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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • APC, PDP boast ahead of March 23 extra elections

    Ganduje: PDP’ll be shocked

    PDP ‘sure of victory’

    Tambuwal, Sokoto APC: we’re ready for exercise

    Plateau APC: we’re set

    Date okay, says PDP

    Adamawa APC: INEC must respond to our concern

    A war of words broke out yesterday between the two major political parties ahead of the March 23 supplementary elections to decide who will control power in six states.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were bragging about their capacity to carry the day.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) has fixed 23rd March for supplementary elections in Sokoto, Benue, Adamawa, Plateau, Kano and Bauchi states.

    INEC announced the date in a press statement signed by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye.

    INEC noted that it acted in compliance within the ambit of the Electoral Act.

    Okoye also noted that in the case of Bauchi State, an investigation team had been set up to look into the matter.

    The statement reads: “The Commission met today, l2” March 2019 and reviewed the conduct of the 29 Governorship and 991 State constituency elections held on 9th March 2019. In all, the Commission declared winners in the Governorship elections in 22 states.

    “However, the Returning Officers in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue. Kano, Plateau and Sokoto states declared the governorship elections inconclusive. Consequently. the Commission will conduct supplementary elections on Saturday 23rd  March 2019 to conclude the process. Supplementary elections will also hold in polling units in all states where state Assembly elections were declared inconclusive and winners could not be declared. Details of the constituencies, including number of polling units and registered voters, will be published on our website (tomorrow) Wednesday 13th March, 2019.

    “The elections were declared inconclusive for a combination of reasons, mainly the discontinuation of use of the Smart Card Readers midway into the elections or the failure to deploy them, over-voting and widespread disruption in many polling units.

    “In compliance with the Margin of Lead Principle derived from Sections 26 and 53 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amcndcd) and paragraph 41(e) and 43(b) of the [NEC Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections, the outcome of these elections could not be determined without conducting polls in the affected polling units. Hence, the Commission’s decision to conduct supplementary elections in line with this principle.

    “Furthermore, the Commission has considered a Report submitted by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bauchi State on the disruption of the collation at the Tafawa Balewa LGA collation centre. which led to the cancellation of results for the entire local government. The Commission found that there are issues that need further investigation and has set up a team led by a National Commissioner to resolve them.”

    Here is a report of what the parties are saying:

    SOKOTO

    The APC candidate in Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, had on Monday accepted in good faith the declaration of the election as inconclusive.

    “I, and my party, have accepted the outcome in good faith. If you recall on the day of election, I made it clear after casting my vote that, I will accept any outcome in good faith,” he said.

    Addressing reporters at the Gawon Nama home of the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum and Coodinator, Northwest APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the APC candidate said: “The party, its leaders and supporters are law abiding citizens and, as such, we have accepted the decision by INEC, in good faith.

    “The action of the Chief Reurning Officer, who declared the election as inconclusive was in line with the nation’s constitution, as well as the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.

    “The declaration of the elections as inconclusive came at a time when the party was leading and we have won more than the two-thirds majority of the votes, as required by the law.

    “Apt and accurate figures in our possession have shown that, I was already coasting to victory, yet, we directed our peaceful and lawful supporters to halt their celebrations.

    “We have since directed them to embark on immediate and massive mobilisation of our supporters and the patriotic electorate, in readiness for the forthcoming rerun elections in 136 polling units across 22 local government areas to be conducted by INEC later”,  Sokoto  added.

    “There is no cause for alarm, victory is ours, Insha Sha Allah,” he said.

    Governor Waziri Tambuwal and PDP governorship candidate in Sokoto state had on Monday INEC to as a matter of fairness and justice declare him winner of the poll.

    According to him the decision by the Returning Officer of INEC, Prof Fatima Mukhtar to declare the exercise inconclusive was unconstitutional.

    He cited Section 179(2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic stated that the provision clearly explained how to conduct governorship polls.

    “Our party, the PDP has returned the highest number of votes and we have won 2/3 of the local governments in the state and therefore, the decision of INEC is not founded in law. We wonder why INEC is coming with this technical reason to declare the exercise inconclusive.” Tambuwal said.

