Politics
YPP Claims Four Legislative Seats In Akwa Ibom, Anambra
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has won three House of Representatives and one state assembly seats in the rerun and bye-elections held last Saturday in Akwa Ibom and Anambra states.
The polls were marred by pockets of violence in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State leading to the cancellation of the exercise in two units in Ikono and Ini local government areas.
The winners are Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who was returned for a second term by defeating the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Glory Edet and Moses Essien (YPP), who floored PDP’s Obong Godwin Ekpo to clinch the Ibiono Ibom State constituency seat.
In Anambra State, the YPP candidate for Nnewi-North, Nnewi-South Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Hon Peter Uzokwe defeated the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Hon Uchenna Elodimuo in the election.
Also, the YPP candidate for Orumba-North/Orumba-South Federal Constituency, Hon Chinwe Nnabuife, won the rerun election with a total of 14,496 votes to defeat her PDP opponent, Hon Okwudili Ezenwankwo who scored 13,087 votes.
In the Akwa Ibom State, Mr Nabie Jude, the collation officer for the House of Representatives rerun, said the YPP candidate polled 24,050 votes to beat his closest challenger Edet, who got 17,232 votes.
Jude, therefore, declared that, “Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the YPP having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Ukpong-Udo had moved from the PDP to the YPP to pursue his second term bid in the 2023 elections following his failure to secure the PDP ticket.
In the Anambra contest, Uzokwe polled a total of 25,518 votes to emerge winner while the APGA candidate, Elodimuo scored 25,412 votes.
With the outcome of the rerun election, Uzokwe will now replace Elodimuo who had been in the House of Representatives after the February 25, 2023 general election until the Appeal Court nullified his election and ordered a rerun election in five polling units in Nnewi-North council.
Uzokwe and his party (YPP) had filed a petition at the Election Petitions Tribunal challenging the outcome of the earlier poll wherein he complained of irregularities during the main election.
Curiously, the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has described the rerun elections as a clear proof that he commands a strong political support base in the state.
Ubah, who has since defected from the YPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed responsibility for the victory of the YPP candidates.
In a reaction to the outcome of the poll, Ubah said despite the power of incumbency of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his party, APGA, the YPP candidates won the two House of Representatives seats that were contested.
He said, “The state government sent down seven commissioners and other government officials to Nnewi for that election for APGA. Their purpose was to intimidate us but we floored them.”
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.