Connect with us

Politics

#NigeriaElections2023: INEC Cancels 63 Polling Units Results’ In 4 Kogi LGAs

Published

on

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday cancelled the results of 63 polling units in four Local Government Areas of Kogi over thuggery and failed BVAS that characterised Saturday’s polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) listed the LGAs involved to include: Okehi, Umala, Ulama-Boro and Ibaji out of several others that suffered a similar fate.

The most affected was Okehi LGA, which the State Government had dug some of its roads, a few days before the election, to ward off criminal elements from gaining access to the area.

Advertisement

Dr Emeka Oguju, Okehi Collation Officer while presenting the results to the State Collation Officer, Prof. Wahab Egbewale at the Kogi Collation Centre, said the results of 31 polling units were cancelled due to thuggery.

READ ALSO: Delta: INEC Official Shot Dead, Corps Members Injured As LP Leads

Ogujo said that 12, 037 votes were cancelled in the 31 polling units in four wards in which voting materials were carted away by political thugs.

Advertisement

“In most affected polling units, there was violence caused by political thugs, who invaded the units and disrupted the entire process, ” he lamented.

Dr L. Adang, the Collation Officer for Umala Local Government Area, told the State Collation Officer at the Situation Room at INEC State Office, that 16 wards were affected by thuggery during the exercise.

According to him, 9,558 votes were cancelled in the affected polling units of the area.

Advertisement

Also presenting his results, Dr Adamu Wakili, Collation Officer for Olama-Boro LGA, disclosed that 3, 582 votes in five polling units were cancelled due to thuggery and non-functional BVAS during the general elections of Saturday.

READ ALSO: Senatorial Election: Oshiomhole Wins Polling Unit

“Aside from the activities of political thugs that affected the election in our area, we had an issue with one BVAS which couldn’t function because of the remoteness of the community it was taken to.

Advertisement

“We tried to see whether it could work, but we couldn’t and only five units in that community were affected. We have reported that to the REC, ” he said.

Also, Ibaji LGA’s Collation Officer, Prof Dauda Tanko, said the results of 11 polling units were cancelled in the area as a result of thuggery.

Tanko, who did not specify the number of votes affected by the cancellation, said four Registration Areas were affected by the activities of political thugs.

Advertisement

Politics

Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Published

on

A former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters and Social Events to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-owei Dudafa, has formally announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressive Congress.

Dudafa, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the PDP in a statement he issued on Saturday in Yenagoa.

In the letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area, he stated that his decision to quit the PDP followed a period of deep reflection and consultation with his political associates, supporters, and family members.

Advertisement

The letter read in part: “It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. Throughout my time with the party, I have been deeply committed to our shared values and goals, and it has been an honour to work with so many dedicated individuals.”

READ ALSO:Jonathan Dragged To Court Over Bid To Participate In 2027 Election

Dudafa stated that the unresolved disputes, particularly at the national level, “have significantly impeded our ability to move forward, rather they create an environment of conflict that’s no longer conducive to advancing the shared values and objectives.”

Advertisement

He said: “While this decision has been difficult, I remain committed to serving the best interests of our people, motivated by my dedication to their welfare and progress.”

Announcing his decision to join the APC, he said: “After careful reflection and consideration, I have decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), a platform I believe offers renewed hope, unity and a stronger foundation to address the challenges facing our dear state.”

READ ALSO:Jonathan To Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention — Sowore

Advertisement

To the members of the APC, Dudafa wrote, “I look forward to working alongside new colleagues who share this vision.”

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the relationships and experiences he gained during his time in the PDP and wished the party well in overcoming its present challenges.

Political observers are of the opinion that his resignation could signal realignments ahead of future political developments in Bayelsa State and at the national level.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

Published

on

The Obidient Movement has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments describing Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, as a “social media president.”

Wike had, on Thursday, accused Obi of playing politics with national issues after the former Anambra State governor visited a local authority school in the FCT and lamented the poor condition of public facilities.

I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike had said.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date

However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed Wike’s comments, saying they were aimed at keeping the minister in the news.

How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko asked. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State).”

Advertisement

Tanko further dismissed the FCT minister as the least of the Obi and his followers’ worries and defended Obi’s comments on the state of public schools in the country’s capital, insisting that the Wike merely drew attention to a national concern.

He stressed that Obi’s comment on the state of public facilities in the FCT was to point out that they are in dire need of attention, saying, “I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

JUST IN: Rivers Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Demands N20bn Refund

Published

on

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded by the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation during the period of emergency rule under Ibas, was nullified by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.

READ ALSO:Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Refund Of Rivers’ Monies Expended By Ibas

Advertisement

Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.

Also, the Council approved the constitution of a six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu to assess and recommend suitable locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test centres across the state to support external examinations.

The Council also mandated the state’s flood control committee, also headed by Odu, to take urgent measures to mitigate flooding in affected areas, while cautioning residents against blocking drainage channels.

Advertisement

More to come…

Continue Reading

Trending