APC Sweeps Lagos, Yobe, Benue, 14 Others

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its take-over of Nigeria’s political leadership with sweeping victories in about 18 states at the Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections held at the weekend.

The official results of some of the states were yet to be released at press time, but the incoming governing party was sure on the path of stamping its hold in at least 18 states.

A remarkable feature of the exercise was the spate of congratulatory messages to the winners by the candidates of opposing parties, in a manner that was similar to that of President Goodluck Jonathan two weeks ago, when it was apparent that he had lost to Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

President Jonathan was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In Lagos and Ogun states, however, the PDP rejected the results although its candidate in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje tweeted that he had congratulated the winner, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced Ambode while Agbaje, came second.

The PDP rejected the result citing “the controversial” circumstances within which the exercise was conducted.

Out of the state’s 20 local government areas, Ambode won 15 to Agbaje’s five.

Figures by INEC showed that the APC candidate polled 811,994 votes while Agbaje had 659,788 votes, a difference of 152, 206 votes.

However, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP, in a statement by its Legal Adviser, Mr. Adeleke Adefala, on Sunday, alleged that card readers were manipulated in the areas where the APC won.

But, in Adamawa, the PDP candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, conceded defeat to the APC candidate. Ribadu, who said that he had dreamt of coming back home to lead Adamawa state to greater heights after years of underdevelopment, surrendered on the ground that the voice of the majority did not give him the chance. “I take this in good faith,” he said in a press statement he personally signed.

Noting the trend of the results, Ribadu said he took “this opportunity to congratulate the winner and pray that at the end of it all the state will witness the needed progress and development it so much desires.”

“I came into this race knowing full well that political contests are two-way traffics – one either wins or loses. As a man of faith, I was also aware that leadership responsibility is a product of God’s anointment,” Ribadu said.

The APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), called for the cancellation of Rivers State’s results which were won by the PDP.

The governor and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi described the elections in the state as a sham.

At press time, INEC was yet to officially announce the result while the APC standard bearer, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and his APGA counterpart called for the cancellation of the exercise.

The APC candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello was leading in Niger State after winning 17 out of the 18 LGAs announced so far by the Returning Officer, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali.

While receiving results from the Collation Officers, the Returning officer on Sunday announced that the PDP candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko, had won in only Magama, his LGA.

The 17 LGAs won by the APC candidate include Munya, Rijau, Shiroro, Gbako, Bida, Lavun, Chanchaga, Lapai, Agaie, Rafi, Paikoro, Suleja, Kacha, Borgu, Gurara, Bosso and Tafa

In Edo, the APC had secured 20 out of the 24-member seats in the state House of Assembly declared at press time.

In Delta State, the PDP candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was leading in the 10 councils that were officially announced at press time.

Delta has 25 local government council areas. In the result announced so far by INEC state Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Bio Nyananyo, Okowa had a landslide victory in his council area of Ika North East where he pulled 72,612.

He also got overwhelming votes from Oshimili South and Oshimili North believed to be his stronghold in Delta north senatorial district of the state.

Okowa had won three councils in Delta Central Senatorial District, populated by the Urhobos.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Chief Great Ogboru who had protested the votes from Ika North East and Oshimili South councils also had overwhelming votes cast in Udu local government area, which is believed to be his stronghold.

In Ondo, the PDP had a resurgence after having been beaten at the Presidential election two weeks ago.

The PDP had a dramatic victory, winning 19 out of the 26 seats in the Ondo State House of Assembly.

The results of the two constituencies in Ilaje Local Government were not announced following the alleged manipulation of the results after armed youths seized electoral materials and returned them later with figures.

In Enugu, INEC declared the governorship candidate of the PDP, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, winner.

Ugwuanyi polled 482,277 to defeat his closest rival, Chief Okey Ezea of the APC who got a total of 43,837 votes.

Results from the 17 local government areas collated and announced by INEC Returning Officer for the state, Professor Hillary Edeoga, showed that Hon. Ugwuanyi maintained an unassailable lead in all the councils.

The people of the state went into jubilation immediately the result was announced by INEC Sunday afternoon expressing confidence that the state would witness another round of transformation with the emergence of Ugwuanyi.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has congratulated the governor-elect on his victory in the April 11, 2015 election.

Senator Ekweremadu said Ugwuanyi’s victory was very much expected as the PDP was not only the party on ground in Enugu State, but also because of Ugwuanyi’s overwhelming popularity across the State.

However, the APC recorded resounding victory in Bauchi State.

Its governorship candidate, Mohammed A.  Abubakar defeated his PDP opponent Auwal Jatau with an overwhelming gap of about 377,284 votes.

The State returning Officer, Professor Mohammed K. Farouk made the announcement after receiving and compiling all the results from the 20 local government areas of the state.

The APC cleared 17 seats in the Jigawa State House of Assembly, while the PDP had four.