Politics
Kwankwaso Leads With Over 270,000 Votes In Kano
Former governor of Kano State, and senator representing the state at the National Assembly, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), is leading with 270,000 votes in the presidential election in 38 local government areas of Kano State so far declared at the state collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With 464,133 votes, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is next to Kwankwaso, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has secured 86,162 votes.
Peter Obi of Labour Party trails with 8,926 votes.
Out of the 38 Local Government Areas (LGAs) announced so far, NNPP won 29, while APC cleared the remaining nine.
Both LP and PDP’ are yet to win a LG.
Meanwhile, collation of results in the state will resume by 10am on Monday.
Atiku Defeats Tinubu, Obi In Osun
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has won Osun State.
Atiku polled 354,366 votes to defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, who got 342,945 votes.
The PDP candidate won in 20 local government areas against Tinubu’s 10.
The State Collation Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Tolulope Ogunsola, announced the results on Sunday, February 26.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, secured 23,283 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) polled 713 votes.
Atiku won in Obokun, Oriade, Atakumosa-East, Atakumosa-West, Ifelodun, Egbedore, Ilesa-East, Ilesa-West, Ifedayo, Odo-Otin and Ila.
Also, he won Boluwaduro, Irepodun, Orolu, Ede-North, Ede-South, Ife-South, Ife-North, Ola-Oluwa, and Ayedire local government council areas.
However, Tinubu won Boripe, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife-Central, Iwo, Ayedade, Isokan, Ejigbo, Irewole and Ife-East.
Obi In Comfortable Lead In Delta, Beats Ibori In Own LG
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has won in Ethiope West, the Local Government Area of the National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, after polling 10, 199 votes.
Mrs. Josephine Crossdale, who collated the result in the area, said the Presidential candidate of PDP and closed friend of erstwhile Governor James Ibori, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, scored 5,463 votes to clinch second position and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, secured 3,850 votes to come third.
Obi has won three out of the four local government areas so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa won his local government, Ika North-East for his party but lost the Ika Federal Constituency to Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party’s candidate.
According to the results collated by the Electoral Officer, Mr James Olisa, Okowa won in Ika North-East after polling 16, 696 to beat his closest rival, Obi, who scored 8, 980 votes and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, 1,902 votes.
Obi, however, took a good lead in Ika South, where he scored 17, 868 votes to beat Okowa, who secured 7,485 votes for the PDP, while Tinubu came third with 3,290 votes.
In Aniocha North, Obi won with 11,678 votes making it impossible for the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu to deliver his party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
PDP scored 3,783 to come second, while APC polled 1,146 to come third.
The result was announced by the Local Government Electoral Officer, Mr. Emeke Onyeme.
Obi took unprecedented lead in Oshimili North, Local Government Area of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of the APC, he polled 14,929.
According to the result, which was collated by Mr. Okonta Emmanuel, PDP scored 4,796 and APC, 1,688 to come second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, the state Collation Officer for the presidential election, Prof. Owuneri Abraham Georgewill, has adjourned for break.
Obi Coasts To Landslide Victory In Edo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released results of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in some of the local government areas of Edo State with Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) in clear lead of other contenders.
As at the time of filing this report, results from nine LGAs have been announced, with candidate of the Labour Party (LP), winning eight with wide margins.
He is closely followed by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who won in Owan West Local Government Area.
In Igueben, APC got 2,419; LP 6,449; and PDP – 3,530.
In Esan Central, APC scored 4,558; LP – 10,192, and PDP – 3,692.
In Esan North East LGA, APC – 2,589; LP -18,973; PDP – 2,091.
In Egor LGA, APC – 3,978; LP – 40,160; and PDP – 1,766.
In Esan South East LGA, APC – 4,675; LP – 10,511; and PDP – 3,961.
In Esan West LGA, APC – 3,417; LP – 18,793; PDP – 2,630.
In Uhuwonde LGA, APC – 3,244; LP – 12,955; PDP – 2,976.
In Urhionwon LGA, APC – 6,527; LP – 9,049; PDP – 4,668.
In Owan West LGA, APC – 9,322; LP – 6,112; PDP – 6,026.
Collation of the remaining nine local government areas continued on Monday.
Obi Wins Five Of Seven LGs In Plateau
The Labour Party (LP) has won five out of the seven local government areas so far declared in Plateau State while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won two and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to make an appearance on the winners’ list.
The LP won in Bokkos, Langtang North, Jos East, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
The PDP won in Mikang and Langtang South while the APC is yet to win.
According to figures reeled out by the Returning Officers, results from Mikang show APC got 5,044, PDP got 7,211, and LP got 7,201.
In Barkin Ladi LGA, APC got 12,514, LP got 32,489, and PDP got 9,073.
In Riyom LGA, PDP got 8,181, LP got 15,171, APC got 6,936 while NNPP got 87.
In Jos East, APC got 6,348, Labour Party got 6,386, PDP got 5,144 and NNPP got 156.
In Langtang South, APC got 7,478, Labour Party got 6,045, PDP got 12,467 and NNPP got 24.
In Langtang North, APC got 8,706, Labour Party got 21,590, PDP got 17,751 and NNPP got 73.
In Bokkos LGA, APC got 10,858, PDP got 8,569 and LP got 32,581.
Rt Hon. Abbas secured the party’s ticket through an affirmation exercise conducted across the 13 electoral wards in the constituency.
