Politics
Atiku Wins 18 LGs, Tinubu Grabs Three, Obi Takes Two In A’Ibom
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has won a total of 18 out of 23 local government results announced Sunday night by Returning Officers at the INEC state collation centre, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
Akwa Ibom State is made up of 31 local government areas.
In Onna LGA (governor Udom’s hometown), the PDP won with 8,741 votes, LP scored a total of 4,745 votes, APC scored 1,396 votes and NNPP scored 157 votes.
In Eastern Obolo LGA, PDP scored a total of 2,345 to win the LGA, followed by APC with a total of 1,674 votes, while LP polled a total of 1,345 votes and NNPP 25 votes.
Also in Okobo LGA, the PDP won with a total of 5,273 votes, followed by APC which scored 3,168, while LP scored 2,490, NNPP – 172 and YPP – 914.
In Itu LGA, the PDP presidential candidate won in Itu LGA with 7,276 votes while LP polled a total of 6,001votes, APC scored 4,134 votes, YPP – 2,439 votes and NNPP scored a total of 991 votes.
For Esit Eket LGA, the PDP scored a total of 4,484 votes while scored APC 3,819 votes; LP scored 2,555, NNPP scored 79 votes and YPP scored 279 votes.
In Ibeno LGA, the PDP won in Ibeno presidential election with a total of 3,246 votes, LP scored 2,403 votes, APC polled a total of 878, while NNPP and YPP scored 47 and 424 votes, respectively.
Also, the PDP won Ini LGA by scoring 7,740 votes, while APC scored 3,943 votes, LP 2,894 votes and NNPP 76 votes.
The PDP also won in Nsit Atai with a total of 8,371 votes, APC scored 2,853 votes, while LP polled a total of 1,067 votes and NNPP 305 votes.
Again, PDP also won in Oron by scoring 3,295 votes, LP 3,033 votes, APC 2,443votes and NNPC 59 votes.
In Etinan LGA, PDP scored a total of 10,455 votes, followed by APC which scored 4,505 votes, and then LP with 4,180 votes.
In the same vein, in Nsit Ubium LGA, PDP won with a huge score of 11,308 Votes, while APC polled a total of 2,792 votes and LP scored a total of 2,329, while NNPP and YPP scored 279 and 427, respectively.
For Nsit Ibom LGA, the PDP also polled a total of 8,176 votes to defeat APC, LP and NNPP which scored 5,975; 2,215 and 128, respectively.
For Mkpat Enin LGA, also the PDP presidential candidate won with a total of 9,441, followed by LP which scored 4,105 votes, APC scored 2,152 votes and NNPP scored 187 votes.
Again, the PDP won in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA with a total of 9,326 votes, APC 6,480 votes, LP- 3,698 votes and NNPP 345 votes.
In Mbo LGA, the PDP won by scoring 3,922 votes, APC scored 3,204 votes, LP polled 1,456 votes and NNPP scored – 56 votes.
In Ikono LGA, the PDP also won by polling 6,731 votes, APC 6,622votes and LP 5,198, votes.
Also in Udung Uko LGA, the PDP won with a total of PDP 2,701votes, while APC and LP scored 1,555, and 1,068, respectively.
Again in Uruan LGA, PDP won with a total of 9,327 votes while the APC scored 5,287 and LP 3,024 votes.
Also in Obot Akara LGA, the PDP won with 8,029 votes, APC scored 4,477votes while LP scored 2,542.
However, the Labour Party won in two local government areas, including Uyo, the state capital with a total of 27, 534 votes, while the PDP polled a total of 12,245, the APC scored 7,769, and NNPP scored 1,044.
The LP also won in Ibiono Ibom LGA with a total score of 7,752, followed by the PDP which scored 5274, the APC scored 3,407 and NNPP 997.
On its part, the second major visible political party in the state, the APC won in no fewer than three LGA namely Etim Ekpo, Ika and Urueoffong/Oruko.
In Etim Ekpo LGA, the APC won with a total of 5,182 votes, followed by PDP which polled 4,733 votes, LP 1,711 votes, NNPP – 40 votes and YPP – 278 votes.
In Urueoffong/Oruko the APC won with 3,697 votes, while PDP polled 3,419 votes and LP 2,010 votes.
Also in Ika LGA, the APC polled a total of 5,511, the PDP 3,750 votes and the LP 1,054 votes.
According to INEC, the remaining LGAs presidential results would be announced on Monday when the Returning Officers and Electoral Officers arrive at the collation centre in Uyo.
The LGs include Abak, Eket, Essien Udim, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, and Urue.
Politics
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Politics
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
Politics
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.