March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

PDP, LP trade words over stalled Enugu governorship poll result

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party are exchanging hot words over the final result of the governorship election in Enugu state.

PDP said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is over reaching itself and should stick to its mandate of seeing through the completion of the electoral process.

Its spokesman Nana Ogbodo said Ogbodo said the collation of results had been completed and INEC should announce the winner.

Labour Party, on its party wants the results announced without the inclusion of the result from Nkanu East LGA.

Governorship candidate, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, demanded the outright cancellation of the results generated from Nkanu East.

In a petition addressed to INEC, Edeoga said the non-usage of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) rendered the results from Nkanu East LGA a nullity.

PDP spokesman said the party was disappointed by the decision of INEC to suspend the collation of the final results and declaration of a victor.

He said the decision of INEC to put Abia and Enugu situations in one basket clearly shows that the national headquarters of INEC has mixed things up or had not been properly briefed.

He noted that the situation in Enugu State is not on all fours with what is happening in Abia State. In Abia State, they were still collecting and doing some collation.

The spokesperson said the entire process had become ‘functus officio’ and not for the Returning Officer to begin to probe into the result because there is a law that permits anybody, who is dissatisfied with the process, to go to the tribunal.

“Unlike the situation in Abia State, the results of the entire 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State, including those of Nkanu East and Nsukka LGAs, have been fully collated by the Returning Officer, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe.

“What remains for the INEC is to sum up the returns by the Local Government Returning Officers and declare our candidate, Dr Peter Mbah, the governor-elect.

“Section 64(8) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that where collation has been completed as in the present case of Enugu State, the duty of the collation officer, who collated the result, is to announce the result and make a declaration.

“Therefore, having collated the results from Nsukka LGA and Nkanu East LGA, the statutory duty and legal responsibility of the State Returning Officer is simply to announce and declare the results.

“INEC cannot, by law, suspend the declaration of results already collated,” he said.

Ogbodo said that issues relating to accreditation and votes cast in a polling unit and the fate of such votes where they exceed the number of accredited voters in such units are guided by Section 51(2) of the Act.

He noted that the position of the law is that a Returning Officer has no power to cancel any results at the stage of collation.

“The only option open to any person dissatisfied with the process is to resort to Section 130(1) of the Electoral Act, which vests the power to receive and adjudicate petitions complaining of an undue election or undue return in an election in the tribunal or court.

“We believe that the Returning Officer for Nkanu East Local Government Area has duly complied with the provision of Sections 64(4)(a)&(b) and Section 64(a)&(d) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“We consequently restate our position that the only option left to INEC, acting through the State Returning Officer for the Enugu State Governorship Election under Section 64(8) of the Electoral Act 2022, is to announce the results and make a declaration of the winner of the election.

“We, therefore, call on INEC to immediately announce the results it has already collated and declare Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah the winner of the March 18 election,” he said.

The PDP spokesperson said that Nigerians witnessed the restiveness of the youth and people of the state as well as the electorate that massively voted for our candidate today.

He said that Enugu State has had this history of a peaceful conduct of elections, especially in the last seven years, adding that the state had never been identified as a volatile point, not in the least this one when PDP lost crucial elections.

“Our senatorial candidate lost his election to return to the senate. It was the same process that produced the result that gave the Labour Party the victory that also produced the Governorship because Nkanu East is in the Enugu East Senatorial Zone,” he said.

Labour’s Chief Chijioke Edeoga said the total number of accredited results in the INEC server shows that the PDP allocated votes to its candidate, Dr Peter Mbah in Nkanu East.

“The just-concluded Enugu State Governorship Election is fraught with serial irregularities and fundamental flaws in the conduct of the Governorship election held on March 18 particularly with respect to Nkanu East LGA.

“We humbly wish to bring these irregularities to the attention of the Returning Officer for appropriate action as provided in the Electoral Act of 2022.

“The Electoral Act and guidelines made pursuant thereto provides that the BVAS is to be used for the conduct of the Gubernatorial and State Houses Election nationwide.

“This is a mandatory requirement and failure to comply with these requirements renders any result of such election invalid.

“The Commission through several public service announcements reiterated the centrality of the use of BVAS in the accreditation of voters through their permanent voters cards and in the transmission of the results directly from the polling units to the INEC portal.”

