AS Nigerians await more results of the National Assembly election conducted across the country on Saturday, those released so far are shocking and full of surprises with some political heavyweights losing out in their bids to secure seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Former governors Olusegun Agagu, Orji Uzor Kalu, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Adamu Aliero and Ali Modu Sheriff all lost in the National Assembly election.
Also, current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole lost in his bid to return to the lower chamber in the next dispensation.
It was clear cut victory for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ogun State on Saturday, as the party won the three senatorial seats in the National Assembly and three federal constituencies out of the four elections conducted.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, was defeated by Mr Segun Williams of the ACN in the Abeokuta South federal constituency election.
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was defeated by Mr Gbenga Obadara, in the Ogun Central senatorial district election.
The ACN candidate had 28,490 votes against Bankole’s 23,103 votes as Obasanjo’s daughter, Iyabo, lost with 56,312 votes to 102, 389 votes garnered by Obadara, while Ijaduoye Boyede of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) had 27,182 votes.
Announcing the results at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, on Sunday morning, the Returning Officer for Ogun Central senatorial district, Dr Olusola Adeniran, said that Obadara had the largest number of votes.
Also, former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka of the ACN, had a total of 76,543 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Mr Toheeb Odunowo, who polled 52,613 votes, while the PPN candidate, Prince Abiodun Odusanya, scored 46,148 votes.
The senator currently representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Senator Olalekan Mustapha, of the Labour Party also lost his bid for re-election as he polled 8,762 votes.
The Returning Officer of INEC for Ogun West senatorial district, Professor Olatunji Odebiyi, announced ACN candidate, Mr Akin Odunsi, as the winner of the election, with the highest votes of 61,362 votes; Babatunde Fadun of the PDP had 59,949 votes and PPN candidate, Mr Waliu Taiwo polled 45,246 votes.
For Ifo/ Ewekoro federal constituency, Adeyemi Adekunle of ACN polled 28,609 votes, while Bidemi Osunbiyi of the PDP had 13,651 votes and Obadina Bamidele of the PPN, a current member representing the constituency, had 8,372 votes.
In Egbado North/Imeko Afon federal constituency, Adeluyi Akanbi of ACN polled 17,383 votes; Honourable Rasaq Adewusi of PPN had 18,492 votes and Alexander Ajibade of PDP had 16,784 votes.
In Ado/Odo Ota federal constituency, Babatunde Ogunola of ACN polled 19,890 votes, while Fasinu Michael of the PDP had 12,797 votes and Hassan Olawale of the PPN had 11,885 votes
Speaker Dimeji Bankole, while reacting to the outcome of the election in his constituency, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Communications), Chief Kayode Odunaro, conceded defeat to the ACN candidates.
He admitted that the outcome of the elections reflected the wishes of the people in the nation’s quest for an enduring democracy.
The Speaker thanked the electorate for trooping out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice as representatives and senators in the National Assembly, stressing that their action after the initial hiccups demonstratesd an abiding faith in democracy as an acceptable and veritable path for the development of our nation.
“For me the race was not a life and death duel. Of more importance is building, maintaining and developing our democratic institution and processes as a means towards true national development and greatness,” he stated.
The Speaker commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for successfully kick starting the election.
Meanwhile, an agent of the ACN identified as Tajudeen Bello, was shot dead on Saturday night