The wards involved include Kwarbai A, Kwarbai B, Limancin-Kona, Unguwar Fatika, Unguwar Juma, Dutsen Abba, Gyallesu, Kufena, Dambo, Wuchichiri, Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur, and Kaura.
The exercise, which began simultaneously in all wards at about 10 a.m., recorded large turnout of APC members who gathered at various party offices across the constituency.
At Kwarbai B Ward, the Speaker’s ward, the process was conducted peacefully under the supervision of the ward APC Returning Officer, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, in the presence of Rt Hon. Abbas.
According to the ward APC secretary, Nafiu Sabo, the ward has over 10,000 registered members, but 220 members were accredited for the exercise.
Before the affirmation, Mallam Balarabe informed members that Rt Hon Abbas was the only aspirant who purchased nomination forms, underwent screening, and was cleared by the APC national leadership to contest the Zaria Federal Constituency seat.
Following a voice vote by accredited members, the Speaker was affirmed as the party’s candidate in the ward, a process replicated across the remaining 12 wards.
At the constituency collation centre, the APC Returning Officer for the House of Representatives primary in Zaria Federal Constituency, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, announced that 1,376 APC members across the 13 wards endorsed Rt Hon. Abbas as the party’s flag bearer.
He explained that although thousands of party members participated in the exercise, only accredited delegates were allowed to vote.
Dr. Kubau declared: “There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and only one aspirant purchased a form, was screened, and cleared. He is Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. After due process, we conducted affirmations across all wards.”
He added that the process was peaceful and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party representatives.
Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Kaduna State, Senator Yakubu Oseni, described the outcome as a reflection of the Speaker’s popularity and acceptance among constituents.
He expressed confidence that Rt Hon Abbas would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after his declaration, Rt Hon. Abbas expressed appreciation to APC members for reaffirming their confidence in him.
The incumbent Reps including Emily Inyang and Godwin Offionio, in separate interviews
protested the handling of the primaries conducted by the leadership of the party in the state, saying it was skewed against them.
The aspirants further described the primaries as a charade and an embarrassment to the state.
According to them, the House of Representatives primaries fell short of the provisions of both the Electoral Act as amended in 2026 and the party’s constitution.
They accused the leadership of the party in the state, backed by Governor Bassey Otu, of violating the party’s constitution in the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries across the state on Saturday.
Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, particularly expressed disappointment with the primary that allegedly disenfranchised registered members of the party in his constituency.
Hon. Offiono asserted that having failed to arrive at a consensus, the party leadership opted for a direct primary to decide the candidate for the 2027 election.
“But what I witnessed today was not only alarming, but quite disheartening that our electoral system have not shown any improvement, especially now that we have a man of God in the person of the governor as the leader of the party.
“How do you declare a result by 9:00am even when the electoral materials were yet to arrive at Yala.
“As an aspirant, I couldn’t even vote or see the materials for my own primary at my Okuku ward in Yala Local Government Area, where I come from. But no matter what happens I am still in the race and have not stepped down for anybody.
“The governor had all the time in the world to drive the process of consensus but he never did. As a representative, I cannot even see my governor. I called, no response. I sent text no reply. I am treated as an out cast,” he lamented.
In an emotion laden tone during a telephone interview, Hon. Offiono further said: “I could not believe that first term NASS members like me can be treated in this shoddy manner even when I don’t know my offence.
“I have been a loyal party man. I appeal to the governor to do the right thing, follow the Electoral Act and party constitution in electing representatives.”
Similarly, Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency said he still remained in the race and had not stepped down for anybody.
According to him, “If this shenanigan called primary is allowed to stand, it would affect the party’s fortune in the general elections.
“My appeal to the governor is to allow the people to decide. And if they so voted against me, I will rest and not fight over anything.
“There was no stakeholders meeting held to decide on anything before now, and someone can not be unilaterally imposed on us all in the name of compromised primary,” he stated.
A coalition of support groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has protested the disqualification of former presidential aspirant, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, from the Rivers West Senatorial race ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The groups, in a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, described the action of the party’s screening committee as unjust and capable of worsening internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr. Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, Hon. James Ogenyi, accused the party leadership in Rivers State of favouring politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, while sidelining long-standing members of the APC.
The coalition alleged that only aspirants aligned with Chief Wike were cleared to contest for elective positions in the state.
“How can our party allow only one man who is not a member of our party to make decisions or dictate the direction of our party?”, the group queried.
The coalition specifically faulted the exclusion of Mr Jack-Rich, describing him as a loyal party member who had supported the APC for more than 13 years and previously contested the party’s presidential ticket.
It also questioned the alleged clearance of Chief Felix Obua, whom it described as a recent entrant into the party and an ally of Chief Wike.
“How can our party disqualify Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant who has been loyal and supported our party for the last 13 years, only for our party to choose Felix Obua, a Wike loyalist who only joined the party three months ago?”, the statement read.
The group warned that failure by the APC leadership and National Working Committee (NWC) to address the matter as it could weaken the party’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on party leaders to uphold internal democracy, reward loyalty and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
INEC TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION AS POLITICAL PARTIES SUBMIT REGISTER
All 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the Commission has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the timeline provided in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.”
He recalled that following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a statement issued on the 27th of March, 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
Mr Haruna noted that political parties were accordingly allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved period from 23rd April 2026 to 30th May 2026, while the register of party members was required to be submitted to the Commission not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
He added, “INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law.”
The Commission restated its commitment to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
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