    He told reporters in Government House, Sokoto, that the INEC decision would be put to test in the court, saying: “We have not been given substantial reasons for such decision. INEC should note that it has an image and integrity to protect as an agency and for its officials. It should not put its integrity to public questioning.

    “Up till now (Monday), we have not been told why the cancellations of the exercise in 136 polling units across 22 local government areas. We know there are adverse factors that should be considered to warrant such decisions and not in all cases rerun should be conducted.”

    On whether he and his party would participate in the supplementary election, the governor said: “Our court action will not stop us from participating. We want to make sure the right thing is done based on constitutional provisions.”

    PLATEAU

    The Chairman of Governor Simon Lalong’s Second Term Campaign Council (Media), Jonathan Ishaku, yesterday said the party and its candidate were ready for the poll.

    Ishaku, who spoke on phone with our Jos correspondent, said: “The party had resolved from the moment they declared the election inconclusive that we were going to cooperate with INEC for the re-run.

    “Obviously, the re-run is an exercise we need to use to justify the victory of our party at the poll. The people of the state have voted massively for the APC, the results are there.

    “So, the re-run is in our interest and we welcome the new date with both arms.”

    Also yesterday, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, John Akans, said the date fixed by INEC is convenient for the party and its candidate.

    Akans said: “The re-run itself is a constitutional provision and, as a law abiding party, we will prepare and mobilise our supporters to come out and vote for our party.”

    ADAMAWA

    The APC said the electoral umpire acted within the law in fixing a date for the rerun within 21 days after the main election.

    It, however urged INEC to respond to the issues it raised concerning the March 9 election.

    The Secretary of the APC in the state, Wafarniyi Theman, who spoke with our reporter on the telephone, stressed that what the party would eventually decide concerning the date for the rerun would be determined by INEC’s response to its petition.

    Theman did not specify the issues in APC’s petition. The party addressed the press on Monday evening, rejecting the outcome of the governorship election and demanding a repeat election in places where it said there were over-voting and use of security personnel to intimidate APC agents, among other things.

    The PDP also said it had issues with INEC, such as the decision to declare the election inconclusive based on slimness of margin of lead vis-à-vis the number of registered voters in polling units where voting was cancelled rather number of people who collected PVCs.

    The party, however, said it was ready for the rerun, irrespective of INEC’s response or lack of it to its objection.

    Theman said: “We are ready for the rerun because we have nothing to fear, we are set for victory; this is why we wonder why they should declare the election inconclusive because all the collected PVCs in the units where the rerun has been scheduled cannot upturn the lead we already have.”

    BENUE

    Benue APC Administrative Secretary Mark Hanmation said the party was ready for the supplementary poll.

    According to Hamation, “the APC is going for nothing short of victory.”

    In a related development, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Bemgba Iortyom, said the ruling party has perfected its strategy ahead of the March 23 poll.

    In a press statement, Iortyom said:  “The PDP is going into the supplementary election with 81,000 votes advantage and hope to win the election which was delayed.”

     

  • ‘Arrest Akpabio, Ekere now for electoral offences’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom yesterday called on security agencies to arrest the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere and Senator Godswill Akpabio for alleged electoral offences.

    It alleged that Ekere and Akpabio committed the offences during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections last Saturday.

    PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong made the call at a news conference at the party secretariat on Four Lane, Uyo.

    He said: “We were shocked yesterday by the press statement issued by the state Chairman of the broom-wielding party, Ini Okopido, and the subsequent press conference hosted by the duo of Obong Nsima Ekere and Godswill Akpabio alleging that they won in 26 local government areas of the state.

    “This is surely the best example of living in fool’s paradise. We must state that the APC lost in all the local government areas, including Essien Udim and Ikot Abasi local government areas.

    “In Essien Udim, materials in Ekpeyong Ward were hijacked by APC agents at the voting units in Independence High School, thugs and policemen sympathetic to Senator Akpabio mounted the gates and prevented PDP supporters from gaining access to the venue.

    “The thugs further unleashed physical attack on a reporter (names withheld) who was there to cover the elections. He  was severely beaten up and chased away.”

    The PDP alleged that an aide to the senator was accompanied by scores of policemen and thugs to disrupt the elections on Saturday.

