Flowerbud News

Tag: Election

  • Enugu South Urban State Constituency re-run election stalled third time

    Enugu South Urban State Constituency re-run election stalled third time

     

    For the third time, rerun-election into the Enugu South Urban Constituency election, has been stalled.

    This is because the PDP Candidate for the election, Chief Sam Ngene and his supporters insisted that his opponent, Mr Bright Ngene (LP) should not be on the ballot.

    In short, Sam Ngene said he should be declared winner of the election.

    He insisted that Ngene is currently in the custodial centre.

    Prior to the re-run, Bright Ngene (LP) had scored over 4,000 votes, while Sam Ngene (PDP) had scored over 2,000 votes but court ordered a re-run within eight wards.

    Apart from insisting that Ngene should not be on the ballot, having been incarcerated over a communal crisis, Sam Ngene accused the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji of meddlesomeness.

    He pointedly accused the Minister who came with the Senator representing Enugu East, Sen. Kelvin Chukwu and Rep. Chimobi Atu, member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, to the venue, of flooding the place with thugs.

    But reacting to Sam Ngene ‘s accusation that he brought thugs and should not have been seen around, Nnaji insisted that he ought to be there because he is a minister representing Enugu State and the same time, an agent of his party, APC, for the election.

    “There is no way anybody can say the minister of the Federal Government representing a state stormed into the venue of election. Is it not laughable? So, that will show you the level of their intelligence.

    “This place does not have to be my Constituency. I am the leader of APC in the state. On that basis, I am the polling unit agent of the APC here, you can see my tag. I am here rightfully.

    ” Anybody that is saying that I am not supposed to be here lacks understanding.”

    Denying that he did not come with any thugs, Nnaji said: “I don’t go with hoodlums, I carry police men, army, DSS. These are people that are friendly to the public. These are people that are mandated by law to protect lives and property. That is what I use.

    “The message is that there is no way they can win this election. What is expected of their leader in the state is to throw in the towel.

    “What happened in the governorship election will not happen and it is not going to happen in this election. The normal thing is that after an election, they find a way to turn it around.

    “Nobody can turn this one. We’ll keep coming here. If they don’t finish, we’ll be coming. If the don’t finish today, we’ll stay here till tomorrow,” he declared.

    However, Chief Sam Ngene (PDP) insisted that the minister should not have come to the venue of the election at all.

    “My name is Sam Ngene and I am the PDP candidate for this election. The truth is that if you look properly, there is a strong mobilisation for this election.

    “We are here as PDP to conduct this election because we know that this is my stronghold, this is my ward and my polling unit. It is one of the places that had this problem.

    “But the truth is that on the first time, second time and even, now you can see that there are infiltrators..

    “They should do the needful. The Constitution is very clear on this matter. If you are convicted or if you are an ex- convict, you cannot stand for any election. You cannot even vote. You have lost your freedom completely,” he said, pointing out the best option is to declare him winner.

    Before everybody dispersed in the evening around 4pm, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, had pleaded that the election should be allowed to hold but to no avail.

    He pleaded with both parties to allow peace to reign having come to conduct the same election on two different occasions.

    “So the members of the public, the people of Enugu, I am pleading with all of you to kindly allow us to conclude this process today. This is my prayer, all of us let us behave ourselves, whether you are whatever, from any rank you have in society. This is the fourth time we are coming for this election. I am pleading with you. I don’t know why this place is even crowded. It is not supposed to be , so I am pleading with you, I am begging who is who in Enugu State let us not cause problem in this election. Please that is my prayer and that is my request,” he pleaded.

  • 2026: Osun PDP caucus vows to follow Gov Adeleke, as defection looms

    2026: Osun PDP caucus vows to follow Gov Adeleke, as defection looms

     

    The caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has pledged to follow Governor Ademola Adeleke in any political direction.

    This resolution was reached during a meeting of the party’s stakeholders held on Saturday at the Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo.

     

    The gathering included representatives from all arms of the party and government.

     

    A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting stated, “The PDP state leadership resolved to follow Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke wherever he goes.”

     

    The caucus, while acknowledging ongoing consultations by the Governor, affirmed its unwavering support for his leadership, passing a vote of confidence in him.

