News
Tinubu Lauds By-Election Winners, Commends INEC For ‘Hitch-Free Polls’
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/images-24.jpeg&description=Tinubu Lauds By-Election Winners, Commends INEC For ‘Hitch-Free Polls’', '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/2024/10/images-24.jpeg&description=Tinubu Lauds By-Election Winners, Commends INEC For ‘Hitch-Free Polls’', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated winners of the by-elections conducted on Saturday across 16 constituencies in 12 states, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as “hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.”
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President hailed the conduct of the electoral body and called on political parties to embrace sportsmanship.
“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” Tinubu said while congratulating the new APC National Chairman on what he called an “emphatic first victory” under his leadership.
The President also thanked the electorate for their confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring them that his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda would deliver a “better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria.
“Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.
“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
President Tinubu applauded all political parties and candidates who took part in the polls, urging them “to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.”
Statewide Results
In Kaduna State, APC swept all three contests, including the Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency.
Felix Bagudu of the APC polled 34,580 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, who garnered 11,491 votes. The victory marked the first time the ruling party has won in Chikun and Kajuru since the return of democracy in 1999.
Similarly, in Taraba State, APC’s Abner Shittu emerged winner of the Karim One constituency seat with 5,895 votes, edging PDP’s Ali Kanda, who scored 5,488 in a close race.
In Oyo State, PDP’s Folajimi Oyekunle was declared winner of the Ibadan North federal constituency, defeating APC’s Adewale Olatunji.
In Zamfara, however, the Kaura-Namoda South constituency election was declared inconclusive after cancellations in two wards left the margin of lead smaller than the number of affected voters.
Party Reactions
The NNPP rejected the outcome of the Tsanyawa/Ghari constituency election in Kano State, accusing INEC of collusion with “unpatriotic politicians” and faulting the collation process.
Meanwhile, APGA celebrated its victory in Anambra, with Governor Chukwuma Soludo declaring on Sunday in the Nanka area of the state that the results proved the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were “dead” and “non-existent” in the state.
He told supporters that APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu’s landslide win in the Anambra South senatorial district, replacing the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, highlighted the party’s dominance.
INEC said the by-elections were held to fill vacancies created by resignations and deaths of sitting lawmakers, with polls conducted across senatorial, federal and state constituencies in Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu and Zamfara states.
… FCT Minister challenges ex-Rivers governor over stalled projects, 24-year public record
… Questions N10bn anti-malaria fumigation spending, electoral claims
… Says political leadership should empower, not pull others down
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, challenging him to account for major projects and expenditures incurred during his administration.
Wike made the statements on Saturday, during a visit to the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike, who spoke on Saturday during an interactive meeting with the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council as well as leaders and stakeholders of Ahoada East and West Local Governments, Rivers State at the Ekpeye House in Ahoada, was reacting to Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday evening.
Amaechi, a former governor and Minister of Transportation, had criticised the Federal Government over its record of project delivery and challenged the administration to name major projects it had completed.
But Wike turned the spotlight on his predecessor’s record in Rivers, questioning what became of several projects initiated under Amaechi.
He specifically raised questions over the $39 million reportedly paid for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and about N10 billion allegedly spent on an anti-malaria fumigation programme.
Wike asked what became of the money committed to the hospital project after the facility was not completed.
The controversy over the hospital dates back to the Amaechi administration.
A Rivers State judicial commission set up under Wike had investigated the payment of $39.2 million to a contractor for the project and its failure to materialise.
Wike also questioned the fate of the monorail project, which was among the major infrastructure schemes initiated by the Amaechi administration, as well as the expenditure on the fumigation programme.
He went further to criticize a $10 million malaria control project that was executed with Cuba to eradicate mosquitoes in the state, dismissing the initiative as a scam.
“Ask him about the fumigation of Rivers State with people from Cuba in which $10 million was spent. Ask him whether mosquitoes have stopped biting us in Rivers State,” he said.
The FCT Minister said such issues should be considered when assessing the records of political leaders seeking higher office.
Wike also challenged Amaechi’s record after spending eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and Minister of Transportation.
“Someone was Speaker of the House of Assembly for eight years, Governor for eight years, and Minister for eight years, that is 24 years in top leadership positions. What can anybody point to that he attracted to Ekpeye Land in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” he said.
The minister urged the people of Ahoada East and West Local Governments to demand evidence of projects and political empowerment allegedly attracted to the area during Amaechi’s years in public office.
Wike said leadership should not be measured only by the offices occupied but by the people empowered, projects delivered and structures left behind.
He contrasted this with what he described as his own efforts to empower people and develop political successors, saying leaders should not deliberately prevent others from rising.
Wike also criticised what he described as the use of personal and family tragedies for political purposes.
He said political disagreements should not descend into the exploitation of private grief, particularly matters surrounding the death of family members.
The minister warned against a political culture in which personal tragedies are deployed to gain sympathy or attack opponents.
Wike further challenged claims about Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State, asking supporters to examine his electoral record.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” he said.
The minister also recalled their political relationship and past disagreements, including controversies surrounding appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.
He contrasted what he described as Amaechi’s approach with the Tinubu administration’s establishment of regional development structures and appointments involving people from the South-South.
His latest comments deepen the long-running political feud between the two former Rivers leaders, who once worked together before becoming major political rivals.
News
Wike opens can of worms, queries Amaechi over what happened to $39m Justice Karibi-Whyte hospital, others (Video)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Nyesom Wike has queried, Rotimi Amaechi over what happened to $39million Justice Karibi-Whyte hospital, N68billion Monorail, N10billion anti-malaria fumigation projects.
The minister made this disclosure during his visit to Ekpeye Kingdom Ekpeye House, in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government of Rivers State on Saturday.
Watch:
News
Grand reception for FCT minister Wike at Ekpeye Kingdom on a visit to Uzugbani NEC, in Ahoada LGA today (VIDEO)
A video showing the grand reception for FCT minister Nyesom Wike as he arrives at Ekpeye Kingdom for a visit to the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, Ekpeye House, in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government of Rivers State today.
Watch:
Wike tackles Amaechi: Account for $39m Hospital, N68bn Monorail, N10bn anti-malaria fumigation
Wike opens can of worms, queries Amaechi over what happened to $39m Justice Karibi-Whyte hospital, others (Video)
Oyo 2027: PDP Candidate, Accord Aspirant, 3,000 Others Dump Parties for APC
-
News6 hours agoCourt Denies KC Luxury Bail, Remands Influencer Over ₦39bn Cocaine Trafficking Allegation
-
Sports23 hours agoMan City Fight Back, Appeal Premier League Verdict Over £830m Financial Charges
-
News23 hours agoUS Firm Accuses Tinubu of Clinging to Power, Alleges Plot to Rig 2027 Elections
-
Opinion23 hours agoMafab and the unfulfilled 5G network rollout
-
Metro8 hours agoEdo APC Chairman Tenebe Sparks Outrage Over ‘AK-47 Fire’ Threat Against Tinubu Vote Opponents
-
Metro8 hours agoFear grips RCCG Church members as pastor collapses, dies while preaching about sudden death
You must be logged in to post a comment Login