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The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday, declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olaka Nwogu, as the winner of the Rivers South East Senatorial District by-election conducted on Saturday.

Only four political parties and their candidates were cleared by the INEC to contest the June 20 bye-election, including the All Progressives Congress, the People’s Democratic Party, Action Alliance and the Labour Party

The By-election followed the death of the former representative of the Senatorial District, Senator Barry Mpigi, who passed on in February this year.

The poll was contested in seven local government areas that make up the Rivers South-East District. They are Khana, Gokana, Tai. Eleme, Andoni. Oyigbo and Opobo.

Continuing, the INEC Returning Officer for the election, Professor Rosemary Ogu, announced the result at the Rivers South East Senatorial Collation Centre at the Khana Local Government Council Secretariat in Bori, Rivers State on Saturday night.

Ogu declared that Nwogu Olaka Johnson of the PDP secured 46,961 votes to emerge as the winner of the election.

The PDP candidate, Nwogu, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, defeated his closest rival, Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari of the APC, who polled 1,647 votes.

The Returning Officer stated that Nwogu Olaka Johnson had met the requirements of the law and was accordingly declared elected as the Senator representing the Rivers South East Senatorial District.

Prof. Ogu stated, “The election was contested. The candidates received the following votes. Douglass Fabeke, Male of the political party, AA, received a total of 1175. OsaroKaka Ebenezer Erewar, male, of the APC political party, 1647 votes. Sam Kinani, male, of the LP political party, 367 votes. Nwogu Olaka Johnson, male, of the PDP political party, 47961 votes.

“That Nwogu Olaka Johnson of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

Meanwhile, the INEC said it is putting measures in place to address glitches arising from the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System in order to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The Head of Department, Voter Education in INEC, Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemo, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen during an inspection tour of some participating LGAs in the Senatorial District alongside the INEC National Commissioner representing the South-South, May Agbamu he-Mbu.

Ekelemu said INEC made provisions for backup B-VAS machines, saying the devices can be reconfigured in cases where the primary B-VAS malfunctions.

She said, “Concerning the hitches, INEC was proactive. The technical hitches that we saw with one or two polling units and the B-VAS assigned to that particular polling unit, INEC was proactive in ensuring that backup B-VAS were supplied and distributed to each of these LGAs.

“And we had technical staff on the ground in each of these LGAs to quickly reconfigure another B-VAS to replace the malfunctioning B-VAS.

“Each of the seven LGAs had additional B-VAS to serve as backups. These are all the things INEC is doing to ensure that those gaps are immediately closed.”

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has called on Nigerians to demand greater accountability from state governors, arguing that meaningful development at the grassroots level will remain elusive unless citizens scrutinize how state and local government funds are spent.

Bwala made the remarks in a post on X while addressing concerns about governance, public spending, and the responsibilities of elected officials under Nigeria’s federal system.

According to him, many Nigerians focus their criticism on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while paying insufficient attention to the actions and performance of governors who exercise considerable authority over their respective states.

The presidential aide stressed that Nigeria operates a federal structure, meaning state governments have constitutional responsibilities and should be independently held accountable for the management of resources allocated to them.

“The President is not a prefect to the governors. That is why I talk about federalism,” Bwala stated.

He explained that while the Federal Government is subject to oversight by the National Assembly and operates through ministers and federal agencies, state governments are similarly expected to be monitored by their respective State Houses of Assembly.

Bwala argued that state legislatures have a constitutional duty to scrutinize appropriations and ensure that public funds are used for projects that directly benefit citizens.

He pointed to allocations received by local governments, suggesting that substantial resources are often available but may not translate into visible development if citizens fail to demand transparency and accountability.

According to him, funds allocated to states and local governments should be sufficient to improve critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, security, and community development.

He noted that effective utilization of such resources could lead to the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres, the improvement of public schools, the execution of construction projects, job creation initiatives, and support for local security structures.Bwala also maintained that healthcare services, prescription drugs, and other social welfare programmes could be significantly enhanced if available funds were properly managed.

The presidential aide emphasized that the President cannot directly intervene in the day-to-day administration of states, insisting that citizens must hold governors and local government officials responsible for how public resources are utilized.

He warned that increasing federal allocations alone would not solve governance challenges if there is no corresponding accountability at the state and local levels.

“Now, if we do not hold our governors at the federated level accountable, even if the President sends $30 billion here, we will still be having the same conversation,” Bwala stated.

His comments come amid ongoing debates over revenue allocations, local government autonomy, and the responsibilities of various tiers of government in addressing developmental challenges across Nigeria.

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Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is reportedly considering resigning from office amid mounting pressure within the Labour Party.

Reports said Starmer spent the weekend reflecting on his political future following the commanding electoral victory of Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, in Makerfield.Politics

The development has intensified calls among some Labour figures for a change in leadership.

Sources close to the Prime Minister said he was considering “what is best for the country” and was concerned that a bitter leadership battle could plunge the party and government into instability.

“I think there is just a 25 per cent chance he fights on now,” a senior ally was quoted as saying.

Starmer was said to be holding discussions with his wife, Victoria, at Chequers before making a final decision.

Although Starmer has publicly insisted that he intends to remain in office and “fight” any leadership challenge, Labour insiders claimed his position weakened after Burnham secured 55 per cent of the vote in Makerfield.

Some Labour MPs believe Burnham’s victory shows he is better positioned to confront Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage, ahead of the next general election.

Reports said Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, advised Starmer to set a timetable for his departure to allow an orderly transition.

Other senior figures were also said to believe the Prime Minister should begin planning a handover.

A senior source said, “Keir is reflecting on what is best for the party and for the country.”

However, some MPs warned against installing Burnham without a formal leadership contest.

Several Labour lawmakers said support for Starmer had declined sharply.

“He is very isolated,” one MP said.

A Labour frontbencher added, “The PM just doesn’t have many friends left. It is about Keir Starmer. He is the problem. If Andy Burnham wasn’t challenging him someone else would be.”

But loyalists warned that forcing Starmer out could trigger chaos and strengthen the opposition.

One Labour MP said, “If colleagues choose to go head first into a new leadership trap now, the opposition will seize it, there will be a general election, and we will lose MPs following the 2024 high.”