    Ememobong went on: “As if that was not enough, the INEC office in the local government area was (allegedly) kept under siege by the senator.”

    According to the PDP spokesman, result sheets were filled and forced on presiding officers to sign.

    “These facts are alive and at the tribunal, we will avail the court,” he stated, adding: “The entire world noted the delay it took for Essien Udim to collate and transmit results, all because of Senator Akpabio’s unwholesome interference.

    “In Ikot Abasi Local Government Area,  APC thugs were on the rampage, carting away electoral materials and personnel and taking them to Ekere’s residence, where thumb printing was done.

    “Even in Nsima Ekere’s Unit, pictorial evidence abound to show armed soldiers arranging the voting queue to ensure that PDP supporters did not vote.

    “In units 2, 6 and other units in Ward 7, thugs led by Ernest Ntuk hijacked ballot boxes and electoral personnel, delivering them at the residence of Ekere.

    “We therefore call for the arrest of Godswill Akpabio and Nsima Ekere for the numerous electoral and criminal offences committed by them in the course of these elections.

    “The rule of law makes all men equal before the law.”

     

  • Lagos PDP: what next for Agbaje?

    The Lagos State governorship election has been won and lost. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The question is: what next for Agbaje, the pharmacist-turned politician? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the effects of the defeat on the opposition platform.

    He was optimistic of winning. During his campaigns in some parts of Lagos State, shouts of ‘Jay Kay is okay,’ always filled the air. Jimi Agbaje, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, is an eminent Lagosians held in esteem by many stakeholders. But, at the close of polls at the weekend, he saw the handwriting on the wall. Reality dawned on the pharmacist-turned politician that his vehicle, the PDP, could not carry him too far.

    At 7.07 pm, shortly before the formal announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he conceded defeat and congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, warming up for a victory speech. The governor-elect thanked his major challenger for the kind gesture. He later broke the news to party chieftains who surrounded him in that moment of history.

    The recent election was Agbaje’s third attempt. He was in the race in 2007 and 2015. Despite past electoral defeats, he was full of enthusiasm and optimism during the campaigns. He was vocal and some people listened to him. His campaign slogan was: ‘freedom.’ Irked by the slogan, APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu decried the mobilisation approach, saying that Lagos was not in bondage.

    Party women, who composed partisan songs, fired salvos at Agbaje, describing him as a familiar customer. Replying them, the PDP candidate said: ‘the customer is king.” But, on poll day, his supporters were drowned in their illusion of hope.

    According to a report, the multi-millionaire politician has rationalised his party’s failure at the polls. He complained about voters’ apathy, which he attributed to alleged intimidation of his supporters. He said many shunned the polling booths because of fear of violence. The APC Chairman, Tunde Balogun disagreed. He said the elections were peaceful, free and fair.

    For the PDP, the impact of the defeat is monumental. For 20 years, it has been the major opposition party in the Centre of Excellence. Its ambition to hijack power had crumbed six times. According to observers, Agbaje has been its most formidable and promising candidate in post-Funso Williams era. In 1999, its candidate, Chief Dapo Sarunmi, lost to Asiwaju Tinubu. In 2003, the late Williams also lost. In 2007, Musiliu Obanikoro and Agbaje, who contested on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), lost to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN). In 2011, Ade Dosunmu could not fly. In 2015, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also defeated Agbaje. In 2019, Agbaje, who has become a veteran contender, also lost to Sanwo-Olu.

    The implication is that Lagos PDP has been left in the cold for two decades. Many PDP leaders have jumped ship and gravitated towards the ruling party. Ahead of the weekend polls, scores of PDP members deserted the party. Even, the party chairman, Adegoke Salvador, quit the platform.

    Agbaje is a household name in Lagos. He is admired by many people across political parties. As a pharmacist and businessman, he had made money and name. Many people see him as a man of honour and integrity. He rose to political fame as the treasurer of  Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group.

    Eyes were not on him until he threw his hat into the ring in 2007. Althoigh he had no pubic sector experience, he pulled crowd ahead of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), later Action Congress (AC) primary. Other aspirants included Fashola, former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, former Commerce and Industry Commissioner Remi Adikwu Bakare, former party chairman Abiodun Ogunleye, Oyinlomo Danmole, Kaoli Olusanya, Ganiyu Solomon, Erikitola, Kunle Lawal, and Tola Kasali.

