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| The Northern domination begins as APC sweeps governorship elections |
With ferocious intensity, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, swept into its kitty most of the 29 governorship seats contested at the weekend. The huge victory has catapulted the party to the enviable position of the dominant party in Nigeria.
With the results announced at press time, the APC won in 19 states and was leading in Plateau and Kebbi states while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Gombe and Enugu and was coasting home to victory in Rivers, Delta and Taraba.
This came as the PDP made in-road to the Lagos State House of Assembly winning six seats for the first time as APC’s Mr Akinwunmi Ambode won a tightly contested governorship election beating PDP’s Jimi Agbaje.
Meanwhile, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday, broke the re-election jinx, which has dogged Oyo State politics since 1983 by winning the governorship polls after fencing off Senator Rasheed Ladoja of the Accord Party; Christopher Alao Akala of the Labour Party and Teslim Folarin of the PDP among others.
States where the APC won the governorship are Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Lagos, Kwara, Katsina, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Zamfara, Oyo, Ogun, Benue, Imo, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Benue (see table).
Umahi wins Ebonyi in landslide victory
Ebonyi State Deputy Governor and PDP Governorship candidate, Engr Dave Umahi won the April 11 governorship election after scoring 289,867 votes to beat his closest rival, Edward Nkwegu of the Labour Party, who polled 124, 817 votes. The governorship candidate of APC, Senator Julius Ucha came third with 27, 583 votes.
Dave Umahi
Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Collation Officer and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku declared that Umahi had met all the constitutional requirements and returned elected.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Chief Martin Elechi was defeated in his home town in Ikwo Local Council, as he was unable to deliver his preferred candidate, Nkwegu.
APC’s Abubakar wins in Bauchi
In Bauchi State, Mr Mohammed Abubakar of the APC won the governorship election.
Abubakar scored 654,934 votes to beat his main challenger, Auwal Jatau of the PDP who scored 282,650 votes across the 20 local councils of the state.
Abubakar won in 19 local councils while Jatau, who won only in Bogoro local government area of the state where he polled 16,980 votes as against the APC which had 9,914 votes.
The Bauchi State returning officer, Mohammed Kabiru Faruk, a Professor and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State who announced the results at the INEC office in Bauchi returned Abubakar as the winner after meeting all the requirments.
El-Rufai prevails in Kaduna as Yero concedes defeat
El-rufai
Kaduna State Governorship candidate of the APC, Mallam Nasir El Rufai emerged winner of the contest, beating his main rival,incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of the PDP.
Governor Yero conceded defeat even before the final announcement of the results in favour of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
El-Rufai tweeted that Governor Yero had called to congratulate him.
El Rufai tweeted at 3:20pm yesterday saying, “I just received a phone call from Gov. Mukhtar Yero congratulating me for winning the Kaduna guber election. I thanked him too”.
Meanwhile, the returning officer for Kaduna state Gubernatorial election, Prof. Jafar Makau Kaura, declared Mallam Nasir El Rufai of the APC as the governor elect of Kaduna State at 6.20 p.m.
APGA sweeps Assembly polls in Anambra
Results of 25 out of the 30 House of Assembly seats in Anambra State have been declared by the INEC, with the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state winning all.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, who gave details of the Saturday’s polls in the state, said that there would be elections on April 18, 2015 in four state constituencies where the exercise was inconclusive.
The result of Anambra West state constituency was still being collated at the time the REC was briefing reporters.
Areas where there were inconclusive polls include Aguata 1 constituency (where election will be repeated at Uga ward), the whole of Ekwusigo constituency where a chieftain of one of the political parties led thugs to cart away election materials before the commencement of the exercise on Saturday, as well as in Anaocha 1 constituency, where there would be repeat election in five polling units at Adazi Ani, one polling unit at Adazi Nnukwu and Agulu Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.
In Anaocha 11 constituency, there would be a repeat exercise at Nri Wards 1 and 2.
The 25 constituencies already declared for APGA were Aguata 2, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Awka North, Awka South 1, Awka South 2, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala 1, Ihiala 2, Njikoka 1 and Njikoka 2.
Others were Nnewi North, Nnewi South 1, Nnewi South 2, Ogbaru 1, Ogbaru 2, Onitsha North 1, Onitsha North 2, Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Orumba South and Oyi.
Oyo: Ajimobi breaks re-election
Governor Abiola Ajimobi has become the first governor to govern Oyo State twice.
He defeated two other former governors in the state to clinch victory in a keenly-contested election.
This came as Accord Party refused to sign the result sheets saying he was directed by his party not to sign.
The secretary of the party, Nureni Adisa, said the mandate of his party had been stolen.
The former governors who contested with the incumbent governor are Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala of Labour Party and Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord.
