The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Peter Mbah, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the winner of the governorship poll in Enugu State.
The returning officer Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe announced the winner on Wednesday evening at the resumption of the final collation of governorship election results in Enugu, 48 hours after INEC suspended the exercise in the South-East state.
He said the candidate of the PDP, Barr. Peter Mbah won his closest challenger, Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party with 160,895 votes.
Edeoga scored 157,552 votes while APGA came a distant 3rd with 17,983 votes and APC occupied the 4th position with 14575 votes.
That Peter Ndubisi Mbah, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner of the governorship election in Enugu State and is returned elected,” Professor Iwe said.
The PDP won in Uzo-Uwani, Ezeagu, Aninri, Udi, Awgu, Nkanu East, Nkanu West Enugu South and Enugu East Local Government Areas
However, Labour Party took Igboeze North, Igboeze South, Igboetiti, Oji River, Nsukka, Isi-Uzo, Udenu and Enugu North local government areas.
The number of total votes cast in the election is 367,551. Number of valid votes 358,463 while rejected votes is 9088.
Below is the number of votes scored by other political parties:
Abia Governor-elect, Alex Otti’s Acceptance Speech
My fellow Abians, it gives me great pleasure this evening to address you, following the final announcement of the results of the gubernatorial elections conducted across the state last Saturday, March 18, 2023. With deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility, I wholeheartedly accept your mandate to be your chief servant for the next 4 years.
Before I go on, I must first dedicate this victory to God the Father Almighty, who makes everything beautiful in His own time. I also dedicate it to the millions of Abia citizens who have been the unfortunate victims of bad governance these past decades. As I acknowledge this victory, I am fully conscious of the huge expectations of millions of the good people of Abia, who have been denied the dividends of democracy and good governance for such a long time. I want to sincerely thank every Abian and non-indigene alike who participated in this election. As you are all aware, this was my third attempt at contesting for this office, in my quest to implement my long-held vision of rebuilding Abia state as truly God’s own state. At this third attempt, it pleased God to give us victory. In the words of one Labour Party stalwart, ‘The Siege Is Over’! With our votes and the collective will of the people, we have “broken the gates of hell and cast its bars of iron asunder”. As recorded in the holy book, the kingdom of hell shall not prevail against us.
I would like to quickly compliment my colleagues in the just-concluded elections, Chief Sir Okechukwu Ahiwe, Engr Enyinnaya Nwafor, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, Prof Gregory Ibe, and a host of other equally qualified governorship candidates. It has been a hard-fought contest and each of you gave his or her best in the quest to serve our beloved State. There is no doubt that all of us have very robust ideas as to how to move our dear State forward. I want to assure you that your ideas and dreams that are consistent with building a virile Abia state shall come to fruition under my watch. I therefore invite all of you to join hands with our administration in order to serve Abians who have been victims of several years of maladministration and state capture. I have no doubt that you will be available to use the same energy and intellect, to help rebuild our state and develop our people. Of particular mention are the Candidates that have publicly conceded defeat and congratulated us, even when the battle of Obingwa fictitious votes was still raging. These include Prof. Greg Ibe, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Chief Bond Ohuche, Chief Chibuike Jonas, amongst others. It is well with all of you.
I want to thank the young and energetic Deputy Governor-elect, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu who is going to be carrying the burden of governance with me. I also want to thank my Campaign team led by Hon. Acho Obioma and various support and volunteers groups who worked tirelessly to make today possible. You are simply the best hands any candidate can find! Your creative ideas and dedication to our common goal were unprecedented.
I must not fail to thank the leadership and members of Labour Party, who worked very hard to ensure that this day would come. I thank all those who worked with me through moments of despair and hope, through tears, sweat and blood, through betrayals, denials and dangers untold. It is said that the harder the struggle, the sweeter the victory. Please savour the sweetness of your hard work and firm belief.
I must give special thanks to my best friend, my confidant, my number one fan, my heartbeat, the wife of my youth, the mother of my children, and the First Lady in waiting, of Abia state, Lady Priscilla Chidinma Otti (Onugu Abia). I must thank her for living up to the challenges of being the wife of someone committed to these ideals, with equanimity and elegance. Unfortunately the work has only just begun but now you must support me, just like you have done in the past 30 years of our marriage, to work for the people of Abia. Special thanks to our children, Dr. Ezinwa, Engnr Alex Jr and Chinweotuto for being there and supporting Daddy without reservation.
