Off-cycle elections: INEC declares Uzodinma winner in Imo
…As APC leads in Kogi, ADC trails behind
…Tinubu provided level playing ground in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa polls — Governor Sanwo-Olu
…INEC unravels manipulations in Kogi, fixes fresh elections in 59 polling units over
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo state.
The Governor polled 540,308 votes to beat his closest rival, PDP’s Samuel Anyanwu, Labour Party (LP)’s Nneji Achonu, Jack Ogunewe of the Action Alliance (AA) and 14 other opponents.
The PDP candidate polled 71,503 votes while LP’s Achonu scored 64,081.
The State’s Returning Officer who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Abayomi Fashina declared Uzodinma winner in the eight-hour marathon collation of results from 2:30am to 8:30am on Sunday.
According to INEC, the number of registered voters in the state for the poll was 2,419,922 with 2,318,919 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected but a total number of 701,338 votes were validly recorded at the end of the poll.
However, Labour Party agents and others vehemently demanded the suspension of the results collation noting that the results brought before the state collation centre were at variance with what was uploaded on the Result Viewing Portal of the commission but the returning officer insisted that the collation be concluded.
…APC, ADC lock horns in Kogi
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Usman Ododo and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leke Abejide are at loggerheads in the Kogi State gubernatorial election.
The APC is currently leading the polls in the state with the ADC trailing behind.
Usman Ododo, candidate of the ruling party, has won in 11 LGAs, Muri Ajaka, his Social Democratic Party (SDP) rival has won in six, while Leke Abejide of African Democratic Party (ADC) has won in one LGA.
So far, Ododo has polled 409,450 votes, Ajaka has had 208,503 while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has polled 41,925 votes.
Okehi, Yagba East, Ijumu, Mopa-Muro, Adavi, Ofu, Katon Karfe, Bassa, Omala, Olamaboro, Ankpa, Okene, Dekina, Ajaokuta are the local government’s that have been announced as at the time of filing this report.
INEC unravels manipulations in Kogi, fixes fresh elections in 59 polling units over.
Meanwhile, collation in Kogi generated mixed reactions as INEC has slated Saturday, November 18 for the conduct of fresh elections in some polling units where the exercise was earlier suspended over manipulations.
It was discovered in some polling units that result sheets were already completed before the commencement of voting.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has however slated Saturday, November 18 for the conduct of fresh elections in polling units where the exercise was earlier suspended in Kogi state.
National Commissioner and Member of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
He said, “Further to our statement yesterday, we have received an update from our Kogi State office regarding the suspension of election in some locations in the State where result sheets were completed before the commencement of voting. The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).
“We received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi (5 Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward), Ajaokuta (5 Polling Units in Adogo Ward), Okehi (1 Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward) and Okene (5 Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward). Results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs.
“However, in the case of Ogori/Magongo LGA, only the result of Oshobane Ward II with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters has been collated. Elections in the other nine Wards (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters remain suspended. In line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh election will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units.”
According to him, the decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle.
However, Haruna said the decision is without prejudice to INEC’s avowed commitment to following the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate its assurances to voters in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes respected.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the integrity of the legitimate votes of the Kogi electorate.
Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement said, “announced and uploaded results, so far, show our Candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East.”
“We are keenly aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff, by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state.
“We urge INEC to stand fast in discharge of its constitutional duty to deliver free, fair and credible elections in the state, and ensure that the freely exercised will of the Kogi electorate prevails,” the statement read.
…Identify, arrest sponsors of electoral offences in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo — SERAP tells INEC
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “to promptly establish a joint, credible, transparent, effective, and broad-based investigation into allegations of electoral bribery and violence in the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”
SERAP urged him to “identify, arrest, name and shame suspected perpetrators and their sponsors of these grave human rights crimes, and ensure their effective prosecution, regardless of their political status or affiliations.”
SERAP also urged him to “disclose the spending details on the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, including the specific amount spent to conduct voter and civic education and activities carried out in these states.”
In the letter dated 11 November 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “If INEC is to live up to its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, it must take bold and effective measures to combat the culture of impunity for electoral bribery and violence in the country.”
SERAP said, “The recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.”
The letter read in part, “INEC must acknowledge its own limitations and now embrace a transparent, credible, inclusive and broad-based investigation into the allegations of grave electoral offences in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.
“Electoral integrity is critical to a legitimate democracy. When the integrity of that process is compromised, the legitimacy of our government and the public confidence in our public institutions is seriously undermined.
“Reports of grave electoral offences in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states have shown that INEC and politicians have learnt little or nothing from the well-documented problems during the 2023 general elections.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.
