The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as a credible and largely peaceful conduct of the Anambra governorship election.

Ezeokenwa, who spoke to journalists after casting his vote at Immaculate Parish Ward 4, said the exercise went smoothly in most polling units across the state, with only a few experiencing minor technical issues.

“The election has been seamless, except for isolated cases where the BVAS machines malfunctioned,” he stated.

“INEC’s technical teams responded swiftly to fix those challenges. I must commend our APGA agents across the state, they performed exceptionally well, thanks to the extensive training they received ahead of the polls.”

He also confirmed that reports of missing result sheets in some locations were promptly resolved by electoral officials.

The APGA chairman praised INEC staff for their professionalism and transparency, adding that the party’s only expectation was for the process to remain free, fair, and credible until the final collation of results.

On voter turnout, Ezeokenwa admitted participation was relatively low but said it aligned with historical trends in the state.

“There were initial fears that people might stay away, but Governor Charles Soludo encouraged citizens to exercise their civic duty. Historically, Anambra records about 20 percent voter turnout, and today’s numbers reflect that pattern,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) suffered a setback as its candidate, Dr. George Moghalu, lost in the polling unit of former presidential candidate Peter Obi.

According to official figures from Polling Unit 019, Agulu Ward 11, Anaocha Local Government Area, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, secured 73 votes to defeat Moghalu of the Labour Party, who garnered 57 votes, while APGA came third with 38 votes.

Obi, who voted earlier at the same unit, decried reports of vote buying, describing it as a worrisome sign for Nigeria’s democracy.

“My personal experience is that democracy is deteriorating in our country,” Obi said.

“Unfortunately, those suffering the most from bad governance are the ones enabling it through practices like vote buying.”

Senator Ned Nwoko, estranged husband of Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, has claimed that he gave his mother-in-law, Rita Daniels, over N125 million in the past two years.

Nwoko also said he sponsored the education of Regina’s elder brother, Sammy West, who is currently in detention.

Speaking publicly about his marital crisis, Nwoko shared a series of social media posts, including videos, alleging that Regina’s family repeatedly interfered with her rehabilitation from drug addiction.

“These videos show Sammy, Regina’s brother, repeatedly coming to my home and harassing my children and domestic staff, especially when I was not around.”

“This is despite the support I provided for him, including sponsoring his last two years at the University of Ekpoma, buying his musical instruments, renting and furnishing a flat for him in Abuja, and providing a house for Regina in Asaba,” Nwoko said.

He said he routinely supported other family members as well, including sending N125 million to Rita Daniels over the last two years.

Nwoko alleged that Regina’s siblings and friends, specifically Sammy, Destiny, Sonia Uche Montana and others, constantly ignored doctors’ instructions during her rehabilitation, bringing her drugs and enabling her addiction.

“Lawrence, Sammy, and others introduced Regina to these substances and continued using them themselves. Their behavior frustrated the efforts of the doctors and therapists,” he said.

He recounted recent incidents where Regina was found high in his house, accompanied by Sammy’s girlfriend, who is among those allegedly enabling her addiction.

Nwoko said he had to remove the woman from his home, after which Sammy confronted him aggressively. Security had to intervene to prevent further escalation.

Nwoko also claimed that Regina’s siblings verbally assaulted police officers and domestic staff tasked with ensuring her safety, and that Regina frequently left home at night, sometimes staying out until the next day.

He blamed her ongoing drug use on her celebrity lifestyle and peer influences.

He added that a viral video showing a confrontation at his home was staged by Regina’s family in his absence and that no one was physically harmed.

Nwoko concluded by saying that Sammy should focus on his own life and career, noting that his brother Lawrence had gone abroad for further studies while Sammy chose to stay in Nigeria.

He emphasized that Sammy needs rehabilitation, warning that his violent behavior would continue otherwise.

Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. George Moghalu, has rejected the results of the Saturday’s Anambra governorship election, describing the process as over-policed and plagued by widespread vote buying.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday, Moghalu expressed concerns over the conduct of the election, which he said compromised the freedom of voters and undermined the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I had initially decided not to comment until the entire electoral process was concluded,” Moghalu said.

“But after reviewing reports from our agents deployed to all 320 wards in the state, it is clear that vote buying was rampant, and the election was excessively policed, creating confusion and discouraging genuine participation.”

