The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially commenced the collation of results for the Edo State gubernatorial election.

The process is being overseen by the returning officer, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

In a press briefing on Sunday, Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced that state-level collation was set to begin.

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He added that the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal had been activated to enable the upload of polling unit results.

According to Haruna, collation has already been completed at all 192 wards, with most of the local government areas having concluded their processes as well.

Officials responsible for collation have either arrived at or are en route to the state collation center in Benin City.

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He emphasized that collation would proceed in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s guidelines.

Haruna also assured that mechanisms were in place to address complaints during the collation process, including provisions to review results declared under duress.

INEC urged party agents, observers, and media representatives to be given unhindered access to the collation centers and called on security agencies to maintain vigilance and professionalism until the process is concluded.

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The Commission also praised the peaceful conduct of the election thus far and reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness in the final stages of the election.

The Labour Party Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, has failed in its attempt to gain official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the legitimate national executives of the party.

The committee, which was inaugurated on September 6 during a stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and endorsed by former Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, sought to replace the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC).

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The Nenadi Usman faction had approached INEC, requesting formal recognition, arguing that the tenure of the Abure-led NWC had expired.

However, INEC declined to act on the request, citing constitutional issues and procedural irregularities in the process followed by the Usman-led group.

A member of the caretaker committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that INEC rejected the first letter of recognition because it contained a signature from a representative of Peter Obi, which the commission refused to accept, insisting that no proxy endorsements would be allowed.

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Despite resubmitting the letter with the correct signatures, INEC still did not respond, leaving the committee in limbo.

The source further disclosed that the committee sought legal intervention from an Aba High Court, requesting an injunction to prevent the Abure-led NWC from continuing to operate as the party’s executives.

However, the court denied their request, insisting that the case needed to go through an interlocutory process.

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When the matter was brought up for hearing on Tuesday, the judge refused to proceed, returning the case to the Chief Judge of Abia State for reassignment.

The failure of the Aba court to rule in their favor reportedly frustrated the plans of the Usman-led faction, which had been prepared to roll out its leadership pending a favorable court ruling.

Instead, the group was advised to await the outcome of a related case currently before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Despite these setbacks, the Nenadi Usman committee remains determined, but their ambitions have been hindered by INEC’s strict adherence to the Labour Party’s constitution.

The committee, which was given a 90-day mandate to organize ward, local government, and state congresses, as well as a national convention, has yet to gain the necessary legal and institutional support to proceed with its objectives.

Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed the caretaker committee’s legitimacy, describing its members as “destabilizing agents” attempting to disrupt the party’s operations.

Ifoh affirmed that the Labour Party remains intact under its current leadership and that any actions outside the party’s constitution would not be tolerated.

“Our party is governed by a constitution, and we will not allow outsiders to displace those who built this party. Some of these individuals have only been in the party for a short time, and they are already trying to position themselves for control. Their efforts are unconstitutional and will not be accepted,” Ifoh stated.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged as the winner of all chairmanship and councillorship positions in the local government elections held across Kwara State on Saturday.

This was confirmed in a statement by the chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, Mohammed Baba-Okanla, on Sunday morning.

According to the statement, the APC secured victories in all 16 local government chairmanship seats and the 193 councillorship seats across the wards in the state.

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Five political parties, including the APC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Accord Party, participated in the elections.

“The electoral process in the 16 local government areas and 193 wards saw the peaceful participation of these five parties.

After thorough collation and verification of results from our officers, the APC has been declared the winner in all categories,” the statement read.

Baba-Okanla commended the peaceful conduct of the elections and lauded the security agencies for ensuring a calm and orderly process.

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“We are grateful to the people of Kwara State for their turnout and to all political parties for maintaining peace during the election. The security agencies also played a crucial role in maintaining order throughout,” he said.

Here are the details of the results from the polling units, wards, and local governments for the chairmanship positions:

Ifelodun LG
APC – 22,524
PDP – 2,727
APM – 482

Oyun LG
APC – 12,159
PDP – 356
APM – 386

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Oke Ero LG
APC – 7,472
PDP – 1,168
APM – 224

Isin LG
APC – 8,173
PDP – 1,165
APM – 77

Edu LG
APC – 23,963
PDP – 3,851
APM – 424

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Patigi LG
APC – 14,119
PDP – 2,939
APM – 806

Moro LG
APC – 14,555
PDP – 1,670
APM – 117

Asa LG
APC – 15,024
PDP – 2,638
APM – 41

Ilorin South LG
APC – 20,207
PDP – 2,072
APM – 226
SDP – 621

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Baruten LG
APC – 38,549
PDP – 1,335
APM – 665

Ilorin East LG
APC – 20,883
PDP – 5,383
SDP – 475
APM – 835

Kaima LG
APC – 23,029
PDP – 1,737
APM – 59

Ekiti LG
APC – 8,707
PDP – 907
APM – 966

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Offa LG
Accord – 1,919
APC – 22,400
PDP – 1,586
APM – 636
SDP – 391

Ilorin West LG
APC – 50,128
PDP – 4,202
APM – 1,882

Irepodun LG
APC – 14,010
PDP – 2,106
APM – 559
SDP – 239

The Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) has released its timetable for the upcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections, scheduled for November 2, 2024.

