Imo Guber: How INEC Declared APC’s Hope Uzodimma Winner
Governor Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the November 11, 2023, Imo State governorship election, as officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The announcement was made by Prof Abayomi Fashina, the state Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, following over eight hours of meticulous collation of local government results, culminating in a confirmation of Uzodimma’s re-election at around 10 am on a Sunday morning. Uzodimma’s political journey in Imo State began with a significant twist when, in January 2020, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring Uzodimma as the governor. However, this turn of events seemingly intensified political tensions, leading to increased opposition against Uzodimma. The state faced challenges, including a security phenomenon characterized by “unknown gunmen,” abductions, and persistent Monday sit-at-home protests organized by pro-secessionist groups. In the recent election, Uzodimma faced formidable opponents, including Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP, Nneji Achonu of the Labour Party (LP)l;l, and Jack Ogunewe of the Action Alliance (AA), alongside 14 other contenders. Despite the competitive field, the APC candidate secured a resounding victory with 540,308 votes. His closest rivals, Anyanwu and Achonu, garnered 71,503 and 64,081 votes, respectively. This electoral outcome solidifies Uzodimma’s position as the re-elected governor and further shapes the political landscape in Imo State.
INEC Suspends Voting Activities In 9 Wards Of Ogori/Magongo LGA, Kogi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended elections in nine wards of Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State. INEC’s National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Kudu Haruna confirmed the suspension in a Saturday statement. According to him, the move is due to reported cases “of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting”. “This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted,” INEC’s statement read. “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.” The electoral umpire said in the wake of the reported malpractice said it would probe the incidences and fish out those “who may have been complicit in undermining the process”. “We have a record of all officials deployed at various levels as supervisors, monitors, technical staff, or polling unit officials and all election materials issued to them. Appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary,” it assured. “The Commission assures voters in Kogi State that their votes are protected, and their wishes will be respected,” the statement concluded.
Imo Poll: Labour Party Demands Voiding Votes In Violence-Affected Polling Units
Athan Achonu, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel votes from polling units affected by violence. Speaking after casting his vote in Umunumo hamlet, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Achonu emphasized the need for transparency in conducting elections, stating that canceling affected units is the only viable solution. Expressing concern over reported violence, he decried the assault on party agents and characterized the situation as a departure from democratic norms, vowing to resist such disruptions for the sake of upholding true democracy and ensuring good governance. “There is no other alternative than to cancel it so that every person will come there and watch it conducted. “They beat up so many of our agents. We are sad, we are going to upload some of their pictures. This is crazy, this is what our democracy has come to. “But we are resisting. Can’t you see the people here? They will not allow it. I hope it is the same thing going on everywhere so that we can have proper democracy and bring in good governance,” he stated.
Bayelsa Guber: Security Agents Aiding PDP, Sylva Alleges
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 governorship poll in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and security agents of harassing his supporters. Sylva spoke on Saturday after he cast his vote at Ward 4, Unit 4 in the Brass Local Government Area of the South-South state.The APC candidate fingered security agents “especially the Army”, alleging that they are “playing on the side of the PDP”. Sylva said violence has been recorded in Yenagoa, the state capital, alleging that an APC member was shot.He wondered why large polling units where he is popular were being targeted.“There is a lot of violence from the PDP trying to molest our voters with security (agents),” Sylva said. In fact, in some cases, it is believed by our people that we are running election, not against PDP, but against security (agents) but we are containing it.” The APC candidate, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying “There is a lot of improvement on the part of INEC but there is still room for improvement.” Sylva was first Bayelsa governor from May 2007 to April 2008 and later between May 2008 and January 2012. He was also the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023. In Saturday’s poll, Sylva is challenging Bayelsa State Governor and PDP candidate, Duoye Diri, who is seeking re-election. The election has been described by many analysts as a two-horse race.Meanwhile, Diri accused Sylva of being behind electoral violence recorded in the Nembe-Bassambiri area of the state on Saturday.
We’re Investigating Pre-Filled Result Sheets In Kogi Voting Centres -INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a response to the allegations of pre-filled result sheets in Kogi State during the ongoing governorship election. Leading election observer group, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) had raised alarm over prefilled result sheets in some polling units. The forged sheets showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) were winning the gubernatorial election. Reacting to the development, INEC vowed to review and investigate the incident. The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a report that filled result sheets were discovered in some polling units in Kogi State. “The Commission views this situation seriously. Our senior officials deployed to the State are currently investigating the incident(s). “The Commission will communicate its decision earnestly.” Meanwhile, Usman Ododo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Kogi governorship, has expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly nature of the ongoing election in the state. Ododo, after casting his ballot at his polling unit, lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their management of the electoral process. “I commend INEC management for how far it’s going, and as you can see, the election is peaceful and orderly,” he stated on Saturday.
