News
Voter apathy, slow start mar Kwara, Imo, Enugu LG polls
By Kenneth Ojobor
Voter apathy and a slow start characterised the local government council elections conducted in Kwara, Imo and Enugu states on Saturday.
In Kwara and Enugu states, the elections, monitored in various parts of the states by correspondents, were peaceful but started late due to the late arrival of electoral officials and materials at the polling stations.
In Imo State, the election began on a shaky note with the late distribution of electoral materials, but voter turnout was impressive at the polling units visited by the journalists.
Our correspondent observed that in Enugu, electoral materials arrived very late in most polling units while the turnout was so low that in a majority of the polling units, only a handful of voters were seen.
However, in Kwara State, our correspondent gathered that elections did not start until 9.30 am in most polling units in Ilorin, the state capital, and other parts of the state.
Our correspondent learnt that though commercial vehicles deserted the roads following the vehicular movement restrictions in the state, some traders displayed their wares at the markets as they didn’t bother participating in the election.
It was gathered that some traders in the Ipata and Ganmo markets in the state capital carried out their business activities during the election.
A market woman, Mrs. Iyabo Alata, told journalists that she preferred to mind her business rather than spend time casting her vote.
“This is the only option to put food on my table and not to vote. I prefer to monitor my business than to go and spend my time voting,” she said.
Another trader, Mrs Aishat Usman, said her business was a thing of pride to her and she couldn’t stop it because of the election.
“We have been voting since we were born, but we have yet to see any impact of those we voted for in the past.
While assessing the situation, the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Ilorin South Local Government Area of the state, Majeed Podo, judged the process as peaceful and orderly.
A former Special Assistant of the governor who is the Peoples Democratic Party agent in the Ilorin West Local Government Area, Musbau Esinrogunjo, said electoral officers were not posted to many polling units.
Esinrogunjo also claimed that there were deliberate efforts by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission not to provide election materials, such as result sheets, to many polling units.
Esinrogunjo said, “In Ogidi, Oloje, Pakata and Warah wards of the LGA, sufficient ballot papers and result sheets were not given to the polling units. In a polling unit of 740 voters, only 350 ballot papers were provided while in another polling unit where we have 500 voters, 200 ballot papers were provided.”
At Owerri, the state capital, and the adjoining Egbu, Irete and other communities, Newsmen gathered that many voters turned out for the exercise as early as 7.30 a.m.
Also, at the Owerri Municipal Local Government Headquarters, the main entrance gate was locked as of 8:54 a.m., while many voters and ad hoc election workers were seen outside waiting.
At the Bishop Lesbery Secondary School, Irete, Mount Carmel Primary School, Emekuku and Oha Egbu Town Hall, Egbu polling units, several voters were also seen waiting for the arrival of materials.
There was also visible security at all the polling units visited.
A prospective voter, Mr Chizomam Etonyeanku, expressed disappointment that the process had yet to commence as of 9 a.m.
Etonyeanku said, “The process ought to commence early to avoid dragging into the late hours, which gives room for manipulation and violence.”
Another voter at the Akwakuma Girls’ Secondary School in Owerri North, Mrs Jane Iwuagwu, also said people became interested in the exercise because of the recent Supreme Court judgment whichaffirmed the Local Governments’ financial autonomy.
“We are hopeful that whoever emerges as the chairman must be mindful that he owes a duty to develop the rural communities because they shall be accountable for the funds collected,” she said.
Reports states that normal business activities were seen taking place at some spots on the Wethedral, Egbu, Amakohia, Akwakuma, Orji and MCC Roads, while commuter buses went about their normal business.
Also, at the Ekeukwu Market by Douglas Road, Owerri, many traders opened for business.
In Enugu State, it was observed that generally, the electoral materials arrived very late in most polling units. Turnout, was, however, very low, while in a majority of polling units.
However, the state Governor, Peter Mbah, commended the peaceful conduct of the local government elections held across the state.
After casting his vote at Polling Unit 007, Mbaguzo, Ashishi Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Mbah described the exercise as “democracy in action.”
He praised the orderly and calm atmosphere, noting it as the most peaceful local government election in the state.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, takes over from Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
The emergence of Idiaye was said to have been influenced by the gentleman’s zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which provides that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Idiaye, being the oldest member from the Edo North Senatorial District, was subsequently elected Speaker.
Without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku, according to the new Speaker.
Members of the Assembly were at the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in leadership.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned early on Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Reports gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, a development that may have prompted his resignation.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by Ebojele, who said details of the development would be made public later.
She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from his position.
Agbebaku stepped down on Monday amid moves by some lawmakers to impeach him.
