POLITICS
Anambra Poll: INEC will not Deploy Election Materials to 86 Polling Units – Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not deploy personnel or election materials to the new 86 polling units in Anambra for the state governorship election.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during the commission’s consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on Friday in Abuja.
Yakubu explained that the 86 polling units were among the recently converted polling units and did not have any registered voters in the units.
He noted that the state would be the first that voting would be taking place in new polling units since the recent successful conversion of voting points arising from the expansion of voter access to polling units in Nigeria.
He recalled that an additional 1,112 polling units were established in Anambra in addition to the existing 4,608 locations, bringing the total number of polling units in the State to 5,720.
“Voters were encouraged to seize the opportunity of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to transfer to the new polling units most convenient for them. Many did not do so.
“This can be partly attributed to the security situation in the state which has affected the commission’s pre-election outdoor activities, including voter education and sensitisation.
“Understandably, the voters have also been more circumspect in asking for transfer to polling units.
“At the same time, the Commission did not use its powers under Section 42 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to allot voters to the new polling units in order to minimise the disruptions that may occur from such a decision in view of the forthcoming Governorship election.
“Consequently, out of the 5,720 polling units in Anambra State, 86 (1.5 per cent) have no voters.
“For that reason, the Commission will not be deploying personnel and materials to these polling units.
“Furthermore, 894 (15.6 per cent) of the polling units have between 1 and 49 voters. Election will hold in these polling units.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that all Polling Units have voters allotted to them ahead of the 2023 General Election.
“Meanwhile, in our avowed commitment to transparency, the Commission has compiled a comprehensive list of all the Polling Units without voters as well as those having under 50 registered voters.
“Copies of the list will be made available to all political parties at this meeting. The same document will also be uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,’’ Yakubu said.
He reassured the party leaders that INEC was ready for the Anambra governorship election on Nov. 6.
He said that the commission had moved all non-sensitive materials for the election to the 21 local government areas of the state.
“As usual, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is handling the delivery of sensitive materials to the state on schedule. Our State office in Awka is arranging for stakeholders to inspect the materials at the premises of the CBN in Awka.
“As it is the case in all elections, the sensitive materials are moved under security escort to each Local Government Area from where they are distributed to the Registration Areas or Wards and finally to Polling Units on Election Day.’’
Yakubu therefore urged the party leaders to inform their agents to be present for inspection of the materials at the CBN premises and to follow the movement of the materials to various locations should they chose to do so.
He said that as required by law, INEC requested political parties to upload the names and other personal details of their polling agents to a dedicated portal at least two weeks to the election.
The chairman, however, said that at the deadline of the directive on Oct. 21, 17 out of 18 political parties participating in the election nominated their agents for all or a substantial number of the polling units and collation centres.
“One party failed to nominate a single agent for any polling unit or collation centre although it has a governorship candidate and a running mate participating in the election.’’
The statistics provided by INEC revealed that Boot Party was the only party that failed to submits its agents.
Yakubu said that with just a few days to the state election, it was INEC hope that any lingering grey areas would be discussed and addressed at the meeting.
“We will also brief you about the assurances we received from the security agencies and the outcome of our interactive meeting with the Joint Committee of the National Assembly this week.’’
Responding, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Leaonard Nzenwa, said that the council, mindful of the situation in Anambra, had prevailed on its members to maintain highest decorum and play by the rules.
He regretted that it has not yielded the expected result.
“Sadly, the Governorship Candidate for Labour Party, Dr Obiora Abasi, who was kidnaped months ago has not been let off the hook even with millions paid as ransom by his family and well-wishers,’’ he said.
Nzenwa said that the state election had not only been adjudged to be the most costly state election in Nigeria, INEC has also validated it that it had cost it much.
He urged INEC to put its best forward to conduct credible election, while calling for more sensitisation for people of the state to come out to vote in spite of the present worries in the state. (NAN)
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), party stakeholders, and the people of Abia North following his victory in the APC senatorial primary election.
He secured the APC ticket for the 2027 National Assembly election after defeating his challenger, Philip Nto, by a massive margin of 63,548 votes recently.
The former Senate Chief Whip polled 65,651 votes against Nto’s 2,103 votes in the direct primary election conducted across the 57 wards of Abia North Senatorial District.Official figures released by the APC Primary Election Committee showed that out of the 72,028 registered voters, 69,441 members were accredited, while a total of 67,854 votes were cast during the exercise.
In a statement issued on Tuesday on his official media platforms after the declaration of the results, Kalu said he was overwhelmed with gratitude to God and the people for the overwhelming support given to him throughout the process while he described the outcome of the exercise as a humbling reaffirmation of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the party and the people.
“Today, I speak with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God for His grace, mercy, and the privilege of life and service to humanity,” Kalu stated.
“I remain deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in me once again by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as its candidate for the 2027 Abia North Senatorial election.
“I sincerely appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leadership of our great party, APC leaders and stakeholders across Abia State and beyond, members of our political family, the OUK Movement and Reality Organisation, party faithful, and supporters for their steadfast loyalty, encouragement, and belief in our shared vision for Abia North.
“Most importantly, I thank my beloved people of Abia North, the good people of Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Umunneochi. Your love, prayers, support, and trust over the years continue to inspire me. I love you all deeply,” he added.
Reflecting on his journey in the Senate since 2019, Kalu said his representation had focused on giving Abia North a stronger voice at the National Assembly while attracting meaningful development projects to communities across the district.
