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Allocation freeze: states set timetables for council elections

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Some states have unfolded plans for local government elections, following the Supreme Court judgment which ordered non-release of allocations to councils run by caretaker committees.

The states that have set timetables for polls are Katsina, Osun, Enugu, Sokoto, Abia and Anambra.

Others are Benue, Jigawa, Ondo, Kebbi and Imo.

Today in Abuja, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Federal Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC) officials will meet to discuss the implementation of the apex court verdict.

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An aide to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice told The Nation that the Supreme Court was unambiguous in its verdict.

When asked if the apex court decision had been communicated to the parties, the aide said: “There is no need communicating it to the federal and states’ executives. They were parties to the dispute through their attorneys-general.”

He added: “The Federal Government through remarks of Mr. President has acknowledged the court judgment. So, it’s up to relevant agencies of government to begin immediate implementation.”

The aide listed the Ministry of Finance, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), FAAC representatives and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) as the agencies responsible for implementation.

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Reflecting on the judgment, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) called for increased allocations to the 774 local governments to enable them tackle the challenges of grassroots development.

Osun: no tenure extension for caretaker committee

The Chairman of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC),  Hashim Abioye, said the commission has a timetable for elections that would be held in February .

He said: “Notice of election goes to the very root of the election. Any defect in the notice will knock off the election as it will lack any valid foundational basis.

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“The notice we have given was in line with the law. Both the Electoral Act, 2022, and OSSIEC Law, 2022 provides for at least, 360 days before the date of the election. This we have done since February, this year. We are therefore, in a good stead to go ahead with our activities.”

Abioye said the tenure of the caretaker committee appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke will expire next month.

He expressed doubt if their tenure would be extended.

However, 16 opposition political parties have said they would boycott the polls.

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Osun State Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC),in a communique by its Chairman, Victor Akande, said “Abioye is not legally fit to conduct free, fair and credible local government election “ because he is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abioye, said the allegation by the 16 parties was unfounded.

Enugu: we  are ready for October 5

Enugu State government has reiterated its readiness to conduct polls as scheduled by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).

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The polls will hold on October 5.

The Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka, said: “The state has declared that it will conduct elections in the local government areas and will democratically do so. The next factor is the mobilisation of the people.

“We’re ready at any point and cost. We’re ready to conduct free, fair and credible local government elections.”

But, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that elections into local governments are conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not state electoral commissions(SIEC)

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It’s chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, said elections conducted by SIECs are not just a shame, but also an embarrassment to the international community.

Sokoto: Polls hold September

The Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi, said council polls will hold in September.

He said: “Although, no exact date has been fixed, the SIEC has commenced preparations for the conduct of the elections.”

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Benue:  election is November 16

The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has fixed council polls for November 16.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local and  Chieftaincy Affairs, Dennis Akura, said,: “ Even before the judgment, Governor Alia on his first day in office granted autonomy to local governments in Benue State and had been channeling funds straight to their accounts.”

He added: “The Supreme Court  judgment on local government autonomy is a boost for Benue because the State Electoral Commission has fixed November 16 for polls.”

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Kebbi: Opposition to participate on August 31

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi said it  would participate in the elections scheduled for Aug. 31.

Its spokesman, Alhaji Sani Dododo, who spoke in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital,  said:  “The decision to fully participate during the polls was reached after a meeting of enlarged stakeholders of the party.

“The meeting resolved that the party should fully participate in the poll so as not to jeopardise the ambition of young party members willing to test their popularity at the said elections at both councillorship and chairmanship levels.

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“We are going to submit the names of our candidates for both the councillorship and chairmanship positions by July 17.”

Imo: poll on September 21

Council polls will hold in Imo State on September 21, Imo State Government,(IMSG) has said.

Its Chairman, Charles Ejiogu, reassured the people of the government’s determination, saying that the  date would not be compromised.

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He said: “Pursuant to its establishment Law No 14 of 2000, as amended, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) is charged with the task of conducting and supervising a free, transparent, and credible local government council elections in Imo State.