     

    “The leaders, who praised the Governor’s leadership and performance in office, mandated him to continue consultations with all stakeholders locally and nationally,” the communiqué added.

  • BREAKING: APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje Resigns

    BREAKING: APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje Resigns

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has reportedly resigned from his position, effective immediately.

    According to TVC sources, Ganduje, a former Governor of Kano State, cited health reasons for his decision, stating that he needs to focus on his well-being.

    More details later…

  • CSO urges credible LG elections, decries corruption

    CSO urges credible LG elections, decries corruption

     

    Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Nigeria has called for credible electoral processes at the local government level to enable the election of competent representatives capable of addressing grassroots needs.

    The Resident Representative of KAS Nigeria, Ms Marija Peran, made the call at a one-day dialogue on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The dialogue, organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with KAS, had the theme: “Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Effects of Corruption and Inefficiency on Good Governance”.

    Peran, represented by the KAS Programme Manager, Mr Samson Adeniran, identified corruption and inefficiency as major obstacles to effective local governance.

    She said addressing these issues required not only institutional reforms but also a collective commitment to integrity and accountability at all levels.

    She added that the way local government elections are conducted determines the level of autonomy councils enjoy.

    “Electoral processes must enable genuine representation, allowing competent leadership to emerge free from undue external influence.

    “Without credible and fair elections, local governance risks becoming an extension of centralised control instead of an independent structure responsive to the grassroots,” she said.

    She also called for constitutional and legislative reforms that would safeguard local government independence while ensuring strong accountability frameworks.

    Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, said financial autonomy for local governments had not translated into good governance due to political interference and weak institutions.

    He said in many states, local governments functioned as extensions of state executive power, with local officials accountable to governors instead of the people.

    “Appointments, elections, budget allocations and contract awards are often dictated by state actors.

    “The practice of replacing elected councils with unelected caretaker committees, sometimes for years, is a breach of the Constitution.

    “These actions undermine democracy and hinder development at the grassroots,” he said.

    Rafsanjani also called for scrutiny of joint state-local government accounts, describing them as channels for siphoning public funds.

    “Without transparency, autonomy remains symbolic,” he said.

    Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, said state-level influence had led to structural and operational weaknesses in local governance.

    He said although Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution recognises local governments as a democratic tier, challenges persist.

    Aliyu noted that unqualified individuals were often appointed as chairmen and councillors, weakening service delivery.

    “Inadequate electoral processes fail to produce credible leaders, and this opens the door for corruption,” he said.

    Also speaking, a professor of economic history and lawyer, Prof. Adetunji Ogunyemi of Obafemi Awolowo University, said the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, had granted local governments fiscal autonomy.

    “Local governments can no longer claim they are financially constrained by state governments.

    “They now have full autonomy to pursue their budgets and operate independently,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Governor Adeleke Votes as Controversial Osun State LG Election Holds

    JUST IN: Governor Adeleke Votes as Controversial Osun State LG Election Holds

     

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has cast his vote in the controversial local government election currently taking place across the state.

    The buildup to the Saturday election was marked by rising tension between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Trouble began after a recent Court of Appeal judgment overturned the sack of local government chairmen and councillors, who were originally removed by a Federal High Court ruling in November 2022.

    The crisis can be dated back to the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, under whom the sacked officials were elected. Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo had declared their election invalid in 2022.

    However, the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal reversed that decision on February 10, 2025, reinstating the officials. Following the court ruling, APC members attempted to reclaim their offices, leading to violent clashes with PDP supporters. These clashes resulted in the deaths of at least six party members earlier in the week.

    Despite the Court of Appeal judgment, Governor Adeleke pushed forward with the election, drawing criticism from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. In a statement released on Thursday, the AGF warned Governor Adeleke against conducting the election, labelling it a violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

    According to Fagbemi, the term of the reinstated chairmen and councillors remains valid until October 2025, making any election held before then “invalid and unconstitutional.” “Any election conducted under the current circumstances would not only be null and void but would also undermine the authority of the judiciary and the Constitution of Nigeria,” the AGF stated.

