TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023Election

  • JUST IN: INEC declares APC candidate Yobe South Senatorial election winner

    JUST IN: INEC declares APC candidate Yobe South Senatorial election winner

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yobe State has declared Ibrahim Bomai as the duly elected Senator representing Yobe South Senatorial District.

    Announcing the result on Saturday at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, the Returning Officer, Abatcha Melemi explained Bomai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 69,596 votes to defeat his closest opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Halilu Mazagane who polled 68,885 votes.

    INEC had earlier declared the election in zone inconclusive resulting from over voting at Manawachi polling unit in the Fika Local Government Area of the state.

    The Returning Officer, who could not entertain questions, told journalists that his mandate was just to declare the winner.

  • No section of our constitution requires a presidential candidate to score 25% of FCT- Senator Osunbor

    No section of our constitution requires a presidential candidate to score 25% of FCT- Senator Osunbor

    … insists the Constitution does not require a win in any particular place, the FCT inclusive

    A Professor of Law and former governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor has said there is no section in Nigeria’s Constitution that requires a presidential candidate to score 25percent of the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

    Recall that many Nigerians had interpreted the relevant section of the constitution, which has portrayed different meanings that a presidential candidate must win FCT

    But the professor of law and a two term Senator in a statement on Friday which he personally signed declared that there is no controversy as “the Constitution does not require a win in any particular place, the FCT inclusive.

    Hear him:

    “There is no section in our constitution that requires a presidential candidate to score “25% of the FCT”.Some people are simply reading into the constitution what is not there .

    “What the constitution states clearly in section 133 is that to be declared winner the candidate must score at least 25% in “two – thirds of the 36 States of the Federation and the capital Territory” .

    “It did not say 25% in the FCT which is how the legal draftsman would have rendered it if that was the intention.

    He explained that:” In fact, the Constitution does not require a win in any particular place, the FCT inclusive.

    “Ask any secondary school student who knows English comprehension the question, ” Where does section 133 of the Constitution require a candidate to score 25%.

    “The only correct answer would be in two- third of the States of the Federation and the FCT.

    “I have read and listened to some lawyers dwell on the rule of interpretation of statutes and the use of word “and”.

    “The first rule of interpretation is that where the language of the statute is clear (as in this case) you do not need to belabor the issue of interpretation. 25% of two-thirds of the States and the FCT is clear enough. You do not need to go on a voyage of discovery to find what is not missing.

    Stressing that “the language of the section is simple and straightforward.

    “It is a known fact that during National Sports Festivals the medals table shows the 36 States and the FCT. When INEC chairman invites Resident Electoral Commissioners for a meet the REC from the States and the FCT attend. The same thing happens when the inspector General of Police meets with Commissioners of Police from the States and the FCT.

    “Simply put, the 36 States and the FCT go together. It is disingenuous to argue otherwise.

  • INEC vows to conduct credible supplementary polls in Sokoto

    INEC vows to conduct credible supplementary polls in Sokoto

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured residents of Sokoto State that Saturday’s National Assembly supplementary election will be free, fair and credible.

    Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held on Thursday at the party secretariat, the INEC National Commissioner for the election, Modibo Alkali, assured that the exercise in Sokoto will be one of the best in the country.

    Alkali also insisted that all parties including their agents must adhere to the rules of the game, stressing that the commission was poised to support the advancement of democracy and democratic processes.

    “We will not waiver our responsibility to doing the needful. We want as much as possible to avoid any confusion in order to safeguard against issues and misunderstandings.

    “Parties should ensure that only one agent or representative is to each PU.

    “We don’t want to experience any loss of life or bloodletting as we witnessed some disruption and disturbance at some PUs in the last exercise,” he said.

    Alkali, flanked by the Acting REC, Barrister Hauwa Kangiwa, and other top officials of the commission, urged party leaders and stalwarts to educate their supporters and members to be on peaceful conduct during the exercise.

    He said INEC remained a neutral body and assured that the security agencies were adequately in synergy to provide needed security throughout the exercise.

    We are holding a second leg of such a meeting with all security agencies to harmonise measures towards a successful supplementary election conduct in the state.”

