The Independent National Electoral Commission has opened the collation centre for the gubernatorial election in Kogi State.
Collation was earlier announced to start by 10 a.m. on Sunday but had to be delayed due to rigorous screening of accredited media houses and Civil Society Organisations.
There is a heavy security presence within and around the collation centre with various political party agents.
Hope Uzodimma, the incumbent, and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared the winner of Imo State governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Returning Officer for Imo State, Prof Abayomi Fashina, announced Uzodimma as the winner.
According to the INEC’s state collation and returning officer, Abayomi Fasina, the candidate of the APC, Uzodimma got 540,308 votes.
According to the INEC’s state collation and returning officer, Abayomi Fasina, the candidate of the APC, Uzodimma got 540,308 votes.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who came second, polled a total vote of 71,503.
While that of the Labour Party, LP, Senator Athan Achonu came third position with a total number of 64,081 votes.
Meanwhile, below are the results from the 27 local government areas of Imo State as won by Hope Uzodimma:
Njaba LGA
Accredited Voters – 12,098
APC – 8,110
LP – 995
PDP – 2,404
Valid votes – 11,736
Total votes – 12,030
Owerri North LGA
Registered voters – 134,555
Accredited voters – 18,398
APC – 8,536
LP – 4,386
PDP – 3,449
Valid votes – 17,440
Total votes cast – 18,016
Nwangele LGA
Registered voters – 55,535
Accredited voters – 33,259
APC – 29,282
LP – 895
PDP – 2,132
Valid votes – 32,597
Votes cast – 32,959
Owerri Municipal LGA
Registered voters – 134,169
Accredited voters – 11,110
APC – 5,324
LP – 2,914
PDP – 2,180
Valid votes – 10,813
Votes cast – 11,054
Orsu LGA
Accredited voters – 19,139
APC – 18,003
LP – 813
PDP – 624
Valid votes 19,589
Votes cast 19,795
Okigwe LGA
Registered voters – 75,410
Accredited voters – 63,935
APC – 55,585
LP – 2,655
PDP – 1,688
Valid votes – 62,970
Total votes cast – 63,935
Ideato South LGA
Registered voters – 79,361
Accredited voters – 21,935
APC – 16,891
LP – 1,649
PDP – 2,469
Valid votes – 21,370
Total votes cast – 21,650
Onuimo LGA
Registered voters – 36,717
Accredited voters – 18,405
APC – 13,434
LP – 1,753
PDP – 2,676
Valid votes – 18,240
Total votes cast – 18,276
Ngor-Okpala LGA
Registered voters – 102,048
Accredited voters – 22,111
APC – 14,143
LP – 2,7
16
PDP – 3,451
Valid votes – 21,492
Total votes cast – 22,003
Oru East LGA
Registered voters – 85,080
Accredited voters – 74,324
APC – 67,315
LP – 3,443
PDP – 2,202
Valid votes – 74,286
Total votes cast – 74,290
Isu LGA
Registered voters – 55,203
Accredited voters – 15,974
APC – 11,312
LP – 1,253
PDP – 2,508
Valid votes – 15,776
Total votes cast – 15,932
Ahiazu Mbaise LGA
Registered voters – 98,887
Accredited voters – 16,097
APC – 8,369
LP – 2,214
PDP – 3,507
Valid votes – 15,353
Total votes cast – 15,878
Nkwerre LGA
Registered voters – 59,926
Accredited voters – 26,993
APC – 22,488
LP – 1,320
PDP – 2,632
Valid votes – 26,764
Total votes cast – 26,906
Aboh Mbaise LGA
Registered voters – 111,207
Accredited voters – 16,084
APC – 9,638
LP – 2,455
PDP – 1,724
Valid votes – 15,415
Total votes cast – 15,790
Owerri West LGA
Registered voters – 140,242
Accredited voters – 16,296
APC – 9,205
LP – 2,597
PDP – 3,305
Valid votes – 15,712
Total votes cast – 16,223
Isiala Mbano LGA
Registered voters – 99,076
Accredited voters – 15,911
APC – 10,860
LP – 2,419
PDP – 1,659
Valid votes – 15,202
Total votes cast – 15,531
Obowo LGA
Registered voters – 68,690
Accredited voters – 22,214
APC – 17,514
LP – 3,404
PDP – 712
Total valid votes – 21,907
Total votes cast – 22,171
Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA
Registered voters – 91,272
Accredited – 16,971
APC – 8,473
LP – 3,332
PDP – 2,737
Valid votes – 16,282
Oguta LGA
Registered voters – 95,152
Accredited voters – 64,260
APC – 5,7310
LP – 1,941
PDP – 26,53
Valid votes – 63,675
Total votes cast – 63,947
Ikeduru LGA
Registered voters – 119,987
Accredited voters – 33,662
APC – 22,356
LP – 1,377
PDP – 7,258
Valid votes – 32,183
Total votes cast – 32,712
Ehime Mbano LGA
Registered voters – 79,212
Accredited voters – 13,027
APC – 6,632
LP – 4,958
PDP – 681
Valid votes – 12,484
Total votes cast – 12,782
Orlu LGA
Registered voters – 103,223
Accredited voters – 49,229
APC – 37,614
LP – 2,424
PDP – 3,690
Valid votes – 48,027
Total votes cast – 48,386
Ohaji Egbema LGA
Registered voters – 107,456
Accredited – 21,366
APC – 14,962
LP – 1,506
PDP – 3,694
Valid votes – 20,755
Total votes cast – 21,249
Ideato North LGA
Registered voters – 86,905
Accredited v
oters – 9,609
APC – 5,271
LP – 1,522
PDP – 2,062
Valid votes – 9,161
Total votes cast – 9,550
Ihitte Uboma LGA
Registered voters – 52,108
Accredited voters – 17,537
APC – 11,099
LP – 2,766
PDP – 3,077
Valid votes – 17,358
Total votes cast – 17,537
Mbaitoli LGA
Registered voters – 153,283
Accredited Voters – 24,186
APC – 12,556
LP – 4,007
PDP – 5,343
Valid votes 23,014
Total votes cast 23,986
