Politics
Kwankwaso Leads With Over 270,000 Votes In Kano
Former governor of Kano State, and senator representing the state at the National Assembly, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), is leading with 270,000 votes in the presidential election in 38 local government areas of Kano State so far declared at the state collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With 464,133 votes, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is next to Kwankwaso, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has secured 86,162 votes.
Peter Obi of Labour Party trails with 8,926 votes.
Out of the 38 Local Government Areas (LGAs) announced so far, NNPP won 29, while APC cleared the remaining nine.
Both LP and PDP’ are yet to win a LG.
Meanwhile, collation of results in the state will resume by 10am on Monday.
Atiku Defeats Tinubu, Obi In Osun
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has won Osun State.
Atiku polled 354,366 votes to defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, who got 342,945 votes.
The PDP candidate won in 20 local government areas against Tinubu’s 10.
The State Collation Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Tolulope Ogunsola, announced the results on Sunday, February 26.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, secured 23,283 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) polled 713 votes.
Atiku won in Obokun, Oriade, Atakumosa-East, Atakumosa-West, Ifelodun, Egbedore, Ilesa-East, Ilesa-West, Ifedayo, Odo-Otin and Ila.
Also, he won Boluwaduro, Irepodun, Orolu, Ede-North, Ede-South, Ife-South, Ife-North, Ola-Oluwa, and Ayedire local government council areas.
However, Tinubu won Boripe, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife-Central, Iwo, Ayedade, Isokan, Ejigbo, Irewole and Ife-East.
Obi In Comfortable Lead In Delta, Beats Ibori In Own LG
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has won in Ethiope West, the Local Government Area of the National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, after polling 10, 199 votes.
Mrs. Josephine Crossdale, who collated the result in the area, said the Presidential candidate of PDP and closed friend of erstwhile Governor James Ibori, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, scored 5,463 votes to clinch second position and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, secured 3,850 votes to come third.
Obi has won three out of the four local government areas so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa won his local government, Ika North-East for his party but lost the Ika Federal Constituency to Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party’s candidate.
According to the results collated by the Electoral Officer, Mr James Olisa, Okowa won in Ika North-East after polling 16, 696 to beat his closest rival, Obi, who scored 8, 980 votes and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, 1,902 votes.
Obi, however, took a good lead in Ika South, where he scored 17, 868 votes to beat Okowa, who secured 7,485 votes for the PDP, while Tinubu came third with 3,290 votes.
In Aniocha North, Obi won with 11,678 votes making it impossible for the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu to deliver his party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
PDP scored 3,783 to come second, while APC polled 1,146 to come third.
The result was announced by the Local Government Electoral Officer, Mr. Emeke Onyeme.
Obi took unprecedented lead in Oshimili North, Local Government Area of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of the APC, he polled 14,929.
According to the result, which was collated by Mr. Okonta Emmanuel, PDP scored 4,796 and APC, 1,688 to come second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, the state Collation Officer for the presidential election, Prof. Owuneri Abraham Georgewill, has adjourned for break.
Obi Coasts To Landslide Victory In Edo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released results of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in some of the local government areas of Edo State with Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) in clear lead of other contenders.
As at the time of filing this report, results from nine LGAs have been announced, with candidate of the Labour Party (LP), winning eight with wide margins.
He is closely followed by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who won in Owan West Local Government Area.
In Igueben, APC got 2,419; LP 6,449; and PDP – 3,530.
In Esan Central, APC scored 4,558; LP – 10,192, and PDP – 3,692.
In Esan North East LGA, APC – 2,589; LP -18,973; PDP – 2,091.
In Egor LGA, APC – 3,978; LP – 40,160; and PDP – 1,766.
In Esan South East LGA, APC – 4,675; LP – 10,511; and PDP – 3,961.
In Esan West LGA, APC – 3,417; LP – 18,793; PDP – 2,630.
In Uhuwonde LGA, APC – 3,244; LP – 12,955; PDP – 2,976.
In Urhionwon LGA, APC – 6,527; LP – 9,049; PDP – 4,668.
In Owan West LGA, APC – 9,322; LP – 6,112; PDP – 6,026.
Collation of the remaining nine local government areas continued on Monday.
Obi Wins Five Of Seven LGs In Plateau
The Labour Party (LP) has won five out of the seven local government areas so far declared in Plateau State while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won two and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to make an appearance on the winners’ list.
The LP won in Bokkos, Langtang North, Jos East, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
The PDP won in Mikang and Langtang South while the APC is yet to win.
According to figures reeled out by the Returning Officers, results from Mikang show APC got 5,044, PDP got 7,211, and LP got 7,201.
In Barkin Ladi LGA, APC got 12,514, LP got 32,489, and PDP got 9,073.
In Riyom LGA, PDP got 8,181, LP got 15,171, APC got 6,936 while NNPP got 87.
In Jos East, APC got 6,348, Labour Party got 6,386, PDP got 5,144 and NNPP got 156.
In Langtang South, APC got 7,478, Labour Party got 6,045, PDP got 12,467 and NNPP got 24.
In Langtang North, APC got 8,706, Labour Party got 21,590, PDP got 17,751 and NNPP got 73.
In Bokkos LGA, APC got 10,858, PDP got 8,569 and LP got 32,581.
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby