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Tag: Uba brothers

  • APC to dominate Senate

    •Tinubu, Amosun, Ekwunife, Folarin, Uba, Gaidam win •Uba brothers, Ajimobi, Dankwambo, Mulikat Adeola fail

    Going by the senatorial election results announced in states by Returning Officers, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seems set to dominate the 109-member Red Chamber.

    Out of the 18 seats in the Southwest, the APC won 14, leaving four to the PDP.

    It is being trailed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    There were upsets as some candidates believed to be heavyweights failed to win their senatorial districts.

    In Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Anambra State, Ifeanyi Uba of the Youth Progressive Party (YPP) scored 87, 081 to take the slot from incumbent APC Senator Andy Uba, who polled 62, 462.

    In Lagos, the APC clinched the three slots. Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) polled 131, 735 to defeat PDP’s Onitiri David, who scored 80,107; Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC) beat Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor of the PDP and Bayo Osinowo (Lagos East), beat  Abiodun Oyefusi of the PDP.

    In Akwa Ibom, Mrs Akon Eyakanyi (Akwa Ibom South) of the PDP got 122,412 to beat APC’s Nelson Effiong, who polled 44,053. With 76,183, Yakubu Oseni, (APC, Kogi Central) beat Miss Natasha Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who scored 48,326 and Senator Ahmed Ogembe (PDP), who scored 19,359.

    Danladi Sankara, APC, Jigawa Northwest, got 286,655 to beat Nasiru Roni of the PDP, who scored 120, 314; Senator Dino Melaye won the Kogi West for the PDP, beating Smart Adeyemi to the second place.

    In Kano South, Senator Kabiru Gaya of the APC scored 319,004 to beat Abdullahi Sani Togo, who polled  217,570; Barau Jibrin won Kano North for the APC with 286,419 as against the 155,638 scored by Ahmed Garba Bichi of the PDP. Oyo State Governor Abiola AJimobi lost his bid to represent the Oyo South District for the APC. His 92,218 votes could not match PDP’s Kolawole Balogun’s  105,720.

    Senator Danjuma Goje (APC), Gombe Central, scored 110,116 votes to beat Abubakar Nono of the PDP, who got 39,760. Mrs. Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) won the Anambra Central for the PDP with 18,412. Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 14, 403.

    PDP’s Senator Danjuma La’ah scored 268,923 to beat former Deputy Governor Barnabas Bala of the APC, who polled 133,287; Senator Stella Oduah of the PDP retained the Anambra North seat for the PDP, beating APGA’s Nelson Onugbegu, who scored 59,937.  Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun scored 88, 110 to win the Ogun Central slot for the APC, beating Mrs. Titi Oseni of the SDP, who scored 37, 101.

    Others are: Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of the PDP, who lost the Gombe North Senatorial District with 88,016 to APC’s Sa’du Alkali, who scored 152,546; Abdulfatah Buhari (APC, Oyo North) got 107,703 to beat Mrs Mulikat Adeola of the PDP). Mrs. Adeola got 89,365.  In Niger East, Mohammed Sani Musa, APC, Niger East, scored 229,425 to beat PDP’s Ishaku Ibrahim, who polled 116,143;

    Read also: U.S. cautions against illegal announcement of results

    Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, APC, Jigawa North, garnered 184, 185 to beat Senator Ubali shittu of the PDP, who polled 103,039.

    Ishaku Cliff (PDP, Adamawa North) scored 78,337 to defeat APC’s Sen. Binta Garba, who had 63,219; Aisha Dahiru Binnan (APC, Adamawa Central) polled 188,526 to beat Murtala Chubado Modibbo of the PDP. Modibbo scored 96,530; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu polled 86, 088 to retain his Enugu West slot. He beat Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu of the APC. She scored 15,187.

    Others are: Haliru Jiga, APC, Bauchi Central (66,024). He defeated Bappah Aliyu of the PDP, who had 57,069; former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin won the Oyo Central for the APC with 91,080 to beat PDP’s Bisi Ilaka, who scored 83,600. Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullah (APC, Niger North) scored 161,420 to beat PDP’s Sanni Duba, who recorded 77,109; Mohammed Bima (APC, Niger South) scored 160,614 to beat Baba Shehu Agaie of the PDP, who scored 90, 978.

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam won the Yobe East seat for the APC with 139,277, beating Tata Abbagima of the PDP, who scored 18,059; Ibrahim Bomoi won the Yobe South for the APC with 118,729. He beat Mohammed Hassan of the PDP, who scored 89,049; Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan retained the Yobe North seat for the APC with 144, 099. He defeated Sherif Abdullahi of the PDP, who scored 54,443;  Amos Blues (APC, Gombe South) polled 80, 549 to beat PDP’s Hajiya Binta Bello, who scored 63,312;  Ibn Na’Allah won the Kebbi South slot for the APC with 136,187 to beat Benjamin Dikki of the PDP, who scored 62,733.

    In Kwara State, the APC won all the three senatorial districts. Senate President Bukola Saraki, who scored 68, 994 votes, lost the Kwara Central zone to APC’s Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, who polled 123, 828.