    However, representatives of all registered political parties in the state in attendance pledged to abide by the rules of the game.

  • Detention: LP denies receiving British govt apology, says we’ve moved on

    Detention: LP denies receiving British govt apology, says we’ve moved on

    The Media Office of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LPPC), has denied receiving any apology from the British government over the detention of its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that Peter Obi was last week Friday was detained at the Heathrow Airport by Immigration officials over a case of duplicated identity.

    Reports had emerged today claiming that the British government had tendered an apology to the former Anambra State Governor for the detention.

    But in a statement to journalists, the Head, Obi-Datti Media, Diran Onifade, called on the UK government to resolve the matter around the eembarrassment of Peter Obi.

    He said the party has not received any apology over the incident, adding that the Labour Party has gone past the incident.

    The statement reads in part: “We have been receiving enquiries with regards to a so-called apology, purportedly issued by the British Government or any of its agencies, to our Principal Mr Peter Obi, in respect of a routine Immigration engagement with him, as he arrived London, for a brief visit, last Friday, the 7th of April.

    “We would like to state emphatically that we are not aware of any such apology, and have not issued any statement whatsoever, in that regard.

    “While we continue to examine any dubious or political motive, on the part of the perpetrators of the identity theft, we have every confidence in the ability of the British authorities to resolve the matter to a conclusion.

    “Mr Peter Obi and the LP/PCC have since moved on from the incident and continue to be totally focused, on the legal processes before the Election Petition Tribunal towards the recovery of our mandate, which we are firmly convinced, was overwhelmingly expressed by voters, in the Presidential election of February 25th.”

  • Abdulkarim to Soyinka: Your post is a belated post mortem examination of 2023 elections

    Abdulkarim to Soyinka: Your post is a belated post mortem examination of 2023 elections

     

    …a wrong diagnosis

    …your intervention now is rather too late

    …says the man indeed died

    The Director General of Big Tent Nigeria, Ibrahim Abdulkarim has a taken a swipe at Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka describing his recent outbursts as a belated post mortem examination of the 2023 and a misplaced diagnosis.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement he personally signed on on Monday stating that the Nobel Laureate showed up at the scene too late as Nigerians waited in vain for his candid opinion.

    Using one of his most successful books ‘The man died’ to elucidate his position, Abdulkarim said “indeed the man died”.

    Hear him:

    “In the build up to the 2023 presidential election, very eminent personalities in Nigeria lent their voices to their wishes and desires for the country, including their wishes on the character and disposition of the next president of the country.

    “The combined effects of the anxiety on the baleful state of our union and the parlous state of our security and economy engendered a national debate amongst the Nigerian political elite on the kind of president that the nation desires at this time.

    “Given Prof. Wole Soyinka’s global influence as a world-acclaimed statesman, Nigerians fruitlessly clamoured for his intervention at the most auspicious time.

    “The clamour was so rife that some clever elements would on social media at different times, issue fake statements on what they desired the eminent professor of literature to say at the time.

    ” This would thereafter elicit some rebuttals from the revered Nobel Laureate on multiple occasions.
    Prof. Soyinka uncharacteristically, in what many have attributed to his closeness to one of the presidential candidates at the time, disappointed a host of his admirers who waited in vain for his intervention.

    “Save for the terse but strongly worded statement censuring the members of a fraternity he birthed for ridiculing one of the candidates in a gyration song that went viral on social media, the fiery professor was not known to have intervened throughout the campaign period.

    “It is therefore against this background that a good number of Nigerians felt outraged by the sudden intervention of Soyinka in the just-concluded presidential election. Shortly before the election, the media space was awash with statements of persons who threatened genocide on some ethnic groups should they dare vote in certain places in Nigeria.

    “These elements made good their threats as witnessed in the election violence that led to the untimely deaths of some Nigerians whose only crime was the shared determination to change the course of their nation.

    “Strangely, Prof. Soyinka’s activist tongue was wittingly gagged when all these took place.
    Nigeria’s 2023 election has been dubbed one of the darkest electoral heists in history, yet Prof. Soyinka maintained studied silence when this daylight robbery was being visited on Nigerians.