Bayelsa Guber: Off Season Elections Must Stop In Nigeria -Jonathan
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced concerns over off-season elections, urging the National Assembly to take action and harmonise the calendar for polls in the country. Speaking after casting his voter in the ongoing off-season elections in Bayelsa, Jonathan emphasized that such elections do not align with global best practices. “I’m worried about this issue of off-season elections because it does not conform with global best practices,” Jonathan stated. Meanwhile Governor Douye Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Bayelsa State, has accused his major opponent, former governor Timipre Sylva, of being troublesome and blamed him for the reported threats to PDP members in Nembe. He made the allegation shortly after casting his vote at Ward 6 Unit 4 Kalaowei Owei Sampou town in Kolokuma-Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State around 8.40 am. Diri said PDP members were being chased out of the area notorious for electoral violence. The 64-year-old governor called on security agencies to intervene in Nembe and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
INEC Alerted Of Malpractice As Pre-Filled Results Sheets Surface In Kogi Polling Units
Yiaga Africa, a popular election observer group, has sounded the alarm over disturbing reports of pre-filled election results emerging from various polling units in the ongoing governorship election in Kogi state. In a statement released on its verified X platform on Saturday, Yiaga Africa urgently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and address the reported cases of election malpractice promptly. The group expressed concern about the potential impact on the integrity of the election process. “Dear @inecnigeria, we received reports of pre-filled results sheets discovered in PU 004, Eni Ward of Ogori/magongo in Kogi state before the commencement of voting. Kindly investigate and address this issue promptly to safeguard the integrity of the process,” the statement read. The election observer group highlighted another case of pre-filled results sheets, this time in PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi state. These alarming revelations surfaced barely an hour into the voting process, which commenced around 8:30 am. Meanwhile, as the residents head to the voting centres to elect their new governor, the Nigerian Army has initiated a lockdown of key highways in the capital city and other regions notorious for electoral violence in the State. Roadblocks were mounted on the highway and vehicular movement was restricted with exception of those rendering essential services.
It’s Not Mandatory For Election To Hold In Imo On Saturday -NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns about the November 11 governorship election in Imo State, suggesting that it may not proceed as scheduled. Uchenna Ekwe, the NLC Head of International Relations, expressed these doubts during an interview on Channels TV on Wednesday morning. Ekwe emphasized that the Imo State population has been enduring ongoing violence, which has cast doubt on the election’s viability as a means for meaningful change. He questioned the legitimacy of past elections in the state, pointing out the lack of visibility of posters from other political parties and the disruption of an INEC meeting. Ekwe further highlighted the loss of faith in the election process among both workers and the general populace in Imo State. He asserted that the prevailing violence and fear may deter people from participating in the election. He stressed that the world would not come to an end if the election did not take place as planned, underscoring the urgent need to address the security concerns and restore confidence in the electoral process in Imo State.
Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Elections: Vote Only PDP Candidates, Atiku Begs Nigerians
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Abubakar Atiku, has appealed to Nigerians to cast their votes for PDP candidates in the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states. Atiku acknowledged concerns about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) handling of the 2023 general elections but emphasized the importance of citizens exercising their democratic rights. “The governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states are scheduled for this Saturday, November 11th,” Atiku stated. “These elections, categorized as off-cycle, mark the first set of polls after the 2023 general elections in our country.” Despite challenges faced by INEC, Atiku urged citizens to actively participate in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of defeating anti-democratic elements. Atiku appealed to the people of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi to support PDP candidates, highlighting their achievements and capabilities and contrasting them with their APC counterparts. He praised Governor Duoye Diri in Bayelsa, Senator Dino Melaye in Kogi, and Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu in Imo for their leadership potential. In contrast, Atiku criticized the APC’s nominees, alleging that they are “stooges” of political godfathers, emphasizing that these elections should prioritize the needs of the common people rather than political elites. Atiku urged the people of these states to vote for the PDP and reject the APC, which he blamed for the country’s current hardships. He emphasized that these elections are about the common people’s fortunes and the triumph of democracy, which ultimately benefits the people.
Upcoming Guber Elections: INEC Assures Staff Of Payment Of Full Allowances
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has assured staff of the Commission that all allowances will be paid in preparation for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo scheduled for November 11. Addressing the commission’s staff, Prof. Yakubu acknowledged the staff’s concerns regarding the delay in receiving the 40% palliative meant to alleviate economic hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy whilst empathizing with their dissatisfaction. The INEC chairman reiterated his commitment to ensuring the prompt payment of staff allowances, as well as the commission’s dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, adding that “INEC’s role in overseeing the electoral process is pivotal in upholding the principles of democracy.” “I know that many of you are not happy because you have not received the alert for the 40 per cent palliative awarded to all civil servants to cushion the effect of the economic hardship being experienced due to the removal of the fuel subsidy,” Yakubu said.