Politics
Edo guber: Ighodalo wins PDP ticket with 577 votes
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asue-Ighodalo.jpg&description=Edo guber: Ighodalo wins PDP ticket with 577 votes', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asue-Ighodalo.jpg&description=Edo guber: Ighodalo wins PDP ticket with 577 votes', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Foremost lawyer and investment banker, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State.
He defeated eight other aspirants in a peaceful but security-tight primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
One of the aspirants, Omosede Igbinedion, stepped down for him on the election ground “for the interest of the party.”
Also, immediate past House of Representatives member, representing Oredo federal constituency, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, stepped down from the race.
Ighodalo, who is believed to be Governor Obaseki’s preferred aspirant, scored 577 votes to beat Mr Anselm Ojezua, Arthur Esele, Osaro Onaiwu, Martins Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru and Felix Akhabue, all scoring zero vote, while six votes were voided out of the 585 accredited delegates.
The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who had earlier emerged a factional candidate in a parallel governorship primary election, scored one vote.
Ighodalo was declared winner of the primary election by the Chairman of the Edo PDP Primary Electoral Committee and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and the Co-Chairman and Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwhori.
Lawal declared: “The committee having carefully sorted out and counted the votes found that Ighodalo scored 577 votes, Philip Shaibu scored one vote, while others got zero. By the powers vested in me by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, pursuant to the Constitution of our great party, the PDP, as the Chief Returning Officer of the 2024 Edo PDP Primary Election, I hereby declare Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the just concluded primary election with a total vote of 577.
“Therefore, I hereby return the elected as the PDP candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.”
Ighodalo extends hand of fellowship, promises inclusiveness
In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo thanked Governor Obaseki and the people of Edo State for their love and support noting that the governor has laid the foundation for him to build upon, if elected. He promised to assemble young men and women for his government to turn the state around.
“I want to thank you for making me a tool, and I promise you that I will be a useful tool and by the grace of God, Edo State will move from where Godwin Obaseki has carried us, to the next level. I want to thank Godwin Obaseki for the wonderful work he has done in the last seven and half years. I know that in a year or two people will keep talking about Obaseki.
“We have not seen the value of the work he has done, but he is like a builder laying the foundation for a 100-storey building. No man is perfect,we will all continue to repair and work on each other’s mistakes. I thank him and his wife for supporting him tremendously and giving him the strength to go through the vicissitudes of the last seven years. I promise to assemble the best young men and women to turn the state around.”
Ighodalo, while commending the delegates, leaders and members of the PDP for the confidence reposed in him, promised to work with all stakeholders to transform the fortunes of Edo people and lead the state on the path of prosperity and greatness, if elected.
He said: “I promise all the good people of Edo State; those in Edo State, in Nigeria, and in the Diaspora that I will work tirelessly for our state. I will assemble our best hands to move our State to the next level and I promise you all that I will give you my all.”
Reiterating the need for a united party to win the September 21, 2024 election in the state, Ighodalo said it is only with a formidable and united front that the PDP can excel and succeed in the mission of retaining its seat at Osadebey Avenue and consolidating on the impactful work the party has started in the state.
We can’t afford to get it wrong in Edo — Obaseki
Earlier, while welcoming guests to the primary election, Godwin Obaseki,said: “Today, we are going through an exercise that has been stipulated by our party. Even though it’s statutory, the exercise will be life-changing because Nigeria is going through difficult times and we can only overcome the challenges we are facing as a country with the right leadership.
“If we in Edo do not begin to show the right leadership that will begin to reset Nigeria, God forbid, we may all be in trouble. PDP is the only party that has what it takes to rule this country. Again, we are showing the example in the way we are conducting our leadership selection process.
“We are following our rules very assiduously; my role as a host governor is to welcome all of you who are here, starting with our members who elected the delegates that are carrying out this exercise today. Thanks to members of the State and National Working Committee of our great party, the PDP for being steadfast in the rules. I also thank all the aspirants for exercising the spirits of sportsmanship.”