    However, the shadow poll did not favour Agbaje, who alleged that it was not free and fair. Although party leaders offered him the Lagos Central senatorial ticket, he rejected it.

    To spite the former governor and party leader, Agbaje, Afikuyomi, Danmole, Lawal, and Adikwu-Bakare defected to DPA. A week after, Afikuyomi went to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and emerged its governorship candidate. Pedro left for the Labour Party (LP), and later, the PDP. Surprisingly, Afikuyomi later showed up on election day as Fashola’s agent at the INEC office.

    In DPA, Agbaje floored Adikwu-Bakare during at the primary. Another aggrieved aspirant, the late Prof. Lawal, became his running mate. Adikwu-Bakare hurriedly left for Progressive Peoples Alliance(PPA). She lost her deposit at the poll.

    The campaign was interesting. The contenders-Fashola (AC), Agbaje (DPA), Adikwu- Bakare (PPA), Afikuyomi (ANPP) and Musiliu Obanikoro (PDP)–were locked in a war of sorts. Before the primaries, they belonged to AD, an offshoot of Afenifere.

    Agbaje’s manifestos were not significantly different from the promises made to Lagosians by Fashola and Adikwu-Bakare. Except Obanikoro’s PDP, the competing parties were similar. Throughout the campaign, Agbaje and Fashola only disagreed on one point, which was the viability of the Fourth Mainland Bridge. While Agbaje said it was not a priority, Fashola insisted that the people needed it for ease of transportation. Up to now, it has remained a tall order.

    However, feathers were ruffled. The parties were enveloped in anxiety. An eloquent speaker, Agbaje ran a neat campaign devoid of thuggery, unlike the PDP train of cutlasses, clubs, bows and arrows. His adverts, including radio and television jingles,  were captivating. Excited at the way the campaign had progressed, his associate, Yinka Odumakin, said Agbaje offered a credible alternative to the ‘same of the same.’

    There was apprehension during the televised debate. Agbaje was confronted by Pedro, who had inquired from him, derisively, the experience that qualified him to vie for the governor of Lagos as the owner of  a patient medicine store, with not more than five employees under his control. The DPA candidate noted the scornful look and the attempt to diminish his profile. Returning the missiles, Agbaje  reminded Pedro that when he was a managing director of a bank, he was a shareholder and a director, which implied part ownership. The pharmacist also asked the banker to explain the circumstances that led to his exit from the bank.  Besides, he added that the former deputy governor should respond to the allegation by his boss that he had not properly rendered his account of stewardship. Pedro flared up, taking exception to Agbaje’s remarks. He explained that when he left the bank, the organization held a befitting send-forth for him.

    Despite the enormous electoral investment, Agbaje came third, trailing Obanikoro, who was defeated by Fashola.  The love of Lagosians for Agbaje was undermined by a corresponding reluctance to adopt his party by voters. He was a strong contender hindered by his weak party.

    Following the defeat, Agbaje protested, claiming that his photograph or logo disappeared on the ballot paper. He went to the tribunal, urging the temple of justice to upturn Fashola’s victory. His prayer was rejected.

    In 2011, Agbaje did not contest. Although APC leaders were said to have offered the position of deputy governor to him, he rejected it. But, he remained a public figure who commented on national issues.

    In 2015, he finally yielded to pressures to run on the platform of the PDP. Backed by the PDP leader, Chief Olabode George, he defeated Obanikoro at the primary. His chance was bright. Former President Goodluck Jonathan threw his weight behind him. Also, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) were on the prowl. Agbaje rallied Igbo residents behind his ambition. Although PDP won some House of Assembly and Representatives seats, Agbaje was defeated by Ambode.

    After the election, crisis broke out between Agbaje and George. The retired soldier wanted to be the PDP national chairman. Agbaje, who enjoyed the support of  Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, also unfolded a chairmanship ambition. But, the crown later went to Prince Uche Secondus, who was sponsored by the PDP governors.