    “Opinions are rife that this unusual reticence of Prof. Soyinka had a lot to do with his relationship with the dramatis personae involved in that electoral larceny, including his closeness to the INEC-declared president-elect.

    “Whatever it is that informed Prof. Soyinka’s uncommunicative approach when it mattered the most, one thing that has remained constant in all the analysis so far is that his silence at that auspicious time was not golden.

    “It is therefore curious that of all the shenanigans that characterised the 2023 presidential election, the only action Prof Soyinka considers inordinate in the whole melee was the behaviours of the harmless Obidients and the utterances of Datti Baba-Ahmed who merely expressed his sadness at the shambolic manner in which the election was conducted.

    “Nigerians are therefore herein alerted that there is a dangerous growing pattern and determination to impose on Peter Obi and his supporters the tag of violence, even when available evidence shows otherwise. And it is much more insidious to have someone like Prof. Soyinka, who should know better, lend voice in feeding such satanic narrative.

    “How could Prof. Soyinka openly betray his bias by challenging Datti Baba-Ahmed to a debate? Does Soyinka want to debate Datti as a co-contestant or what? This is confusing, for want of a better word.

    “Little wonder Prof. Soyinka could not spare a word of commendation for Peter Obi who has throughout the campaign, and after, stuck to the issues that ail us as a nation. We are miffed that Soyinka feigned ignorance of the fact that Peter Obi has consistently enjoined his supporters to continue to toe the path of peace while the judiciary works to restore his stolen mandate.

    “It is on record that even when the sister opposition parties filed out on the streets to protest the outcome of the election, Labour Party and their supporters have maintained restraint, in apparent belief in the capacity of our judicial institutions to do the right thing.

    ” What then are the sins of these Obidients who have continued to embrace peace, even in the face of provocative efforts by some politicians who have colluded with some state agents to steal their future?

    “The only known offence of these Obidients as far as we can recall is their resilience and determination to not fizzle out; they have refused to keep quiet since the 25th February robbery incident and Prof. Soyinka believes they should have kept quiet in the face of such glaring and brazen injustice.

    “We then ask our beloved Prof Soyinka: What has now happened to the book “The Man Died”? These chaps deserve a huge dose of apology from Prof. Soyinka, to say the least.

    “…where is justice for the Nigerians who believed that Nigeria can work and they set out to make it work? Where will Wole Soyinka seat in 4 years if the concrete injustice cures and people like him have to bequeath last words to young Nigerians who have lost faith in this Nigeria and the struggles that his likes have undertaken for almost 100 years…the man has indeed died.

    “Finally, while Nigeria continues to count herself lucky to still have the sage around, and in good health, and while we nonetheless continue to accord tremendous respect to our global icon, we would not shy away from reminding Baba Soyinka that there is absolutely nothing wrong with him having his preferred presidential candidate amongst the pack, and we don’t begrudge the choices he has made in that regard.

    “However, we insist that next time Baba wants to intervene on issues of this nature he should do well not to coat such support in the garb of neutrality. It is actually cowardice not to be publicly proud of one’s political convictions and we are absolutely certain that Prof. Wole Soyinka is not a coward.

  • The ultimate battle for the governorship of Enugu State has just begun, and it seems over before it began — By Emeka Ugwuonye

    The ultimate battle for the governorship of Enugu State has just begun, and it seems over before it began — By Emeka Ugwuonye

    ANALYSIS

    By Kalu Idika On Apr 10, 2023.

    Honourable Chijioke Edeoga and Labour Party have delivered early on their promise to challenge the result of the recently concluded elections for the governorship of Enugu State, which declared Peter Mbah of the PDP winner in the most controversial circumstance imaginable. The promised challenge has commenced with a 35-paged petition that is heavily studded with compelling evidence and points of argument pointing strongly to irregularities, manipulations and distortions that characterized the elections, and which makes the announced victory for Mbah an impossibility under any shade of logic.