    Despite the AGF’s warning, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa ruled on Friday that the election should proceed as scheduled. Justice A. Aderigbigbe, who presided over the case, held that the 30 local government areas in the state currently have vacant leadership positions, as previously declared by the Federal High Court.

    The court directed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct the election and ordered security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), to provide adequate security throughout the process.

    The police, however, backed out of the polls on Friday, citing security measures and legal implications.

    Governor Adeleke, after casting his vote in his hometown of Ede, expressed confidence in the process and urged residents to maintain peace during the exercise.

  • Police Service Commission Reports Vote Buying, Commends Security Performance in Ondo Governorship Election.

    Police Service Commission Reports Vote Buying, Commends Security Performance in Ondo Governorship Election.

     

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has acknowledged incidents of vote buying at some polling centers during the Ondo State governorship election, held on Saturday.

    In its interim report, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani expressed concern over the persistence of vote buying in Nigerian elections. “There were reports of pockets of vote buying in some voting centers, which have unfortunately become a recurring issue in the country’s electoral process,” Ani stated.

    Despite this, the PSC commended the overall performance of security personnel deployed during the election, particularly the police.

    “The Commission expressed satisfaction with the performance of security officers, who arrived at voting centers on time and carried out their duties with civility, firmness, and professionalism,” Ani noted.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, overseeing the election’s security management, was praised for seamless deployment of personnel across the state.

    He was supported by senior officers, including AIG Benneth Igwe, Ondo State Commissioner of Police Abayomi Oladipo Peter, and CP Olatunji Disu of the Federal Capital Territory.

    PSC monitors reported that the election security was “generally credible and above average,” with commendations from the Civil Society Situation Room, which also praised the PSC for its proactive oversight of police conduct.

    The PSC’s observations underscore both the progress in security management during elections and the continuing challenge of addressing vote buying in Nigeria’s democratic process.

  • APC Wins Akpabio LG As PDP Wins 30 Seats In A’Ibom Council Polls

    APC Wins Akpabio LG As PDP Wins 30 Seats In A’Ibom Council Polls

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the 30 seats at the Local Government and Area Council elections in Akwa Ibom State.

    The remaining slot in the local government area of the current senate President, Godswill Akpabio was won by a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    In a list signed and stamped by the Executive Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission Akwa Ibom, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak on Sunday, the PDP 30 seats out of the 31 LG seats in the State.

    The state electoral commission gave the breakdown of the winners as:

    1 Aniefiok Isaac Nkom (Ikot Ekpene)

    2 Sunday Festus Akpan (Oruk Anam)

    3 Utibe Thomas Nwoko (Ika)
    4 Akaninyene Tommey Ikott (Eket)
    5 Ime Effiong Charles (Abak)
    6 Inibehe Monday Umah (Ini)
    7 Otobong Okon Essien (Ikono)
    8 Okon Asukwo Enweme (Oron)
    9 George Okon Henshaw (Okobo)
    10 Prince Uyo Ukpanah (Ukanatun)
    11 Uwemedimo Udo (Uyo)
    12 Usoro Ntiedo Effiong (Esssien Udim)
    13 Otobong S.Aaron (Nsit Ibom)
    14 Simon Domic Akpan (Obot Akara)
    15 Ime Williamson Essien (Ikot Abasi)
    16 Edidiong Joseph Inyang (IbesikpoAsutan)
    17 Iniobong Ekpenyong (Uruan)
    18 Uduak Ikott (Esit Eket)
    19 Alfred Akpan Charles (Nsit Ubium)
    20 Gideon L. Uwa (Etim Ekpo)
    21 Emmanuel John Inyang (Mkpat Enin)
    22 Ubong Willson Nkutt (Itu)
    23 Glory Ekah Effiong (Ibeno)
    24 |Uno Etim Uno (Urue Offong/ Oruko)
    25 Anthony Effiong Nyong (Nsit Atai)
    26 Sunday Okon Etim (Mbo)
    27 Samuel Ntegwuijah (Eastern Obolo)
    28 Godwin Okponung (Udung Uko)
    29 Uko Friday Umoh (Etinan)
    30 Kufre Okon Umoren (Onna)

    Also, the elected LG will be sworn in by the governor on Monday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.

