The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Governor Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of Imo State’s gubernatorial election on Sunday. The Commission also named Usman Ododo, also of the APC, winner in Kogi State.
Uzodimma Secures a Second Term
Uzodinma secured 540,308 votes, defeating Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Athan Achonu of the Labour Party. Anyanwu and Achonu polled 71,503 and 64,081 votes, respectively, while 15 other candidates received less than 10,000 votes each.
Usman Ododo Declared Winner
Usman Ododo also emerged as the winner of the governorship election in Kogi State, polling 446,237 votes. Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) followed with 259,052 votes, Dino Melaye of the PDP with 46,362 votes, and Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) with 21,819 votes.
INEC announced that fresh elections would be held in affected polling units in Kogi where results were suspended due to reported irregularities.
Opposition Parties Reject Results
Opposition parties in both states rejected the election outcomes, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the polls.
Dr. Ikenna Onuoha, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Imo, stated that the party would challenge the results in court, claiming that the election was a sham.
Dino Melaye, the PDP candidate in Kogi State, rejected the election results, citing manual accreditation and the availability of prepared result sheets before the election. Melaye demanded the cancellation of the election, accusing INEC of gross incompetence and bias.
Bayelsa Polls Marred by Violence
The polls in Bayelsa were marred by violence leading to the death of a PDP supporter in Bayelsa. INEC officials were held hostage in Bayelsa’s Brass Local Government Area.
Congratulations Pour in for Governor Uzodinma
Meanwhile, congratulations have started pouring in for Governor Uzodinma. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated Governor Uzodinma on his re-election, emphasizing the triumph of good governance over propaganda.
Senate President Akpabio and Governor Sanwo-Olu hailed Uzodinma’s success, highlighting the APC’s continued commitment to serving Nigerians.
Residents in Owerri had mixed reactions to Uzodinma’s victory, with some jubilant and others expressing concerns about economic hardships.