    The PDP candidate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Sen. Philip Aduda, scored 263,055 votes to beat APC’s Jisalo Zephaniah, who scored 148,401 votes.

  • Anambra South: Uba brothers battle for senate

    Two brothers-Andy and Chris Uba- are competing for the Anambra South senatorial seat. Chris is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Andy is the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Who wins? Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the sibling rivalry.

    All is set for the epic battle between the two brothers, Andy and Chris, who are contesting for the senate in Anambra  South Senatorial District.

    The two are of the same mother and father.

    Both have secured the senatorial tickets in their respective political parties in Anambra State.

    Uba is the senator representing the zone. His younger brother has vowed to dethrone him. He is tired of being addressed as political ‘godfather ‘ without any other benefit.

    Chief Chris Uba, the senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, is the youngest of the Ubas’,while Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressive Congress APC has secured his party’s ticket for the third time.

    The battle of supremacy between the siblings has just begin.

    During the party primaries in Anambra South, the godfather secured the PDP ticket. His elder brother, Andy, got the nod of APC. Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu defeated Mrs Bianca Ojukwu for the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    This is not the first time the brothers would square up against one other.

    In 2015, Chris nearly stopped his elder brother when they were both of the PDP. Their case got to the apex court where the interpretation of the judgement has not been given till date.

    Chris believes his brother has not given the people of the zone enough since he was elected.

    Besides, he claims the godfathers are not in the equation of what goes on in the corridors of power in the country. Hence, his decision to taste the fruit himself.

    For Senator Uba, the second in the dynasty that had served in the Senate, after their eldest brother, Ugochukwu between 2003 and 2007, it’s not yet time to quit

    He may likely face some problems in his attempt to seek a third term, as many people in the area are no longer comfortable with his representation.

    Some of them accuse him of being selfish.

    The only thing working for Sen Uba, which has made him adamant is his closeness to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Though in APC now, Sen Uba may find it difficult defeating his younger brother and Ukachukwu. Both are political caterpillars in the state.

    Again, his emergence as the APC candidate  is being questioned by those who contested the ticket with him, including Sir Azuka Okwuosa, and other stakeholders.

    They are accusing the senator of securing the APC ticket without going through the primary.

    But, Chris emerged at the primary, which was held at the Ekwulobia Stadium, Aguata, where he defeated Obinna Uzor and Chuma Nzeribe .

    The primary was witnessed by  security agencies and senior officers of the Independent National Electoral commission INEC.

    Chris Uba, popularly known as the   Ochiagha (war lord), said  he is tired of being hailed as the ‘godfather’ of Anambra politics without anything to show for it.

    Uba said Senator Uba would not pose any threat to his ambition, having emerged victorious at the primary.

    He said he would want his brother to throw in the towel before the election next year.

    Chris said: “Why I want to run is because we have been sponsoring people to run for position in Anambra State and across Nigeria. I have been doing that and a lot of people have passed through my school.

    “ But, they call us godfathers. We have made cases severally for the party to make some provisions in the party constitution to protect godfathers, but all to no avail.

    “Do you know if I bring someone and sponsor that person in the House of Representatives, Senate and House of Assembly, with my own money and everything, I will sit down in my house, and when they call them for meetings at the Villa or anywhere else, they will address them as serving senators, serving House of Reps members, serving this and that. They have never ask any godfather that where are you.

    He added: “The truth remains that we are the people closer to the grassroots. A lot of people depend on us. A lot of families depend on us and many families today are hungry.

    “But, after sponsoring those people, immediately they get to Abuja, you can’t get them on phone again. Nobody will see them again. They buy all choice cars and the next thing, they will blackmail you. They will start fighting you. They will say they’ve known the President. They’ve known the party chairman and as a godfather, you are in trouble.”

    “ So, now we need office to protect our position and the positions of our people. That is why I am running for the Senate. I tell you that my people are solidly behind me in this race and I bet you, it will be an easy sail as my people are ready with their voters’ cards to vote me in because they want me to protect their interest”

    “My brother, Andy, on the other hand, knows my position too; he has been there for eight years and must take a bow now. I pray for my brother to go higher; to become governor or vice-president, but not on this Senate. It is now my turn. I want him to throw in the towel because the battle is going to be very serious.”

    Chirs is perceived as a grassroots politician. Senator Uba is perceived to as anAbuja politician in Anambra. But, he has his supporters too.

    However, the major obstacle the two brothers will face is Ukachukwu, who has been the rival of the Ubas for many years.

    The Osumenyi, Nnewi-born politician defeated Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca,  at the APGA primary, despite the fact that he lacked the support of the state government.

    But, many people believe the 2019 senatorial election in the South District will be between the Uba brothers, despite the presence of Ukachukwu.

    Analysts fear that the poll may be marred y violence.

    The three candidates are heavyweight actors.  They have money and many have alleged that they often promoted thuggery.  They are always surrounded by security agents. They have also been associted with disputed election results. Rigging was rampant in Anambra in those days.

    Febriary next year is important in Anambra South. The Uba brothers are on the prowl. Ukachukwu is not laving anything to chances. Who wins?  Time will tell.