    In a petition filed on the 5th of April, 2023, Edeoga’s legal team comprising Asiwaju Adegboyega S. Awomolo, who leads six other senior advocates, raised three grounds for seeking the nullification of the results of the Enugu State governorship elections and the declaration of Edeoga as the winner. The grounds are:

    (1) That the Peter Mbah was, at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election.
    (2) That Peter Mbah was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election.
    (3) That the Election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act, with respect to Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 2022. (The cited section of the law states that an election may be questioned on the ground that the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act).

    Fidelity Leaderboard
    Most observers have all along been expecting the second and third grounds. What comes as a shock to many is the first ground, to wit; that Peter Mbah was not qualified to contest the election. Peter Mbah was the candidate anointed by the PDP apparatchik in Enugu State. To realize that he was not even qualified to contest the election as Governor of Enugu State will come as a rude shock to many of supporters and Godfathers. It means they had backed a wrong horse from day one and that rendered their mission a fundamental impossibility.

    I shall therefore focus this post on the question of whether Peter Mbah was qualified to run as the Governor of Enugu State in the last election.

    What has appeared from the court record is that doubts about Peter Mbah’s qualifications and his honesty have been in doubt way before the elections. Apparently, somebody who knew Peter Mbah closely had raised some credible doubts about his integrity as far back as October 2022. Immediately Mbah emerged as governorship candidate for PDP, somebody raised doubts about his credibility and integrity. The target of the suspicion had to do with Peter Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate. It was said to have been a forgery. In other words, the suspicion was that Mbah had forged an NYSC discharge certificate (Certificate Number: A808297) and had been presenting that forged document as if genuine.

    To contest for the election, Peter Mbah presented a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate bearing Certificate Number: A808297 in order to qualify to contest. By virtue of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), Peter Mbah would be disqualified from contesting election to the office of Governor of Enugu State if indeed he presented a forged National Youth Service Corps Certificate with Certificate Number A808297 to INEC. So, Edeoga will win in court if it can be shown that Peter Mbah did present a forged discharge certificate. It therefore boils down to whether Certificate Number: A808297 is forged or not.

    Along with his Form EC9, Peter Mbah swore an affidavit and swore in that affidavit that he took part in the NYSC program and that at the end of it, he was issued a discharge certificate (Certificate Number: A808297). Let us not bother yet about the fact that to lie in an affidavit is a crime called perjury. Let us focus on the issue of whether the certificate in question is a forgery or not.

    As evidence of forgery, Edeoga’s lawyers have tendered compelling evidence of investigation done in November of 2022 as to the veracity and genuineness of Certificate Number: A808297.

    On the 23rd of November, 2022, one Mary Nneoma Elijah, Esq. of Omas & Partners, Suite F35, Efab Mall Extension, Area 11, Garki Abuja, made a written correspondence/request to the Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Plot 416 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi, Maitama, Abuja as follows:

    “We most humbly request pursuant to Section 1 of Freedom of Information Act, 2011, a confirmation of the status of Mr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a graduate of University of East London, United Kingdom with National Youth Service Corps to wit:

    “1. Whether he made himself available for one-year compulsory National Service to our father land in line with Section 2(b) of the NYSC Act Cap N84 2004.

    “2. Confirmation of the attached copy of the Certificate of National Service with NYSC No: LA/FRN/01/800351 by issuing a Certified True Copy of his NYSC certificate in your custody.

    “3. The Year of his service, and the state and place of his primary assignment.
    4. Provide us with any other relevant information regarding his service to our father land.

    “It is our firm believe that the attached copy of his Certificate of National Service will assist you in providing us with the requested information within 7 clear days pursuant to Section 4 of Freedom of Information Act.”

    On the 1st day of February, 2023, NYSC replied to the letter of 23rd November, 2022 in a correspondence with Ref. No. NYSC/CCD/VERC/10/S.I/Vol II/02, addressed to the Principal Partner, Omas & Partners, Suite F 35, Efab Mall Extension, Area II, Garki Abuja (Attention Mary Nneoma Elijah), the Director Corps Certification of the National Youth Service Corps, Ibrahim A. Muhammed, who signed for the Director-General, wrote expressly as follows:

    “1. I am directed to refer to your letter dated 23rd November, 2022 on the above subject and to convey Management’s delight for compliance with the provisions of NYSC Act regarding presentation of the Certificate of National Service or Exemption Certificate by employees/prospective employees holding Degree and HND Certificates.

    “2. We are pleased to inform you that the Certificate of National Service belonging to Mbah Peter Ndubuisi with Certificate Number: A808297 forwarded for verification was not issued by the NYSC.”

    These correspondence are now before the Election Tribunal. This is not rumour. This is hardcore evidence before the court. Mbah admitted that he partook in NYSC in 2002/2003 year, but the certificate numbers for those who were part of the program in that year are different from the number Mbah has been presenting. So, Edeoga’s lawyers may also rely on the records of the NYSC Certificates issued by the NYSC to persons who had completed their NYSC schemes in the 2002/2003 year, to show that Certificate Number: A808297 presented by Mbah is a forgery.

    The consequence of the forgery as in the above analysis is crystal clear. It places the eligibility of Peter Mbah to contest the 18th March, 2023 Governorship Election in Enugu State under serious doubt. And if Mbah is disqualified by the tribunal, the next candidate, Edeoga, shall be declared the winner of the elections and shall become the next Governor of Enugu State.

    In the next post, we shall examine the other grounds advanced by Edeoga’s lawyers, i.e., the issue of Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act. Analysis will show that evidence available in support of these other grounds favour Edeoga. The facts in Enugu were identical to what obtained in Abia in the last election. While INEC followed the Act correctly and declared Otti the winner in Abia State, INEC did the opposite in Enugu and declared Mbah the winner. Abia did not go through the court. To see how the facts and evidence will play out in the tribunal, one needs to pay attention to the case of Ekiti State following the election of 2009 between Engineer Segun Oni of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress (AC).

    In conclusion, while the outcome of every case rests in the court or tribunal, it is fair to predict at this point that Chijioke Edeoga will ultimately win on his petition and that Mbah will not serve as Governor of Enugu State for a full term as Governor of Enugu State. This fact must be borne in mind both by Mbah and the people of Enugu State. The victory declared by INEC will not stand the test of the law.

  • OPINION: Nigeria’s burgeoning (Not Hollow) democracy – By Festus Keyamo, SAN

    OPINION: Nigeria’s burgeoning (Not Hollow) democracy – By Festus Keyamo, SAN

    In global diplomacy and international relations, Presidents of countries make decisions and take actions about other countries’ affairs (albeit within the limits of sovereignty of States in International Law) based on reports from official and diplomatic sources likely to have been conveyed through well-established channels of communications.

    Long epistles written in flowery or purple prose by bitter supporters of sore losers, posing as ‘concerned citizens’ (but in reality actuated by ethnic politics) do not fall within these official or diplomatic sources.

    It is befuddling that someone often celebrated for using a God-given talent to promote our African values, will so tragically degrade that same ethos by penning a letter that is so petty, so grovelling in its tone in urging a single foreign power to withhold a mere congratulatory message to our President-elect as if that is what actually validates our own democratic identity.

    It reflects a pathetic colonial mentality. It is even more ironic to realise that the same foreign power to which the obsequious appeal is directed is still grappling with the credibility of its own internal democratic process that produced its present leadership.

    More tragic is that some rabid supporters here are falling over themselves in deluded ecstasy for such a worthless letter that may not even be considered worthy enough, in a diplomatic sense, for the attention of even a stenographer to an Under Secretary in the US. Such only paints the picture of a band of drowning supporters clutching at any straw to stay afloat. As for the empirical fallacies contained in the letter, I will not bother myself here with a lengthy response as enough have been said in the last few weeks in respect of those specific issues and all the issues are before our Justices awaiting adjudication.

    But I have bad news for them: the stenographer will probably toss the letter into a trash bin with the conclusion that it is no more than the tantrums of a Trump reincarnate in Nigeria – those who refuse to accept obvious defeat! Yes, the US has the likes of that writer in their midst too!

    #

  • Buhari’s last Easter message: Thanks Nigerians, advise aggrieved parties over 2023 elections to patiently wait for judiciary

    Buhari’s last Easter message: Thanks Nigerians, advise aggrieved parties over 2023 elections to patiently wait for judiciary

    President Muhammadu Buhari has advised aggrieved parties over the outcome of the 2023 elections to patiently wait for the country’s legal system and he thanked Nigerians for showing understanding throughout his two terms in office.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in his last Easter message to Nigerians while in office.

    Hear him

    “I join Christians in Nigeria and around the world to celebrate Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signposting his victory over death.

    “At the heart of Easter, is the triumph of light over darkness.

    “It is a season that reminds us that the Almighty can turn an unpleasant situation round for good.

    “Recognising that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, I urge all Nigerians to continue to be confident and believe strongly in our country for better seasons ahead.

    “As a nation, we have gone through an election that has produced the next set of leaders at the federal and State levels.

    “I commend Nigerians for believing in the process. While I congratulate those that have been elected, I acknowledge that it is the right of those who feel dissatisfied with the outcome to seek redress. I expect them to wait patiently and allow our legal system run its course.

    “It has been a rare privilege for me to serve as your President since you gave me the first mandate in 2015 and renewed it in 2019.

    “Day after day, I have been guided by the vows I took to keep Nigeria united, prosperous and secure.

    “Our successes on security, economy, infrastructure, new oil frontier basins, landmark legal reforms as well as food sufficiency, among others, were possible because of the support of Nigerians.

    “As we celebrate this season with our families, neighbors and communities, let us do so in love, compassion, kindness, resilience and forgiveness.

  • 2023 changed Nigeria’s political landscape, no more easy route to power – Buhari

    2023 changed Nigeria’s political landscape, no more easy route to power – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday said the 2023 elections have proved the growing strength of our democracy and more especially, the sophistication of the Nigerian voter when it comes to the choice of the leaders.

    Speaking when he received the newly-installed Emir of Dutse, Jigawa State Capital, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sunusi at the State House in Abuja, President Buhari said the stunning outcome of 10 Governors failing to make it to the Senate meant that there is no longer a guaranteed route to power and the voter is truly the king when it comes to elections.

    “It is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and to the amazing sophistication of the voter. What shocked me was that the ordinary citizen who is usually underrated has made the point of his political understanding of things. Assumption is always that you are Governor for eight years and you go to the Senate to crown the career. No one should underrate the Nigerian voter anymore. Politics will be more difficult, henceforth,” the President said.

    After listening to the Emir who listed several government projects put in place for Jigawa State under the Buhari Presidency, and a request for some more, the President promised to do his best for the State in the remaining time left, and to brief the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on those requests, agreeing with visitors that the particular problem of water supply to the State Capital is worrisome.

    The President told the Emir and members of the Emirate Council who accompanied him that he and the entire nation will continue to miss his friend, the late Emir, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, saying that he will continue to pray for the repose of the deceased.

    The Emir and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim thanked the administration of Muhammadu Buhari for helping Jigawa State to excel in major rice production, for approving a rail link to Dutse from Kano and for the restoration of peace to the State, the entire nation and the neighbouring countries that had suffered past insecurity.

    The Emir also welcomed the upgrading of the Army Battalion in Dutse to a full military Brigade and requested the President to do something about the acute water shortage affecting the State Capital.

  • Delta: You whip most of us in the gubernatorial race, NNPP guber candidate, Agbi tells Oborevwori+Photos

    Delta: You whip most of us in the gubernatorial race, NNPP guber candidate, Agbi tells Oborevwori+Photos

    …calls on Omo-Agege, others to accept outcome of election

    …as Oborevwori again promised to gov of all Deltans

    Former Governorship candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), in the 2023 general elections, Engr. Goodnews Goodman Agbi, has called on other governorship candidates who participated in the 2023 gubernatorial election to rally around the Governor-elect and Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to move the state forward instead of resorting to what he called ‘unnecessary court cases”.

    Agbi stated this on Tuesday, when he led NNPP chieftains on a congratulatory visit to the Governor-elect at his office in Asaba, the state capital.

    While admitting that the election that produced the PDP governorship candidate as winner was not 100 percent perfect, Agbi noted that Hon Oborevwori was more popular as a governorship candidate in the race and won fair and square.

    He enjoined the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate and deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege to accept the outcome of the election instead of hoping on the court to upturn the mandate Deltans have willingly given to Rt Hon Oborevwori.

    In the keenly contested election, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in the March 18th government election polled 360,234 votes to emerged winner after defeating others including his main rival, Omo-Agege who scored 240,229 votes

    Specifically, Agbi said that Rt.Hon Oborevwori won the election landslide and swept him and others away because of his popularity.

    According to him; “We are here to congratulate you for the just concluded elections, we are aware of the acceptability of Deltans for your Gubernatorial drive. Of 25 local Governments, you won 21 and I keep wondering why some of our colleagues after the landslide victory, they still want to go through the rituals of court tribunal and I think this is the right time to rally round you in order to move this state forward.

    “We of the NNPP believes no matter what it takes we cannot say it is hundred percent perfect but it was an election that reflects your popularity in the state.

    “While congratulating you, we also want to say that a foundation has been laid in this state by your predecessors, we want you to build on that Foundation.

    “Your predecessor is somebody whose benevolence tentacles have spread throughout the whole state, we want to urge you to carry everyone along both those who voted and those that did not vote for you.

    “Also, we know your track records and that is why you were able to whip most of us in the Gubernatorial race. We are not ashamed to say this because election is a contest.

    “The result is what we are seeing today because you are a grassroot person. The votes from each local government showed that you are somebody that is accepted by the people of the state. We in NNPP believe that there is no need wasting resources and time going to tribunals or what so called or to inspect the results, what are we inspecting? I told one of my colleagues what are you going to inspect, out of 25 local governments, you didn’t win any one, let us go and congratulate the winner so that we can all jointly move the state forward.

    “I am using this medium to call on my fellow colleagues that contested this Gubernatorial election to congratulate the winner who is the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    “I believe the state has eloquently spoken, why must we use our individual interest to drag the state backward, so we have decided to come to congratulate you, we have decided we want to be part of those that will move this state forward and as such, we have come here to congratulate you and your team, we congratulate you for a well fought campaign and any observer who study the campaigns, it was a clean victory.

    “We have our own grudge with INEC because our logo was not visible, won’t believe INEC rigged us out abi nitio but not withstanding, even if our logo was visible, you would have also beaten us. I congratulate you!

    In his response, the Delta State Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, thanked the NNPP governorship candidate and his entourage for deeming it fit to congratulate him in the spirit of sportsmanship, saying that together they will consolidate on the gains of the PDP administration.

    Rt.Hon Oborevwori who promised to run an all-inclusive government, said that he has already extended the Olive Branch to all governorship candidates who were in the race with him.

    He said; “My dear brother, Dr. Goodnews Agbi, I welcome you to the office of the Speaker and Governor-elect, you have come to show us love, this is a great show of love and support.

    “I am very happy if other candidates will emulate your style, this state will move forward and we know joining hands with us in the government that is coming May 29, we will do MORE. Like I said in my MORE Agenda, there will be Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security. I will run a Government of all inclusiveness, I want to be Governor for all Deltans.

    “As a unifier, you have encouraged me to do MORE. What you have just done now, I want to assure you and followers that this government will not neglect you and your team. The Governor has done very well in terms of infrastructures, in terms of human capital development, and I want to consolidate on his achievements.

    “Delta State is a state that will continue to witness more development, more dividends of democracy. I will not disappoint Deltans. As a presiding officer for this House of Assembly for six years, you can see that the staff are celebrating me. It is God that gives power, power belongs to God and not man. He has used the people to vote me in and that position is permanent in Jesus name, Amen.

    “We will do the will of God and not the will of man. This is a praying state and we will do our best. As you have come, continue to put us in prayers and advice, the door will not be shut on you, I have told Deltans I will listen to them MORE, will do MORE and achieve MORE that is the government that is coming. Once again, I want to thank and appreciate you for coming out boldly to congratulate me. Yes, we all qualified but only one person to be chosen and at this time, I have been chosen. I thank you and God bless”.