Six Speakers of State Houses Assembly were yesterday announced as winners of their various constituencies by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker andAll Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) candidate, Uchenna Okafor lost the election in his Ayamelum State Constituency toAbuchi Udemezue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The speakers that were returned are those ofOyo, Kwara, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Bayelsa states.

•Oyo

OyoAssembly Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin was returned as a member representing the Ibarapa East State Constituency seat.

Ogundoyin of the PDP polled 10,039 to defeat 12 other candidates.

The Speaker expressed appreciation to the people ofIbarapa East for his re-election as their representative.

He said the victory was dedicated to the people of the Ibarapa East State constituency.

“Our people have spoken with their votes. It is their victory. It is their decision. The people of Ibarapa East State Constituency have given us their mandate once again hence I am overwhelmed and happy. This is God’s doing and it is marvellous in my sight,,”.Ogundoyin promised.

•Ondo

The oppositionPDP in Ondo State won fourHouse of Assembly seats by defeating incumbent lawmakers elected on the APCplatform.

The four winners are Afe Felix,Akoko Northwest II;Daodu Raymond, Akoko Southwest 1; Abulu Akeem,Akoko Southwest IIand OguntoduJohnson, Akure South I.

A spokesman for thePDP , Kennedy Peretei, expressed optimism that the party would win more seats.

ButAPC’s candidate for Ondo West Constituency 1,Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju defeated incumbent lawmaker, Tomide Akinrinbido of the PDP.

•Kwara

In Kwara State, SpeakerYakubu Danladi-Salihu, won the poll inIlesha-Gwanara State Constituency.

Danladi-Salihu of theAPC) polled 14, 949 votes, while his closest rival, Usman Abubakar of the PDP got 2,072 votes.

He lauded his constituents for their support and assured them that he would continue to prioritisetheir welfare.

“I wish to thank my constituents for the show of love and massive support that earned me this sweet victory at the poll.

Similarly, MagajiAbdulkadir of theAPCwas declared the winner of the election inMagaji Ngeri Constituency in Ilorin Central.

Hepolled the highest votes of 14,080 to defeat, Abdullah Sodiq, of thePDPwho scored 10,127;

Bayero Yahaya ofSDP, whohad1,257.

Magaji expressed gratitude to GovernorAbdulrahman AbdulRazaq for giving him the opportunity to represent his people.

He promised to consolidate the legacy of his late brother, Olawoyin Magaji.

Also, 26-year-old Rukayat Shittu of the APCwon a seat in theHouse.

Rukayat, a former Senate President of the Congress of NOUN Students (CONS)will represent the Owode/Onire constituency, Asa Local Government Area.

She scored 7,521 votes to beat herPDPrival who polled 6,957 votes.

Similarly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the Speaker of the House and candidate of the APC clinched the ticket of the Ilesha-Gwanara constituency. He defeated his main contestant, Usman Abubakar of the PDP.

•Anambra:

Okafor, who sought to represent Ayamelum State Constituency, for the third time scored 11,445.votes while Udemezue had 12,993 votes.

Similarly, Deputy Majority Leader of the House and APGA candidate for Orumba North, Emeka Aforka lostto Labour Party’s(LP)Paul Obu.

Obu secured 10,212 votes against Aforka’s 7,675 votes.

In the same vein, a member representing Awka North and candidate of the PDP, John Nwokoye, lost out to a fresher and candidate of APGA, Chimezie Ikwunne.

LP’s candidate for Anaocha 1,Nkechi Ogbuefi, retired the incumbent member and candidate of PDP, Ebele Ejimofor, who also sought a third term.Ejike Okechukwu of APGA retained his seat for Anaocha 2 constituency.

But the PDPcandidate, Douglas Egbuna and member representing Onitsha North 1, retained his seat with 7140 votes against LP’sChukwunenye Azuka, who got 7135 votes.

APGA’s candidate, Jude Azotani, polled 7488 votes to defeat PDP’s standard bearer, Achike Onuah who secured 4333 votes.

Also, results so far declared by INEC showed that Ebuka Igwe of LP won Idemili South;Emma Nwafor of APGA clinched the Orumba South seat, and EmmanuelOkpalaeke of APGA emerged winner at Aguata 1.

Similarly, Young Progressive Party (YPP) flag bearer for Nnewi North, Augustine Ike emerged victorious, just as YPP candidate for Nnewi South 1, Nonso Atuchukwu and his colleagueNnewi South 2, Johnbosco Akaegbobi retained their seats.

•Kaduna

The Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani of the rulingAPCwasdeclared winner of Igabi West Constituency fortheKaduna State House

According to the resultsZailani polled 45,849 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ibrahim Usman of the PDP, who polled 23,163 votes.

•Bayelsa

The Speaker, Ingobere Abraham was re-elected to representBrass Constituency III.

