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APC Takes Lead in Governorship Polls, Wins Eight States
From Alfred Babs (Ilorin), Kunle Idowu (Abeokuta), Dan Amasingha, Minna
Some of the governorship election results from last Saturday’s polls were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winning six of the states, while the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) claiming two of the sight states announced yesterday.
In Kwara State, the incumbent Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was declared the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Governor Abdulrazaq, who is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won in all the 16 local government areas of the state in the election results declared by the INEC Returning officer for the polls, Professor Isaac Itodo, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue state.
The INEC had on Saturday night started announcement of the 2023 governorship election results with only that of three local government areas with the governor clearing the three local government areas of Ekiti, Isin and Offa local government areas.
At the resumed announcement of the election results on Sunday morning, which lasted till evening the APC governor also won in additional 13 local government areas.
Our correspondent, Kunle Idowu reported that Governor Dapo Abiodun of APC was also declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ogun State, defeating Mr Oladipupo Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to retain his seat.
The state Returning Officer for the Governorship poll, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, made the declaration yesterday in Abeokuta at about 6.17 p.m, saying that Abiodun scored 276, 298 votes to win the election.
“That Abiodun Adedapo Oluseun of APC, having satisfied with the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,” Adebowale, who is also Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, declared.
He explained that Abiodun defeated his closest rival, Adebutu, who scored 262, 382 votes.
Adebowale said that candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Biyi Otegbeye, came third with 94, 754 votes.
A breakdown of the results on local government basis, as announced by the local government Collation Officers, showed that Abiodun won in 12 council areas, while Adebutu won in eight out of the 20 local governments in the state.
Abiodun won in Ijebu-Ode; Odeda; Egbado North; Egbado South; Ewekoro; Ijebu North; Abeokuta North and Ipokia.
Others were: Imeko Afon, Ado Odo-Ota, Obafemi Owode and Ifo, while Adebutu won in Sagamu; Abeokuta South; Odogbolu; Ikenne; Ijebu North East; Ijebu East; Ogun Waterside and Remo North.
According to Adebowale, the registered voters were 2 ,688,305, while accredited voters were 666, 406.
He said the numbers of valid votes were 645, 133, while 18,835 votes were rejected, adding that the votes cast were 663, 968.
In Oyo State, one of the G5 governors, Seyi Makinde, who took up arms against the PDP leadership, won the gubernatorial election for a second term.
The election was conducted in all the 33 local government areas of the state on Saturday.
Makinde, one of the G5 Governors, who contested on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared the winner of the election.
The returning officer in the state, Professor Adebayo Bamire, who announced the result of the election, declared that Makinde, who is seeking another term in office defeated all other candidates to win the election.
Bamire, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, said that Makinde scored a total of 563,756 votes to defeat all other candidates.
Bamire while speaking announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin scored 256,685 votes.
The Accord candidate, Adebayo Adelabu scored a total of 38,357 votes.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the governorship election.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Adigio, Vice Chancellor, Nigerian Maritime University, Delta, announced the results yesterday in Uyo.
Adigio said Eno won in 29 out of 31 Local Government Areas of the state to defeat Sen. Bassey Akpan of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
He said that the PDP candidate scored 354,348 votes, beating closet rival, of Young Progressive Party (YPP), who got 136,262 votes.
He also said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 129,602 votes while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) got 12,509 votes while Labour Party (LP) scored 4,746 votes.
Also yesterday, the APC candidate in Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda was declared winner of the Saturday governorship poll.
Dikko, a former director of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, polled 859,892 votes to beat Garba Yakubu Lado of PDP, who scored 486,620 votes.
Prof. Ma’azu Abubakar Gusau, Returning Officer for Katsina governorship poll, however, is yet to officially announce the result.
Incumbent Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya was yesterday declared the winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Maimuna Waziri, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Gashua, Yobe declared the result in Gombe yesterday.
Waziri said that Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 342, 821 votes to defeat his closest rival Mr Jibrin Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 233, 131 votes.
She said that Khamisu Mailantarki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) polled 19,861 votes while Keftin Amuga of Labour Party polled 1,753.
Waziri said that the number of registered voters was 1,575,794, while 618,231 voters were accredited adding that the number of valid votes was 605,355, while 11,390 votes were rejected and 616,745 total votes cast.