Oru West LGA
Accredited voters 42,965
APC – 38,026
LP – 1,867
PDP – 987
Total valid votes – 41,373
Total votes cast – 42,318
Collation of the results of the governorship election held in the state on Saturday will start by 10 a.m. on Sunday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission in Kogi State, Dr. Gabriel Longpet, has said.
Longpet disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lokoja.
Recall the Saturday governorship election in Kogi was held across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
But the electoral body reports of electoral malpractices were received from its officials in the state.
According to INEC, the incident of pre-filled result sheets was a major issue, leading to the decision to suspend elections in some wards.
The places where pre-filled results were recorded include Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas.
INEC said that the most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of the 10 registration areas.
The Commission, in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee, said, “This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted.
“The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended.
“The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours,” it said.
By Naomi Sharang
Elder statesman Edwin Clark has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged irregularities reported in the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections held on Saturday.
Clark, who made the call when a group, South-South Diamond Ladies paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, said alleged discovery of completed result sheets with names of voters and so on was very unfortunate.
Clark, who is also the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) said that for INEC to redeem its image from the fallout of the 2023 general elections, the commission must investigate alleged irregularities reported in the three states.
“This is an election to give the INEC the opportunity to redeem itself. Discovering completed result sheets with names of voters is very unfortunate.
“INEC should investigate and make a public statement on this issue otherwise, they will be condemned as we did in the last general elections. I still believe the election will be free and fair to a greater extent.
“The elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi. I think INEC should redeem its image.
“What happened in the last election was very disappointing because if you say that you are going to use technology, you must use it because you provide it in your guideline and in the electoral law.
“INEC should redeem its image Because without an effective, honest
INEC, we are in trouble because democracy will not work in this country.”
He also appreciated the group for the visit, advising them to continue to participate in the affairs of the country for the development of Nigeria.
Earlier, the President of the group, Victoria Egelege, said the South-South Diamond Ladies was an association of the Niger Delta women aimed at providing social, educational and economic empowerment to women and children.
“We also aim at safeguarding the rights of the children and provide for the wellbeing of children who are exposed to any form of abuse.”
Egelege, who described Clark as a nation-builder with the interest of every Nigerian at heart, irrespective of geopolitical zones, also presented to him a merit award and bestowed upon him the position of Grand Patron of the group.
NAN
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the suspension of election in some parts of Kogi State.
The Commission said it received reports from its officials in the State on incidences of electoral malpractices.
According to the INEC, the incident of result sheets completed before voting was a major issue leading to the decision.
The places, according to the Commission, include Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas.
INEC said that the most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.
“This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted,” the Commission said in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee
The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended.
“The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours,” it said
Yenagoa: Sorting and counting of votes have commenced in many polling units in Bayelsa after voting in the governorship election ended at 2.30pm.
At PU 10, Agric Meeting Hall, Attissa 1, Yenagoa, the voting process ended at 2.30pm while sorting of ballot papers commenced at 2.35pm in the presence of party agents and security personnel.
It was also ongoing at PU 05 Government House Agric, Attissa 1 Ward as at 2.55pm, and PU 047, Afin-Aken Play Ground III, Onopa, Attissa 1 Ward as at 3.02 pm.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sorting of votes commenced at 3.07 pm at PU 016 Fakulu Primary School (West), Epie lll Ward, while sorting was concluded at PU 035, Ekeki Central Motor Park, Epie lll Ward, where recording of the result was ongoing.
