News

Ekiti 2018:NEC Declares Kayode Fayemi Winner

Published

7 years ago

July 15, 2018

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kayode Fayemi, has won the Ekiti State governorship election.

Fayemi defeated current Deputy Governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kolapo Olusola, and over 30 others in a keenly contested election.

He was victorious in 11 out of the 16 local government areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

Based on the votes secured, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Idowu Olayinka, declared Fayemi the winner.

Saturday’s election was highly anticipated as it pitted both the APC and Fayemi against one of their biggest critics and a key member of the opposition.

The buildup to the election was filled with drama and heightened expectations but led to fears of violence, with more than 30,000 policemen eventually deployed to provide security.

It, however, started rather smoothly with electoral materials and officials getting to polling units visited by our correspondents on schedule.

In Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, there was a large turnout of voters and more than 60,000 people eventually voted there, the largest votes cast in a local government during the election.

Apart from reports now and then of card reader malfunction, one of the first issues to pop up was the allegations of cash inducements by observers and party agents.

A few hours into the start of the election, the police arrested some persons for allegedly distributing cash to voters.

By midday, both Fayemi and Olusola had suffered hitches at their polling units.
In the case of Fayemi, the card reader smoothly read his PVC enabling him to vote but it failed to read that of his wife and it took several attempts before she got to vote.

After voting, the former Ekiti governor told reporters he was confident of victory and that the day will be celebrated.

In the case of Olusola, the card reader failed to recognise his card when he tried to vote at his polling unit – Ofomofuru Hall, Ward 2, Okokuru in Ikere-Ekiti.

He only got accredited to vote after INEC National Commissioner, Anthonia Simbini, intervened.

Both candidates did not dwell on the hitch, however, with the focus more on voter inducement and intimidation.

The victory puts Mr Fayemi on course for a second term as governor of the state, an ambition he failed to achieve in 2014 when he was defeated by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi had gone on to head the Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate of the APC’s Presidential Campaign for the 2015 election before becoming Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

Fayose, whose administration repeatedly accused Fayemi’s administration, was keen to ensure that his deputy succeeds him and that Ekiti remains under the leadership of the PDP.

When he came out to vote, the governor repeated his calls to supporters of the PDP to vote and protect their votes.

Although it was a close contest, Fayemi and the APC prevailed

News

PDP Reaches Out to Peter Obi for 2027 Presidential Ticket

Published

2 days ago

July 26, 2025

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In a major political development, Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has confirmed that the party has officially reached out to Peter Obi, inviting him to return and contest the 2027 presidential election under the PDP banner.

Gana described the move as part of a broader strategy to reposition the party ahead of 2027 by rallying credible leaders with proven integrity. He emphasized Peter Obi’s strong grassroots appeal and untainted public record as key reasons the PDP wants him back.

“We have reached out to Peter Obi to return home for our party’s presidential ticket,” Prof. Gana stated.

Do you think Obi should return to the PDP or continue with his current coalition?

News

Tinubu Engages Power Sector Leaders, Pushes for Lasting Energy Reforms

Published

3 days ago

July 25, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday held a strategic meeting with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as part of renewed efforts to tackle the nation’s long-standing electricity issues.

The high-level session was chaired by the President, with his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in attendance.

Also present were some of the industry’s most prominent figures, including Heirs Holdings Chairman, Tony Elumelu; Chairman of the Association of Power Generation Companies, retired Colonel Sani Bello; Managing Director of Sahara Group, Kola Adesina; and Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musiliu Oseni.

The meeting focused on exploring sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, regulatory reform, and long-term investment.

News

Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda Elected as New APC National Chairman at Party’s 14th NEC Meeting

Published

4 days ago

July 24, 2025

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In a significant development within Nigeria’s ruling political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has been officially elected as the new National Chairman. His election was ratified at the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The decision comes following weeks of internal consultations, with Yilwatda emerging as the consensus candidate after the resignation of former Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Party insiders say the move is part of broader efforts to reposition the APC ahead of upcoming state and national elections, as well as to stabilize internal party structures.

Prof. Yilwatda, a former university lecturer and current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, is well-regarded in both academic and political circles. He previously served as the APC gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 elections and is known for his technocratic approach to leadership. His emergence as chairman is seen by some analysts as a strategic attempt by the APC to blend intellectual credibility with grassroots political experience.

Addressing the NEC and other stakeholders shortly after his election, Prof. Yilwatda expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to promote unity, discipline, and inclusivity within the party, stating that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” He also emphasized the importance of returning the party to its founding ideals and promised to foster open dialogue and reconciliation among aggrieved party members.

The NEC meeting, which brought together top-ranking members including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, national assembly members, and other party leaders, also featured deliberations on policy direction, party reforms, and electoral strategies.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, congratulated the new chairman and called for loyalty to the party’s mission of delivering good governance to Nigerians. He stressed the need for organizational discipline, urging members to support the new leadership in building a stronger and more cohesive APC.

As Prof. Yilwatda assumes leadership, expectations are high that he will help steer the APC through the evolving political landscape, mend internal rifts, and strengthen the party’s hold ahead of future elections.