    According to the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the swearing in will commence 8.am on Monday.

    He said: “Following the successful conclusion of the election of officers into the Executive and Legislative arms of the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno will swear-in the Chairmen-elect and their Vice on Monday, 7th October, 2024 by 8 a.m. at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.

    “The Chairmen will thereafter inaugurate the Legislative Councils in their various Local Government Areas.

     

  • Enugu Polls: ENSIEC presents certificate of return to 17 chairmen-elect

    Enugu Polls: ENSIEC presents certificate of return to 17 chairmen-elect

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has presented certificate of return to 17 chairmen-elect in the just-concluded 2024 Enugu State Local Government Polls held on Sept. 21, 2024.

    It would be recalled that ENSIEC had declared candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the state’s 17 chairmanship and 260 political ward councilorship positions on Sunday, Sept. 22, and on Monday, Sept. 23, respectively.

     

    Presenting the certificates on Tuesday in Enugu, the Chairman of ENSIEC, Prof. Christian Ngwu, congratulated the chairmen-elect.

    Ngwu said that issuance of the certificate of return was a necessary statutory document needed to be presented to the winners.

     

    “I congratulate you all for the success recorded and wish you well in your tenure as helmsmen in your various council areas,” he said.

     

    Responding, one of the Chairmen-elect at the polls, Chief Chijioke Ezugwu, appreciated Gov. Peter Mbah, the PDP and the people for coming out en masse to vote for the state ruling party candidates in a poll devoid of violence or rancour.

    Ezugwu, who is the Chairman-elect of Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, said that he would toll the path of the developmental strides of Gov. Mbah.

    According to him, I will bring people-oriented developmental programmes and projects to Uzo Uwani council area just as our father, Gov. Peter Mbah, is currently doing in the state.

     

    He said that since his council area is agrarian in nature, he would expand the current livelihood and empowerment of his people through agriculture and synergy with state and Federal Governments on agro-allied and agro-industrialisation schemes/initiatives.

    “I want to work closely with the state and Federal Governments, empower my people and ensure that the council area’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) move up to the first three positions before the end of my first tenure.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected. I want my people to feel the positive impact of governance as I intend to live with them and share in their happiness and development,” Ezugwu, who is a lawyer, said.

  • Edo Election: PSM lauds professional conduct of police, DIG Mba

    Edo Election: PSM lauds professional conduct of police, DIG Mba

     

    The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a pan-African Socialist Movement, has lauded the professional conduct of officers of the Nigeria Police deployed for Edo Governorship Election.

    The movement, which is a non-governmental organisation, specifically commended Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba, for his forthrightness and patriotic role in the Edo Governorship Election conducted on Saturday, Sept. 21.

     

    The President of PSM, Amb. Bestman Okereafor, gave the commendation in Enugu on Sunday while speaking to newsmen on observable positive security development during and after the election.

     

    According to Okereafor, the attention of PSM has been drawn to the Edo State Gubernatorial Election and sterling conduct of Nigeria Police officers and men.

     

    “PSM wish to commend the professional conduct of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force before, during and after the election process.

     

    “Most importantly, the unbiased conduct of DIG Frank Mba.

    “Mba has once again proven his continuous zeal, dedication and passion towards enhancing equality and social justice aimed at further enhancing National Security.

     

    “This is in line with IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s commitment towards ensuring a just society devoid of oppression, favoritism or nepotism,” he said.

     

    The PSM boss called on aggrieved political actors to seek redress in the court of law.

     

    He advised the people of Edo to remain steadfast, law abiding and peaceful.

     

    “PSM hope that INEC will uphold the principle of transparency in ensuring that the legitimate votes of electorate count without any influence,” he said.

     

    In another development, Okereafor urged Nigerians, Africans and the global citizens to join hands in promoting unity and cooperation.

     

    Speaking on the commemoration of the International Peace Day held on Sept. 21, PSM called on citizens to shun and devoid all forms of racial discrimination, ethnicity bigotry and religious fanaticism.

     

    “We must all strive to acknowledge our huge differences and chat a way forward towards a harmonious and peaceful society.

     

    “Yes though tribe and tongues may differ in brotherhood we must stand as a people,” he said.