Preliminary results from the local government elections held in Adamawa State on Saturday show that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gained an early lead in 18 out of the 21 local government areas.
However, the elections experienced a notable degree of voter apathy across many polling units.
Notably, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who recently switched from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), was not present in the state during the voting. State officials have stated that he was engaged in a significant commitment outside of Adamawa State at that time.
In light of the initial results, State Commissioner for Information, Leader Leneke, credited the PDP’s early success to effective grassroots campaigning, while indicating that the ruling APC had not engaged in campaigning to the same extent.
“The PDP governorship candidate and the chairmanship candidates were going out every day for campaigns, but the ruling APC was not doing the same. So, if the PDP wins the election today, it is due to its hard work,” The Punch quoted Leneke.
Leneke noted that the low voter turnout was partly driven by a historic perception among rural populations that local government polls automatically favor the party in power. He also stated that heavy rainfall after 1:00 p.m. further disrupted voter participation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta expressed satisfaction with the exercise after visiting the Karewa Primary School polling unit and other centers. Farauta described the turnout as impressive and orderly, praising the electorates for their peaceful conduct and urging the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) to maintain professional standards.
Some voters also reported that material distribution and simultaneous accreditation began smoothly around 8:00 a.m. at locations like Jambitu unit 002.
Conversely, opposition candidates have alleged widespread irregularities. At Girei I Ward, observers noted that seven polling units were without election officials and voters by 11:00 a.m. In Song Local Government Area, officials were present in only three township units but recorded no voter turnout.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for Demsa Local Government Area, Dennis Kakaba, strongly criticized the process, alleging that voting occurred in only eight out of the 172 polling units in his council.
“There is no local government election in Adamawa State. They wrote the results last week and are pretending that an election has taken place. It is a shame for democracy,” Kakaba stated.
Despite the criticism and low turnout, APC Publicity Secretary Dogo Victor expressed confidence that the ruling party would emerge victorious once the final results are officially computed and released by ADSIEC.
The electoral commission had earlier confirmed that 11 political parties, including the APC, PDP, ADC, SDP, YPP, and the Labour Party, participated in the local government contests.
A funeral ceremony in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, reportedly turned tragic on Friday after a pastor collapsed and died while delivering a sermon on the certainty of death.
The cleric was identified as Deacon Steve Eyo, the Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Aleto.
He was preaching before more than 300 mourners when he suddenly collapsed as he was concluding his message.
Eyo’s sermon was titled “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond.” According to eyewitness accounts cited by multiple local news outlets, he began preaching at about 1:10 p.m., speaking about the inevitability of death and urging those present to live their lives with the awareness that nobody knows when death will come.
In illustrating his message, the pastor reportedly compared life to going to the market, explaining that some people leave early while others remain until later, just as some people die young while others live longer.
About 15 minutes into the sermon, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Eyo reportedly collapsed while rounding off his message.
His sudden fall initially confused some mourners, with eyewitnesses saying some thought the pastor was demonstrating the suddenness of death as part of his sermon. The situation quickly became clear, however, as church ministers, choir members and others rushed to his aid.
People at the scene reportedly prayed for him while individuals with medical knowledge attempted to administer first aid. He was subsequently taken to a nearby medical facility in the same ambulance that had been hired to convey the remains of the deceased person whose burial was taking place.
He was reportedly confirmed dead at the hospital, after which his remains were taken to a mortuary.
The circumstances surrounding Eyo’s death have not been publicly established in the reports reviewed, and no specific medical cause of death was disclosed.
However, the timing of the incident has left mourners and members of the Aleto community deeply shocked because of the subject of his final sermon.
According to eyewitness accounts, Eyo had urged the congregation to “number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime” shortly before he collapsed.
The incident transformed what had begun as a solemn farewell for one deceased person into another moment of mourning, as attendees were confronted with the sudden death of the minister delivering the funeral sermon.
Nigerian dancer cum entertainer, Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has spoken about his ordeal following his release on bail in the United Kingdom.
Naija News recalls that Snaresbrook Crown Court had earlier fixed September 15 for plea and trial preparation in Poco Lee’s sexual offence case.
The case stems from Poco Lee’s visit to the UK in August for the Davido and Friends concert, which was held at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14.
However, during a video call with social commentator, VeryDarkMan, Poco Lee said his main concern while he was away was the welfare of his associates and the impact of his absence on their business activities.
The dancer maintained that he is innocent of the sexual allegation and his mind is pure.
He said, “I was just being myself. God sees my heart. My only worries were about my people. Jago could not do anything business, and I didn’t want to stress anyone.
“If I was inside there and I did what I was accused of, I would have felt I was paying for my sins, but since I knew I didn’t do what I was accused of, my mind is pure.
“Nobody would have wanted to associate themselves with something like that, but Burna Boy stood by me, Jago and some of my other guys.”
VeryDarkMan, who shared the video call on social media, also praised Nigerian singers, Burna Boy and Rahman Jago for their support.
In the caption accompanying the video, VDM wrote: “I just got off a video call with @rahman_jago_ and @poco_lee. I guess the next narrative will be this is AI. THERE IS A REASON WHY I BRAG WITH INTEGRITY, I AM NOBODY’S mate, WHEN I talk take it to the bank.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the state’s ₦1.8 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill.
Daily Voice reports that the bill was unanimously passed by 26 lawmakers during the Assembly’s resumed sitting in Port Harcourt.
Once assented to by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the budget will provide basis for the state government’s expenditure and implementation of programmes and projects.
More to come…
