Politics over, support Peter Mbah – Exlawmaker, Ogbuabor begs opposition

By Christiana Ekpa

Aformer member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Ogbuabor has urged opposition political parties in Enugu State to sheath their sword and support Barr. Peter Mbah, the winner of the Enugu State governorship election.

The independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had announced Mbah winner after polling 160, 895 votes against the Labour Party candidate, Chijioke Edeoga who garnered 157, 552 votes.

Already, the LP candidate, Edeoga, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr, as well as the Action Alliance, AA, have all rejected the outcome of the polls.

However, while addressing journalists on Friday, Ogbuabor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, congratulated Mbah, urging aggrieved politicians to support him in order to move the state forward.

Ogbuabor is also the National Convener, Eha-Amufu Leaders of Thought.

He said, “We want to use this opportunity also to congratulate other candidates who participated in the governorship election, especially our son and brother, Hon Barr Chijioke Edeoga, Okaome, for a truly gallant and stellar outing.

“No candidate lost in the true sense of democracy. Everyone won. Enugu won. It is human to aspire, but it is divine to be returned elected.

“We call on other contestants and their supporters to see the emergence of Dr Peter Mbah as divine, sheath their swords, and embrace Dr Mbah’s hands of fellowship. Politics is over. The time for governance is now. Peace is a fundamental prerequisite for good governance.

“No State can attain development without peace. We must acknowledge that no individual’s interest is bigger than the collective interest of the State.

“We must also remember that Nigerians are now better aware and politicians who are entrusted with leadership must live up to the expectations or be voted out after four years.

“Therefore, we concur with the Governor-elect when he urged his colleagues at the poll, to ‘come together and give our people a tomorrow that befits their hard work, industry and ancestry of greatness.’”

Ogbuabor, who is EhaAmufu, in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, expressed optimism that Mbah would take the state to another level.

He said during Mbah’s campaign, “he canvassed issues that touch the root of our people’s lives including health, education, water, infrastructure, energy costs, digital innovation, employment opportunities, economic development and good governance.

“It is now time for ‘Peter to go work’. It is now the time to translate your manifesto into a State Strategic Development Plan with clear targets, roles and responsibilities, timelines, and key performance indicators with which the people can hold you accountable in the following four years.

“The expectations are great! Given your miraculous performance in your private enterprise, we have no doubt, whatsoever, that you will exceed the standards of the people’s expectations.

“Thankfully, in your acceptance speech as is the case in your manifesto, you committed to be our Governor; and not to serve any sectional interest. You committed to rise above the emotions, politics, and other mundane divides to serve our people with utmost dedication and diligence. We urge you to do so, especially in Isi-Uzo.

“Because you commit to be our governor, we shall also be your people. We shall follow you. We shall support you. We shall cooperate with you. We shall collaborate with you.

“Together, Enugu will be great again. And the people, shall once again, have a toothy smile irrespective of their geopolitical diversity,” he added.

Don’t disappoint Abia – Azubuike Eberechi Dick to Abia Governor-elect, Alex Otti

By Musa Baba Adamu

AChieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Azubuike Eberechi-Dick has tasked the governor-elect of Abia State, Alex Otti to ensure he keeps the promises made to his people.

While congratulating the governor-elect over his victory at the polls, Azubuike in a statement released on Friday, March 24, said Otti’s victory is a reflection of the will of the people and the strength of the nation’s democratic process.

Azubuike urged Otti to ensure that the hopes of Abians and their desire for economic, infrastructural and social development is actualised.

He said, despite the challenges witnessed during the polls, Otti must begin a reconciliation process and champion a muchneeded inclusive government that will benefit all residents of Abia state.

He congratulated the governor-elect on his resilience to pursue his mandate to the end – victory – and urged him to seek everything rightly belonging to the Abia people at the federal level.

The statement said, “I want to congratulate our governor-elect, Alex Otti for his victory at the 2023 governorship polls conducted in Abia state on Saturday, March 18.

“I salute his resilience and interest in the welfare of Abia people but he must understand that Ndi Abia are looking for an unprecedented change that would bring a better standard of living to their doorsteps.

“I also enjoin the governorelect to ensure the bring everybody to the table in order to facilitate an economic boom in the state.

Kaduna AA guber candidate, Timothy Adamu congratulates governor-elect Sani

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the just concluded governorship election in Kaduna State, Timothy Adamu, has congratulated Senator Uba Sani, the governorelect.

Adamu, in a statement he personally issued, said, “I call on other candidates to come together and support Senator Uba Sani. Remember God gives power to whomsoever He wishes and whenever He wishes. Let’s eschew all forms of bitterness and unite for the progress of our dear state.”

He stated that all hands must be on deck for the peaceful coexistence and development of the state to greater heights in all spheres of life.

He thanked the good people of Kaduna for ensuring peace before, during and after the elections, saying that the governor-elect needs the support of all to achieve the desired result.

He also called on other political parties in the state to rally round the incoming government to ensure rapid development in Kaduna and ensure peace is sustained for people to go about their normal lives.

According to him, “I earnestly want to thank the members of Action Alliance for the support shown to me and my running mate throughout the period of the electioneering campaign up to the election itself.”

Adeleke/Oyetola: Security tighten in Osogbo as A/Court delivers judgment

By Christiana Ekpa

Security has been heightened in Osogbo, the Osun State capital as the Appellate court delivered judgment on the appeal filed by the Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke against the tribunal judgment which favoured former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

On Friday in Osogbo, there was a heavy presence of security personnel in strategic locations across the town.

Armed Policemen were stationed at the Secretariats of the All Progressives Congress (APC) along the Gbongan-Ibadan road, Osogbo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) around Biket area, Ikirun-Osogno road.

Also, there was a heavy security presence at the Imole House campaign headquarters of the state governor, Ademola Adeleke and the Tinubu-Shettima campaign office all in Osogbo.

The presence of armed security personnel was to prevent any breakdown of law Roadblocks were also mounted at the Olaiya flyover, Oke-Fia, Ayetoro and Stadium roundabout.

Recall that in July 2022, Ademola Adeleke of the PDP defeated Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC and the incumbent governor.

Displeased with the outcome of the election, Oyetola filed an Appeal at the justice Tertsea Kume-led Osun gubernatorial election petition tribunal.

The Tribunal after months of seating in a split judgement of 2 to 1 on January 27, 2023, ruled in favour of Oyetola.

The Tribunal sacked Adeleke based on irregularities in 744 polling units across ten local government areas of the state.

In cancelling the alleged illegal votes and declaring Oyetola the winner on legally valid votes, it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Adeleke and re-issue it to Oyetola.

Displeased with the verdict, Adeleke and INEC approached the Appeal court to set aside the judgement and affirmed his victory.

But in a ruling delivered by a three-man Appeal Court panel on Friday, Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner of the election based on information generated by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BIVAS.