…as Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Kano elections suspended over Irregularities and Violence
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clinched victories in three House of Representatives’ seats in Lagos, Ondo, and Cross River states respectively.
APC’s Fuad Kayode Laguda, emerged victorious in Surulere Federal Constituency 1.Laguda will succeed the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who vacated his seat in the House following his appointment as President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff.
In Ondo, Ife Ehindero of the APC scored 35,504 votes to claim the Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency seat. His PDP challenger, Olalekan Bada, polled 15,328 votes.The APC candidate was declared winner of the by-election having scored 35,504 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Olalekan Bada who scored 15,324 votes.Ehindero will succeed Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who was appointed Minister of Interior.
In Cross River State, Dr. Emil Inyang of the APC was declared winner for the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency.Announcing the result of the election, the Returning Officer, Joshua Umo declared that Inyang got 15,930 votes while Austin Aidam of the PDP polled 12,417 votes
In other results, Mr. Shittu Ibrahim of the APC won the Saki West State Constituency poll in Oyo State, and Mr. Amakoromo Waikumo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) emerged as the winner of the Yenagoa Constituency II re-run election in Bayelsa State. In the Yobe East Senatorial by-election, Mr. Musa Mustapha of the APC was leading his main challenger, Mallam Ajiko.
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Meanwhile,INEC announced the cancellation of elections in Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Kano states due to various issues. In Akwa Ibom, elections were canceled in some units in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency due to the theft of election materials by hoodlums.
In Enugu State, the exercise was suspended in all eight polling units of Enugu South 1 State Constituency due to missing original result sheets. The re-run elections in Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in Enugu State were also suspended due to disruptions, irregularities, and abduction of election officials.
In Kano State, the police arrested dozens of thugs allegedly hired to disrupt re-run elections in certain areas in the state.The state Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, disclosed this yesterday to journalists in Kano, stated that the thugs were arrested in possession of arms and were allegedly hired by a politician contesting in the election.He said the arrests were made around the Kunchi/Tsanyawa area, one of the constituencies in the state.
INEC stated that – “The decision of the commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022″.Stressed that further measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the commission’s meeting on Monday and called on security agencies to investigate the incidents.