Also at Fankien l and ll/Corpers Lodge Road, Epie lll WaWard Yenagoa, the sorting and counting had been concluded, while result was been uploaded to INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) as at 3.21pm.
The PU Assistant Presiding Officer at the polling unit, Richmond Awipi, told NAN they had successfully uploaded the unit’s election results to the IReV. (NAN)(www.nannews)/ Flowerbudnews
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, urged a Federal High Court, Abuja not to grant the ex-parte motion filed by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led Labour Party (LP), seeking to replace the party’s governorship candidate in Imo.
INEC, in its affidavit to show cause pursuant to the court order, told Justice Inyang Ekwo that the plaintiffs’ suit was statue barred.
The commission’s counsel, Adenike Adedeji, while adopting the application, said the electoral umpire filed the affidavit on Nov. 9 in reaction to the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1357/2023 which was filed on Nov. 6.
She urged the court to dismiss the motion as the subject matter of the plaintiffs’ case was pre-electoral which ought to have been filed 14 days after the actual
cause of action.
Adedeji, who argued that the case was statue barred, said the court lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine same.
Recall that an Executive Officer in the Litigation Department of INEC, Mohammed Shagari, who deposed to the affidavit, said LP submitted Athan Achonu’s name and particulars as its candidate for Nov. 11 governorship poll on May 26.
He said the electoral umpire duly published Achonu’s particulars as required by law.
Shagari averred that the present case filed in November was statute barred.
“It will not serve the interest of justice to grant the reliefs sought,” he said.
But counsel to the plaintiffs, Anderson Asemota, who held the brief of Mohammed Mohammed, SAN, disagreed with Adedeji.
Asemota, while adopting the further affidavit he deposed to, argued that LP, the 1st plaintiff in the suit, only submitted to INEC Chief Joseph Ukaegbu (7th plaintiff)’s name as its authentic candidate that emerged from the April 16 primaries.
He said Achonu’s name was neither submitted to INEC by the LP nor was the name declared to be the party’s candidate of the April 16 primaries and by virtue of the judgment of Owerri Federal High Court.(FHC), which affirmed the primary conducted by Apapa faction as being valid.
Besides, he said the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court affirmed the Owerri court judgment which also declared Apapa and Alhaji Lawal Saleh as acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary of the LP respectively.
The lawyer, who said the commission treated the judgments of the courts with ignominy, stated that the court had the duty to protect the judgments and should not allow its orders to be treated with disdain and impunity.
Okwudili Anozie and Kehinde Edun announced appearances as lawyers to parties interested to be joined in the matter.
Anozie represented Achonu, Edun, who was said to be the National Legal Adviser of Julius Abure-led LP, said the plaintiffs were not authorise to file the case.
Justice Ekwo, however, declined to grant their application for joinder.
The judge had, earlier declined to grant the motion ex-parte brought to stop Achonu from being the party’s standard bearer for Saturday’s governorship election.
Rather, the court ordered the plaintiffs to put INEC, the sole defendant in the suit, on notice to show cause why the reliefs should not be granted.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Ekwo said he had perused and noted the issues canvassed by the parties.
He said the essence of making an order for a party to show cause “is to prevent a situation where the court is led upon hearing only one side to make an order that Is not only contrary to reason but damages the course of justice and exposes the very essence of jurisprudence to damning reprobation.”
“Therefore, an order to show cause Is a cautionary step in procedural law which enables the court to halt proceeding on the ex parte application in order obtain more information from the defendant to an urgent application of the plaintiff to enable the court to come to justifiable decision on the merit of the prayers made in the ex parte.”
The judge, therefore, held that the instant case had become a contentious matter that ought to be heard and determined on the merit upon considering the averments in the applications filed by the parties.
“In our jurisprudence, ex-parte application and affidavit to show cause are not proper processes designed to be employed to determine contentious issues,” he said.
According to him, the averments of the plaintiffs in their ex-parte application having been controverted by the defendant, it is only proper for the matter to be determined on the merit of the substantive case.
Justice Ekwo, who refused the prayers in the ex-parte motion, ordered accelerated hearing in the matter.
He adjourned the matter until Nov. 23 for hearing.
“Parties are hereby ordered to file and exchange relevant processes at least 7 days before the next date of hearing case.
“This shall be the order of this court,” he declared.
NAN reports that the plaintiffs include LP; Alhaji Apapa (Acting National Chairman); Alhaji Lawal Saleh (Acting National Secretary) and Comrade Abayomi Arabambi (National Publicity Secretary).
