The imminence of a change of baton at the presidency, yesterday, dawned on President Goodluck Jonathan and his associates, forcing them to meet repeatedly and discuss the likelihood of losing their coveted offices.
The scripting of the statement of change was also confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as it commenced the release of the results from the states.
In all results of the presidential election in 19 states released by INEC, in terms of numerical strength, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate led by 8,520, 436 votes against the 6,488,210 votes recorded by President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Progressives Party (PDP).
Buhari also led in 10 states, to Jonathan’s 9. Final results are expected to be collated and released today.
LEADERSHIP had exclusively reported in its yesterday’s edition that Buhari had won the two majority geo-political zones of North West and South West.
INEC collation officers in the states also confirmed our reports that Buhari polled higher than his arch-rival, President Jonathan, in the North East while the two candidates shared the North Central.
Similarly, the announced presidential poll results further corroborated LEADERSHIP’s report that the incumbent president clinched the South-South and the South East zones.
The collating officers, made up of vice chancellors of federal universities, recorded that in Kano State, APC polled 1, 903, 999 while PDP got 215, 779
In Jigawa State, APC polled 885,988 while PDP got 142,904, while in Katsina State, APC got 1,345,441 while PDP got 98,937. In Kwara State, APC polled 302,146 against PDP’s 132,602. Buhari also beat Jonathan in Kaduna with a total votes of 1,127760 to Jonathan’s 484, 085.
However, in Anambra State, APC was beaten 17, 926 to PDP’s 660, 762. Buhari also lost in Abia to Jonathan with the latter scoring 368, 303 to the former’s 13, 394. In Imo, PDP won by a wide margin of 559,185 to APC’s 133,253.
The other released results include:
Ekiti: PDP – 176, 446; APC – 120, 331;
Enugu: PDP – 553,003; APC – 14,157 votes.
FCT: PDP – 157,195 votes; APC – 146,399 votes.
Kogi: PDP – 149,987 votes; APC – 264,851 votes
Plateau: PDP 549, 615; APC – 429, 140
Nasarawa: PDP – 273,460 votes; APC – 236,838 votes
Ogun: PDP – 207,950 votes; APC – 308,290 votes
Ondo: PDP – 251,368 votes ; APC – 299,889 votes
Osun: PDP – 249,929 votes ; APC: – 383,603
Oyo: PDP – 303,376 votes; APC – 528,620
Akwa Ibom: PDP – 963,304 votes; APC – 58,411
The agent of the APC, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, complained about the APC votes in Enugu State, saying that it was supposed to be 22, 690 instead of the 14, 157 declared by the state collation officer.
The INEC chairman, however, called for an open audit of the process, which revealed that the figures were correct.
However the PDP agent, who was given an opportunity to speak said, “What he (Mamora) presented is what they have been posting on social media.”
But Jega cut him short, saying, “We told everybody yesterday that posting such results is illegal.”
LEADERSHIP watched as staffers and their dazed principals discussed the outcome of the polls in many of the states.
The usual boisterous atmosphere which characterize Aso Rock on working days when workers go about their duties gave way to a mood of anxiety and uncertainty.
While the permanent workers waited with bated breath, some of the political appointees looked forlorn as results trickled in.
Many staffers at the villa were busy with their calculators, doing arithmetic with the collated figures when INEC released the first round of results.
A dishevelled President Jonathan, who received international observers who came to present the election monitoring report to , maintained a calm disposition as he welcomed the visitors to Aso Villa.
Jonathan had a closed-door meeting with some former African leaders who led international foreign observers who monitored Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The former African leaders and international observes, led by former president of Ghana John Kuffour (ECOWAS mission) and his Malawian counterpart Bakili Muluzi (Commonwealth mission) said they were in Aso Rock to present the report of their assignment in Nigeria to Jonathan.
Others in the delegation included former Liberian President Amos Sawyer, who is leading the African Union Election Observer Mission, and the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Ambassador Aisha Laraba Abdullahi.
They observers lauded the president for the transparent and peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.
After the meeting, Kuffour who spoke to journalists, said they were at the villa to thank the president and Vice President Namadi Sambo, for a job well done, before some of them would leave the country to give interim reports to the world bodies that sent them “because it is under their watch that this peaceful, transparent, credible elections have been happening and it is natural they be congratulated for the work done so far.”
He said the success of the polls was not only a good omen to Nigeria as a country, but to the entire West African region and to the African continent as a whole.
Noting, however, that the exercise was not yet over until all the elections are conducted and the results collated and announced peacefully, he appealed to all Nigerians to continue in the manner they have conducted themselves so far to ensure that everything about the process ends well.