     

  • Uba brothers, Bianca, others in race for Anambra South Senatorial seat

    WIDOW of the Ikemba of Nnewi Odumegwu Ojokwu Bianca, Dr. Andy Uba and his younger brother, Chris Uba, are in the race for the Anambra South Senatorial District seat in next years’ election.

    Andy Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mrs. Ojukwu of the All Progress Grand Alliance (APGA) joined the race to slug it out for the ticket with Dr. Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Uba is contending the seat with his elder brother, a serving senator.

    Also in the race for APGA’s ticket are businessmen Ifeanyi Ubah and Nicholas Ukachukwu.

    Anambra PDP Chairman Ndubuisi Nwobu told reporters at the weekend that the party has bright chances in the 2019 poll in the state considering the quality of people picking its nomination forms.

    He said that others who had picked the party’s nomination  forms for the senatorial race in the state were a one-time security adviser to the Anambra State Government, Chief Chuma Nzeribe,  former governorship aspirants , Alex Obiogbolu and Obinna Uzor.

    Nwobu said the party would field candidates for the 11 House of Representatives seats in the state and the 30 House of Assembly seats in the general elections in 2019.

    The PDP chairman said that the likes of Chris Uba had a track record of positive political dispositions in the state and was optimistic that his decision to run under the party would restore lasting peace and victory to the party.

    According to him, Uba was the godfather of Anambra politics since 1999 and had been sponsoring candidates for political positions both in the PDP and other political parties.

    He said that Ubah, in the past, had political battles with two former governors of the state, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Chris Ngige over appointments and other political patronages which he came out strong.

    In a report, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Imo State former governor Ikedi Ohakim penultimate week claimed that 15 Igbo billionaires had been mobilised to sponsor Ojukwu’s widow in the poll.

    Ohakim made the disclosure in Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra during Ojukwu‘s formal declaration of interest for the senatorial seat.

    He said: “the Igbo will not stand and watch anybody intimidate Ojukwu’s widow in any circumstance. We shall march her opponents’ strength for strength and cash for cash.”

    At the just concluded retreat in Awka, the Anambra State capital, APGA’s Board of Trustee Chairman and Anambra Governor Willie Obiano said that the party primaries would be free and fair.

    He urged all interested political contestants in all the elective posts to get prepared to face their constituents during the party primary.

  • Anambra governorship: Court lifts suspension on Uba brothers, others

    Anambra governorship: Court lifts suspension on Uba brothers, others

    Governorship aspirant in Anambra State,Senator Andy Uba,yesterday posted two legal victories against his party-PDP-in the build-up to the November 16 election.

    In the first case,Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja lifted the suspension of Senator Andy Uba, his brother, Chris, and three others by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while in the second,another Federal High Court, Port Harcourt directed that the party is “only to accept “ the result of the primaries won by Uba in Awka,pending the determination of the main suit .

    Other beneficiaries of the Abuja court decision are: Benji Udeozor, Ejike Oguegebo and Anthonia Nwakwu.

    The interim order will subsist until the determination of the substantive suit by the plaintiffs.

    The order was upon an application for adjournment by PDP’s lawyer, Chief Clems Ezika.

    Ezika had asked for an adjournment because, according to him, he was served the originating summons in court only yesterday morning.

    He argued that by the court rules, he was entitled to three days to respond.

    He prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him respond to the processes just served on him.

    Plaintiffs lawyer, Taiwo Abe, opposed the application for adjournment. He argued that the respondents had, despite the pendency of his client’s suit, proceeded to suspend the plaintiffs.

    Justice Mohammed, in his ruling, noted that the cause of adjournment was that the order to come and show cause was not served on the respondents’ lawyer.

    He held that a party, who had been invited to come and show cause could not go ahead to carry out an act which would render the order of the court an academic exercise.

    The judge noted that the first respondent (PDP) had shown to be overreaching the court order, adding that any action that had a colouration of sanction against the applicants was a deviation from the court order.

    He consequently fixed September 5 for hearing of the motion on notice.

    Chris is a member, Board of Trustees of the PDP, while Andy seeks to run as candidate of the party, in the November governorship election in Anambra State.

    The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the plaintiffs for their failure to appear before it in connection with their roles in the parallel governoship primaries conducted in the state last Saturday.

    Upon the motion by the plaintiffs, the court invited the PDP to appear before it to show cause why the plaintiffs reliefs should not be granted.

    Named as respondents in the suit are the PDP and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    The Port Harcourt Federal High Court ordered that: “the first plaintiff in person of Ejike Oguebego should submit the result of the 2013 state congress result Sheet for election of gubernatorial candidate for Anambra State held on August 24 to the !st defendant” and that the 1st and 2nd defendants are “only to accept this result from the 1st plaintiff pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice to discharge the interim order.”

    The court also ordered that Andy Uba “should submit to the 1st defendant the winner as par the results sheet exhibit ‘E’ signed by one RT.Hon.Barr.(Dr) K.C. Enemo as the Returning Officer dated August 24” and won by Uba with 645 votes.

    The matter was adjourned to September 10.