Category: Politics and Governance

By Thompson Yamput

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday presented certificates of return to the Kogi Governor-Elect, Usman Ododo and his Deputy, Joel Salifu.

Ododo and Salifu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had won the Nov 11 Off-Cycle Governorship Election in Kogi with 446,237 votes, to beat their closest rivals, Murtala Ajaka and Sam Ranti-Abenemi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that garnered 259,052 votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certificates of return were presented to the duo at at the INEC headquarters in Lokoja, the state capital on Friday, amid jubilation by party members and supporters.

Mr Sani Adam (SAN), the National Electoral Commissioner for Kwara, Niger and Kogi, who presented the certificates to them, congratulated them for emerging victorious in the governorship election.

Presenting the Certificate, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Gabriel Longpet, said the presentation was part of the Commission’s mandate.

Sani said that Ododo and Salifu wete being presented the certificate, for the simple reason that they met the constitutional requirements.

Speaking shortly after receiving his certificate,  Ododo promised the people of Kogi that he would make good his campaign promises to build on the sterling achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

The governor-elect, thanked the people of the state for the overwhelming support given to him during the election.

Ododo described the overwhelming support he enjoyed as a sheer consolidation on the strength and unity of the Kogi.

“My victory at last Saturday’s election is a victory for all. We will run an all inclusive administration, where everyone, irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliation, will be carried along.

“My administration will be committed to sustaining the youth and women empowerment programs of the present administration.

“My resolve to provide employment for our teeming youths and ensure that education occupies the front burner of our administration remains unchanged, ” he said.

The governor-elect, however, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him, Ododo.

Bello, who witnessed the presentation of the certificates of return, urged the people of the state to join hands with Ododo in building a greater Kogi State.

”The election has come and gone and a winner has emerged. I call on the people of the State to work towards the unity and togetherness our administration has achieved,” he said.

NAN

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives has turned back representatives of the Service Chiefs, insisting that the chiefs must appear before it on Nov. 21 as summoned.

The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, said this after receiving the representatives of the chiefs at plenary on Thursday.

Abbas commended the representatives for appearing in the chamber, urging them to convey the message to the Service Chiefs for them to appear on Nov. 21 at 11 a. m.

The House had summoned the service chiefs for a debate on security challenges in the country.

But the lawmakers discovered that the service chiefs failed to attend personally by sending representatives to appear on their behalf.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, rising on constitutional order, said the constitution empowered the House to invite any person, not only for the purpose of investigation but also for dialogue.

He said the service chiefs should have presented themselves before the house and not send representatives.

“It is not satisfactory that they are not here in person. I want to move that these sectoral engagements be suspended until the service chiefs come to address us personally,” he said. .

NAN

By Martins Abochol

The Taraba House of Assembly on Thursday passed the local government elected officials amendment Bill.

Mr Nelson Len, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Jalingo.

Len noted that the bill, after all due process required of by the House,  was passed into law to enable the new set of local government officials expected to be elected on Nov. 18, be binded by the amended law.

According to him, the House amended the administration tenure for local government elected officials which hitherto was designed for three years, to two years.

Len also disclosed that the 10th Assembly had paid the seven years outstanding parliamentary staff allowances as approved by Gov. Agbu Kefas.

“We passed the Bill for the amendment of local government elected officials tenure from three years to two years.

“The Bill has been laying there since the previous administration and since the local government election is coming up on Saturday, 18th November, 2023, we saw it as important to pass the Bill for the incoming officials to be binded by the amended law.

“I wish to also inform you that we have just paid all the seven years outstanding parliamentary staff allowances as approved by Gov. Agbu Kefas.

“I, on behalf of the speaker and members of the Assembly, commend Kefas for his Godly heart toward the welfare of Taraba workers. If there is any staff who has not received his alert by now, I believe is a network issue from his or her Bank,” Len disclosed.

NAN

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) said on Thursday in Lagos that it is not engaging in merger talks with any political party.

This is contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji AbdulRazaq AbdulSalam.

“NNPP is an independent political group as such we stands firm in our commitment to respect all political parties and refuses to engage in merging with any party to combat another.

“Our party values inclusivity and maintains a non-partisan approach.

“It is crucial to note that those engaging the merger talk have been expelled from NNPP, and the party currently faces internal conflicts, pending court resolution.

