‘Shock and Awe’ Elections: House of Reps Speaker Bankole Concedes Defeat; VP Sambo Hurries Out of Kaduna.

House Speaker, Dimeji Bankole

As the routing of the ruling People's Democratic Party unveils surprise after surprise, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has also done the unprecedented and the unthinkable: concede defeat to his opponent.

In a press release today signed by Chief Kayode Odunaro, his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Bankole commended Nigerian voters for the peaceful nature of the elections.

Mr. Bankole said the outcome of yesterday’s election on the whole reflected the wishes of Nigerians in the national quest to enshrine an enduring democracy.


The outgoing Speaker congratulated all the winners and urged the losers to absorb their defeat in good faith.  “For me the race was not a life and death duel,” he said.  “Of more importance is building, maintaining and developing our democratic institution and processes as a means towards true national development and greatness.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the members of the National Youth Service Corps for doing a good job, while he condemned those bent on scuttling the electoral process through violence, particularly through bombings.

Mr. Bankole’s concession today comes on the heels of other significant defeats for the PDP that include, in Ogun State, that of Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the daughter of former president Obasanjo; and in Osun State, the defeat of the former governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as well as Senator Iyiola Omisore. The ACN is also sweeping Edo state while the DPP has claimed to have won various seats in Delta state.

Reports reaching SaharaReporters today also indicate that the Vice president, Namadi Sambo left Kaduna abruptly after the PDP lost the election in his ward by a wide margin.