COVER
Bye-elections: APC, PDP Share Senatorial Seats
By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja; Jude Dangwan, Jos; Mike Tayese, Yenagoa and Joy Ekeke, Lagos
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced final results of the bye-elections conducted in some parts of the country with the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning in many constituencies.
The results declared by INEC showed that the ruling-APC and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) won three senatorial seats each.
While the APC won Lagos-West, Imo North and Plateau South senatorial districts, the PDP won Bayelsa West, Bayelsa Central and Cross River North. Former Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson, was among the six newly elected senators from Bayelsa West.
The election did not go without reports of irregularities as incidences of vote buying, and harassment of voters was alleged in many constituencies. A Lagos State politician of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Babatunde Gbadamosi, alleged that the Lagos Bye –election was clearly manipulated and he was rigged out.
In Imo North Senatorial zone, the ruling APC swept the votes but did not have a candidate to be declared.
…Winnings Affirm Trust in Party– Presidency
The Presidency in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the gale of victories by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in different parts of the country was a proof that Nigerians still trust the party.
The statement also lauded the leadership of the party, as being led by the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, as well as other layers of leadership within the party, for the efforts invested into retaining its relevance.
It further noted that President Muhammadu Buhari delighted in the outcome of the bye-elections and charged the APC to sustain the spirit of hard work, unity, progress and cooperation.
“Nigerians who appreciate the efforts of the administration in making life better for all citizens, especially under an economy facing the severest test from the global Coronavirus pandemic will not be disappointed.
“We thank them immensely for their trust in the party and government.
“We equally thank the Interim Management Committee of the party under the capable leadership of His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, the Governor of Yobe State, the Progressive Governors Forum under Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, all our governors, parliamentarians, state, local government and ward level APC chapters and the entire ranks of the membership for this brave and impressionable performance.
“While congratulating the successful candidates, President Muhammadu Buhari in particular, is very pleased with the election outcomes and urges the party to uphold the spirit of hard work, unity, progress, cooperation that forms the bedrock of these victories”, the statement said.
In Bakori Constituency of Katsina state, Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Kurami of APC was declared the winner having defeated Alhaji Aminu Magaji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The returning officer of Bakori local Government State Constituency bye- election, Professor A. D. Kankia, declared that Dr Aminu Kurani of the APC scored 20,444 votes to beat Magaji of the PDP.
It would be recalled that the member representing Bakori State constituency in the House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdurrazaq Tsiga, died in May this year, after a protracted illness.
…Wins Plateau South Senate Seat
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Plateau south senatorial by-election, Prof. Nora Dabu’ut, has been declared winner.
The results announced by Prof. Idris A Male, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia, Nassarawa state, said in Shendam, Dabu’ut polled a total of 83,151 votes while George Daika, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, secured 70,838 votes.
Dabu’ut, a first female academic, defeated her opponent in four out of the six local government areas in the senatorial district, while the PDP candidate, Daika, won in two Local Government Areas.
Sanwo-Olu Congratulates Abiru, Saheed over Victory
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated the candidates for Lagos East Senatorial District, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru and Lagos Assembly Kosofe Constituency II, Mr. Obafemi Saheed for emerging victorious at the bye-elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while announcing the results, said Senator-elect Abiru defeated his opponent by wide margin in all the five local government areas in the senatorial district, polling a total of 89,204 votes against his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi, who secured 11,257 votes.
House of Assembly member-elect, Saheed polled 12,494 votes to beat his rival, Mr. Sikiru Alebiosu of PDP who got 2,068 votes in Kosofe II Constituency.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said APC’s victory with wide margin in the by-elections is a sound testament to the confidence the people of Lagos State have in the party.
He commended the electorate for coming out to perform their civic responsibilities and for voting in large numbers for the two candidates put forward by the APC. He also appreciated chieftains of the party and members for working assiduously for the victory during the polls.
“I want to congratulate Mr. Tokunbo Abiru and Obafemi Saheed on their victory in last Saturday’s by-elections in Lagos East Senatorial district and Kosofe State Constituency II polls. Your emergence as federal and state lawmakers is a validation of peoples’ confidence in our dear party, the APC.
“Right from the commencement of the process, we never doubted that Tokunbo Abiru and Obafemi Saheed would win the elections based on their credibility and the massive campaigns in all the nooks and crannies of Kosofe II Constituency and Lagos East Senatorial District.
“The victory of the two candidates of our party in the by-elections clearly showed that APC remains a party to beat in Lagos, based on her achievements in the State since the beginning of the current political dispensation in 1999.”
“The successive administrations in Lagos have put the people at the centre of its action, resulting in several people-oriented programmes. This has continued to manifest in the voting patterns in the State”, he added.
Diri Mourns as Five Policemen Drown in Bayelsa River
However, the Bayelsa State bye-election ended in tragedy as some policemen, who escorted electoral materials and personnel were drowned in a river.
State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, condoled with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Mohammed Adamu, over the loss.
The boat conveying the policemen was said to have capsized on its way to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area with 11 policemen on board the ill-fated boat, in which five were rescued while six others drowned.
Diri, who also condoled with the families of the deceased policemen, said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, that their sudden demise, while on national duty, was very painful.
The governor, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth and fast process it put in place for the election.