He added that the results collated by the Local Government Collation Officer were at variance with the results uploaded to the INEC IREV portal.

According to him, the unexplained discrepancies are as a result of non-usage of BVAS as mandatorily required by the Electoral Act and the guidelines of the electoral body, which led to the fraudulent allocation of votes to PDP by the officials appointed by INEC to conduct the election.

“No wonder the discrepancies between the votes they hurriedly uploaded to the IREV and the votes they presented for collation,” he said.

He said in several other polling units across the wards, the results collated clearly show that the votes allocated to the candidates are more than the total number of PVCs collected as a result of non-usage of the BVAS.

“It is evidently clear that the BVAS as required by the Electoral Act was not used for the voters’ accreditation. By virtue of the Electoral Act 2022 Sec. 47 (3), the results from the entire Nkanu East LGA should be cancelled.

“We, therefore, urge the Returning Officer to cancel the results of Nkanu East LGA which was conducted without the usage of BVAS as mandatorily required by the Act,” he said.

March 21, 2023

Kano APC rejects governorship election verdict

Kano APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has rejected the result validating the election of the New Nigerian People’s Party’s (NNPP) Abba Yusuf as governor-elect.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday declared Yusuf as the winner of the election.

Announcing the result in Kano, the state Returning Officer, Prof. Doko Ibrahim, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said Yusuf polled 1,019,602 votes to emerge victorious.

He said that the flag bearer defeated his closest rival and incumbent Deputy governor of the state, Malam Yusuf Gawuna of the APC, who scored 892,705 votes.

But reacting to this at a news conference in Kano on Tuesday, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said the APC would challenge the result.

Abbas, who was represented by the party’s Legal Adviser, Mr Abdul Adamu Fagge, insisted that the election should be declared inconclusive.

According to him, the cancelled votes are greater than the margin between the candidate of APC and NNPP as provided by the Electoral Act.

The party also drew attention to the cancellation of 16 House of Assembly elections in the state, citing violence as the reason, while the same votes were considered in collating the governorship election.

While expressing dismay over the result, he said the two elections took place same day, same time, same places and under the same circumstances.

On his part, Gawuna lauded faithful members for demonstrating maturity during and after the election.

“We will follow due legal process to reclaim our mandate as we call residents to continue to live in peace with one another,” he said.

Gawuna said that the party had decided to challenge the outcome of elections through legal process.

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, said his election were similar to what transpired in Kano, but he has his election declared inconclusive.

Doguwa, said that out of the 13 affected polling units 12 were cancelled based on violence and over voting, and today he has accepted his faith waiting for the rerun of the election.

March 21, 2023

Soludo congratulates Tinubu, agrees Nigeria needs healing

Governor Chukwuma Soludo

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has congratulated President-elect Bola Tinubu on his victory at the Feb. 25 presidential election.

Soludo said this on Tuesday in his post election statement in his capacity as Anambra governor and National Leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

He also congratulated other candidates in the race for what he described as their courageous and impressive outing.

“Let me also congratulate the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his election.

“Nigeria is the winner, and I am confident that a better future lies ahead of us, congratulations to all Nigerians.

“We pledge to collaborate and partner with you and the Federal Government for the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.

“This is the only country that we call ours and we must make it work,” Soludo said.

The governor said Nigeria needed healing and restructuring, as challenges of insecurity and the economy remain humongous.

He said though efforts in the area of security were yielding significant results; he believed that sustainable peace and security would be enhanced through wider non-kinetic engagements with all critical stakeholders.

According to Soludo, one critical issue of national importance that needs urgent attention is the issue of systemic insecurity in the South-East.

“In this regard, may I repeat my previous calls and hereby request our President-elect to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately after swearing-in (that is, if he is not released before then).

“We need him around the table as an important stakeholder in discussions about healing and sustainable peace in the South-East.

“Elections and partisan politics are over, and we should all now focus 100 percent of our time on delivering good governance to our people,” he said.

Soludo congratulated all newly elected and re-elected governors, and urged them to work together under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in pursuit of the national common good.

The governor extended gratitude to Nigerians who voted for candidates of the APGA across the country adding that the party had made modest gains by winning seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and state assemblies.

He said that as true believers in the potentials of Nigeria, APGA would continue to network and collaborate with all like-minded Nigerians and groups to advance the greatness of the country.

Soludo said the party had demonstrated that Anambra was truly APGA-land while assuring that it would would contest some results.

“So far, winners have been declared, and those who are dissatisfied with the results have their rights to pursue their grievances through the due process of the law.

“My own political party, APGA, might challenge several of the results in pursuit of justice, we will take all necessary legal steps to recover the seats we believe we won, especially in Anambra State.

“To me, the true heroes of the last elections are the citizens of Nigeria, especially the youths, whose voices will continue to be critical as we collectively strive to build a new Nigeria,” he said.

Soludo extended hands of fellowship to the elected members of the state and national assemblies from other political parties in Anambra urging them to work together with him for the greatness of the state

March 21, 2023

Peter Obi seeks annulment of Tinubu’s victory like June 12

Peter Obi, President-Elect Bola Tinubu

Labour Party (LP) candidate Mr. Peter Obi, is seeking the annulment of the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu, just like it happened in 1993 in the election of MKO Abiola.

The annulment is one of the five grounds Obi filed in his petition to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 25 February election.

In a report by Premium Times, Obi who came third in the election, wants Tinubu’s election nullified and a fresh election ordered.

The paper reported that Obi filed his petition to challenge the outcome of the poll at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja at about midnight on Tuesday.

He alleged that the election was characterised by various irregularities including the non-qualification of Mr Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima to contest the election.

He also alleged that Mr Tinubu failed to win the majority of the lawful votes cast in the election, and just as he could not secure one-quarter of the lawful votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He also alleged that the election was conducted in substantial non-compliance with the provision of the law.

The Labour Party candidate, therefore, urged the court to either declare him the president-elect, in the belief that he scored the majority of the lawful votes during the election, or nullify the entire election and order a fresh election.

The petition contains a total of five prayers divided into two categories – two main prayers and three alternative prayers.

Mr Obi jointly filed the petition alongside his party, the Labour Party.

The co-petitioners sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Tinubu, Kashim Shettima (vice-president-elect) and their party, the APC, as the respondents.

Mr Obi’s legal team which filed the petition against the outcome of the election on Tuesday is led by Livy Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Mr Uzoukwu led Atiku’s legal team when the former vice president unsuccessfully challenged the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

March 21, 2023

Chimaroke Nnamani’s group joins APC

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani

The Ebeano political family of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chairman of the group, Chief Emmanuel Okwor said the alliance with APC was to consolidate the partnership with President-elect,Sen. Bola Tinubu to achieve good governance in the country.

He said members of the family across the country had been consulted and were in agreement with the alliance in the interest of the people.

The Ebeano chieftain stated that the interest and welfare of the group would be better served under the APC structure in the country.

The family, established since 1999 had remained the dominant political force in Enugu State.

The group had consistently produced Governors, Senators, members of House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly members, Ministers as well as Local Government Councils’ officials in the state.

March 21, 2023

Let the healing process begin: President-elect Tinubu speaks again

President-Elect Bola Tinubu

ELECTIONS ARE OVER: HEALING PROCESS MUST BEGIN

With the conclusion of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, I congratulate all the elected governors and assembly members for earning the mandate of the people. The March 18 governorship election held across 28 states and the state legislative poll across the 36 states of the federation have brought the 2023 election cycle to a fitting close.

I must praise President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, Observer Groups, Civil Society Organisations, development partners and the electorate for the success of the elections. The election is pivotal to the growth and sustenance of democracy and democratic governance at the state level.

Consolidating democratic governance at the sub-national level will bring more development and improved quality of life to the masses. The more we entrench and consolidate the gains of our democratic venture across the length and breadth of our country, the more our people benefit in terms of dividends of democracy and good governance.

However, I’m saddened by the reported isolated infractions during the elections and its aftermath in some states. I strongly condemn it. Also, the report of arson after the announcement of governorship results in one state did not represent who we truly are: peace-loving people.

The physical and verbal assaults committed are unacceptable and antithetical to democratic ethos.

Elections should be a celebration of our maturing democracy and freedom of choice and ought not to be moments of grief. I am particularly pained by cases of ethnic slurs, which are capable of creating needless mis-characterisation reported in some locations.

