Compiled by David Viashima
With final result in the Adamawa state governorship election yet to be declared, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election has conceded defeat, Premium Times has reported.
Below is his concession address to the people of Adamawa state.
Mr. Ribadu, a globally respected anti-corruption activist, ran a difficult race with leading members of his own party covertly and openly sabotaging his effort to be governor.
Some of them, including ex-Senator Jonathan Zwingina, with which he travelled round the state canvassing votes, abandoned him and defected to the All Progressives Congress few days to the election.
Mr. Ribadu was the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2011 presidential election. He was the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Read the speech below.
“My dear people of Adamawa State,
“I greet you in the best form of greetings.
“I had dreamt of coming back home to lead our dear state to greater strides after years of underdevelopment. I started this journey in August last year and successfully got the mandate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to fly its flag for the April 11 gubernatorial election. I came into this race knowing fully well that political contests are two-way traffics – one either wins or loses. As a man of faith, I was also aware that leadership responsibility is a product of God’s anointment.
“In the course of this journey, I have seen genuine support and encouragement from the people of Adamawa state. Several individuals from Adamawa and beyond contributed generously to keep the campaign going and many others devoted their time, energy and intellect to see to the success of this project. I sincerely appreciate this belief in my person and my ambition.
“The support I got from my party’s leadership and individual members from President Goodluck Jonathan down to the party agents in our polling units was overwhelming and gratifying. The party leader in the state, Barrister Bala James Nggilari and the state party chairman, Chief Joel Madaki led their lieutenants in making this journey memorable.
“I came into this race with lofty dreams and clear vision for our dear state, but the voice of the majority has not given me this chance. I take this in good faith.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the winner and pray that at the end of it all our dear state will witness the needed progress and development it so much desires.
“God bless Adamawa State
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“Nuhu Ribadu,
Yola”
Benue: Suswam Calls Ortom
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced collation of results for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections with the governorship candidate of the leading All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Samuel Ortom, taking the lead, the Leadership newspaper has reported.
This is even as Governor Gabriel Suswam has called Ortom by telephone to congratulate him for the well deserved victory as governor-elect, when the results will finally be announced.
Suswam described the victory as the work of God.
A personal aide to Ortom confirmed the telephone discussion of Suswam with the APC governorship candidate to newsmen and stated that “Suswam has called Ortom to congratulate him; it was at about 10.56am and they spoke peacefully.”
Meanwhile, INEC has so far collated results from 14 local government areas with Ortom winning in 8 LGAs while Tarzoor managed to deliver in 6 local government areas.
Results from 9 LGAs are being awaited.
The collated results from the 14 local government areas are:
Ogbadibo LGA:
APC 7,890; PDP 7,357 Margin 533
Apa LGA: APC Won
APC 7,132; PDP 7,582 Margin 450
Tarka LGA: APC Won
APC 14,888; PDP 3,571 Margin 11,317
Otukpo LGA: APC Won
APC 15,715; PDP 13,519 Margin 2,196
Obi LGA: PDP Won
PDP 8440; APC 7786 Margin 654
Gwer LGA: APC Won
APC 23,831; PDP 12,657 Margin 11,174
Vandeikya LGA: APC Won
APC 33,075; PDP 15,228 Margin 17, 847
Gwer West LGA: PDP Won
APC 11,844; PDP 13,033 Margin 1,189
Okpokwu LGA: PDP Won
APC 7,209; PDP 10,849 Margin 3,640
Makurdi LGA: APC Won
APC 33,245; PDP 23,550 Margin 9,695
Katsina Ala LGA: PDP Won
APC 17,227; PDP 25,192 Margin 7,965
Gboko LGA: APC Won
APC 55, 022, PDP 17,232 Margin 37,790
Agatu LGA: PDP Won
APC 5,956; PDP 14,936 Margin 8,980
Ado LGA: PDP Won
APC 6,630 PDP 7,196 Margin 566