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Cancel Edo Polls Results …Four Parties Demand Of INEC …Accuse Electoral Umpire Of Bias
The Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Frank Ukonga, who contested the Edo State governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and three other candidates in last Wednesday’s election have called for the cancellation of the results declared by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The NNPP candidate, the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) candidate, Mr Andrew Igwemoh, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Omorogieva Gbajumo, and Kowa Party candidate, Mr Thompson Osadolor, said INEC falsified the results to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki.
The candidates, who vowed to continue in their advocacy for the cancellation of the election so that the will of Edo people will be upheld, argued that it was the only way to sustain democracy in the country.
It would be recalled that Godwin Obaseki of the APC was declared governor-elect of the state, last Thursday, after he garnered 319,483 votes as against the 253,173 votes polled by Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
At a press conference in Benin City at the weekend, Ukonga insisted that the figures INEC declared and displayed on national television were at complete variance with those which their agents and observers obtained from the polling units across the state.
He said, “The results that INEC made public do not tally with what most, if not all, our agents came back home with. We are calling for the cancellation of the entire election because INEC gave APC the PDP votes.”
Also speaking, Gbajumo said, “Nigerians are wondering how INEC came up with about 66, 000 missing votes, whereas voters voted as soon as they were accredited.
“It is clear that the votes declared by INEC are not correct. Even parties which were not on the ballot were allocated some votes by the electoral umpire, which shows that something does not add up,” the SDP candidate added.
On his part, the Kowa Party candidate, Osadolor said that, no voter went home after being accredited to vote adding that there was generally peaceful election across the state.
Osadolor insisted that INEC had no business voiding votes, adding that, “It is a shame on INEC, and it should do the needful by ensuring that the voice of Edo people which was loud and clear on September 28, is reflected by declaring the true results of the elections.”
The Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) candidate, Igwemoh, said, there were glaring errors in the figures computed by INEC in an election that was marred by open exchange of money between party agents and the voters.
“I am calling for the cancellation of the results, especially those of Etsako West Local Government because what transpired on the field is not what INEC made public. The mathematical errors are too obvious to be ignored,” Igwemoh argued.
However, the National Conscience Party (NCP) candidate in the September 28 Edo governorship election, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, has said that the flaws committed during the election were not strong enough to cancel the exercise.
He said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, yesterday.
Omoragbon said the Edo election was one of the best conducted so far in the country.
He added that those calling for its cancellation were doing so in bad faith.
Omoragbon noted that, “the September 28 Edo governorship election is one of the best done so far in Nigeria. The exercise was devoid of killings and fighting.
“We have witnessed other elections, including common local government election in some states where people were killed or kidnapped. No single soul was lost in the Edo election, and I think that was great.
“During campaigns and the election, I and my supporters did not receive any threat from other party members.
“There were some flaws though, but not strong enough to cancel the election. I give INEC 96 per cent for performance. Those calling for cancellation are doing so because they lost.
“If APC had lost the election, they will cry foul also, and call for cancellation. I and my supporters were on ground, the election was free and fair,” the NCP candidate argued.
Omoragbon then, congratulated the Governor-elect, Mr Godwin Obaseki, and urged him to form an all-inclusive government with the best Edolites from all groups.
The NCP candidate advised Obaseki against the winner takes all syndrome, stressing that he was elected by Edo people, and not his political party.
“Obaseki has won the election, he should carry out all his campaign promises. His victory is for Edo people,” he said.
He added that the Edo election came in as a role model for other states, and urged losers to join hands in building the state.
“Any aggrieved person should go to court. Election to serve the people should not be a do or die affair.
“Political party in power should encourage their members in authority to give dividends of democracy to the electorate.”
Corroborating Omoragbon on the election in a separate interview, the National Chairman of NCP, Malam Yunusa Tanko, said the party was satisfied with the conduct of the election.
Tanko said they were happy as the exercise was crises-free, stressing that the party had accepted the result of the election.
“There was orderliness in Edo governorship election. For us in NCP, we are satisfied with the outcome of the election.
“I commend INEC for a job well done. I give them 85 per cent for their performance. I know they can improve on this in other elections coming up.”
The NCP chairman also congratulated Obaseki for the victory, and urged him to improve on the lives of Edo people by avoiding anti-people policies.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
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