News

Anambra LG poll: No automatic victory for sole chairmanship candidates — ANSIEC

Published

2 months ago

August 26, 2026

The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) says there will be no automatic victory for any chairmanship candidate in Saturday, August 29, 2026, local government elections, even where only one candidate is contesting a chairmanship seat.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at a pre-election briefing at the commission’s secretariat in Awka, ANSIEC Commissioner for Information and Publicity, Sir Tony Chinedu, said sole candidates must still secure the required majority of “Yes” votes to be declared winners.

He explained that where two or more candidates are contesting a chairmanship position, the election would proceed through the normal voting process, with the candidate who polls the highest number of votes declared the winner.

However, where only one candidate is on the ballot, voters will be required to vote “Yes” or “No” for the candidate.

“A sole candidate will not be declared the winner automatically,” Chinedu said. “The candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the ‘Yes’ votes cast to be declared elected. If there is a predominant ‘No’ vote against the candidate, the election will be declared inconclusive and the process will start afresh from the party primaries.”

The commissioner noted that the same “Yes/No” principle would not apply to councillorship elections, adding that councillors would emerge through the normal voting process.

Chinedu disclosed that 22 candidates had been screened for the 21 local government chairmanship positions.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) fielded candidates in all 21 chairmanship positions, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) fielded one candidate.

For councillorship, he said 346 candidates had been screened for the 326 wards across the state.

The commissioner said the commission was “over 90 per cent ready” for the polls, adding that preparations had reached an advanced stage.

He said the recruitment and training of ad hoc personnel had been concluded, with training conducted in the state’s three senatorial zones on separate days.

Chinedu also said the evacuation of non-sensitive materials to designated locations had commenced, while sensitive materials would be moved to their respective areas on Saturday morning.

On possible court actions, he said the commission would not be deterred.

“The court will not stop our election,” he declared.

He added that the tenure of the incoming local government chairmen remained two years.

Chinedu recalled that ANSIEC had earlier fixed August 29, 2026, for the elections, noting that the process had now reached its final stage.

He said only APGA and YPP had indicated interest in the election, adding that the commission had screened their candidates and published their names.

The commissioner also said the commission had approved substitutions where necessary and that all other arrangements were being finalised ahead of the polls.

On the lawsuit by about 56 councillors seeking postponement of the council election, Chinedu said the court action would not stop the scheduled poll.

News

Details Emerge as Middle Belt Leaders Visit Tinubu at Aso Rock

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2026

PlateauReports

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Details have emerged following the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The leaders, who visited the President at the State House, reaffirmed their support for his administration and discussed issues affecting the Middle Belt region, particularly insecurity, national development, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Among those present at the meeting were the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas.

Others included businessman Thomas Etuh and Dr Poju Bitrus.

During the meeting, the Middle Belt leaders expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, particularly its efforts to address insecurity and promote development across the country.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, acknowledged improvements in the security situation, while emphasising the need for sustained efforts to tackle the challenges facing communities in the region.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also highlighted efforts to rebuild trust among communities and strengthen peaceful coexistence between people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

The meeting comes amid persistent security concerns in parts of the Middle Belt, particularly Plateau, Benue and other states that have witnessed recurring attacks, communal violence and displacement of residents.

The leaders’ visit also comes at a politically significant time, with political parties and their supporters beginning to intensify activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting is also taking place against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s planned visits to Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, where he is expected to commission projects and participate in political rallies.

As earlier reported by POLITICS NIGERIA, the Presidency announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Friday, November 6, for a two-state visit, beginning with Akwa Ibom before proceeding to Rivers State on Saturday.

President Bola Tinubu met with middle belt leaders on Thursday

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to commission several projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

The projects include the new International Terminal Building, International Airport Hospital and Ibom Aviation Village, all located at the Victor Attah International Airport.

Others are the Airport-Okopedi Road, which connects communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.

The President is also expected to commission the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre and the ARISE Palm Resort before attending a political rally in the state.

Governor Eno has declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents and workers to participate in activities marking the President’s visit.

Tinubu is expected to proceed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to participate in an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally.

The rally will be his third since he officially flagged off his re-election campaign in Kaduna State last month.

The planned visits come barely two days after the President returned to Abuja from Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.

Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53 p.m. on Wednesday and was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Defence, the Inspector-General of Police and other government officials.

During his stay in Saudi Arabia, the President was granted access to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, where he offered prayers for Nigeria and its citizens.

News

Kaduna PDP guber candidate, Bawa suspends activities over death of party members

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2026

PlateauReports

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2027 election in Kaduna State, Usman Shehu Bawa, ABG, has suspended all his campaign activities following the death of three party members in a fatal motor accident.

The victims died on their way home after attending a meeting in Kaduna.

A statement issued by his spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the gubernatorial candidate expressed deep sorrow over the death of the party members.

He explained that the inauguration of his campaign council, and other related activities planned for Saturday have been suspended till further notice.

He expressed regret for the inconvenience the suspension may have caused, particularly to individuals invited for the occasion.

The three deceased members are all from Jema’a Local Government Area of the state and are identified as Caleb Ishaya Alot – Secretary of PDP, Jema'a LGA, Mercy Achi – Women leader, Wise Ward and Charity Bahago – member of the PDP, Wise Ward.

According to Shehu ABG, "The incident is a painful loss to the bereaved families and the entire PDP family in the state."

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate families and the people of Jema’a Local Government Area and members of the party in the state over the painful loss.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the accident.

Kaduna PDP guber candidate, Bawa suspends activities over death of party members