His resignation was confirmed on Facebook by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, who said further details on the circumstances surrounding his exit would be made public later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she wrote.
The development has thrown the Edo State House of Assembly into a fresh leadership crisis, with lawmakers expected to determine a new Speaker.
Details shortly…
The Executive Secretary of the Igbo Oriental Think Tank, Dr. Kenneth Anozie, has highlighted the vision of Dr. Chukwuma Anyichuks Odii for Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement titled “Anyichuks Odii 2027: I Have a Dream for Ebonyi State,” Anozie compared Odii’s vision for Ebonyi with the transformational ideals associated with American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
According to the political analyst, Odii believes that Ebonyi State possesses enormous potential capable of benefiting the wider population rather than serving the interests of a few.
Anozie said Odii’s proposed agenda includes a restructuring of government to ensure equitable representation and development across the different zones of Ebonyi State.
He also listed improved infrastructure as a key component of Odii’s vision, particularly roads and other projects that would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, stimulate industrial development and create employment opportunities for youths.
The analyst further said Odii plans to make the civil service more responsive to the needs of residents, establish major healthcare centres across the state’s local government areas to help reduce child mortality, and provide extensive ICT training for young people.
Anozie said the ICT initiative could position Ebonyi as a hub for technology talent, with trained professionals able to compete for opportunities locally and internationally.
“Anyichuks has a dream. Ndi Ebonyi need to cue in to that dream for the benefits of all,” Anozie said.
He urged Ebonyi residents to pay attention to the proposed agenda and participate actively in determining the direction of the state ahead of the 2027 election.
Dr. Kenneth Anozie is the Executive Secretary of the Igbo Oriental Think Tank and a political analyst.
…Governor trounces APC’s Oyebamiji with 66,252
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Governor Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party, the winner of the 2026 governorship election.
Announcing the final results, INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, the Vice- Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti declared Adeleke winner and returned him elected.
Ogunwole announced that the Accord candidate secured 511,067 while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, recorded 444,815 votes.
Adeleke trounced his major opponent with 66,252 votes amid wild jubilation by party supporters and other residents.
Details later…
The Osun State Governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has won 19 of the 30 Local Government Areas in Saturday’s governorship election, while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, secured victory in 11 LGAs.Download Offline Maps
The results are being collated and announced, with the Independent National Electoral Commission expected to make the official declaration after the completion of the process.
Adeleke recorded notable victories across several parts of the state, including Ede South, Ede North, Osogbo, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ilesa West, Odo Otin, Egbedore and Iwo.
Oyebamiji, however, won key LGAs including Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun, Atakumosa West, Atakumosa East, Irewole, Isokan, Ola-Oluwa, Ife South and Olorunda.
The results announced so far show a closely contested election between the two major candidates, with the other candidates recording significantly lower figures in most of the LGAs.Download Interactive Maps
In Boluwaduro, Adeleke polled 7,118 votes against Oyebamiji’s 7,050. In Ede South, Adeleke secured 26,188 votes while the APC candidate scored 6,219.
Adeleke also won Ife North with 13,879 votes to Oyebamiji’s 9,613; Ilesa West with 16,196 against 12,756; Ifedayo with 7,427 against 6,836; and Ife Central with 21,171 against 15,913.
In Osogbo, Adeleke recorded 36,480 votes while Oyebamiji polled 30,474. He also won Oriade with 21,343 votes to 14,863 and Odo Otin with 18,003 votes against 15,435.
Other LGAs won by Adeleke included Ife East, where he scored 27,201 votes against Oyebamiji’s 18,600; Ifelodun, 21,107 against 18,396; Iwo, 27,085 against 19,660; Ede North, 35,427 against 10,283; Ila, 16,211 against 12,934; Ayedire, 11,073 against 9,910; Egbedore, 19,278 against 11,194; and Ayedaade, 16,681 against 15,719.Design Campaign Signs
Oyebamiji secured victories in Ilesa East with 16,208 votes against Adeleke’s 12,280; Boripe with 19,963 against 12,448; Irepodun with 15,713 against 14,504; and Obokun with 16,120 against 12,023.
He also won Atakumosa West, polling 10,037 votes to Adeleke’s 7,479; Irewole, 29,972 against 10,934; Atakumosa East, 9,936 against 7,872; Isokan, 14,063 against 13,765; Ola-Oluwa, 10,782 against 10,063; Ife South, 14,678 against 13,507; and Olorunda, 24,671 against 23,514.
The outcome places Adeleke ahead in the overall LGA tally, although the final result remains subject to the completion of the official collation and declaration by INEC.
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