Edo APC youths take over party secretariat over Guber primary

Enraged young individuals and women have seized control of the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Benin, Edo State.  They are demanding the removal of the state executives, led by acting Chairman Jarret Tenebe, due to alleged irregularities in Saturday’s governorship primary election, which resulted in three declared winners.  The protestors, led by Tony Adun (Kabaka), forcibly entered the offices, taking out furniture, rice bags, and other items.  They declare their intent to occupy the premises for seven days, expressing dissatisfaction with the officials’ conduct during the primary and insisting on the dissolution of the executive committee. Adun emphasized their support for Dennis Idahosa and urged party members to back his candidacy in the upcoming governorship election. Adun said, “It is clear that the party exco in the state are no longer working on the interest of the party so it is time for them to leave. “We are here in solidarity with Dennis Idahosa who the party has nominated. We call on party members to back Idahosa’s candidacy in the governorship election in September. “As you can see, we are here in large numbers, youths and women, to show our displeasure over the way the exco handled the election.”

Edo Election: Imasuen Withdraws From APC Gubernatorial Primaries 

Lucky Imasuen, ex-deputy governor of Edo State, has decided to step back from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in the state. Imasuen cited the party’s National Working Committee’s decision to zone the ticket to Edo Central Senatorial district as the reason for his withdrawal. In an open letter addressing supporters, Imasuen stated, “I have come to the conclusion that since members of our National Working Committee (NWC) have expressed their preference for zoning the governorship position to Edo Central Senatorial District, it is wise to align with the decision of the party.” Despite being screened and cleared along with 11 other candidates on February 10, Imasuen’s decision adds another twist to the unfolding dynamics of the Edo APC governorship primary election, scheduled for today (Saturday).   His withdrawal follows closely on the heels of Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s surprising exit less than 24 hours ago, further intensifying the intrigue surrounding the contest.

Details Of PDP BoT Meeting In Abuja Emerge

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the escalating insecurity and the continuous depreciation of the Naira. The call came after a meeting at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, where Adolphus Wabara, the newly appointed Chairman, expressed deep concerns about economic hardship, high costs of essential commodities, and alarming food scarcity.  Wabara emphasized the BoT’s distress over the worsening insecurity, corruption, falling Naira value, high fuel prices, and unemployment.  He stated “The BoT is alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the country as evident in the rising cases of mass killings, banditry, kidnap for ransom, and acts of terrorism by assailants who are emboldened by the manifest laidback attitude of the APC administration to issues of security, especially in the last nine months. “The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians. “The BoT is seriously worried over the fall of the Naira to an abysmal N1,500 to the Dollar, incessant increase in the pump price of fuel which now sells for over N700 per liter with long queues in various parts of the country. “These have attendant negative consequences as evident in the nearly 30% inflation rate, 41% unemployment rate, and alarming 46% poverty rate where up to 130 million citizens have sunk deeper into multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine months. “The BoT is disturbed that the catastrophic economic and security situation in the country has left Nigerians hopeless, despondent, angry and constitutes a present and immediate threat to the survival of the country as hardworking young Nigerians, professionals in critical fields as well as major multinational companies are now leaving our nation in droves. “The BoT is distressed that there are no concrete and coherent policies, measures, and steps by the APC administration to address these existential threats which have put the country in a precarious situation. “The BoT calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the situation in the country has become unbearable. Mr. President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity, and unemployment in the country.”

INEC Receives Primaries Schedule from Political Parties for Edo State Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been notified by sixteen political parties of their intention to participate in the upcoming off-cycle governorship election in Edo State. With the primaries scheduled for conduct between 1st and 24th February 2024, parties are gearing up for a crucial phase in the electoral process. The schedule (dates and modes) of primaries proposed by the political parties has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information. In line with the provisions of Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to inform INEC at least 21 days prior to their planned primary dates. The recent deadline for notification expired on 4th February 2024, prompting INEC to assess the parties’ readiness. It is stipulated under Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022 that the primaries must be conducted within the boundaries of Edo State. This geographical specificity aims to ensure transparency and inclusivity in the electoral process. In anticipation of the primaries, INEC is set to deploy monitoring teams to oversee the proceedings. The Commission emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to electoral guidelines, cautioning against any disruptions or irregularities. Political parties are urged to avoid last-minute changes, including postponements, venue alterations, or manipulation of delegate lists. Additionally, INEC warns against the submission of candidate names that did not emerge from valid primary elections, as well as the occurrence of contentious primary processes that may lead to legal challenges. To enhance transparency, the schedule outlining the dates and modes of primaries proposed by the political parties has been made publicly available through INEC’s official website and social media channels.