Declaring the results in Brass Local Government Area on Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Abraham,PDP lawmaker scored 5,973 votes to defeat Yousuo Oberiakuma of the APC, who scored 981 votes.

In Yenagoa Constituency II,Waikumo Amakoromo polled 4,971 to stop the third-term ambition of the Chief Whip of the Assembly,. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, polled 4,583 votes.

Also, in Nembe Constituency I, EbiOlolo’s third-term ambition was also aborted by Oteigbanyo George-Braah of APGA.

INEC also declaredTasiu Maigari, the speaker of KatsinaHouse of Assembly,as the winner of the race in Zango Constituency.

Maigari of the APCpolled 19,784 votes while his closest rival, Manzo Madaka of the PDP garnered 10,499votes.

APC wins Buhari’sconstituency seat

INECdeclaredNasir Yahaya of the APC winner of the poll inDaura Constituency in Katsina State.to become President Muhammadu Buheri’s lawmaker-elect.

Nasir scored 24,913 votes to defeat his main rival, Aliyu Mage of the PDP, who secured 12, 240 votes.

•Katsina

INECdeclaredNasir Yahaya of the APC winner of the poll inDaura Constituency in Katsina State.to become President Muhammadu Buheri’s lawmaker-elect.

Nasir scored 24,913 votes to defeat his main rival, Aliyu Mage of the PDP, who secured 12, 240 votes.

•Bauchi

Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, AbubakarSuleiman, was also re-elected to representNingi Central Constituency.

He scored 16, 866votes against15, the 065 recorded by Ningi of the APC.

•Nasarawa

Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, IbrahimBalarabe won his third term bid to representUmaisha-Ugya inNasarawa State.

The returning officer, Abdullahi Hudu-Ramalan said thatBalarabe,who was the candidate of APC,polled 3,706 votes to defeat, Ibrahim Sa’ad of the PDP, who garnered 2,850 votes.

•Akpabio’s cousin wins Assembly seatforPDP

PDP defeats APC to win Bida North constituency in Niger

In Niger State, PDP’sSuleiman Wachiko of the APC lost theBida NorthConstituency seat.

Wachiko polled 12, 062 to beat APC’s Bako Kasim, who scored 11, 820. defeat APC’s Bako Kasim, who scored 11, 820.

However, the APC candidate representing Bida SouthHaruna Mohammed was re-elected.

Haruna scored 11,742 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP, Ndeji Kudu andNNPP’s Abba Hashimu, who scored 10, 874 votes and 2, 868 votes, respectively.

•Taraba

Out of the seven results released as of 4 pm yesterday by INEC,the PDPwon three;APC,two; New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP)one seat each.

The PDP lawmakers-elect are AbubakarTanko, Takum 1 Constituency; John Lamba, Takum 2; andNuhu Akila, Lau.

Abel Peter Diah of the APC won in Mbamga Constituency; UbaMairiga also of the APC; Jalingo 2.

Joseph Kassong of SDP won in Yorro State Constituency while Umar Adamu SarkI of NNPP triumphed inYorro State Constituency Jalingo 1 .

•Niger

In Niger State, PDP’sSuleiman Wachiko of the APC lost theBida NorthConstituency seat.

Wachiko polled 12, 062 to beat APC’s Bako Kasim, who scored 11, 820. defeat APC’s Bako Kasim, who scored 11, 820.

However, the APC candidate representing Bida SouthHaruna Mohammed was re-elected.

Haruna scored 11,742 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP, Ndeji Kudu andNNPP’s Abba Hashimu, who scored 10, 874 votes and 2, 868 votes, respectively.

•Bauchi

Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, AbubakarSuleiman, was also re-elected to representNingi Central Constituency.

He scored 16, 866votes against15, 065 recorded by Ningi of the APC.

•Nasarawa

Speaker, of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, IbrahimBalarabe,won his third term bid to representUmaisha-Ugya inNasarawa State.

The returning officer, Abdullahi Hudu-Ramalan said thatBalarabe,who was the candidate of APC,polled 3,706 votes to defeat, Ibrahim Sa’ad of the PDP, who garnered 2,850 votes.

“We, however, commend INEC for learning from their shortcomings and improving on the governorship.”

•PDP decries violence, Rhodes-Vivour claims victory

The PDP, in Lagos State yesterday condemned violence, attacks and snatching of ballot boxes during Saturday’s Governorship/House of Assembly Elections in the state.

The Party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Hakeem Amode, in a statement in Lagos, said the violence led to the death of some persons.

“We found it appalling that hoodlums, many of whom are said to be working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), were behind the violence at several polling units across the state, which disrupted the electoral process,” he stated.

Amode called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to investigate the exercise and come up with a full report of the election and evaluate the whole process.

Reacting to allegations against the ruling party, APC’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Seye Oladejo, in a statement on Saturday, said the party had no reason to be violent.