This announcement, made on Saturday, has raised concerns among party leaders about their ability to meet the tight deadlines.

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The elections will see new council chairpersons and 184 councillors elected across Abia’s 17 local government areas.

However, during a meeting that involved representatives of 19 political parties, security personnel, members of the State House of Assembly, and other observers, several political parties expressed reservations about the compressed timeline.

Prof. George N. Chima, Chairman of ABSIEC, outlined the detailed schedule, starting with the issuance of the election notice on September 21, 2024.

Party primaries are set to take place from September 25 to October 4, 2024, while the deadline for submitting candidate lists is October 7, 2024.

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Candidate screening by ABSIEC will occur between October 8 and October 10, with the hearing of appeals following on October 11 and 12.

The final list of candidates will be published on October 16, and campaigns will run from October 18 to October 31, ahead of the elections on November 2, 2024.

In his remarks, Prof. Chima emphasized the critical role of local government in fostering grassroots democracy.

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He stressed ABSIEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, assuring attendees that the commission would uphold the highest standards of impartiality and transparency.

“Our mission is to change the narrative and ensure that these elections are no longer business as usual,” Chima stated.

Despite the commission’s assurances, party leaders at the meeting voiced several concerns, including the credibility of council members overseeing the process, the lack of clarity on the cost of nomination forms, and their exclusion from consultations in planning the timetable.

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Some also criticized the late release of the election calendar, which they argued left insufficient time for adequate preparation.

Responding to these concerns, Chima declined to provide specific budgetary details but reassured attendees that all necessary security measures would be in place to ensure a smooth electoral process.

He also promised that further information on the cost of election forms would be released in due course.

The unveiling of the electoral timetable marks the beginning of preparations for what is expected to be a highly competitive local government election, with political parties eager to secure leadership at the grassroots level.

Hon. John Ogbodo, newly elected Chairman of the Nkanu West Local Government Council, has issued a heartfelt message of appreciation to the residents following his victory on Saturday’s council elections.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday, Ogbodo thanked the people for their overwhelming support and trust in his leadership.

He acknowledged the significant role of Governor Peter Mbah in driving the development agenda of Enugu State, highlighting the governor’s commitment to economic growth and good governance as crucial for the progress of Nkanu West.

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Chief Ogbodo expressed his determination to align the council’s goals with the broader vision for a more prosperous state.

“I am deeply honored to have been declared the winner and returned as your Chairman-elect,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in achieving the council’s objectives.

He pledged to work diligently to meet the expectations of Ndi Nkanu West and drive the development envisioned for the area.

Ogbodo also extended his gratitude to the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) for conducting a peaceful, transparent, and credible election.

He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to build a stronger and more progressive Nkanu West.

The South-West chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is gearing up for the 2027 general elections, emphasizing the need for strategic planning across its states.

Isaac Kekemeke, the APC national vice chairman for the South-West, announced this initiative during a media conference in Lagos on Friday.

He revealed that a crucial meeting will be held on October 5 in Lagos to develop strategies aimed at ensuring electoral success in 2027.

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Kekemeke highlighted the importance of maintaining focus on future elections, stating, “While appointed and elected officials work to fulfill their mandates, our primary concern as a party is to prepare for the next election.”

Addressing the current socio-economic difficulties facing the nation, Kekemeke expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, assuring that the government is committed to alleviating the hardships experienced by Nigerians.

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“There is temporary pain and hardship, but it is essential to focus on the future and the decisions made to prevent our country from collapsing,” he said.

He praised Tinubu’s leadership, stating that bold decisions taken by the government have averted potential national crises.

“Nigerians will eventually see compensation for their suffering, and it’s a matter of time,” he added.

Kekemeke urged citizens to appreciate the courageous choices made by the Tinubu administration, which he argued have been avoided for decades.

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He pointed out that even developed nations have faced similar challenges, suggesting that Nigeria is on a path to recovery.

Lagos State APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi remarked that the upcoming meeting would serve as an essential platform for dialogue among government officials from the region.

He emphasized that the party will explore avenues to support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Party chairs from Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Osun also attended the media conference.

The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party has criticized former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other party leaders, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, for establishing a caretaker committee to take over party leadership.

This statement, issued by National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to recognize Abure as the party’s chairman, citing that his tenure ends in June 2024.

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In the statement, Ifoh accused Obi, Otti, and their allies of colluding with INEC to undermine the Labour Party.

