 9, and who Insha Allah, will become governor-elect on that day, and will be subsequently sworn in on May 29 as governor of Oyo State.

    “He is my son. I present to you Engineer Seyi Makinde.”

    In his acceptance speech, Makinde who expressed happiness at the coalition noted, the election would put opportunity before the people to do two things.

    “Two weeks ago, the people of Oyo South Senatorial District rejected Ajimobi and now is the time of the entire people of the state to reject Bayo Adelabu who is going to be the third term of Ajimobi.

    “The second thing is that we want Oyo State money to stay in Oyo state and that is what voting for PDP will do for the people of this state,” Makinde stated.

  • Akala, Makinde condemn election postponement

    The governorship candidates of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Oluseyi Makinde respectively, have condemned the postponement of the 2019 elections. In separate statements, they described the postponement as sad and unfortunate. While Makinde accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the decision, Akala expressed worry on its cost to Nigerians.

    According to Alao-Akala, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) took Nigerians for granted by not caring about the cost of the postponement which was announced at the “last minute”. He said it was a disgraceful and inconsiderate act considering the stress that people had gone through just to have a successful exercise.

    His words: “I am sad, it is unfortunate that election will be postponed a few hours to the commencement of the exercise. I am sorry for Nigeria; we should not be on this level at this period. what happens to the manpower already expended and human capital resource? Can you imagine what corp members drafted into the exercise were made to go through?  Did they even consider the loss many people will be forced to incur as a result of the unexpected change? Who pays for these losses and inconveniences?

    Makinde appealed to foreign observers not to leave the country in frustration, alleging that  it was the exact aim the APC wanted to achieve. “In spite of having three  years to plan and numerous reassurances up till last week,  INEC waited till five hours to the commencement of the election before announcing its cancellation,” he said. He said a huge amount of money had been expended before the exercise was postponed.