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Guber Polls: PDP Wins Abia, Enugu, Oyo, Ebonyi, Others …APC Wins Lagos, Kwara, Gombe, Others
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, winner of the March 9 governorship election in Abia State.
The INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof. Benjamin Ozurumba, yesterday, said that Ikpeazu scored 261,127 votes to win the poll.
He defeated Uchechukwu Ogah of the All Progressives Congress who polled 99,574 votes.
He also announced that Alex Otti, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance scored 64,366 votes.
Blessing Nwagba of the Social Democratic Party scored 2,919 votes.
According to Ozurumba, 433,315 votes were valid, out of the 444, 376 votes cast, while 11,061 votes were rejected.
Ikpeazu won in 11 out of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, while Ogah won in four local government areas, and Otti won in two.
Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of Saturday’s Governorship election in Enugu state for a second tenure.
The state Returning Officer, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, who announced the result in Enugu, yesterday, said that Ugwuanyi won in the 17 local government areas (LGAs).
Ahaneku said that the governor polled 449,935 votes against his closest rival, Senator Ayogu Eze of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 10,423 votes.
Mr Emmanuel Nwankpa of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Mr Ekene Uzodinma of the United Peoples Party (UPP) polled 2,547 and 1,476, respectively.
Ahaneku, who is the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said that there were 1,944,016 registered voters in the state.
He said that 478,241 voters were accredited, adding that 470,927 valid votes were recorded, while 7,314 votes were declared invalid.
Also, the leading opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the governorship and state assembly elections in Katsina State has rejected the outcome of the Saturday’s polls in the state.
This was as it said it will take legal action to challenge the outcomes.
The party Chairman and the deputy governorship candidate, Salisu Majigiri said the election outcomes as being collated currently by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not the will of the people.
As at the time of filing in this report, INEC have received results from 30 out of the 34 local government areas of the state.
Majigiri while addressing newsmen on the INEC premises said “On behalf of the governorship candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado, myself as the deputy governor, the state house of assembly candidates and the PDP hereby rejected the result because the voters turn out yesterday was very poor.
There was low voter turnout yesterday (Saturday) in Katsina compare to the Presidential election.
But from the figure we are receiving now, the INEC is trying to announce the figures that are not the real figures and not the will of the people.
“We have so far received 30 out of 34 local government areas. So, we have compare with the result that we are having with us as brought to us by our agents. There are so many discrepancies between the results been announced at the INEC headquarters and that with us. So, we have rejected the results in totality and we are not going to accept the result that INEC is going to collate.
“So, we are rejecting the result even before the announcement by INEC. We don’t have the authority to announce our own results but we have the figures and we will make it public after INEC announcement.
“For instance in Zango local government area, our party agents were chased away by security agents because they cannot win such areas without force. In Kaita, the result was collated in INEC office.
“We are going to take constitutional measures. There is a provision in the constitution, the electoral law which when you are not satisfied with the process, you have your ways to challenge the outcome,” Majigiri, however, stated.
However, as at the time of filing in this report, election results are still been collated in the INEC headquarters, Katsina.
Results from two out of the 34 local government areas of Kankara, Kafur were still pending.
Meanwhile, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been declared the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday, March 9.
Returning Officer, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, made the declaration, yesterday, at INEC’s collation centre in Yaba, Lagos.
The Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says his main challenger, Mr Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, has called to congratulate him.
He announces this in his Facebook page.
“At exactly 19:07, I received a call. Thank you Jimi Agbaje for your congratulatory call filled with kind words.
“It was an intense campaign and I am happy we can now focus on the very important job at hand; delivering a Lagos that works for all. #ForAGreaterLagos.”
Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress garnered 739, 445 votes while Agbaje got 206, 141.
Also, Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Gombe State governorship election held on March 9.
The INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof. Saminu Abdulrahaman, who declared the result in Gombe, yesterday, said that Yahaya scored 364,179 votes to defeat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Usman Nafada, who polled 222,868 votes and was returned elected.
He said that there were 1,394,386 registered voters, 627,457 accredited voters, 608,846 valid votes, 14,384 rejected votes and 623,230 total votes cast.
Abdulrahman, the Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, added that Yahaya won in 10 of the 11 local government areas of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governorship election results from Gombe Local Government Area showed that APC polled 68,384 votes, while PDP scored 21,673 votes.
In Shongom Local Government Area, APC scored 13,463 votes, while PDP scored 12,993 votes.
In Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, APC scored 51,521 votes to defeat PDP which scored 25,852 votes.
In Akko Local Government Area, APC polled 58,479 votes, while PDP scored 30,832 votes, and in Balanga Local Government Area, APC scored 30, 926 votes as against PDP’s 18,192 votes.
In Dukku Local Government Area, APC scored 27,302 votes as against PDP’s 16,807 votes.
In Kwami Local Government Area, APC scored 30, 539 votes against PDP’s 18, 240 while in Billiri Local Government Area, APC polled 18,612 to beat PDP which had 18,063 votes.
In Funakaye Local Government Area, APC scored 29,191 to defeat PDP which had 20,020, while in Kaltungo Local Government Area, APC scored 26,744 as against PDP’s 22,259.
However, PDP defeated APC in Nafada Local Government Area which is Sen. Usman Nafada’s home.
The PDP polled 17,937 votes as against APC’s 9,018 in Nafada.
In a similar vein, the Governor-elect of Kwara State, Mr AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the state had finally been set free from political bondage and underdevelopment.
AbdulRazaq, who was the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, said this in his acceptance speech after being declared winner of the governorship election held on Saturday.
Declaring the results of the poll, yesterday, at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, the state Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Prof. Muhammad Liman, said AbdulRazaq polled 331,546 votes to emerge as the winner of the election.
His Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Mr Abdulrazaq Atunwa, polled 114,754 votes to emerge as the runner-up in the election.
Consequently, Abdulrazaq beat Atunwa with a margin of 216,792 votes.
Notably, the APC beat the PDP in all 16 local government areas of the state.
Liman added that out of 1,376,372 registered voters in the state, 464,393 were accredited.
Total valid votes were put at 453,433; rejected votes were 9,994; while the number of total votes cast was 463,427.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde as governor-elect.
As announced by the state collation officer, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe of the University of Lagos, at the state office of INEC, Ibadan, yesterday, Makinde polled 515,621 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Chief Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who had 357,982 votes.
The PDP recorded the highest number of votes in 28 local government areas while the APC won in five local government areas.
The 28 local government areas in which the PDP had the highest number of votes are Ibadan North West, Ibarapa East, Atiba, Kajola, Ido, Lagelu, Iwajowa, Ogbomoso South, Afijio, Oorelope, Ibadan North East, Ibadan South East, Ibarapa North, Atisbo, Ibarapa Central, Ibadan North, Egbeda, Itesiwaju, Saki West, Saki East, Oyo West, Oyo East, Oluyole, Olorunsogo, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Iseyin and Ibadan South West.
On the other hand, the APC led in five local government areas which are Oriire, Ogo oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomoso North and Irepo.
Meanwhile, a three-hour wait greeted the announcement of result for Ibadan South West local government area.
Speaking on the development, state Resident Electoral Officer, Mr Mutiu Agboke attributed the delay to the fact that some hoodlums invaded the Town Planning collation centre for the local government, burning INEC result sheets and other documents.
Agboke explained that the commission, relying on provisions of the electoral law, consequently retrieved the result from security agents and party agents to regenerate result for the affected local government area.
Not satisfied by INEC’s verdict, agent of the APC, Mr Mojeed Olaoya had questioned why the result for the local government was not cancelled owing to the disruption, as was done in some wards earlier announced.
Responding, collation officer, Ogundipe said those cancellations referred to were for areas where disruptions occurred prior to counting but in that of Ibadan South West, the disruption occurred when collation had been concluded.
As regards result of state assembly election, Agboke announced that the PDP won 26 seats, the APC won 5 seats while the Action Democratic Party got 1 seat.
In the Ibarapa Central/North federal constituency election concluded on Saturday, PDP’s Ajibola Muraina was also declared winner ahead APC’s Ojo Obafemi.
Meanwhile, APC has in a petition to the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr Seyi Makinde.
The petition signed by state Secretary of the APC, Mojeed Olaoya, said Makinde attempted to blackmail INEC and lawful authorities in a video broadcast where he declared himself as the winner, prior to INEC’s announcement.
A broadcast it described as illegal and capable of inciting the populace against their will, the APC added that Makinde’s broadcast amounted to flagrant abuse of the electoral laws and was reasonable.
“We wish to bring to your attention the release of a video by the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Oyo state, Seyi Makinde in the early hours of the morning of 10th March 2019.
The petition read, “In the video, Engineer Seyi Makinde pointedly proclaimed himself the winner of the governorship election in Oyo state when INEC, the authorised umpire has not concluded same nor declared any such results.