    During last year’s primary, Agbaje defeated Deji Doherty, who does not enjoy his kind of popularity. But, at the close of poll at the weekend, there was gap between expectation and reality. Sanwo-Olu polled 739, 44 5 votes to defeat Agbaje who got 206, 141 votes.

    What future awaits PDP in Lagos? What next for Agbaje, its symbol? Will he return to the drawing board, restrategise and rebuild the party into a winning platform? Will he return to his shell? Will he quit the politics? In four years’ time, will Agbaje re-contest?

     

     

  • Obi bemoans suspension of polls in Rivers, others

    Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi is concerned with the suspended March 9 elections in Rivers and five other states.

    In a statement yesterday through his media office, Obi appealed to the international community to show more than a passing interest in a “contrived stalemate in the elections affecting Rivers and five other states”.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended the elections in Rivers and declared the polls inconclusive in Plateau, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi and Kano States.

    Obi also kicked against the alleged role of the military in the election, and queried the alleged forceful relocation of collation centres to a military formation, as well as the refusal of the military to allow journalists and local and foreign observers access to the collation process.

    He described the involvement of the military in the polls as needless, saying it has aggravated the tense situation in Rivers State.

    Obi, who described the situation as a grave breach of democratic norms, wondered why the undue interest in Rivers, “a very well known PDP stronghold”?

    According to him, Rivers State Governor Neysom Wike should be the last to face this type of harassment given his popularity with his people.

    He called on Nigerians and friends of the country to condemn the stalemate, saying the situation is clearly unacceptable.

    “Any reasonable person should know that Governor Wike is the last person who should be harassed, knowing what he has put in just in four years in the delivery of democracy dividends,” Obi added.

  • I’m sure of victory, says PDP candidate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has assured his supporters of victory in the march 23 supplementary poll.

    Kabir’s assurance was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday declared the governorship election inconclusive. The PDP candidate scored 1,014,474, leading the APC candidate who scored 987,819 votes; 2,155,128 was recorded as valid and 49,761 votes were rejected.

    INEC said its declaration of the election as inconclusive was in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act that said if the number of cancelation of votes cast is beyond the margin between the winner and the loser.

    The PDP candidate was quoted as saying: “We call on all supporters to remain calm, we are known to be peace-lovers and so we shall remain, as we are very sure of victory during the rerun.

    “Our supporters should not forget that PDP is already leading in the last count of the election and interestingly, the bye election would take place in the strongest areas of our party.”

    “We urge everyone to keep hope alive on our quest to rescue Kano from the hands of corrupt leaders and agents of distraction.”

    The statement urged voters to come out en masse to cast their ballot in favour of the PDP, saying: “We will, Insha Allah, emerge victorious after the rerun to restore the lost glory of Kano.”

     

  • Ganduje promises PDP shocker during rerun

    Kano State Governor Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has vowed to give the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) a shocker during the rerun of governorship election.

    He also declared his victory is guaranteed.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kano governorship election inconclusive following allegation of irregularities in Nasarawa local government area.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture and Chairman, Publicity 2019 Election, Malam Muhammad Garba said: “Ganduje is unperturbed by the wishful thinking and slapdash deportment of the PDP candidate considering what happened in the inconclusive election widely characterized by alleged vote buying and voter intimidation by the party”.

    He said the All Progressives Congress and its candidate remain upbeat and sure of victory as Kano remained an APC state.

    The governor assured he remained committed to the conduct of free and fair election, stating all loopholes that led to rigging, vote buying and intimidation of voters have been blocked.

    ‘’APC as a party has also re-strategised and very confident of victory because the local government areas where the rerun will take place remain the APC stronghold and the electorate in these areas have made up their mind to vote massively for the Governor they trust.

    ‘’The modest achievements recorded so far by the Ganduje Administration have touched the lives of the people in all sectors of development and also remain determined to continue if returned,’’ the statement added.

  • APC will produce next Bayelsa governor, chieftain boasts

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) will produce the next governor in Bayelsa State, a former Commissioner for Youths in Bayelsa State Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo has boasted.

    Otobo declared: “The APC will claim Bayelsa. We are working to produce the next governor.