“To this end, ISIEC is set to conduct the much expected council elections into the 305 INEC Registration Areas/Wards and in all the 4,758 INEC polling units in the 27 local government area councils of Imo State, come Saturday 21 September, 2024.”

Ejiogu added: “We are very well prepared for the election that will usher in 27 democratically  elected council chairmen, their deputies, and 305 councillors, in line with the objective of the polls.”

 Rivers: APC gives conditions

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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced October 5 as poll date, urging political parties to brace for it.

The Chairman of the commission, Justice Enebeli (rtd), said  the date was mutually agreed upon by  17 political parties.

He said:  “We will conduct a free, fair credible local government elections. Every vote will count, only winners with majority vote count will be declared”.

But the All Progressives Congress (APC)  said it would only partake in the poll, if the processes are transparent.

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Its Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, shunned the meeting organised by the commission.

He said: “I was not invited. My party was not invited. My party is too big not to be officially invited for an event like that.

“I am too big to attend an event that I was not officially invited. RSIEC refused to officially invite me as a chairman of a major opposition party in the state.”

 Ondo: Councils will be funded

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The people of Ondo State were warming up for council polls before they were postponed indefinitely last month by the  Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODSIEC).

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has set up Transition Committees for the 18 local governments and 33  Local Councils Development Areas.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Amidu Takuro, said the setting up of Transition Committees was part of the processes leading to the conduct of local government elections.

Oyo: Makinde summons emergency meeting

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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday summoned an emergency stakeholders consultative meeting to discuss the Supreme Court judgment.

The governor, who also set up two committees- Technical and Legal – to review the  judgment, expressed displeasure at what he referred to as “lacuna” in the court decision.

Addressing the stakeholders at the Executive Chamber of the Governors Office in Ibadan,  the state capital,  Makinde gave four weeks to the committees to present their reports.

At the meeting were ALGON members, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,  Abiodun Aikomo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, and Chairman of House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters,  representatives of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), and  Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

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Makinde said the problem confronting the nation was not how to share money, but how to become more productive and create economic prosperity.

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Politics

Peter Obi advises Tinubu to consider quitting like UK PM

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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.

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“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.

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“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”

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Enugu North by-election: APC candidate emerges winner

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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Official: INEC declares Oyebanji winner of Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election

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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.

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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.

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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

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ADC- 994

APC – 20,500

PDP – 1,572


2:19 a.m.

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Ekiti East

ADC- 1,730

APC – 26,359

PDP – 2,795

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2:15 a.m.

Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA

ADC- 511

APC – 29,278

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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

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ADC- 812

APC – 26,508

PDP – 750


2:04 a.m.

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Aiyekire (Gbonyin) LGA

ADC- 314

APC – 17,133

PDP – 1,563

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1:52 a.m.

Oye LGA

ADC- 998

APC – 18,975

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PDP – 2,891


1:49 a.m.

Ise/Orun LGA

ADC- 365

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APC – 12,908

PDP – 1,627

 


1:40 a.m.

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Ilejemeje LGA

ADC- 579

APC – 8,984

PDP – 1,243

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1:37 a.m.

Ado Ekiti LGA

ADC- 1,054

APC – 38,026

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PDP – 3,817


1:31 a.m.

Ekiti West LGA

ADC- 674

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APC – 28,258

PDP – 3,644


1:26 a.m.

Ido-Osi LGA

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ADC- 561

APC – 17,901

PDP – 1,449


1:22 a.m.

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Ekiti South-West LGA

ADC- 1,076

APC – 14,705

PDP – 1,800

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1:13 a.m.

Ikere LGA

ADC- 245

APC – 11,116

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PDP – 9,892


1:12 a.m.

Ijero LGA

ADC- 2,026

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APC – 25,506

PDP – 2,479


1 a.m.

Efon LGA

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ADC- 201

APC – 8,742

PDP – 2051


12:59 a.m.

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Emure LGA

ADC – 732

APC – 14,325

PDP – 851

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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