”We have been in the country with our groups observing all over the country; now we have come to a point where, from what we have seen that the elections have been peaceful, transparent and credible up to yesterday,” he said.
The former president appealed to Nigeria to continue in this mood throughout the entire process, so that at the end of the day the people of Nigeria will be satisfied with themselves – that they used the process to get the government they wanted.
Senate: Mark, Kwankwaso, Akpabio Win Senatorial seats
…..As Aliyu, Dakingari, Suswan Lose
Senate President David Mark of the ruling PDP won the Benue South Senatorial district election, defeating Daniel Onje of the APC for his fifth term in the Senate.
Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Musa Kwankwaso (Kano) Theodore Orji (Abia) and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) also won their senatorial seats in their states.
However, there were upsets as Governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi) Gabriel Suswan (Benue) lost their senatorial bids in their states.
Meanwhile, some notable senators suffered shocking defeats in their return bids to the Senate. For instance, Hayatu Gwarzo (Kano, PDP) who has been in the Upper House since 1999, same for Deputy Senate Leader Abdul Ningi (Bauchi, PDP). Senators Zaynab Kure (Niger PDP), Chris Ngige (Anambra, APC) and Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna) also suffered defeats.
Kano
Kwankwaso (APC) won Kano Central senatorial seat, beating the incumbent, Senator Basheer Lado. He polled 758,383 to Lado’s 205,809.
In Kano North, Senator Hayatu Gwarzo’s 16-year reign in the Senate came to an end as he was defeated.
Senator Kabiru Gaya retained his seat in Kano South Senatorial zone.
Plateau
It was a clean sweep for the PDP in the state as Governor Jonah Jang emerged winner in the Plateau North senatorial district while Jeremiah Useni won the Plateau South Senatorial zone, with the incumbent, Joshua Dariye, retaining his seat of Plateau central zone.
FCT
Incumbent senator, Phillip Aduda, retained his seat with 151,737 of the votes.
Kaduna
Former two term governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi (PDP) lost his Kaduna North senatorial seat in the presidential and National Assembly election to his former commissioner of finance, Alhaji Suleiman Othman Hukunyi of the APC.
Hukunyi defeated Makarfi who has been in the Senate since 2007 with 447,919 votes to 136,197.
Comrade Shehu Sani of APC also won the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat after defeating Senator Mohammed Mukhtar Aruwa of the PDP with 468,964 votes to 168,241.
Southern Kaduna senatorial seat, Mr Danjuma Laah of the PDP defeated APC’s Ishaku Shekarau to emerge winner with 259,239 votes to 119,022.
Bayelsa
In Bayelsa, the PDP swept all the three senatorial zones as Senator George Sekibo, Olaka Johnson Nwogu and Hon Osinakachukwu won for Rivers East, South East and Rivers West respectively
Anambra
In Anambra State, PDP candidate, Iyom Uche Ekwunife, won the Central senatorial zone, beating incumbent Senator Chris Ngige, while former aviation minister, Stella Odua, won the Anambra North Senatorial zone, while the incumbent senator, Andy Uba, retained his seat in the South senatorial zone.
Bauchi
In Bauchi, APC candidate, Isa Hamman Misau, unseated the Senate Leader Abdul Ningi of the PDP in his bid to return to the Senate. Misau scored 208, 741 votes while Senator Ningi scored 57, 172 votes.
The results of the Bauchi North Senatorial District showed that Senator Nazif Gamawa defeated Alhaji Faruq Mustapha of the PDP to secure the Senate seat.
While declaring the result in Azare, headquarters of the district yesterday, the INEC collation officer, Dr Muhammed Adamu, said Nazif polled 197, 919 votes to beat Mustapha who scored 97, 047.
Abia
Senate chairman, Committee on information, Eyinnaya Abaribe, retained his seat at the Abia South senatorial zone while the incumbent governor Theodeore Orji won in Abia Central. Both are PDP men.
Lagos
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC) is set to win the Lagos Central senatorial district as she was having a comfortable lead ahead of her opponent, Ade Dosunmu of PDP at the time of going to press.
Kebbi
In Kebbi, APC won all senatorial seats as former FCT minister, Senator Adamu Aliero, won in Kebbi Central, scoring 216 084 to beat Abubakar Malam of the PDP who polled 68,772. In Kebbi North, Dr Yahya Abdullahi of the APC scored 139,197 to defeat the incumbent governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari of the PDP, who got 70,148 votes. In Kebbi South, Hon Bala Ibn Na’Allah of the APC defeated PDP’s Sadiq Yalwa.