    “We believe in the leadership of former Governor Timipre Sylva. He is the brains behind our impressive performance in the last elections and his leadership will take us to greater heights,” he said.

    He said the party had shifted its focus to the December governorship election in the state following conclusion of the general elections.

    Otobo said the APC performed well in the just-concluded elections in the state and was already building on the feat ahead of the governorship poll.

    Otobo, who spoke in Yenagoa, alleged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) used the military to intimidate APC leaders adding that despite the excesses, he was able to win his Tombia community for his party’s House of Assembly candidate.

    “In my Tombia community, we faced a lot of intimidation from the military.

    “The military did not play the neutral role they were supposed to play. They were quite partisan and they supported the PDP”, he said.

    Read Also: Buhari, seven APC Governors meet in Aso Rock

    Otobo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) describing its performance in the elections as impressive.

    He said the commission upped its game in all aspects of the election including logistics, timing and card reader performance.

    Otobo said the APC members in his area comported themselves very well in the face of persecution and shunned violence throughout the exercise.

    He said: “We have done very well in Bayelsa and I am happy that we worked together to win my community for the APC House of Assembly candidate.

    “The PDP candidate came from my area but we won her. In Tombia community, we comported ourselves very well. We are a peace-loving community so we refused to be violent despite provocation.

    “We have shown them that PDP is not an Ijaw party. Rather Ijaw people have the right to choose a political party of their choice.

    “We have shown them that in Tombia community and in other communities in Brass, Southern Ijaw and Nembe Bassambiri, we chose the APC”.

  • Inconclusive elections: INEC, military compromised, says PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Prof Mahmood Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Army of compromise in states where the governorship and state assembly elections were suspended or declared inconclusive.

    Its Spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan told a news conference that the electoral umpire and the Army were playing the script of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    Ologbondiyan alleged that elections were suspended or declared inconclusive in states where the PDP was maintaining a steady lead.

    Citing widespread disruptions, INEC, on Sunday, announced the suspension of electoral process in Rivers State and declared elections inconclusive in Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Plateau and Benue states.

    But the PDP described the affected states as its strongholds.

    It insisted that INEC, under Prof. Yakubu, “has become overtly partisan and has surrendered its independence to the APC.”

    The main opposition party said INEC carried on as a compromised umpire with obnoxious impunity, thereby sending signals of being heavily bribed by the APC to alter results for its candidates.

    It also accused the Army of intimidating its members in the affected states, particularly in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and other states in the Southsouth.

    The party dismissed claims by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, that the shootings and killings in those places were carried out by fake soldiers in military uniform.

  • Ihedioha declared Imo governor-elect

    Former Deputy Speaker and governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha has been declared the winner of the keenly contested Imo State governorship election by the State Returning Officer,  Prof. Francis Otunta.

    Ihedioha polled a total number of 273404 to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu.

    The candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and All Progressives Congress (APC), Ifeanyi Araraume and Hope Uzodinma scored 114676 and 96458 votes respectively.

  • Breaking: INEC declares Kano guber election inconclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the gubernatorial election in Kano as inconclusive.

    The Collation Officer for the Governorship election in the state, Prof. Bibi Shehu announced this shortly after the compilation of the election results from the 44 Local Government Areas in the state.

    According to him, the declaration of the election as inconclusive was according to the section 26 of the INEC act that said if the number of cancelation of votes cast is beyond the margin between the winner and the looser.

    He explained that the winner of the election, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has defeated the APC candidate with 26,000 votes, while the votes canceled is 128,572 votes.

    Shehu disclosed that the PDP candidate scored 1,014,474, leading the APC candidate who scored 987,819 votes, adding that 2,155,128 was recorded as Valid and 49,761 votes were rejected.

    The Collation Officer said that the total registered voters in the state is 5,249, 989, while the total accredited votes was 2,211,528 and the total votes cast were 2,184,889 votes.

    Read also: Adamawa APC rejects inconclusive governorship election

    The PDP agent, who is also the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman-Bichi warned that such result should not repeat itself in the supplementary election.

    Also, the co-agent, Aliyu Sani-Madakingini said that INEC is encouraging thuggery in this type of situation by also encouraging politicians to create unnecessary chaos to favour their ambitions.