He highlighted the commission’s mismanagement of the 2023 elections, questioning why those who suffered from INEC’s actions are now supporting the commission against the party’s leadership.

“Every Nigerian is aware of INEC’s failures during the 2023 general elections, which undermined the will of the people. It is puzzling that those affected are now aligning with INEC to challenge our leadership,” Ifoh stated.

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He urged these leaders to reconsider their reliance on INEC, stating, “The same INEC that let us down in 2023 will repeat its mistakes in 2027.”

Ifoh referenced a Federal High Court ruling affirming the validity of the Labour Party’s national convention held in Nnewi on March 26, 2024, asserting that there is currently no vacancy in the party’s leadership.

He emphasized that a new executive cannot be appointed until the next convention in 2028.

The criticism follows a recent meeting led by Governor Otti, which resulted in the formation of a 29-member caretaker committee chaired by Minister of Finance Senator Nenadi Usman.

This committee is tasked with organizing elections for new party leadership within the next 90 days, a move that the Abure camp vehemently opposes.

Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged as a significant player in Nigerian politics, particularly following his victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial race.

Born in 1970 in Uromi, Edo State, Okpebholo’s rise to political prominence is rooted in his humble beginnings and unwavering determination.

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Growing up in a modest family, he was instilled with strong values of integrity and hard work that have guided him throughout his life.

Okpebholo received his primary and secondary education in local institutions in Uromi, which set the stage for his future academic and professional successes.

He pursued higher education at the University of Benin, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics.

His pursuit of knowledge did not stop there; he went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same university and later earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

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Additionally, he has received certificates in Legislative Studies and Management from reputable Nigerian institutions, highlighting his commitment to lifelong learning.

His family background has played a vital role in shaping his values and public service orientation.

Despite his political success, Okpebholo remains closely connected to his roots, drawing strength from his family’s support. He is married and the father of four children, all of whom are thriving in their respective fields, creating a family environment characterized by mutual respect and stability.

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In his professional life, Senator Okpebholo has built a diverse business portfolio that includes ventures in hospitality, construction, oil and gas, and agriculture.

His down-to-earth nature is complemented by a commitment to philanthropy, as he actively supports initiatives that empower underserved communities.

Okpebholo takes pride in his Nigerian identity, reflecting the nation’s rich cultural diversity. His journey into politics began in 2003 when he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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This victory marked the start of a dedicated political career focused on public service.

During his time in office, he has been a staunch advocate for his constituents, addressing key issues such as agriculture, rural development, and legislative reform.

His efforts have led to notable achievements in both the business and political arenas, with a focus on creating jobs and developing policies that benefit the nation.

As a devout Christian and active member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Senator Okpebholo is also recognized for his charitable endeavors through the Monday Okpebholo Foundation, which provides scholarships, healthcare services, and vocational training for those in need.

His philanthropic efforts reflect his commitment to the well-being of others, prioritizing community welfare over personal gain.

Senator Monday Okpebholo’s journey from humble beginnings to a prominent political figure illustrates the resilience and determination inherent in the Nigerian spirit.

His dedication to public service and entrepreneurial achievements have earned him respect and admiration across the country.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Nkanu West local government area of Enugu state, Hon. John Ogbodo, has been declared the winner of the election held on Saturday.

The announcement was made by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).

Hon. Ogbodo secured a total of 55,771 votes to defeat candidates of other parties.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the collation of results for the Edo State governorship election, held on Saturday, will commence in a few hours.

The commission stated that the process would officially begin at 10:00 am on Sunday at its headquarters in Benin, the state capital.

Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, made this known in a statement, reassuring the public that the process would be transparent.

Onuoha called for calm from political stakeholders and assured them that INEC remains committed to conducting a credible collation process.

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“This is to inform the general public, political stakeholders, and observers that the collation of results for the ongoing Edo State governorship election will resume today, Sunday, 22nd September 2024, at 10:00 am,” the statement read.

Onuoha emphasized that INEC is strictly adhering to all legal and procedural guidelines to ensure the collation is free, fair, and transparent.

He urged all parties to maintain peace as the commission works toward delivering accurate results.

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The announcement follows heightened tension in the state due to the delay in announcing the official results. Governor Godwin Obaseki had earlier visited the INEC office amid concerns over the delay, where he held a meeting with the REC behind closed doors.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour, also saw some All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters protesting outside the INEC office, expressing disapproval of the governor’s presence during the collation process.

Although the protest leader was later invited into the meeting, Governor Obaseki left the INEC office around 4:45 am without speaking to the press, as his security team barred journalists from approaching him.

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Meanwhile, INEC has been actively uploading results to its online portal, the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) platform.

As of the latest report, 4,439 out of 4,519 results had been uploaded, accounting for over 96 percent of the total.

According to the results available on the IReV portal, APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo was leading in the Edo North Senatorial District, while PDP’s Asue Ighodalo was ahead in the Edo South Senatorial District.