The election attracted the who is who in the PDP in the state including former governor Lucky Igbinedion; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi; Speaker of Edo State House of assembly, Blessing Agbebaku; Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie, who is being touted to be the running mate to Ighodalo; former Chief Whip of the Senate, Roland Owie; Owere Dickson Imasogie; council chairmen from the 18 LGAs; and members of the state executive council, among others.
However, conspicuously missing were members of the Legacy Coalition group of the PDP led by the Vice Chairman, South-South of the party, Dan Orbih; a member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the party, Charles Idahosa; and many members of the State Working Committee, SWC.
Gunshots as Shaibu emerges as candidate in a PDP parallel primary
Meanwhile, some members of the PDP held a parallel primary that produced Philip Shaibu as the candidate.
While some delegates were being accredited to proceed to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the primaries, another set of delegates met in a facility in Commercial Avenue where they announced Shaibu as the PDP elected candidate.
They claimed that they went to the venue for accreditation but were chased away by security agencies. They also alleged that the list of delegates published by the national leadership of the party was not the authentic one alleging that they saw names of people from Bayelsa State and names of people who are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Declaring Shaibu winner of the election, Bartholomew Moses said: “During the counting of this primary election, Philip Shaibu has a score of 301 votes and therefore, we hereby declare Philip Shaibu as the authentic elected candidate for this election in the PDP.”
The people had barely finished their exercise when gunmen invaded the venue. They were dressed in vigilante outfits and came in several vehicles including two black unmarked Toyota Hiace Trucks, an unmarked white sienna, white Hilux and several other vehicles. They were shooting sporadically into the air and the people scampered into different directions for safety
Before the election, the delegates led by Festus Owu went to the deputy governor’s official lodge where they complained to him that they had been disenfranchised.
Speaking to the protesting delegates, Shaibu said: “I appeal to all of you to be peaceful, I don’t want anybody to be injured, I don’t want anybody molested and I am happy the way you have conducted yourselves peacefully and have come to report to me that you were not allowed to be accredited. I want to tell you that no one man can determine the destiny of a people and by the grace of God they cannot disenfranchise you people.
“The law is clear that you people are the authentic delegates. Now that they have pushed you away, they want to go and replace you but I assure you that your votes must count, they cannot change and replace your names. I assure you that I will take your protest to the committee that is coming but you must remain peaceful in everything you are doing.”
Speaking to journalists later, Shaibu said: “I saw the crowd outside and I asked who they were and they said they were delegates. I said they should be directed to the venue of the accreditation but they said they were protesting because they had been sent away from the venue of accreditation.
“They won their election as delegates and they have their results. The election will hold and if a winner emerges with fake delegates, the election will not see the light of the day but if a winner emerges with the authentic delegates, there will be no problem, I am sure.”
Politics
Peter Obi advises Tinubu to consider quitting like UK PM
The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider resigning his position, having failed woefully in discharging most of his campaign promises. And having failed to improve the standard of living of the citizens.
Reacting to the announcement of the British Prime Minister’s resignation, which is not unconnected with the complaints of British citizens about their deteriorating standard of living under his watch, Obi, in a tweet he titled “owning up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility”, advised Tinubu to emulate the British PM and save the country from the worsening economic situation.
Writing on his X handle, the 2023 Labour Party presidential flagbearer said, “This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
“The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
“Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
“During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible”
Politics
Enugu North by-election: APC candidate emerges winner
Chief Ikeje Asogwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has emerged the winner of the June 20, 2026 Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.
Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 9,299 votes.
The by-election was conducted to replace late Senator Okey Ezea, who was representing the district at the time he died on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Nsukka, the Returning Officer of the election, Prof Christian Ezeibe, the Dean, Department of Students Affairs at University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, said Asogwa scored the highest votes in the election to emerge the winner.
“Asogwa having satisfied the requirements of the law in this election is hereby declared the winner and is returned.
“I thank you all for your cooperation, support and maturity that made the by-election a success,” he said.
According to Ezeibe, the number of registered voters in Enugu North Senatorial District was 727, 340 while 184,094 were accredited in the election.
A breakdown of the result scored by five other candidates showed that Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the African Democratic Party, ADC, polled 1,676 votes while Kingsley Aneke of Boot Party, BP, got 1607 votes.