Yahaya won in nine out of the 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, while the difference between APC and PDP scores was 109,690 votes.
In Jigawa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Malam Umar Namadi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the Jigawa governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the poll, Prof. Umar Zaiyan of Federal University Birnin Kebbi, announced the result yesterday in Dutse.
Zaiyan said that Namadi scored 618,449 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr Mustapha Sule Lamido who polled 368,726 votes.
He said: “I Prof. Umar Zaiyan hereby certify that Umar Namadi of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the Law is declared the winner of Jigawa governorship election.”
According to him, 1.07 million voters were accredited in the March 18 election with 1.05 million votes cast, out of which 1.03 million votes were the total valid votes cast at the exercise.
The 60-year-old politician and chartered accountant also defeated Malam Aminu Ringim of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) who clinched 37,156 votes.
The PDP had earlier called on the returning officer to declare a section of the election as inconclusive.
When the party agents were called in by Zaiyan to sign the result sheets containing the scores of each candidate in the governorship contest, the PDP’s agent, Malam Abubakar, declined to endorse it.
He said that the returning officer ought to had address his complaints before proceeding to perfect the formalities of signing the result sheets, as such he left the collation centre without signing the result.
Namadi, the incumbent deputy governor of Jigawa, who represents was born on April 7, 1963, obtained degree in Accountancy and Masters degree in Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano.
The governor-elect had served in various capacities both in public and private sectors.
Niger PDP Guber Candidate Concedes Defeat as APC Leads in Nine LGAs
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi has called to congratulate his counterpart from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Mohammed Bago before the final announcement.
As at the time of filling this report, 14 local government election results were being awaited after break.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon Muhammed Umar Bago was leading, having won nine out of the 11 local government areas so far declared yesterday, while his main challenger, Isah Liman Kantigi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won two.
DAILY ASSET Correspondent, who monitored the announcement of results at governorship collation centre at INEC Office along David Mark Road Minna, observed that so far the exercise is peaceful.
Both candidates, the APC candidate, Umar Bago and Isah Liman Kantigi won their respective local government areas of Bida and Edati.
From the result announced so far, the All progressive congress party won in Tafa, Gurara, Paikoro , Bosso, Suleja , Katcha, Bida, Chanchaga (Minna)and Lapai local government Areas.
The PDP candidate on his part won his home council, Edati and Munya Local Government Area.
The All progressive congress party Governorship Candidate is leading his main opponent with 29, 352 votes from the results collated from the eleven local government Areas result declared so far with fourteen more councils to go.
From the results announced, the APC Governorship Candidate recorded 216, 660 votes as against the PDP Candidate who got 187, 308 votes from the councils declared.
APC Wins Eight of 10 LGAs in Ebonyi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won eight out of the 10 local government areas (LGAs) of Ebonyi state so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday.
The local government areas are: Ebonyi, Ivo, Ezza North, Izzi, Afikpo South, Ohaozara, Ohaukwu and Abakaliki.
Ebonyi has a total of 13 local government areas.
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won in one each, Ezza South and Onicha respectively.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Onyeka Ugochi, announced that the remaining LGAs of Ikwo, Afikpo North and Ishielu would be announced as soon as the results are ready.
The major contenders in the governorship race are: Francis Nwifuru, APC, Dr IfeanyiChukwuma Odii, PDP, and Bernard Odo of the APGA.
Sanwo-Olu in Early Lead as INEC Announces Results of 19 LGAs in Lagos
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the APC gubernatorial candidate, is currently leading 15 other candidates in the Governorship Election held on Saturday in the state.
The state collation of results of the gubernatorial poll is ongoing at the INEC Media Centre, located within the premises of the state headquarters of the commission.
The exercise, which started at 12 noon yesterday with the arrival of results from 19 out of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, is being monitored by representatives of political parties, domestic and foreign observers, media and other stakeholders under the watch of security agencies.
As at 2.40 pm, results from 19 LGAs have been announced by the respective INEC Local Government Collation Officers one after the order.
The results of LGAs so far released are Lagos Island, Apapa, Epe, Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ikeja, Mushin, Surelere, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry, Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, Ojo, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Amuwo-Odofin
In the 19 LGAs announced so far, APC’s Sanwo-Olu is leading while the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is coming second.
The Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, is in a distant third position.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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