My appeal is for us to rise above our differences, which, in reality, are fewer than the valued strings that bind us together as a people irrespective of the circumstances of our births.

As former governor of Lagos State, I can attest to the strength in our diversity and togetherness. As your President-elect, it is that spirit of inclusiveness we engendered in Lagos that I intend to bring into national governance so that together we can attain our full potentials.

I will give priority to expanding the civic space and safeguarding citizens’ freedom to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law.

Indeed, the elections are over. The people have voted to elect their governors and state legislators that will serve them for the next four years. The time for leadership and governance is now upon us.

In a democracy, majority would have their way but that majority must not suppress the minority from having their say. As democrats, we have to safeguard free expression. Winners must be magnanimous and those who did not win should have a large heart for tolerance and respect for the greater interest of the nation.

As the elected, the only way to justify the trust and confidence of the people and the mandate entrusted in us is to commit ourselves to the service of the people. We must all work diligently and sincerely to make life better for the masses. As elected officers, we have no other assignment than to be burden-bearers for the masses and ensure they have better life that we promised during the campaigns.

We must take urgent steps to unite the people; those who voted for us and those who did not. We must champion the healing process by embracing the opponents and their supporters. As I have stated previously, the time for politicking is gone. This is time for nation building, a task beyond one individual or a section of the society. We need every hand from wherever it may come to be on deck.

I am ready to work with you all as your President. I will be a worthy partner you can trust and rely on as we all bond together, in unity of purpose and renewed hope for, the betterment of our blessed country and beloved people.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, President-elect,
Federal Republic of Nigeria March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

PDP wins Taraba again with Kefas Agbu

Kefas Agbu, Taraba State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Kefas Agbu the winner of the Taraba State governorship election.

Agbu, a retired Lt. Colonel and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 257,926 votes to edge out the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Muhammad Yahaya, who polled 202,277.

In third place, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Emmanuel Bwacha, garnered 142,502 ballots.

The state Returning Officer Prof M.A. Abdulazeez declared Agbu the governor-elect at 00:30 a.m on Tuesday, after fulfilling the requirements of the law.

Abdulazeez called on all contestants to forgive each other.

“We are doing this to ensure that democracy will go a long way in Nigeria.”

March 21, 2023

PDP retains Rivers as Fubara wins

Rivers state, Siminialayi Fubara

INEC has declared PDP’s Candidate, Mr Siminialayi Fubara, winner of the Saturday’s Governorship election in Rivers.

Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, the State Returning Officer for INEC who declared the results on Monday at the INEC headquarters in Rivers, said that PDP scored 302,614 votes.

Rim-Rukeh, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, said that Mr Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the APC, polled 95,274 votes to come second, while the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sen. Magnus Abe, scored 46,981 votes and placed third.

He added that the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mrs Beatrice Itubor, scored 22,224 votes to come fourth, Accord Party (A) scored 7155; Action Alliance (AA),1693; All Alliance Congress (AAC) 386; Action Democratic Party (ADP), 925; and Action Peoples Party (APP), 973 voted.

According to Rim-Rukeh, “Siminialayi Fubara of PDP, having scored the highest votes and had the 25 per cent spread with satisfactory margin of lead, and having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner”.

Rim-Rukeh gave the state’s total number of registered voters as 3,537,190 and the number of accredited voters as 496,852

He said that the total votes cast were 494,604; total valid votes, 483,934 while the total number of rejected votes was10,670 in the election.

The PDP candidate won in all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

March 21, 2023

PDP upsets APC in Zamfara as Dauda Lawal defeats Matawalle

Dauda Lawal-Dare, Governor Bello Matawalle, Zamfara state

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has upset the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara state, by defeating incumbent Governor Bello Matawalle in the election.

INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Kassimu Shehu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on Tuesday in Gusau, declared Dr Dauda Lawal-Dare of the PDP winner.

Lawal, a political greenhorn, polled 377,726 valid votes from the 14 local government areas.

Matawalle fell short, winning 311,976 valid votes.

“I Prof. Kassimu Shehu of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, certify that I am INEC Returning Officer for Zamfara State.

“That Dr. Lawal Dauda of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is declared winner and returned elected,” Shehu declared.

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Day: March 21, 2023