At press time, Ajimobi had won 20 out of the 33 local governments in the state leaving Ladoja with only seven and Akala with six.
Ambode wins Lagos gov poll
Akinwunmi Ambode
Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC has emerged winner in the governorship election in Lagos beating his close rival Jimi Agbaje of the PDP
Ambode polled 811,994 votes to defeat Agbaje of the PDP, who polled 659,788 votes.
APC won in 15 local government areas, while PDP won in five local government areas across the state.
Prof Isaac Adewole, INEC, returning officer for Lagos State governorship election, announced Ambode as winner at about 7. 30 pm having satisfied all the requirements in line with the electoral act
According to Adewole, the margin of lead between Ambode and Agbaje is 152,206 while the total number of voters is 13,972, this he said was far less than margin of votes and would not invalidate the exercise.
He said both parties scored 25 percent of votes cast in 20 local government areas.
While describing the exercise as one of the most credible elections in the country, Adewole expressed his appreciation to INEC officials, security agencies, IG, Suleiman Abba and AIG, Joseph Mbu and other security agencies for providing adequate security as there was no recorded life loss throughout the exercise.
Representatives of each of the contesting political parties later signed the result sheets.
Ambode, in a swift reaction to his victory as posted on his facebook, thanked all Lagos residents for trusting him and promised to fufill all his campaign promises in collaboration with them.
He said: “Thank You Lagosians we promise to serve you better. Thank you for trusting APC, we will work harder to serve you better.”
Cancelled votes
Some results were cancelled in some polling units in areas like: Mushin, Kosofe, Agege Alimosho, Epe. The electoral officers said the results were cancelled for electoral offences such as over-voting and thuggery.
Elliot, Lai Mohammed’s son, others declared winners as Obanikoro, Ajomale’s sons lose
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made in-road into the Lagos State House of Assembly, winning six of the 18 seats so far declared. Results for 22 constituencies are being awaited. Among the six PDP House members-elect is an Igbo, Mr Emeka Idimogu elected to represent Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II.
This is as Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Surulere I constituency and Lai Mohammed’s son, Folajimi also of the APC won the Ikeja I seat.
Meanwhile, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s son, Babajide and Chief Henry Ajomale’s son, Olayinka, failed to win their constituencies. Babajide ran in Eti-Osa II while Olayinka sought for the Oshodi-Isolo II seat.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC; Ajomale is the Lagos State Chairman of the APC while Senator Obanikoro is Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.
Those elected include:
Desmond Elliot (Surulere I), APC
Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara-Rotimi (Surulere II), PDP
Mr Folajimi Mohammed (Ikeja I), APC
Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja II), APC
Mr Wasiu Sanni (Lagos Island I), APC
Mr Giwa Shakirudeeen (Lagos Island II), APC
Mr Adekanye Oladele (Lagos Mainland I), APC
Mr Moshood Olarenwaju Oshun (Lagos Mainland II), APC
Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I), APC
Hon. Olayiwola Olawale (Mushin II), APC
Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin I), PDP
Hakeem Bello (Amuwo-Odofin II), PDP
Mr Mudashiru Obasa (Agege I), APC
Mr Ishahu Gbolahan (Eti-Osa I), APC
Mr Kazeem Alimi (Eti-Osa II), APC
Mr Oluwa Olatunji Fatai (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II), PDP
Mr Shokunle Hakeem (Oshodi-Isolo I), PDP
Mr Emeka Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II), PDP
PDP wins 19 House seats in Ondo as two die
The PDP in Ondo State won 19 of the 24 house of Assembly seats declared by INEC in the last Saturday election just as two hoodlums were shot dead for hijacking electoral materials.
It’s main opposition APC secured five seats while the results of Ilaje 1 and 11 constituencies were declared inconclusive.
The PDP won in Idanre, Ifedore, Ese Odo, Akure South 1, Akure North, Akoko South East, Akoko North West 11, Akoko North East, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Irele, Odigbo 1 and Odigbo11, Okitipupa 1 and Okitipupa 11, Ondo East, Ondo West 1 and Ondo West 11, Ose, and Owo 1.
The opposition APC won the seats in Owo11, Akoko North West 1, Akoko South West 1, Akoko South west 11 and Akure South 11.
Addressing newsmen in Akure yesterday on the outcome of the Saturday poll, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Olusegun Agbaje said that the two electoral offenders were shot dead by Naval Officers in the oil rich Ilaje areas of the state.
Agbaje added that eight guns, six mobile phones belonging to INEC Ad-Hoc staff and other materials belonging to the commission were recovered from the hoodlums.
Speaking on the election results Agbaje said over 35,000 voters were disenfranchised in the 73 units in Ilaje constituencies where electoral materials were hijacked by the hoodlums.