Oladejo also urged the opposition parties to embrace peace and the spirit of sportsmanship.

Meanwhile, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says the results of the Lagos governorship election do not align with what his field agents recorded.

The LP governorship candidate said he is “convinced beyond any doubt” that the outcome of the election does not represent “the wishes of the majority of peaceful Lagosians”.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to declare a winner in the election that was marred by violence, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor, is on course for victory.

He has won 18 of the 19 LGAs announced so far while Rhodes-Vivour has secured victory in one.

But according to the LP candidate, “the results from our field agents and situation room indicated that we won this election”.

Rhodes-Vivour reacted to the outcome of the election via a Twitter thread on Sunday.

•Opposition condemns manhandling of agents in Imo

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has alleged its party agents at Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area were manhandled by thugs and suspected supporters of the ruling party.

Briefing newsmen on Sunday, the Local Government Area, Chairman of the party, Maxwell Nnabuihe, also alleged that the PDP candidate for Aboh Mbaise, Princewill Amuchie was also brutalised by the thugs and some security agents.

Nnabuihe claimed that the thugs pounced on his members, including another assistant collation agent of the ward, Ben Chilaka over their refusal to allow them snatch electoral materials.

Amuchie however, asserted that out of the 208 polling booths where elections were conducted, results of 183 polling units had been uploaded in the IREV .

Reacting, the APC publicity Secretary, Cajeta Duke advised the PDP to go to court if it feels not satisfied with INEC results of the Assembly election in the state.

•INEC declaresKano’sTakai Constituencyelection inconclusive

The election for the Takai Constituency seat inKano State was yesterday declared inconclusive by theINEC.

The APC was leading with 24,573 votes while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) trailed with 23,569 votes before the declaration by INEC.

He promised thatelection wouldbe conducted again in the five affected polling units

Returning Officer of the election, Usman Ibrahimsaid five polling units s were cancelled due to “overvoting.”

He said: “Even though the candidate of APC, Musa Ali, scored 24,573 votes while the NNPP candidate scored 23,569 votes, we still have no other option than to declare the poll inconclusive.

“This is because elections in five polling units were cancelled due to over-voting.

“The election will be conducted again in the five affected polling units,”

NEC declares Kano’s Takai Assembly election inconclusive

“We, however, commend INEC for learning from their shortcomings and improving on the governorship.”

Meanwhile, INEC releasedresults from nine out of the 44 local government areasthe statewithNNPP leading with 153,103 votes

The results were presented on Sunday at the INEC Collation Centre in Kano to the Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Doko, the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

According to the results, NNPP’s Abba Kabiru Yusuf is in the early lead, while Malam Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had so far won three local government areas with 142,981 votes.

The NNPP had so far won in Rano, Rogo, Wudil, Karaye, Minjibir and Albasu Local Government Areas, while APC won in Tsanyawa, Makoda and Kunchi LGAs.

The collated results also showed that Mr. Sadiq Aminu Wali of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) scored 1,237 votes from the nine declared LGAs.

Meanwhile, the police command in Kano State said it has arrested 161 persons including a member state House of Assembly for alleged electoral offences during Saturday’s Governorship and States Houses of Assembly elections.

Mr. Mohammed Usaini-Gumel, the state Commissioner of Police said this when he addressed newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Bompai Kano on Sunday.

He said that the suspects were arrested by a team of security operatives after they were engaged in electoral offences like vote-buying and destruction of election materials among others.

Ex-minister hails INEC

A former Minister of Youths, Sports and Social Development, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did well in the conduct of Saturday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

Reviewing the election yesterday at Bida in Niger State, Ndanusa told reporters that “looking at the public outcry that followed the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, I will say that INEC has done very well”.

He added: “INEC has taken up some of the challenges noticed in the presidential and National Assembly elections and worked on some of them to make the process better.

“They have done better than what they did initially. We must give INEC the opportunity to succeed because they are operating in Nigeria where every sector has its challenges.”

Ndanusa lauded the conduct of the election, especially in Bida area, saying it was one of the most peaceful.

“I think this is one of the most peaceful elections we have witnessed, judging from about 14 polling units that I visited, including where I voted,” he said.

The former minister and former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the f accreditation and voting was fast, transparent and detailed.

He noted that many voters who he spoke with said they were satisfied with the elections, thereby giving it credibility.

“In voting these days, our people are talking about the personality of the candidate and not the political party.

“It is the candidate that drives the party and not the party driving the candidate,” he said.

Ndanusa also said there had been a lot of voter education by the government and political parties to sensitise the electorate on the need to do the right thing.

The former minister noted that although the election recorded minor skirmishes in some places, it was largely a success.

“The tight security put in place by the Federal Government also contributed to the success recorded in the elections.

“Many people were encouraged to come out and vote in Bida,” he said. (The Nation)