Others are Comrade Anslem Eragbe (National Youth Leader); Barr. Akingbade Oyelekan (National Legal Adviser) and Chief Joseph Ikechukwu Ukaegbu (Gubernatorial candidate, Imo State) as 1st to 7th plaintiffs respectively.
The plaintiffs, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1357/2023, sued INEC as sole defendant.
They had sought an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from “recognising any other person or persons laying claim to the LP gubernatorial ticket in Imo governorship election slated for 11th November, 2023 other than the plaintiff (Ukaegbu) who emerged from the primary conducted by the Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led National Working Committee (NWC) of LP on April 16.
They also sought an order of mandatory injunction directing or compelling INEC to recognise, upload and publish Ukaegbu’s name as LP governorship candidate in Imo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously with this ex-parte application.
They equally sought an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to upload Apapa and Saleh’s names as the acting national chairman and acting national secretary, including other Apapa-led NWC members, pending the pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously with this ex-parte application
By Flowerbudnews
Enugu: The Deputy National Chairman South of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emma Eneukwu, has appealed to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its recent actions, which have raised concerns about the organization’s alignment with partisan politics.
“This is at the expense of its primary mission – safeguarding the welfare of its members,” Eneukwu said in a statement in Enugu on Thursday.
He acknowledged the NLC’s historical role as a champion for workers’ rights and interests.
However, he expressed apprehension regarding recent activities that have disrupted movements across the nation, suggesting that the NLC may be straying from its core responsibilities as a labour union.
According to him, it is imperative that the NLC maintains its fundamental role as a protector of workers’ rights and wellbeing.
“Engaging in partisan politics under the guise of a labour movement distracts from the NLC’s genuine mission and, more importantly, may not be in the best interests of the nation,” he said.
The APC deputy national chairman urged the NLC to refocus its energy and resources on issues of paramount importance, such as advocating for fair wages, workplace safety, and social security.
“These are issues that profoundly impact the lives of the Nigerian workers that the NLC represents,” he said.
Eneukwu also condemned the recent acts of blocking airports in the name of protests while campaigning for candidates in political parties.
He noted that this is a double standard that could only lead to problems for the nation, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and equitable expression of grievances.
“The APC remains open to collaboration with the NLC to address labour-related challenges and advance the collective welfare of Nigerian workers.
“It is their belief that by adopting a non-partisan stance and refocusing on the welfare of its members, the NLC can more effectively serve its constituents and contribute to the overall development of the nation.
“The call is clear: refocus on the welfare of its members and ensure that protests are conducted in a manner that upholds the values of democracy and justice.
“The future direction of the NLC and its impact on the nation remain topics of significant interest and concern.”(Flowerbudnews)
Abuja: A Federal High Court, Abuja, has declined to grant a motion ex-parte brought by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) to stop Athan Achonu as governorship candidate of the Saturday’s election in Imo.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, refused to grant the prayer of the plaintiffs for an order of interim injunction recognising their candidate, Chief Joseph Ukaegbu, as validly elected standard bearer of the party.
The development followed an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the plaintiffs, Mohammed Mohammed, SAN, to the effect.
Rather, the judge directed Mohammed to put the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is the sole defendant, on notice.
“I am going to allow you to adopt it (the motion) but I will not grant it.
“I am not granting you the application today as you have to bring them to court.
“Let it be that they have been served and they are not in court,” the judge said.
According to Justice Ekwo, I have studied the prayers on the motion ex-parte and also studied the averments in support.
“I am of the opinion that I need to hear from the defendant (INEC) before making further Order on the motion,” he said, adjourning the matter until Friday for INEC to show cause.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiffs include LP; Alhaji Apapa (Acting National Chairman); Alhaji Lawal Saleh (Acting National Secretary) and Comrade Abayomi Arabambi (National Publicity Secretary).
Others are Comrade Anslem Eragbe (National Youth Leader); Barr. Akingbade Oyelekan (National Legal Adviser) and Chief Joseph Ikechukwu Ukaegbu (Gubernatorial candidate, Imo State) as 1st to 7th plaintiffs respectively.
The plaintiffs, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1357/2023, sued INEC as sole defendant.
They had sought an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from “recognising any other person or persons laying claim to the LP gubernatorial ticket in Imo governorship election slated for 11th November, 2023 other than the plaintiff (Ukaegbu) who emerged from the primary conducted by the Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led National Working Committee (NWC) of LP on April 16.
They also sought an order of mandatory injunction directing or compelling INEC to recognise, upload and publish Ukaegbu’s name as LP governorship candidate in Imo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously with this ex-parte application.
They equally sought an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to upload Apapa and Saleh’s names as the acting national chairman and acting national secretary, including other Apapa-led NWC members, pending the pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously with this ex-parte application.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/Flowerbudnews