Agbaje said that the election was characterized by low turn out of voters across the state and pockets of security breaches in some local government areas.
He listed the areas to include Akoko North West, Akoko south West, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa,Ondo East, Owo and Ose.
Amosun’s victory: PDP kicks, alleges irregularities
The PDP in Ogun State has kicked against the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the governorship election in the state.
The party said the development “ is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged as appropriate”.
The INEC in the state had declared Amosun who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as governor-elect having polled 306,988 votes to defeat the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka who polled 201,440 votes.
Reacting to Amosun’s declaration, the party, through the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization declared the gubernatorial election “as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory”.
The party in a statement signed by Director of Media , Ifekayode Akinbode , said “whereas , INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC.
“Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects.
“However, we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff.
“This was indeed what happened. Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths.
“This was the situation until Sen. Amosun defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas of Abeokuta and then to Sagamu, Ota and Ifo local government areas with a full retinue of buses.
“What followed were reports of snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations. Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres.
“It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce results despite the overvoting, result falsification, harassment of our party agents and other irregularities. Clearly, the huge votes from Ogun central local governments of Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode as well as Ado Odo/Ota local governments in Ogun West Senatorial district were a true reflection of the rigging.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that our legal officers and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position on this election that was marred with gross irregularities. We implore our supporters, party faithful and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.
“He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain. God bless Ogun State”, the party said.
Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed
wins in Kwara
The Chief Returning Officer of gubernatorial election in Kwara State, Professor Musbau Akanji yesterday declared the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as winner of the election.
Professor Akanji said that Governor Ahmed who was seeking re-election polled 295,832 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP Senator Simeon Ajibola who scored 115,220 votes and came far second while the candidate of Labour Party Dr Mike Omotosho polled 2,973 to come third.
Similarly, the APC as declared by the respective returning officers won all the twenty four House of Assembly seats across the 16 local governments in the state.
Ugwuanyi wins Enugu guber poll
The PDP, candidate in the April 11 governorship election, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has won with 482,277 votes against his main challenger of the APC, Okey Ezea who polled 43,839 votes.
Returning officer of the election, Prof. Hillary Edoga, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, announced the result precisely at 3.36 p.m. at the INEC office, Independence Layout, Enugu.
The announcement was followed with wild jubilation as residents of Enugu made bonfires along strategic streets in Enugu metropolis.
However, the APC candidate in a press conference called for the cancellation of the election.
“As far as we are concerned, there was no election in Enugu State, so we call on the INEC to cancel the exercise and fix a date for a fresh election
“We cannot continue with this rubbish in Enugu State any longer; all of you are witnesses to what happened yesterday and if that is what we should expect in Enugu State, it is very unfortunate.
“They want to push us out of the politics of Enugu State but that will not happen; we shall never give up,” he said.
BENUE: Ortom wins gov poll
Ortom
The APC, governorship candidate in Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has emerged the winner of last Saturday’s governorship elections in the state.
In the results so far collated by INEC in Makurdi, from 22 out of 23 local government areas of the state, Dr. Ortom polled 394,047 votes to defeat Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor of the PDP who polled 302,324 votes.
Though the votes from Buruku Local Government Area were being expected at press time, it was not expected to alter the outcome of the entire result.
As it stands, the difference between the votes garnered by the APC and PDP candidates is 91,723.
Meantime, the PDP won 15 of the State House of Assembly seats so far released by the electoral body, the APC had 10, Labour Party secured one seat while results from four state constituencies were still being awaited.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was yesterday declared winner of the Sokoto State governorship election.
The state’s Collation and Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu , who is a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, declared that Tambuwal polled the highest number of votes in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Announcing the results at about 7.15 p.m, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu disclosed that the total votes cast were 958,736 while total valid votes were 926,682 and voided votes were 32,054
Tambuwal polled 647,609 votes, while the PDP candidate, Sen. Abdallah Wali scored 269,074
The Speaker won in all 23 local government areas, while his PDP challenger did not win in any local government.
In the State House of Assembly election, the APC won 28 seats, PDP won two while PDM got one seat.
Stalemate in Abia
There was stalemate in Abia State, yesterday. after the returning officer for the governorship election reversed himself on the cancellation of the results in three local government areas following a visit to the INEC office by Governor Theodore Orji.
Earlier, the returning officer for the election, Prof. Benjamin Ozurumba, had cancelled the results presented for Osisioma, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa North on the basis of alleged irregularities. The decision was, however, vehemently challenged by officials of the PDP leading to a stalemate that was only broken after the visit of Governor Orji to the INEC office where he held private meetings with the REC.
The decision to revalidate the results from the three local government areas, has, however, been seriously rejected by the APGA representatives at the collation centre. Both APGA and PDP were running neck and neck in the results, at press time.
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