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.”
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
-
Rivers5 days ago
Kirike Chiefs Endorse Ogube’s Leadership … As Chairman Sues For Unity
-
News5 days ago
Tinubu Distributes Palliatives To SUG Presidents
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
FAAN Seeks N580bn For Airport Runways Rehabilitation
-
Business5 days ago
‘Navy Stern In Fight Against Oil Theft’
-
Politics5 days ago
Fire Razes INEC Office In Delta, Destroys 706 Ballot Boxes, Others
-
News3 days ago
Rivers Plans Elderly Home, Remodelling Of Children’s Home
-
Business5 days ago
Subscribers Set To sue Telecos Over Proposed Tariff Hike
-
News5 days ago
Let’s Celebrate Gallantry Of Soldiers More While Alive Than In Death – Fubara