According to him, his legislative contributions include the sponsorship of over 20 bills targeted at improving governance, security, education, infrastructure, industrialisation, and economic growth in Nigeria.
Among the bills listed by the senator are the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act Amendment Bill, Armed Forces Act Amendment Bill, Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act Amendment Bill, Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Administration of Criminal Justice Act Amendment Bill, National Food Bank Establishment Bill, Tax Crime Commission Bill, NESREA Amendment Bill, and the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill.
He also disclosed that he sponsored constitutional alteration bills aimed at granting concurrent legislative powers on railways and electricity to deepen decentralisation and fast-track national development.
“I have also consistently advocated stronger community policing structures and reforms aimed at improving security and governance at the grassroots level,” Kalu stated.
On infrastructure, the senator said his office had facilitated over 70 road projects spread across the five local government areas of the district through strategic partnerships and effective representation.
Beyond road infrastructure, Kalu highlighted interventions in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, industrialisation, and economic development.
“In the healthcare sector, our mothers, elderly citizens, and vulnerable groups have benefited from free healthcare services through the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.
“In education, we embarked on the renovation and construction of over 100 schools, alongside the distribution of desks, instructional materials, free STEM textbooks, school sandals, and uniforms for pupils across communities.”
The former Abia State governor further revealed that foreign scholarship opportunities and overseas training programmes had also been facilitated for youths and women as part of efforts aimed at sustainable human capital development.
According to him, leadership should be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens and future generations.
“For me, leadership must always be about building a stronger tomorrow for our people. It should be about creating opportunities for the child in Isu, Amanagwu Arochukwu, Ndi Ibe Ohafia, Ndi Inyang Abam, Ezeukwu Bende, Nneato Umunneochi, Uturu in Isuikwuato, and every other community in Abia North to have a brighter future,” he said.
Kalu also pointed to ongoing industrial and investment-driven projects in the district, including the completed Cashew Processing Factory in Igbere, as well as the ongoing Solar Panel Factory and Keke Manufacturing Plant projects, which he said were aimed at creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
He added that thousands of women and youths across the district had benefited from empowerment initiatives involving the distribution of tools, equipment, and support materials to improve livelihoods and encourage self-reliance.
The senator further noted that interventions had equally been carried out in erosion and flood-prone communities within the district to mitigate environmental challenges affecting residents.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Controversy and protests marred Monday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Kogi State, even as former governor Yahaya Bello and other aspirants claimed victory in their respective districts.
Kogi East: Echocho alleges irregularities, threatens 2027 bid
Tensions flared in Kogi East where incumbent Senator Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho, rejected the conduct of the primary.
In a viral video, the visibly agitated senator alleged that election materials and officials were absent in several wards, including his own, and claimed no proper election took place.Echocho accused party officials of bias and alleged that results were “prepared at the Government House before the commencement of the exercise.”
“That result is a nullity, and cannot even be announced,” he said.
The senator further threatened to challenge Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the 2027 governorship race if the senatorial primary outcome did not favor him.
“I am going to contest against you. I have the right. The battle line has been drawn,” Echocho declared.
He maintained that his constituency projects and empowerment programs were meant to strengthen the APC ahead of future elections for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo, and accused the governor of turning against him despite his loyalty to both Ododo and former governor Yahaya Bello.
Other complaints in Kogi west
Another aspirant, Ustaz Abubakar Zakari Ola, also raised concerns before voting began. He alleged plans to intimidate his supporters and claimed that voting was disrupted by thugs in centers where he held an advantage.
High turnout in Bello’s hometown
Despite the disputes, turnout was described as massive across the state’s three senatorial districts.
In Agassa, the hometown of former governor and Kogi Central aspirant Yahaya Bello, supporters voted in large numbers. Bello commended delegates for a peaceful process and praised party officials for adhering to guidelines, calling the exercise a reflection of the APC’s capacity to conduct transparent elections.
Also contesting the Kogi Central ticket are APC Diaspora Secretary and businessman Chief Momoh Obaro, and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke.
Meanwhile Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo participated in the primary at his Upogoro/Odenku Ward polling unit in Okene LGA. The exercise was held under tight security with a large turnout of party members.
Speaking to journalists after voting, Ododo described the process as “peaceful, transparent, and orderly,” saying it reflected the democratic ideals being strengthened within the ruling party.
Official results from the primaries were yet to be announced as of press time. Echocho’s rejection and threats of legal and political action signal potential post-primary battles within Kogi APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has declared support for the re-election bid of the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, Abba Bichi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The governor stated this during the APC affirmation exercise held in Bichi, where Abba Bichi emerged as the party’s sole candidate for the House of Representatives seat.
Yusuf praised the lawmaker for what he described as quality representation and impactful constituency projects across Bichi Federal Constituency.
“I want to commend Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar for his quality representation.
“Since 2023, I have prayed to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to work closely with him, and today we are working together for the development of Bichi and Kano State,” the governor said.
He noted that Abba Bichi’s efforts in youth empowerment and community development had continued to positively impact the lives of the people.
Yusuf also urged residents of Bichi to sustain their support for the lawmaker ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event attracted prominent APC stakeholders and political leaders, including representatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, federal lawmakers and party officials.
The Governor noted that the affirmation in Bichi is second to none across the country in terms of coordination and mass mobilization.
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