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LIVE UPDATES: Results Collation Ongoing, INEC Adjourns Exercise In Bayelsa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is holding the first off-cycle elections since the 2023 general elections today as the people of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states decide on their governors for new four-year terms.
A total of 46,084 regular and ad hoc staff are deployed in the three states, according to the electoral body.
At least 126 national and international organisations are accredited with 11,000 observers deployed for the elections, while 80 media organisations applied to deploy 1,203 personnel, including journalists and technical/support staff.
All 18 political parties are contesting in Kogi, while Imo and Bayelsa have 17 and 16 candidates, respectively, with the parties deploying 137,934 agents made up of 130,093 polling and 7,841 collation agents.
To ensure a secure environment for electoral conduct, the police mobilised a total of 92,565 personnel, including 27,000 in Bayelsa, 25,565 in Imo, and 40,000 in Kogi, and several assets such as five helicopters and 15 gunboats.
The Federal Road Safety Corps also deployed 1,500 operatives and 105 vehicles.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, says the elections will be held in 10,470 polling units across 649 electoral wards in 56 local government areas.
9:41 pm: INEC adjourns state collation of results for the Bayelsa governorship election. The collation was moved to 10:00 am on Sunday.
9:28 pm: Activities about to begin at the collation centre in Bayelsa State
8:28 pm: INEC suspends elections in nine wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA of Kogi State, saying incidents in some other LGAs are being investigated and its decision will be announced in the next 24 hours.
7:17 pm: INEC announces the release of its Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) abducted on Friday, saying, “The officer is doing fine.”
7:12 pm: LP governorship candidate in Imo State, Athan Achonu, wants INEC to cancel polling units where violence was recorded and calls for a rerun in those areas.

Athan Achonu, the LP Governorship candidate, wants INEC to cancel polling units where violence occurred.#ImoDecides2023
3:35 pm: An INEC official uploads the results onto the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) at Polling Unit 012 Crowther Memorial College, Ward A in Lokoja LGA, Kogi State.
An election official trying to upload results on the INEC Results View at Polling Unit 012 Crowther Memorial College, Ward A in the Lokoja local government area.#KogiDecides2023
5:35 pm: Results arrive at the Kolokuma/Opokuma Council Area in Bayelsa State from polling units for collation.
3:35 pm: An INEC official uploads the results onto the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) at Polling Unit 012 Crowther Memorial College, Ward A in Lokoja LGA, Kogi State.
An election official trying to upload results on the INEC Results View at Polling Unit 012 Crowther Memorial College, Ward A in the Lokoja local government area.#KogiDecides2023
3:13 pm: At Polling Unit 069, Crowder 2, Open Place in Ward 01 in Lokoja LGA, voting has ended and ballots have been counted.
The results are as follows:
AA – 1
ADC – 3
APC – 38
PDP – 15
SDP – 23
Invalid Votes – 6
3:13 pm: INEC refutes allegations that shortlisted and trained INEC ad hoc staff members were dropped and replaced with unknown individuals.
2:55 pm: Voting has ended at Polling Unit 079 in Ward 01 of Lokoja LGA, Kogi State. Election officials are crossing out the unused ballot papers as stipulated in the Electoral Law.
2:45 pm: Sorting and counting concludes at Ward 9, Unit 10 of Agudama Ekpetiama Community in Bayelsa State.
Voting and collation concluded at Ward 9, Unit 10, in the Agudama Ekpetiama community in Bayelsa State.
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Ekiti Airport targets 24-hour flight operation, says Gov Oyebanji

….Says Ekiti economy has improved significantly under his watch
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has revealed that efforts are in place to ensure the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport runs 24-hour operation, in a bid to make the route competitive.
The Governor also expressed delight that the economy of the state has recorded significant improvement in the past two-and-a-half years, promising to do more in order to ensure a more sustainable development of the state and better living standard for the people.
Governor Oyebanji who stated these on Monday night during the March edition of his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor”, said his government intends to make the Ekiti Airport a major hub, as well as a major driver of the economy, attracting more investors to the state and boosting the economic capacities of the citizens.

He explained that his administration has entered into discussions with three major airlines in the country to commence commercial flights at the airport, facilitate air travel, tourism development, more investment and transportation of cargoes and export of farm produce to local and international destinations.

While expressing optimism that at least two of the airlines would operate flights to and from the airport, Oyebanji said his administration also hopes to make the route competitive by working hard to install Instrument Landing System (ILS) that will enable the operation of 24-hour flights in the airport.
The Governor said: “The issue is to make the route profitable and competitive for airlines and if the route is profitable, they will bring their planes. Part of what we are doing is to make it an airport of choice and by next year, they will be able to run Hajj and (Christian) pilgrimage.