I must pause and remember some of those who have left us in the course of this journey. Although they are no longer here with us, I am sure that where ever they are now, they will be smiling with satisfaction that finally, we have triumphed over the forces that have held the State captive for so long. Some of the more notable ones among them are Prince Otisi Kalu, Abbott, Pastor Nnanna Ngwu, who both served as Chairmen for this campaign at different times. I must also remember my friend from Anambra State, Mr Eze Alomefuna, Rico, who worked tirelessly to help end the dynasty of incompetence in Abia state. Also to be remembered are Prince Dike O. Dike and Dr. Mike Nwachukwu who lost their lives within the period of this struggle. Worthy of mention is the less than two year old little Adanna who tragically lost her life in 2015, when in the frenzy and excitement of our electoral victory, her father, Mr. Pius Oha accidentally ran over her in a car. In spite of the exigency of time, please join me in observing a minute’s silence in honour of these fallen heroes.
Indeed, I see this victory as a call to service. Even as I come out of a bruising and long drawn out campaign, I know that this is just the beginning of the journey. There is a lot of work to be done and we must get all hands on deck to ensure that we take back our state and bring the much sought-after dividends of democracy.
You voted us to serve you and not to be served. You voted us to alleviate your sufferings and not to compound and multiply them. This is a service that comes with unusually high sense of devotion and commitment given our checkered history as a people. During my electioneering campaign, I traversed all nooks and crannies of Abia state, and that enabled me to have first-hand assessment of the needs and expectations of Abians. These are the basic things expected by the people for a responsible government to provide in order to unleash the potential
inherent in the typically hardworking Abians. Based on my findings and those of my team members, it dawned on us that an immediate hands-on approach is required to hit the ground running and to ensure that we alleviate the sufferings of all Abians, I promised you that I will serve you as the Governor of all Abians and all citizens living in Abia, irrespective of clan, religious persuasion or political leaning. I see my mandate as cutting across all strata of our people and I once more promise to use the resources accruing to all Abians for the benefit of all Abians and the residents. I will like to assure us that we hold no bitterness against anyone and will not go on any revenge mission against anyone. If in the process of getting here, we have wronged anyone, kindly find a space in your heart to forgive. We have equally forgiven anyone that wronged us. This will be a government that would unite everyone in this state as we are all brothers and sisters.
I want to salute the industry and resourcefulness of all Abians, the religious and traditional institutions, the civil servants, working class, the pensioners, the Business community, the physically challenged members of our society and indeed everyone that wishes Abia well. There shall be no discrimination whatsoever in the amenities that each person is able to access in our government. I made a firm promise to all civil servants and pensioners owed salaries, pensions and emoluments that an immediate payment plan would be put in place to ensure that this gets the priority it deserves.
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I am very much aware and prepared to deal with the issues of infrastructural decay which have continued to militate against our growth and development as a state. This will be tackled head-on. There is no doubt that given the deplorable state of our infrastructure, roads, schools and health systems, Abians are deservedly impatient to have these issues addressed as quickly as possible. I assure you that these areas will receive the priority attention of our government.
Nevertheless, I caution that we all will need to put in our best and row together in one direction. There is no magic wand that can fix all the rot and decay noticed in virtually all segments of the system since the past years. For us to have sustainable development, it would require very painstaking and elaborate layout of master plans to enable us tackle the menace of flooding and re-engineer our cities especially Aba, Umuahia and other cities that would be developed in order to support our urban renewal projects. We therefore plead for patience and
understanding as we first tackle the immediate challenges and work on the major ones. The approach of our government will revolve around crafting policies that will enable our government tap the creative energies of every Abian. We remain resolute in our drive to eliminate poverty and create sustainable wealth for our people.
Once again, thank you for electing me and my Deputy to serve you for the next 4 years. We trust God for His enablement to offer our services to Abians in such a way that we would not disappoint you. We shall implement our manifesto which is a revered pact between our administration and the good people of Abia state.
My dearly beloved Abians, as I conclude this address, I want to reassure you that we are going to run an open, transparent and accountable government devoid of waste and profligacy. Our doors will remain wide open and our channels of communication will remain unfettered so that your worthy contributions and suggestions will be a guiding light as we together navigate the thorny paths of rebuilding the state and transforming same for the benefit of all.
We deeply cherish you all and will do our best to ensure that the trust reposed in us is not in vain.
Thank you all and God bless Abia State! God bless Nigeria!!
Q
Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR,
Governor-Elect, Abia State
Umuahia, 22nd March 2023
Former Lagos State governor, who is Nigeria’s ‘president-elect, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Bola Tinubu, is travelling to Europe to seek medical care after falling ill
Our Reporters gathered that Tinubu fell ill after the “hectic” electioneering that led to his emergence as the ‘President-elect’ and the tension that built up ahead of the March 18 Lagos State governorship and House of Assembly elections where he also voted.
Authoritative sources revealed on Wednesday that Tinubu left for Europe on Tuesday night.