Osun
The APC swept the three senatorial seats in Osun State. The result signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo yesterday by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, indicated that Senator Babajide Omoworare emerged the senator-elect for Osun East with 101,352 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Prince Francis Fadahunsi, who got 99,166.
For Osun West, Prof Sola Adeyeye of APC scored 137,379 to floor the PDP candidate, Chief Oluwole Aina, who polled 82,529, while Senator Adetunji Adeleke of APC scored 133,009 votes to beat the PDP candidate, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, who had 79,296 votes.
Akwa Ibom
Governor Godwill Akpabio won his Senate seat for Akwa Ibom North East after he polled 422,009 to defeat APC’s Inibehe Okorie, who secured 15,152 votes.
Ogun
Buruji Kashamu, chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP, defeated incumbent Senator Gbenga Kaka for Ogun by polling 99,540 to Kaka’s 12, 972.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wammako (APC) defeated incumbent Senator Ahmed Maccido (PDP) in Sokoto Central with a total of 225, 642 to the senator’s 65,692 votes.
Imo
PDP had a clean sweep in Imo as incumbent Senator Hope Uzodimma, representing Imo West, was declared winner with 154, 604 votes to defeat his closest rival, Osita Izunaso of the APC, who scored 70, 843 votes. Athan Achonu of the PDP also won in Imo North, while Samdaddy Anyanwu of the PDP won the Imo East.
Enugu
The deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP was declared winner of the Enugu West senatorial seat, having polled 120,075 out of the 123,286 valid votes cast.
Niger
There were major upsets in Niger as David Umaru with 257,831 votes defeated Governor Babangida Aliyu who polled 82,094 votes for Niger East senatorial zone.
Similarly, in Niger South, incumbent senator, Zaynab Kure, lost to General Garba Mohammed (APC) while for Niger North, the APC retained its seat as Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi defeated Halidu Abba of the PDP with 170,901 votes to 73,368.
Nasarawa
APC won two senatorial seats in Nasarawa State.
The incumbent senator, Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of the state who represents Nasarawa West, secured a return ticket to the Senate after polling 92, 804 votes to defeat former House of Representatives member, Ahmed Wadada, who scored 88, 214.
In a dramatic twist, however, Senator Sulaiman Adokwe (PDP), representing Nasarawa South, was defeated by a new entrant, Salihu Egyebola (APC), after he scored 91,760 to his opponent’s 95,781.
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam has lost the Benue North East senatorial seat to the incumbent Senator Barnabas Gemade, who scored 140, 715 to the governor’s 118, 603 votes.
A total of five candidates contested the election on various political platforms but Gemade, a former chairman of the ruling PDP, emerged winner.
Reps: Mulikat, Farouk Lawan fail in return bids as Gbajabiamila, Ogor, others stage comeback
In the House of Representatives, notable federal lawmakers suffered shocking defeats in the recently conducted National Assembly election, as disclosed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Leading the pack is the House majority leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola (Oyo/ PDP), and one of the longest serving House members, Hon. Farouk Lawan (Kano/PDP), who is currently facing trial for the oil subsidy bribery scandal.
However, there were successful return bids. The House minority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos/APC) and the House deputy leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (Delta/PDP) won their elections.
House spokesman, Hon. Zakari Mohammed (Kwara/APC), Pally Iriase (Edo/APC) and Hon. Yakub Dogara (Bauchi/APC) also retained their seats.
Abia
In Aba North/South federal constituency, newcomer Ossy Prestige of APGA defeated the incumbent Hon Uzor Azubuike of the PDP, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions.
Kwara
The chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed (APC), got re-elected. He scored 32,505 votes to beat PDP’s Abubakar Othman who polled 12,353 votes.
Bauchi
Hon Binta Bello (PDP/Kaltungo/Shongom) was re-elected. She polled 34,161 votes to defeat APC candidate, Abishak Andirya, who got 23,684.
Lagos
INEC Returning Officer for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, Prof Ngozi Osarenren, declared Gbajabiamila winner, having scored 21,715 votes as against 14,550 votes scored by his opponent, Tony Ashikodi of the PDP.
APC candidate, Babajimi Benson, also won the seat for Ikorodu federal constituency with 48,789.
Edo
Philip Shaibu of the APC was declared winner of Estako federal constituency with 42,019 votes. He beat the PDP candidate, Abbas Braimoh, who got 29,964 votes.