Moghalu added that the deployment of more than five Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to monitor the election raised questions about the neutrality of security agencies during the process.

He further urged the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to uphold the integrity of the commission and provide a transparent account of the electoral process.

“The people of Anambra deserve an election free from manipulation, intimidation, and undue influence,” he stressed.

The Labour Party candidate’s statement comes in the wake of APGA candidate Charles Soludo being declared the winner by INEC, a result that has already generated mixed reactions from political parties and observers.

Moghalu vowed to explore all legal avenues to address the alleged irregularities, insisting that the people’s mandate must be respected.

Former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has rejected as false a viral report alleging that he accused Vice President Kashim Shettima of creating Boko Haram.

In a statement, Sheriff described the publication, titled “It’s Not Me, It’s Shettima Who Created Boko Haram – Sheriff Reveals”, as a complete fabrication aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing his reputation.

Sheriff, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), clarified that he did not give any interview or make any comments relating to the claim.

“The story is entirely false, without any basis in fact, and clearly intended to sow discord in the political sphere,” the statement read.

He further labeled the publication as “dangerous fake news” meant to undermine his contributions to peace, unity, and development in Borno State and Nigeria at large.

The former governor also confirmed that he has instructed his legal team to take immediate action to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the report.

“If the publication is not retracted promptly, I will pursue full legal redress,” he warned.

Sheriff urged the public and media practitioners to disregard the viral story, reaffirming his commitment to truth, justice, and national stability.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially rejected the results of the Anambra State governorship election, following the declaration of APGA’s Charles Soludo as the winner.

In a statement released by the party’s spokesperson, APC expressed concerns over alleged irregularities during the election, including issues with vote collation and the conduct of some electoral officials.

The party maintained that the outcome does not reflect the will of the people in several local government areas.

APC insists it will challenge the results in court.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that Soludo of APGA got a total of 422,664, APC: 99,445, LP: 10,505 and PDP: 1,401.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the Anambra State governorship election.

The announcement was made on Sunday following the collation and verification of results from all 21 local government areas in the state.

Soludo, the incumbent governor, successfully secured a fresh mandate to serve a second term, having garnered a decisive majority of the votes cast.

Final results are as follows;

APGA: 422,664

APC: 99,445

LP: 10,505

PDP: 1,401

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja from Belém, Brazil, after leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), where he represented President Bola Tinubu and reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to spearhead climate action across Africa.

The conference, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in partnership with the United Nations and other global stakeholders, was held from November 6 to 7 in Belém, the capital of Pará State in the Brazilian Amazon.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Nigeria used the global platform to reiterate its commitment to driving climate solutions and mobilising climate finance to support sustainable growth on the continent.

At the Leaders’ Climate Summit, Shettima described Nigeria’s new climate agenda as “a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”

He also represented President Tinubu at the thematic dialogue on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement, titled “The Rational Soul of Nature.”

Shettima called on international partners to recognise the economic value of nature and channel predictable, equitable financing towards protecting and restoring ecosystems.

The Vice President participated in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, attended a high-level roundtable chaired by President Lula, and joined an Amazonian cocktail reception for heads of delegation.

On the sidelines, he held bilateral discussions aimed at expanding Nigeria’s participation in carbon markets, a move projected to unlock $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to advance national climate goals.

Speaking to journalists after the conference, the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said Nigeria’s strong presence in Belém signalled the country’s readiness to lead the continent’s climate response.

“One thing the world will look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa,” she said.

“We must galvanise both public and private sectors to deliver on our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make them work for us.”

El-Rufai highlighted Nigeria’s wealth of natural resources, oil, gas, and renewables, as key assets for achieving its climate ambitions while ensuring sustainable development.

“Nature and climate are the very foundation of our economy and wellbeing,” she added. “Responsible use of natural resources is essential to secure the future of generations yet unborn.”

She affirmed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to building resilience, creating long-term value, and implementing sound policies in climate and environmental governance.

El-Rufai also noted that Nigeria remains ahead of many countries in submitting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Many countries have yet to submit their NDCs, but Nigeria has, even before China and the EU,” she stated.

“We’re showing leadership through our Climate Change Act and carbon market framework.”

COP30, described as the “COP of Action and Implementation,” is expected to advance the operationalisation of NDCs and push for the fulfilment of global climate finance pledges, recently adjusted from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion.