INEC Declares APC Gov Candidates Winners in Cross River, Niger States
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Cross River, Bassey Otu as the winner of the March 18 poll in the South-South geopolitical zone.
Otu, a former federal lawmaker, was declared the winner by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof Teddy Charles of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
He scored 258,619 votes to defeat his closest contender and a serving senator, Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 179,636.
According to INEC, the APC candidate won in 15 local government areas of 18 LGAs declared by the Commission in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Otu will succeed the incumbent governor and APC party man, Ben Ayade whose eight-year two-term will end on May 29, 2023.
So far, the results of 18 governorship polls have been announced. The APC takes the lead with 12 states, PDP with five states and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with one state.
INEC on Monday, declared Bago winner in 20 of the 25 Local Government Areas after he polled a total of 469,896
Announcing the results in Minna, the State Collation Officer, Professor Clement Allawa, said the APC candidate polled a total of 469,896 votes to defeat his main rival, Isah Liman Kantigi of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who conquered five local government areas with 387, 476 votes.
“That Mohammed Umar Bago of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and returned elected on this day March 20, 2023,” Professor Allawa stated.
“I, Professor Clement Allawa, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the 2023 governorship election that was contested on March 18, 2023.”
The candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Yahaya Mohammed came third with a total of 3, 378 votes while the only female candidate in the election Khadijat Abdulahi who contested under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance polled 1, 746 votes.
Senator Nnamani Quits PDP After Failed Re-Election Bid
Chimaroke Nnamani
In a statement on Monday, Nnamani said that he decided to quit the PDP on account of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the party, after consultations with his associates and constituents
Nnamani, who was expelled weeks to the 2023 general elections by the PDP for alleged anti-party activities, however, reaffirmed his support for the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and promised to continue to partner with him.
See the full statement below:
Sen Nnamani Quits PDP, Thanks Constituents for Unalloyed Support
Former Governor of Enugu state and Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has formally withdrawn his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just as he expressed appreciation to his constituents for the unalloyed support over the years.
Senator Nnamani said he has consulted with his associates and constituents alike and have decided to quit the PDP on account of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the party.
He said he has moved on and hoped that his modest contributions to the development of his constituency will be the building blocks on which his successors can build on.
Senator Nnamani thanked Nigerians especially the Ebeano political family and urged them to remain steadfast in the years ahead.
The former Governor reaffirmed his acquaintance with the President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and promised to continue to partner with him.
Senator Nnamani expressed optimism that a Tinubu Administration will promote good governance ,rule of law and human rights for the interest of all Nigerians.
Senator (Dr) Chimaroke Nnamani MD, FACOG
Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation & Integration in Africa/NEPAD