“The right to vote is fundamental and is the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government. Nigerians should have the final say in the election of governmental officials.
“Persistent cases of bribery and violence in the country’s elections gravely violate Nigerians’ right to vote, which is central to the effective participation of every citizen.
“Unless there is a transparent, effective, credible, inclusive and broad-based investigation into these allegations, and perpetrators and their sponsors are named and shamed and brought to justice, impunity for these electoral crimes will continue. And citizens will continue to lose confidence in the electoral process.
“Nigerians have the right to know how INEC is spending public funds in the discharge of its constitutional and statutory responsibilities. It is in the public interest to publish the details of spending on governorship elections in the three states.
“According to our information, the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states witnessed cases of electoral offences including electoral violence, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence.
“The proposed joint investigation should comprise of INEC, anticorruption and law enforcement agencies, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and independent leaders and citizens’ groups from Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.
“Electoral bribery and violence and other electoral offences undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
“Electoral bribery and violence and other electoral offences reportedly committed during the off-cycle governorship elections in the three states are contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.
“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’
“Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’
“Under section 2(a) and (b), the commission ‘shall have power to conduct voter and civic education and to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.’
“The crisis confronting the country’s elections and lack of public trust and confidence in the electoral process can be addressed if impunity for electoral bribery and violence is combated through a transparent, credible and effective investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.
“There are reports of specific cases of pre-completed result sheets including in five local government areas of Kogi State – Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.
“Suspected political thugs reportedly harassed journalists covering the governorship election in Omuma Community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State. INEC officials in the Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State also alleged that some men invaded her polling unit and carted away result sheets.
“According to a report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), there were several reports of electoral violence and vote buying across the three states. For example, there were reports of incidents in PU 1, Ward 8 and PU 11, Ward 1 in Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa West.
“In Bayelsa Central, vote trading was reported in PU 16, Ward 6 in Yenagoa LGA, PU 22, PU 30 and 31, Ward 13 in Southern Ijaw LGA with reports of voter inducements ranging from N5,000 – N22,000, and items such as wrappers and rice were also reportedly shared to buy votes.
“In Kogi, there were reports of vote buying in PUs 004, 038 and 039 in Ward A of Lokoja LGA, where party agents were allegedly sharing out money to voters upon confirmation that they voted for their party candidates.
“In Imo, the two major parties’ agents reportedly engaged in vote buying, sharing between N2000 to N3000. INEC officials were reportedly bribed. Electoral violence was reported in Dekini LGA, a town where a thug was reportedly shot and killed by military officials while fleeing in an attempt to snatch a ballot box.
“INEC presiding officer was also reportedly abducted in Bayelsa while on his way to the Registration Area Centre – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area. There are reports of thugs attacking several polling units in the three states.”…Tinubu provided level playing ground in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa polls — Governor Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated his Imo State counterpart and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Hope Uzodinma, on his victory at Saturday’s governorship election in the state noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided a level playing ground for the gubernatorial elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states.
He said the President deserves commendation for deepening democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria, considering some successes recorded in the Imo governorship election and gubernatorial polls in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Sunday in London, said Governor Uzodinma’s success in the election is a validation of people’s acceptance of his administration, having impacted positively in the lives of the citizens during his first term in office.
He said the people of Imo State deserve commendation for coming out en-masse to perform their civic responsibility and for defying all odds to vote for Governor Uzodinma-led APC administration in the state.
Sanwo-Olu said Governor Uzodinma’s victory is a clear manifestation that the APC remains the party of choice for Nigerians, stressing that the party will continue to work in the best interest of Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said, “I congratulate my brother and the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Governor Hope Uzodinma, for emerging victorious in Saturday’s gubernatorial election. I am glad that Governor Hope Uzodinma was returned by the good people of Imo State after a convincing victory over his opponents as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the poll.
“Governor Hope Uzodinma’s re-election affirms his administration’s good performance in the last four years. I strongly believe that he was re-elected because he delivered beyond the expectations of the Imo people during his first term.
“The APC candidate’s victory across the 27 local government areas in Imo State with over 400,000 vote margin against his main opponent, is a confirmation of the trust and belief of the people in the APC-led administration in Imo State, having benefitted immensely from the various people-oriented programmes of his administration.
“The real winners at the end of the day are citizens of Imo State because they have re-elected a ‘talk and do’ governor. The victory is deserving. It is an assurance to us that the APC government at the state and national levels is doing something right. We know there are areas of improvement and we are determined to ensure that we give Nigerians the best they deserve.”
