The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began announcing the results of Saturday’s Houses of Assembly elections on Sunday, and several upsets emerged. In Yobe State, long‑time lawmaker and Speaker Ahmed Lawan, who has served since 2003, lost the Nguru II Constituency seat to 36‑year‑old Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Lawan Musa. Returning Officer Dr Habib Muhammad reported that Musa secured 6,648 votes, while Lawan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) garnered 6,466 votes.
In Kwara State, 26‑year‑old APC candidate Rukayat Shittu won the Owode/Onire Constituency seat with 7,521 votes, defeating her PDP rival who obtained 6,957 votes, according to Returning Officer Prof Hakeem Ijaya. The Kwara State Speaker, APC’s Yakubu Danladi‑Salihu, was re‑elected for a second term in the Ilesha‑Gwanara constituency, polling 14,949 votes against PDP challenger Usman Abubakar’s 2,072 votes, as announced by Returning Officer Dr Adewale Rafiu.
Anambra’s Speaker, Uchenna Okafor, failed to secure a third term, losing the Ayamelum State Constituency to PDP candidate Abuchi Udemezue, who received 12,993 votes to Okafor’s 11,445, per Returning Officer Prof George Onwudiwe. Similarly, Deputy Majority Leader Emeka Aforka of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) lost his bid for Orumba North to Labour Party (LP) candidate Paul Obu, who earned 10,212 votes to Aforka’s 7,675. In Awka North, PDP’s John Nwokoye was defeated by APGA’s Chimezie Ikwunne, while in Anaocha 1, LP’s Nkechi Ogbuefi beat PDP’s Ebele Ejimofor, who was seeking a third term.
In Ondo State, the APC dominated, winning 22 of the 26 state Assembly seats, while the PDP captured the remaining four. The APC’s victories included Akure South Constituency 2, Ilaje Constituencies 1 and 2, Idanre, Ondo East, Ondo West, Ifedore, Owo 1 and 2, Ose, Odigbo Constituencies 1 and 2, Okitipupa 1 and 2, Ese Odo, Ile‑Oluji/Oke Igbo, Irele, Akoko North‑East, Akoko North‑West 2, and South‑East State Constituencies. The PDP won Akure State Constituency 1, Akoko South‑West Constituencies 1 and 2, and Akoko North‑West 1.
Osun State saw its Speaker, APC member Timothy Owoeye of Ilesa East, lose to PDP candidate Olatunbosun Oyewole. Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr Mutiu Agboke announced that the PDP secured 25 of the 26 Assembly seats, with the APC retaining only the Boripe/Boluwaduro constituency, where Olufemi Popoola won 15,594 votes against PDP’s Adesina Aina, who received 14,817. The APC’s acting chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, cautioned the PDP against celebrating, alleging that the election was marred by violence.
In Ekiti State, INEC declared the APC the winner of 23 of the 26 Assembly seats, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took two, and one constituency remained inconclusive. REC Prof Ayobami Salami, citing Head of Voter Education Temitope Akanmu, reported SDP victories in Ise/Orun (Babatunde Omotayo, 7,498 votes to APC’s Moses Ajayi, 6,798) and Ekiti East 1 (Oladele Ogunsakin, 4,566 votes to APC’s Abraham Fatoba, 3,595). Notable APC winners included Deputy Speaker Hakeem Jamiu (Irepodun/Ifelodun II), Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity Adeoye Aribasoye (Ikole II), former Commissioners Mariam Ogunlade (Emure) and Iyabo Fakunle‑Okhiemen (Ilejemeje), as well as Abimbola Solanke (Moba 1), Adeyinka Adegbite (Ado 1) and Bolaji Olagbaju (Ado II).
Speakers also triumphed in other states. In Oyo State, Speaker and PDP candidate Adebo Ogundoyin won the Ibarapa East constituency with 10,039 votes, defeating APC’s Aderounmu Adeolu (7,111). Lagos State Speaker Mudashiru Obasa secured a sixth term in Agege 1, obtaining 17,214 votes over Labour Party’s Raheem Alani (3,933). In Bauchi State, Speaker Abubakar Suleiman was re‑elected for Ningi, receiving 16,866 votes against APC’s Khalid Abdulmalik Ningi (15,065).
Kano’s Takai constituency election was declared inconclusive after over‑voting led to the cancellation of results in five polling units; APC’s Musa Ali had 24,573 votes to NNPP’s 23,569. Nonetheless, APC’s Garba Gwarmai won Tsanyawa/Kuchi with 31,471 votes, NNPP’s Mannir Musa captured Karaye with 16,306 votes, APC’s Ibrahim Kundila took Shanono/Bagwai with 38,021 votes, and APC’s Salisu Ibrahim secured Duguwa.
Finally, Edo State Speaker Marcus Onobun, running on the PDP ticket, won the House of Representatives seat for Esan Central/West/Igueben in a rescheduled election, obtaining 17,611 votes to defeat APC opponent Patrick Idiake, who received 16,509 votes.
Comments are closed for this story.