“To make it an airport of choice, we must put a structure that guarantees 24-hour landing.
There is what we call Instrument Landing System (ILS) which enables night operations and also enables planes to land in extreme weather.
ILS as at today will cost close to N4.6 billion but we are determined to get it done.
“We are determined that before the end of this year, we will install ILS at the Ado Airport.

If we are able to do that, it will be the second airport in Southwest after Lagos Airport that has such a facility so that aircraft can land at night. We are also talking to a vendor that will provide a hangar for airport services, so it’s a whole gamut of transaction that is going on.
“The Governor also disclosed that a cargo shed is being constructed at the airport to serve as storage facility for farm produce and cash crops. He commended the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for facilitating its inclusion in the budget.
The Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport was given approval for non-scheduled flight operation for six months last December. Governor Oyebanji who said expressed optimism that the airport would be one of the most competitive by the time it commences commercial operations.
Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji identified some indices of economic growth witnessed under his administration to include springing up of more businesses in the state made possible by an enabling environment for them to flourish, improved internally generated revenue and receipts from the Federation Account, as well as adequate protection of lives and property.
The Governor who disclosed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) have moved from about N600 million monthly to over N2 billion monthly, attributed the feat partly to the fact that more residents are now encouraged to pay their taxes, having seen evidence of the government’s effective utilization of proceeds of the taxes in every part of the state.
He explained that his administration has not restricted development strides to only Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as it is being speculated in some quarters, noting that virtually all parts of the state including the rural areas have been touched.
He also expressed readiness to keep on working for the people of the state till his last day in office, stressing that he wont be distracted by on going politicking.
Speaking on the state of the treasury, Oyebanji said what the state government and local governments receive monthly are not hidden as they are published by the office of the Accountant General noting that they vary from one month to the other.
He emphasized that his administration does not tamper with the local government funds as the State House of Assembly has an enabling law with established the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) with the monies for the councils coming directly into the account from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
While noting that he does not get involved in how the funds are shared, the Governor pointed out that he only monitors the projects the council chairmen execute with the funds to ensure that they are in line with the needs of the people and they such projects are satisfactory.
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Kogi State enforces ban on rallies, public gatherings amidst riding security concerns

In view of the growing security concerns in Kogi State, the government has announced a ban on all forms of rallies or public gatherings that have the potential to disrupt public peace.
According to a statement on Monday by the Kogi State Commissioner for information and Communication Kingsley Fanwo, the decision comes after reports of planned violent rallies disguised as political and religious agitations surfaced.
The Commissioner averred that the state government has taken proactive measures to prevent any form of security breach that could destabilize the peace and security of the state.
Explaining further, Fanwo said “With recent incidents in various local government areas, including clashes in communities and tensions rising due to planned rallies, the government has deemed it necessary to implement stricter security measures.
“The ban on public gatherings includes suspending all fishing activities in Kogi Local Government Area until peace is completely restored after recent clashes resulted in the loss of lives.
Additionally, security operatives have been deployed to affected areas to restore calm and implement the directive.
“Furthermore, in Ankpa Local Government Area, communal clashes between Ika-Odele and Ika Ochala are threatening the peace in Kogi East. Security personnel have been deployed to the area to calm the situation and avert further loss of lives and property.
“The ban on rallies and public gatherings applies to all individuals, groups, or organizations within the state until further notice. The government acknowledges citizens’ constitutional rights to express themselves but emphasizes that security considerations must take precedence for public safety.
“The state government has also directed that any individual or group entering Kogi State with a convoy of security personnel must obtain prior clearance from state commands to prevent unauthorized movements and ensure the presence of duly accredited security agents.
“To ensure strict enforcement of these measures, the State Security Adviser has been tasked to work closely with all security agencies and maintain high alertness to prevent any breakdown of law and order”.
Fanwo added that the government urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies to guarantee the safety and well-being of all citizens.
“With the Chief Servant of Kogi State leading efforts to protect lives and property and maintain peace and stability in the state, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or movements to the appropriate security authorities.
The government reassures the public that any attempt to undermine the peace and security of Kogi State will be met with the full force of the law.
“By implementing these measures and collaborating with security agencies and community leaders, the Kogi State Government is committed to safeguarding the state and providing a safe environment for all residents” the statement added.
News
President Tinubu congratulates Jim Ovia on admission to the freedom of the city of London

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London.
Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals for their service to the city or for their achievements.
In a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition for Mr Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.
“This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations.
As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise”, the President stated.
President Tinubu commended Mr Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.
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