“Until proven otherwise, these internal matters take precedence,” the NNPP spokesman said.

According to him, the resolution of the NNPP Board of Trustees (BOT) remains that the Abba Kawu- led National Working Committee (NWC) is dissolved and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is expelled from the party.

“While we note the merger proposal, the stance of our party is clear: we are not interested in the merger offer at this point,” AbdulSalam said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crisis within the NNPP started when the NWC of the party loyal to Kwankwaso, announced the suspension of the NNPP founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major on August 24.

Consequently, the National Executive Committee of the party announced the expulsion of Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, following his alleged refusal to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee.

The crisis within the party has continued to fester.

NAN

The incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Douye Diri, has been declared the winner of the State governorship election held last Saturday.

 

The Returning Officer, Prof Faruq Kuta, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Of Technology, Minna, announced Diri winner of the poll at the collation centre of the election on Monday.

 

Diri polled 175,196 to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, who garnered 110,108 votes while the Labour Party polled 905 votes

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: Chief Emma Eneukwu, the Deputy National Chairman South of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has congratulated Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo following his resounding victory in the just-concluded off-season governorship election.

 

Uzodimma (APC), in a governorship election held on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Imo, won with a monumental 540,308 votes to dwarf the votes of other political party candidates that contested in the election, as announced by INEC on Sunday.

 

In a congratulatory message made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday, Eneukwu expressed admiration for Uzodimma’s steadfast commitment, while acknowledging the confidence placed in his leadership by the discerning electorate of Imo.

He lauded the pivotal role played by influential leaders within the APC, particularly those with significant influence nationwide and notably in Southern Nigeria, in ensuring the unequivocal success of the party in the crucial election.

 

The deputy national chairman, however, urged those who did not emerge victorious to gracefully align with Uzodimma’s transformative agenda.

 

According to him, the call is for collective efforts towards a harmonious symphony, resonating across the political spectrum to ensure advancement of Imo State and for all to contribute to the prosperity of the nation.

 

He noted that it was only collective positive efforts that would move Imo forward; as Gov. Uzodimma would engender disruptive innovation and transformation in the state.

 

Quoting Proverbs 16:3; Eneukwu invoked divine guidance for Uzodimma’s stewardship, wishing for an era marked by prosperity, unity and progress for Imo.

 

Eneukwu added that “this congratulatory message sets the tone for a future of progress and collective achievements under the APC’s banner both in Imo State and the entire nation.” (Flowerbudnews)

The Independent National Electoral Commission has adjourned the collation of election results in the Bayelsa State Governorship Elections conducted on November 11, 2023.

 

The adjournment was after the collation of results from three of the eight local government areas in the state namely Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia, and Yenegoa. The remaining local government areas are Brass, Ekeremor, Nembe, Sagbama, and Southern Ijaw.

 

The state Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Of Technology, Minna, Prof Faruq Kuta, adjourned the exercise till 3 pm today.

 

The returning officer said results from the remaining local government areas are being expected.

Governor Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party won all three local government collated so far.

 

Below are the results announced by INEC:

Accredited Voters: 24,171

 

APC: 5,349

 

LP: 22

 

PDP: 18,465

Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State

 

Accredited voters: 36,955

 

APC: 16,319

 

LP: 57

 

PDP: 18,435

 

Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State

 

Accredited voters: 54380

 

APC: 14 534

 

LP: 244

 

PDP: 37 777

 

 

 

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP) in Kogi State has called for the cancellation of results of the November 11th governorship election in the state.

SDP made this call at the gubernatorial election collation centre where the party’s collation agent, David Edibu submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission, calling for the cancellation of results in Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo, Adavi, Ajaokuta Local Government Areas as well as some parts of Lokoja, alleging corrupt practices, vote buying and over voting.

 

He added that agents of the Social Democratic Party were not allowed to get close to the polling units in the local government areas.

The state returning officer, Prof. Johnson Urame received the petitions on behalf of the commission and assured the Social Democratic Party that the petition would be reviewed.

 

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party had said it would key into the petition of the Social Democratic Party.

 

The Collation agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abubakar Mahmood added that the number of malpractices in the said Local Government Areas was alarming.

However, the All Progressives Congress while reacting to the call for cancellation, said the Peoples Democratic Party cannot blame anyone for not bringing agents to the polling units.