“In the said video broadcast to the citizenry of Oyo state and the whole world, Mr Makinde proclaimed and declared himself as the winner of the yet to be concluded elections, thus already inciting the populace against the popular will of the people, as may be eventually declared by INEC when the final results are released.
“By the unconscionable broadcast by Mr Seyi Makinde, he is clearly inciting the citizenry against an eventual credible outcome of the elections which may be contrary to his selfishly proclaimed victory, when he lacks the lawful authority and vires to do so.
“We are by this petition formally demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr Seyi Makinde for this grave offence. We trust you will act urgently and timeously to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state.”
Also, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has been declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission state headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Returning Officer, Chukwuemeka Eze, said Mr Umahi garnered 393,343 votes across the 13 local governments areas of the state.
His closest challenger, Sonni Ogbuoji of the All Progressive Congress, APC, got 81703 votes.
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Chibueze Agbo, placed third with just 10129 votes.
“I hereby certify that I Prof Chukwuemeka Eze was the Returning Officer of the governorship election held on 9th math 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,” he said.
Mr Eze, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, said the total valid votes was 482,018 while 10,984 votes were rejected bringing the total votes cast for the election to 493,002.
Mr Umahi, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has thanked the people of Ebonyi state for re-electing him.
Mr Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, promised to consolidate on his achievement.
He also reiterated his readiness to hand over power to the Abakaliki bloc in 2023 after completing his second term.
Mr Umahi described the election as a “reflection of the wishes of the people who have been resolute and desirous of consolidating on the already achieved development in the state”.
He promised that his second term projects would include the construction of Ebonyi airport, Olympic-size stadium and completion of the already started 198 km Abakaliki ring road.
Mr Umahi said his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Sonni Ogbuoji, was never his match.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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JUNE 12: Democracy Remains Nigeria’s Strongest Path To Unity, Progress, Says Fubara ….Extols Abiola, Wife
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed that democracy remains the most effective system of government for Nigeria, given the country’s rich diversity of ethnic, religious, and cultural identities.
In a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Governor Fubara said June 12 represents far more than a historic date; as it embodies the enduring struggle, sacrifice, and collective aspiration of Nigerians for freedom, justice, and representative governance.
The Governor extended warm felicitations to Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, paying tribute to the heroes and heroines of the democratic struggle, particularly Chief MKO Abiola, his wife, Kudirat Abiola, and countless others whose courage and sacrifices helped secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
According to him, “June 12 is a reminder of the price paid for the democracy we enjoy today. The sacrifices made by Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, and many other patriots who laid the foundation for the democratic journey we continue to enjoy today. Their commitment to the principle that power must ultimately reside with the people remains a source of inspiration for every generation of Nigerians.”
Governor Fubara noted that thirty-three years after the historic June 12, 1993 election, Nigeria’s democratic experiment has continued to evolve despite challenges and setbacks.
“Our democratic journey has not been without difficulties, but the resilience of our institutions and the determination of our people have kept the nation moving forward. The ability to express differing opinions, engage in constructive debate, and peacefully choose leaders through the ballot remains one of the greatest achievements of our nation,” he said.
Governor Fubara stressed that democracy provides the best framework for managing Nigeria’s diversity and transforming it into a source of national strength.
“Nigeria’s diversity should never be seen as a weakness. Properly harnessed, it is our greatest asset. Democracy offers us the opportunity to build consensus, promote inclusion, strengthen national unity, and create the conditions for sustainable development and shared prosperity,” he said.
Governor Fubara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts aimed at economic revitalization, strengthening security, and deepening democratic institutions across the country.
He reiterated the readiness of Rivers State to continue partnering with the Federal Government in advancing policies and programmes that improve the lives of citizens through infrastructure development, job creation, enhanced security, quality education, healthcare delivery, and good governance.
The Governor further called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, ethnic background, or religious belief, to use the occasion of Democracy Day to renew their commitment to the Nigerian project and the ideals that underpin democratic governance.
“Democracy must not be viewed merely as a periodic electoral exercise. It must be reflected in our daily commitment to accountability, transparency, tolerance, justice, respect for the rule of law, and responsible leadership. As citizens and leaders, we all share a collective responsibility to strengthen our democracy and build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to remain united, hopeful, and committed to the values of peace, dialogue, and national development.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous Nigeria where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national progress,” he said.
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