Other candidates are Ejike Simon Eze of Labour Party, LP, 1,027 votes, OssElias Okwudiri Ossai of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, 3,129 votes and Charles Ugochukwu of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, 667 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Asogwa, the senator elect, said the outcome reflected the overwhelming support of the residents of the six local government areas that made up the Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
He promised to give the senatorial zone quality and effective representation to justify the massive support and confidence residents had expressed through their votes.
Politics
Official: INEC declares Oyebanji winner of Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election, Adenike Oladiji, who declared the results at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, said that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes.
Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
According to her, a total of 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, with 375,777 valid votes, 6,332 rejected votes, and total votes cast.
Voting, which began at about 8:31 a.m, ended officially at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, with more than 300,000 voters casting their ballots.
INEC has declared Biodun Oyebanji of the APC as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, said the incumbent governor polled 319,224 votes.
She also said that while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
2:25 a.m.
Following the conclusion of the collation of results from the 16 LGAs, the Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Professor Adenike Oladiji, says that the results will be transferred to the Form EC8D.
2:22 a.m.
Moba LGA
ADC- 994
APC – 20,500
PDP – 1,572
2:19 a.m.
Ekiti East
ADC- 1,730
APC – 26,359
PDP – 2,795
2:15 a.m.
Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA
ADC- 511
APC – 29,278
PDP – 2,119
The collation officer said that the result from one of the polling units was cancelled due to over-voting.
2:08 a.m.
Ikole LGA
ADC- 812
APC – 26,508
PDP – 750
2:04 a.m.
Aiyekire (Gbonyin) LGA
ADC- 314
APC – 17,133
PDP – 1,563
1:52 a.m.
Oye LGA
ADC- 998
APC – 18,975
PDP – 2,891
1:49 a.m.
Ise/Orun LGA
ADC- 365
APC – 12,908
PDP – 1,627
1:40 a.m.
Ilejemeje LGA
ADC- 579
APC – 8,984
PDP – 1,243
1:37 a.m.
Ado Ekiti LGA
ADC- 1,054
APC – 38,026
PDP – 3,817
1:31 a.m.
Ekiti West LGA
ADC- 674
APC – 28,258
PDP – 3,644
1:26 a.m.
Ido-Osi LGA
ADC- 561
APC – 17,901
PDP – 1,449
1:22 a.m.
Ekiti South-West LGA
ADC- 1,076
APC – 14,705
PDP – 1,800
1:13 a.m.
Ikere LGA
ADC- 245
APC – 11,116
PDP – 9,892
1:12 a.m.
Ijero LGA
ADC- 2,026
APC – 25,506
PDP – 2,479
1 a.m.
Efon LGA
ADC- 201
APC – 8,742
PDP – 2051
12:59 a.m.
Emure LGA
ADC – 732
APC – 14,325
PDP – 851
12:57 a.m. The announcement of results from the LGAs has begun.
12:37 a.m. The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Professor Adenike Oladiji.
12:35 a.m. INEC has begun the collation of results of the Ekiti State governorship election. The exercise is taking place in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
11:51 p.m. As of 11:50 p.m., 97.18 per cent of the Ekiti State governorship election results have been uploaded on the INEC IReV portal. Results have been submitted from 2,376 out of 2,445 polling units.
9:27 p.m. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has said that the official collation of the governorship election results from the LGAs will commence at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
9:21 p.m. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has explained that 19 political parties were contained in the ballot paper for the Ekiti election to avoid the financial cost of printing fresh ballot papers due to court orders.
8:32 p.m. Shogunle also says one person was arrested for ballot box snatching during the election.
8:23 p.m. Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the Ekiti State governorship election, Abayomi Shogunle, says the police have not received any report of vote buying in the exercise so far.
7:59 p.m. Yiaga Africa’s Samson Itodo says 24 incidents of violence were reported across 10 local government areas during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
4:35 p.m. INEC has commenced the upload of polling unit results from the Ekiti State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), after the official close of voting.
As of 6p.m. on Saturday, the commission had uploaded 846 results out of the 2,445 expected polling unit results, representing 34.60 per cent of the total.
4:30 p.m. INEC says that all 2,445 PUs were successfully opened for the governorship election earlier in the day. According to the body, 2,257 PUs (92.31 per cent) opened on schedule before 8:30 a.m, while 188 PUs (7.69 per cent) experienced minor delays but commenced voting before 10:30 a.m.
4 p.m. Voting was still ongoing as of 4 p.m. at Polling Unit 006, where the PDP candidate cast his vote, as some of the voters insisted that they must exercise their civic responsibility.
3:35 p.m. Channels Television correspondent provides an update on the election as collation begins at different polling units in the state.
3:40 p.m. Chairman of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Organisation and Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has said that the outcome of today’s governorship election will be a referendum on the performance of the President Bola Tinubu government, its acceptance, and the popularity of the party in Ekiti State.
3:13 p.m. Yiaga Africa urges citizens and stakeholders to keep a close eye on the preparedness, transparency, and neutrality in the Ekiti State governorship election.
2:43 p.m. Sorting of votes has commenced at Polling Unit 001, Ado D Ijigbo in Ado LGA. Various party agents and security agents are currently monitoring the exercise.
2:37 p.m. Sorting and counting commenced at Polling Unit 008, Ugele/Arokun ward, Ikere Local Government Area.
But the exercise became rowdy at the polling unit as party officials and members argued over the validity of ballot papers.
1:50 p.m. Social Democratic Party candidate Olugbenga Obafemi has cast his vote in Ekiti governorshjip election.
12:31 p.m. Candidate of the APC and incumbent governor Oyebanji has dismissed allegations of voter harassment and intimidation raised by the PDP’s Oluyede, describing the conduct of the election as satisfactory.
Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area, the governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Olayemi, said anyone making such allegations must provide evidence to substantiate their claims.
He urged eligible voters who had yet to vote to come out and discharge their civic responsibility peacefully.
11:05 A voter and resident of Ikogosi, Fatokun Babatunde, commends INEC and security agencies for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the election process so far.
He also urges the people of Ekiti State to reject violence and uphold peace, stressing that despite political differences, they remain one people united by a common heritage and shared future.
10:19 a.m. Polling Unit 003 in Ikogosi, Ekiti West Local Government Area, awaits the arrival of the APC governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who is expected to cast his ballot shortly.
Channels TV correspondent Eyitope Kuteyi reports a surging crowd at the polling unit, alongside a heavy security presence comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
10:10 a.m. Africa Democratic Congress candidate Dare Bejide has cast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
Bejide, however, raised concerns about alleged vote buying
10 a.m. An observer and First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sebastian Anyia, says the election process has so far been peaceful and orderly, with voter turnout proving encouraging.
He expresses optimism that the smooth conduct witnessed will be sustained across all 16 local government areas until the conclusion of the exercise.
9:58 a.m. The PDP governorship candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, has cast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
He voted in polling unit 006 in Ugele/Arokun ward, Ikere LGA.
Oluwole expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, saying that most voters at his polling unit had yet to cast their votes due to a problem with the BVAS.
9:56 a.m. Peoples Democratic Party candidate Oluwole Oluyede has arrived at his polling unit in Ikere LGA to ast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
-
News18 hours ago2027: Be Prepared to struggle for power, Wike tells PDP candidates
-
News11 hours agoViral ‘Sign-Out’ Video: Ondo Govt Withholds WAEC Results of 17 Students
-
News11 hours agoXenophobic attacks: FG evacuates another 66 citizens from South Africa
-
News6 hours agoSoldiers Reject Fresh Move To Deploy ‘Repentant’ Terrorists In Military Operations, Fear Sabotage, Intelligence Leaks
-
News8 hours agoDAY 12 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT: Watch Arterial Road N16 – Ring Road Il Intersection linking Jahi to Gwarimpa District
-
Metro19 hours agoArmed Men Are Vigilantes And Hunters – Police Dismiss Viral Katsina Video
-
News10 hours agoICPC arraigns El-Rufai, six others over alleged N8.68bn CCTV contract fraud
-
News19 hours agoSenate passes bill to double police trust fund allocation to 1%