Diri, who voted at his hometown in Sampou Ward 7 Unit 4 accompanied by his wife, Gloria Diri, said INEC’s decision of having accreditation and voting simultaneously saved time and energy.
“The process was faster and even more smooth. The card reader identified me as soon as my voter’s card was slotted in. “So I can describe the process as smooth, fast, and peaceful. Certainly, the simultaneous accreditation and voting enhanced the process rather than waiting for hours before coming back to vote. I think this decision of taking them at the same time is far better than what we used to do,” he said.
On the alleged hijack of election materials in Agbere community in Sagbama Ward 1, Senator Diri described the act as the handiwork of mischief-maker’s bent on discrediting the electoral process. The governor called on Bayelsans not to give a negative image about the state, saying that it is a state with people of integrity that work hard to earn a living.
While expressing optimism that his party would clinch victory judging by the pedigree and capacity of its candidates for the Bayelsa West and Central senatorial districts, Diri described the National Assembly as a place for serious-minded persons and not for jokers.
“We fielded quality candidates and you can see the difference between the PDP candidates and the others. The Senate is not a place for jokers. The Senate is not a place for school dropouts or people who were dismissed from service.
“The Senate is a place of people with integrity, for those who can comprehend, for those who will understand, for those who can bring an argument on the floor that would be able to convince and sway their colleagues. Having been a member of the National Assembly, I know that it takes that pedigree for you to be in the Senate.”
PDP’s Odey Wins Cross River North
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday declared the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Stephen Odey, winner of Cross River North Senatorial bye-elections.
While PDP candidate Mrs Maria Akwaji also emerged victorious at the Obudu State Constituency bye-elections, the Collation Officer for the senatorial by-election, Prof. Ameh Akoh of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, who announced the result said, the PDP candidate, Dr Stephen Odey scored 129,207 votes to defeat other eight contestants.
According to him, the candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC), Mr Joe Again (SAN) scored 19,165 votes to place second, while African Democratic Congress, Mr Gregory Agam came third with 388 votes, among others.
“The PDP candidate having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared the winner in line with electoral guidelines”, he stated.
Also, PDP candidate Mrs Maria Akwaji emerges winner in the Obudu State Constituency by-elections by scoring 32,166 votes to defeat her closest rival, Mr Abor Adaji of APC who scored 3,546 votes.
The Collation Officer, Prof. Abel Ezeoha of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Technology, Ikwo Ebonyi State announced the result after Collation from different polling units.
“By this result, she takes over the seat of her husband who died a few months ago as the member representing Obudu State Constituency in House.
According to INEC, nine Political Parties contested for the senatorial by-election and six for the assembly. The senatorial by-election followed the death of Sen. Rose Oko, who died a few months ago in London
In his remarks, the PDP agent, Engr. Thomas Aruku, described the victory as well deserved.
“I see the victory as a well-deserved because among all the political parties in this election, it was the PDP that crisscrossed the 54 electoral wards. So, to me, we are just reaping the fruit of our labour,” he said.
PDP Kicks as INEC Declares Zamfara Bye-election Inconclusive
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Returning Officer for the Bakura constituency in Zamfara state, Prof. Ibrahim Magatawa, to step aside.
In a statement by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party accused Prof Magatawa of plots to rig the election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the election inconclusive, following the cancellation of election in some areas where the bye election held. INEC had fixed next Saturday to conclude the election.
But the PDP accused Prof Magatawa of saying that the cancellation of election in some areas and shifting the date for the conclusion of the poll, was to enable the APC to gain “upper hand over the PDP”.
The statement said: “The PDP demands the immediate removal of Prof. Magatawa as his embarrassing pronouncement has betrayed a plot to use the planned re-run in 14 polling units where election was cancelled under unclear circumstances, to rob our party of our victory in the Bakura State Constituency bye-election.
“Our party and Nigerians were shocked when, in declaring the election inconclusive, given that the total number of registered voters in the 14 polling units is 11,439 higher than the 2,181 difference between the 18,645 votes scored by the PDP and 16,464 votes garnered by the APC, Prof. Magatawa openly suggested that the rerun will give the APC upper hand over the PDP.”
The PDP quoted Prof. Magatawa as saying: “The APC may gain advantage, if there is another election in these units where election is cancelled, that they may get upper hand over the PDP and as a result, we have declared this result inconclusive.”
The party said Magatawa’s statement exposed the partisanship of the INEC official, triggering a dangerous crisis of confidence and pointing to a creepy plot to use the rerun to allocate fictitious votes to APC,” the very reason, Prof. Magatawa must not be allowed in any way to participate in the anticipated rerun.”
“Moreover, Magatawa’s comments raises apprehension that elections in the 14 units were cancelled to achieve a sinister design to rob the PDP of its victory.
“Currently, the PDP would not go into issues of allegations of plots by the APC to use huge financial inducements, in addition to compromised security operatives by the APC to manipulate this election to its favour.
“We however call on INEC to stop using individuals like Prof. Magawata in our elections. He has shown to be a biased umpire who could not even hide his abominable enterprise.
“The PDP therefore demands that the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, directly take over the conduct of processes in the Bakura State Constituency bye-election, where our party is in clear victory, as the people will never allow any final outcome that does not reflect the electoral reality already on the ground.”
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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