In Owan federal constituency, Pally Iriase of APC scored 26,606 votes to retain his seat, while in Akoko Edo federal constituency, the APC candidate, Peter Aphatasin, was re-elected with 19,006 votes.
Osun
Also, out of the nine federal constituencies in Osun State, APC won seven seats while PDP won the remaining two.
In Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu federal constituency, Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun of the APC won with 73,678 votes. In Obokun/Oriade, Bisayo Oke (PDP) won 22,102 votes. In Ede North/South/Egbedore/Ejigbo, Mojeed Alabi (APC) won with 52,029 votes. In Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan, Hon. Ayo Omidiran (APC) was re-elected with 36,538 votes. In Ife Central/North/South/East, Albert Adeogun (PDP) defeated the incumbent, Hon. Makinde Rotimi (APC) with 51,341 votes to 41,062.
In Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila, Olufemi Fakeye (APC) won with 19,281 votes, while in Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe, Adeyinka Ajayi (APC) defeated his opponent with 39,145 votes.
At Atakumosa East/West/Ilesa East/West, Ajibola Famurewa (APC) also won with 38,133 votes, while in Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa, Akintayo Gafaru (APC) defeated his opponent, Ajani Tajudeen of the PDP, with 32,742 votes to 23,115.
Katsina
Muntari Dandutse of the APC won the Funtua/Dandume federal constituency by defeating the PDP candidate, Hon. Abdulaziz Bega.
Meanwhile, APC is said to have convincingly won all the remaining federal constituencies in the state.
Presidential election result collation postponed to Tuesday
Just as the presidential election results were being collated at the national collation centre, Abuja, collation of results from different local government areas of Borno State at the state capital, Maiduguri, was postponed as results were still being expected from five local government areas.
The exercise was on Sunday evening suspended to continue on Monday after results from 16 local government areas of Borno State – mostly those conducted at the IDP camps – were collated.
Today, six more local government results of the presidential election were collated with the candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) polling the majority votes with a wide margin.
The results of the National Assembly elections for the state were also made available to the press, with the APC clearing all the seats with a wide margin.
The results declared by the local government returning officers for the six councils yesterday are: Konduga – APC polled 17,150 votes, PDP – 538; Mongumeri – APC 6,742 votes, PDP 495; Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) – APC 155,817 votes, PDP 6671; in Kwaya Kusar, APC 17,134, PDP 1,214; in Bayo local government, APC 17,137 votes, PDP 190; for Jere local government, APC 61, 212 votes, PDP 1,918.
For the National Assembly elections, the APC polled to victory at the Borno Central Senatorial District with 240, 280 votes while the PDP got only 23,110 votes. The result returned the incumbent, Ahmed Zannah, as the senator-elect.
In the Borno North Senatorial district, the APC won with 43,723 votes to PDP’s 6,295.
Going by the result, Abubakar Kyari, the former chief of staff to Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, is the senator-elect.
Collation was still ongoing for Borno South Senatorial District at the time of filing this report.
For the House of Reps, APC won in all the federal constituencies so far declared. These are MMC with APC polling 137,129 votes and PDP 12,978. For Kukawa, Guzamala, Mobbar, Abadam federal constituency, the APC polled 14, 516 votes, while PDP got 1,283. For Monguno, Nganzai, Marte federal constituency, the APC won with 12, 094 to PDP’s 1,586 votes.
In the Dikwa, Mafa, Konduga Federal Constituency contest, the APC won with 23, 683 to 3,700 for the PDP.
The ruling APC won the Kaga, Gubio, Magumeri Federal Constituency with 16,440 votes to PDP’s 2,919 votes.
In Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge Federal Constituency, the APC scored 14,436 to beat the incumbent PDP which scored 3,477 votes.
The Borno State, the presidential collation centre was closed for the day at about 6pm with the collation officials asking parties to return the next day at 9am when it is expected that the results of the five remaining LGAs might have arrived.
Buhari wins Niger by landslide, GEJ gets 17%
The Presidential Candidate of All Progressive Congress General Muhammadu Buhari has defeated the presidential candidate of the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan in Niger State by scoring 657,678 votes as against Jonathan’s 149.222.
In the results released midnight by INEC in the state, 933,607 voters were accredited to vote but 844 683 valid votes were cast while 29 polling units results were canceled.
The results indicated that of the 1, 995 679 registered voters in the state, only 933, 607 came out for accreditation showing that 50 per cent of voters did not come out to vote.
The results showed that the APC scored 77.8 per cent of the total vote cast while the PDP only got 17.6 per cent of the total vote cast, and by inference Jonathan could not scored the required 25 per cent of the votes.