“Tinubu has left for Europe for medical care. He fell ill after voting on Saturday during the Lagos guber election. He was attended to by local doctors but he has left for Europe for proper medical care,” one of the sources close to him revealed.
“He initially said his doctors should be brought down to Nigeria for him, and that when things die down, he would leave. But I’ve confirmed that he left last night (Tuesday night) because he is definitely ill,” another source confirmed.
“His plane Falcon 9X with registration number VP-CBT can’t be tracked by air flight tracking websites.”
Indeed, efforts made by our Reporters to track the flight came back with: “VP-CBT – Unknown Owner (Cayman Islands (UK))
This aircraft (VP-CBT) is not available for public tracking per request from the owner/operator.”
We had reported that Tinubu cast his vote at his polling unit in Lagos on Saturday.
He had shared photos of himself voting on his Instagram page.
“I just joined other Nigerians in exercising my civic duty in the ongoing governorship and state assembly elections. I encourage you all to go out and vote peacefully,” he had written.
We reported that Tinubu spent over four months patronising hospitals in France, the United States and the United Kingdom where he underwent several surgeries between 2020 and 2022.
He was flown out of the country some days before Christmas in 2020 to Paris, France.
The APC leader returned to Nigeria on January 24, 2021, after a month’s absence from Nigeria.
He also went for a medical check-up on Thursday, June 10, 2021, to France and was conspicuously absent from a one-day working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos State.
Tinubu, amidst death rumours, was forced to return to the country on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
We also reported that Tinubu was hospitalised in Maryland, the United States in July 2021.
On August 9, the APC leader had another knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, the United States.
The APC chieftain, it was learnt, left the US for the United Kingdom on crutches, a few days after the surgery.
Sources close to Tinubu had told our Reporters that he wanted the surgery in Paris, France but changed his plan over rumours of his death.
In August, President Buhari paid a visit to Tinubu in London and the latter was seen with a walking stick during Buhari’s visit, confirming our story that he underwent a second surgery in the United States.
His London home also became a mecca of sorts as he was visited by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).
Upon his return in October, Tinubu confirmed that he underwent surgery on his right knee as well as post-surgery physiotherapy on the said knee during his medical trip abroad.
*Some days ago, Tinubu returned to the country after going out of the country for medical attention in the United Kingdom for 10 days.*
The United States has condemned voter intimidation and increased violence that marred the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday.
This was contained in a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday.
The rescheduled Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections were held in 28 states and 36 states, respectively, amid increased violence and voter intimidation when compared with the Presidential and National Assembly polls held on February 25.
Despite the massive deployment of security agencies in many strategic locations, there was widespread violence in many states of the federation.
The US said despite that the March 18 elections appeared to have had significant operational improvements, as polling stations generally opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner, there were increased violence in Lagos, Kano and other reported states.
However, it commended stakeholders who spoke against the violence and intimidation melted on voters, adding that it was a sign of respect to democratic process.
The statement read in part “Nigeria carried out the second round of its electoral process with gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18.
The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states. Members of the U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.
“The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning.
“We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.”
The US also threatened to sanction perpetrators, calling on Nigerian authorities to probe reports on election violence.
It said, “We call on Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.
“The United States likewise will consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria.
“The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with. We further call for Nigeria’s people to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy.”
Peter Obi Replies Chimaroke Nnamani After He Said Obi Took The Igbo Political Trajectory 24 Years Back
The exchange of statements between Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and Peter Obi is an interesting development in Nigerian politics. The former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, lost his reelection bid in Enugu East Senatorial district to Labour Party candidate, Sir Kelvin Chukwu, and he attributed his loss to the political tide in the South East.
However, in his reaction, Senator Nnamani accused Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, of setting the Igbo political trajectory 24 years back. He claimed that Obi’s style of politics is based on ethnicity and religious bigotry, and he was responsible for his defeat in the senatorial election.
In response, Peter Obi denied the allegations and challenged Senator Nnamani to show where he campaigned based on ethnicity. Obi stated that he had always championed issues-based campaigns and had consistently called for voters to consider candidates based on character, capacity, and compassion. He also emphasized that he had never engaged in any form of ethnic or religious bigotry in his public appearances.
There is proven cases of vote buying, voter intimidation during last Saturday Election across the Country .
I must congratulate all those Governors who created enabling environment in their States for Voters to make their choices. Such Governors did not use the State instrument of force against opposition parties or threaten voters as seen in states like Lagos,Rivers, Ebonyi,Imo , Kaduna etc . GGM will always stand for men of characters in public space .
Vote buying started during the previous administrations across Nigeria and politicians in this ugly business are wicked and shameless. They have used hunger to weaponize the masses and believe that with few naira ,they can buy anybody. Peter Obi has shown how to win election without buying votes. We have always believed that good Governance will stop vote buying and use of thugs to disrupt elections. Just with a message of hope ,so many Nigerians believed that Peter Obi would solve their problems .
As an economist with State power , I will use public policies to endear myself to ordinary voters . I will empower party agents and voters at various communities on sustainable basis. I will narrow the communication gap between those in Government functions and the people on the street through efficiently managed call centres like MTN cal center etc. I will interact with my dear employers(the people) on monthly basis. I will publish financial transactions of government on monthly basis. I will partner with private sector to build affordable housing estates to intervene in rising cost of housing . I will build modern Abattoir houses , mechanic villages ,farm settlements, technology villages etc. All primary, secondary schools ,including tertiary institutions must have cooperative society that will be producing food and making good money.Students will take vacation jobs in schools production centres and earn real income. I will play down certificate education ,and use human resources to solve society problems. I will make each community in the states to be productive. Building roads and bridges are good but they should not be an excuse to overlook other enablers that will touch lives directly in immediate terms . I will facilitate a credit system that will induce consumption and investment.
Finally , I will hire like-minded characters who are contented and who have verifiable sources of income to assist my Government with measurable targets . If I touch lives directly and give message of hope ,I do not need to approve any money for buying votes and hiring thugs . Anybody that encourages voting buying and hiring of thugs is mentally sick and empty.
With less than 30 hours to the deadline, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi has formally submitted a petition challenging the process leading to the outcome of the Presidential Election held on February 28, 2023.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the election after which it declared him President-Elect on the 1st of March, 2023.
Chief Spokesman of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign of the Labour Party, Dr. Yunusa Tanko announced the submission of the petition in a short message in the early hours of Tuesday.
He wrote, “It is official the Labor Party Presidential candidate Peter OBI has filed his petition to the presidential elections tribunal in Abuja. The process of reclaiming the people’s mandate has started.”
The obvious lesson to be learnt from both 25th February and March 18th Elections is that power of the people is greater than those in political power no matter the shortcomings registered so far . INEC promised so much but delivered woefully. So much tax payers resources went down the drain in the effort to ensure that votes count . People were mobilized and hopes were raised to the high heavens . I have seen people complaining that voter’s card is useless , others have lost hope with Nigeria leading to destruction of Nigeria passport. Many were brutally murdered ,while others are still in the hospital. INEC shattered the hope of millions of Nigerians that many people have decided to abandon Nigeria for other countries .
GGM – Good Governance Ministry will continue to preach for political revolution as the power of the people cannot be defeated by any Army . We must continue to organise the people under a Visionary and ideologically driven platform like GGM.We should understand that politics is local ,however the local people must begin to know the meaning of Good Governance. In Anambra State for instance, there are several powerful law makers that were retired by the power of the people. The former first lady – Ebelechukwu Obiano upon the resources at her disposable could not win Tony Nwoye of Labour Party. The same thing with Stella Odua. Again , Victor Umeh through the power of the people retired Uche Ekwunife.
The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Uchenna Okafor of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),also lost his third term re-election bid to a village farmer, Abuchi Bernard Udemezue of the Peoples Democratic party. Who says that voter card is useless!
Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly and candidate of APGA for Orumba North, Emeka Aforka lost his second term bid to Labour Party (LP) Candidate, Paul Obu.
Also, the member representing Awka North and candidate of PDP, Hon. John Nwokoye, lost out to a first timer and candidate of APGA, Hon. Chimezie Ikwunne.
In the same vein, the Labour Party Candidate for Anaocha 1, Ms Nkechi Ogbuefi, clinched the seat from an incumbent member and candidate of PDP, Ebele Ejimofor, who sought third term.
We should learn the obvious lesson from the above ; politics is local and any popular candidate cannot be rigged out when the majority of voters are determined to protect their votes . It is when a candidate is not popular that vote buying becomes the determinant factor. Peter Obi has shown that the present political structures can be dismantled. GGM will replicate Peter Obi achievement in National politics down to the grassroot level. Time shall tell.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu,GGM Ambassador.
The details of the outcome of Anambra State Assembly election HELD ON 18/03/2023 .
A. STATE CONSTITUENCIES IN ANAMBRA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
1. Anambra East – APGA
2. Anambra West – APGA
3. Ayamelum – PDP
4. Ogbaru 1 – PDP
5. Ogbaru 2 – PDP
6. Onitsha North 1 – PDP
7. Onitsha North 2 – LP
8. Onitsha South 1 – LP
9. Onitsha South 2 – LP
10. Oyi – APGA
B. STATE CONSTITUENCIES IN ANAMBRA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has suspended the state collation of results in Enugu and Abia till the commission reviews the issues raised .
