Edo Election: Why NPF Banned Edo Security Network
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, has said the ban on Edo State Security Network from participating in the September 21 governorship election, was in line with the Electoral Act. Frank Mba said the Electoral Act did not recognize vigilante groups and other non-conventional security outfits during election exercises. Mba, who stated this on Sunday, during Edo Election Security Townhall, explained that about 35,000 policemen have been deployed to Edo State for the Saturday election. He said, “By law, by convention and by practice vigilantes and non-conventional security outfits are never part of the electoral process and you can fact-check this. “Look at all our elections, our positions have never changed, we have never altered, we’ve not done anything, the Inspector General Police has not said anything or done anything that is out of the books and politicians knew this. “But guess what? Politicians will always be politicians. In the last general election whether you are looking at the southeast or whether you are looking at the southwest look through the entire length and breadth of the country, we expressly and in very strong terms and we walked our talk in making sure that non-conventional security outfits did not or are not allowed to participate in the electoral process.” Responding to a question if policemen would arrest Edo Security Network personnel if found around polling stations, he answered: “Exactly, because as a matter of fact that would be a breach of the Electoral Act. I mean under the Electoral Act, the law clearly states the agencies that can participate in policing the electoral space.” Mba explained that except for Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, policemen attached to other politicians in the state will be withdrawn. “We will clearly demobilize, and deactivate orderlies and VIP protection personnel 48 hours before the election but naturally, the governor and deputy governor will keep personal security but these personnel are not allowed to accompany them to the electoral ground,” he added.
Shaibu warns against violence ahead of Edo governorship poll
Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, has called for peace and denounced violence and anti-democratic actions as the state prepares for the September 21 governorship election. Shaibu, who was impeached on March 18 but reinstated by the court on July 17, made the appeal during a thanksgiving service at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin to celebrate his legal victory. In his address, Shaibu emphasized the need for unity and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, despite any provocations. Describing himself as a “child of God,” Shaibu expressed that he had challenged God to demonstrate His presence in his life. “I said, prove to the world that truly I am your son. “They said they will impeach me, and when I go to court and by the time the judgment would come, the tenure would be over. “But God proved them wrong and the judgement came earlier than expected on July 17,” he said. He warned the youths against violence, saying they could be whoever they wanted without going to the streets. “You can be who you want to be when you are consistent and do what is right all the time. “Don’t let anyone disrupt this democracy. “You must stand your ground to make sure that democracy succeeds,” said the deputy governor. He said violence would only lead to suffering, adding that “Nigeria cannot afford to go to war. “There are too many economic problems that need to be solved,” he said. On the allegation that he was the mastermind of the Benin Airport attack, Mr Shaibu said the state government was only trying to cover up. “They killed a policeman and all of them must be picked up. “The men of the vigilance group and Public Work Volunteers did that. “They want to drag people in, so I called on the President and IG to set up an inquiry, not just to investigate but to proscribe the vigilance group and POWOV,” he said. The deputy governor said he had changed his style and now used his brain instead of resorting to violence. “I don’t move people to the street anymore. “They said I will soon go to the street, but I didn’t go. “I use my brain, and I have been winning,” he said. Earlier, the officiating priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Charles Omogiate, cautioned against killings in the name of seeking for positions. Position, he said, would come and go but human beings would remain. “If you take lives and property because you want position, know that you are on the part of destruction because God gives lives and only He has the power to take lives,” the cleric said.
Off-cycle Elections: INEC Adds 269,992 new Voters to Preliminary Register
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the release of the preliminary register of new voters for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. In a press statement signed by Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission outlined the next steps in the electoral process. According to the release, the register will be displayed for claims and objections by citizens for a period of seven days starting from Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The display will take place in all 395 wards across both states and will also be available on the INEC website. Citizens are encouraged to identify any ineligible persons on the register and file objections using Forms EC2 and EC3, which can be obtained from INEC officials or downloaded from the INEC website. Additionally, individuals who have recently registered, applied for transfer, correction of personal details, or replacement of lost or damaged PVCs are urged to draw the Commission’s attention to any errors or wrong entries for further action. The commission also provided statistics from the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process, indicating a total of 269,992 new voters in the two states following the suspension of registration on June 9, 2024. The majority of registered voters are youths aged 18-34, with students comprising the largest occupational group. Requests for replacement of PVCs, voter transfer, and information updates were also noted. The commission emphasized that these figures are preliminary and subject to further verification, as final figures will be published on a state-by-state basis after the claims and objections period and the use of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to clean up the register. The date for the commencement of collection of new PVCs will be announced thereafter. The Commission urged the public to take advantage of the register display period to assist in cleaning up the register as required by law. The commission reiterated the importance of public participation in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the voter register for the upcoming elections.
PDP unveils campaign council for Edo 2024 governorship election
The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday in Benin unveiled a 200-member campaign Council for the September 21, 2024, Governorship Election in the State. In a statement, the PDP State Organizing Secretary, Tony Anenih (Jnr.), said members of the Campaign Council were versatile members of the PDP who have been carefully chosen to deliver the party’s candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo. Anenih noted that the campaign structure has an Advisory Council, to be headed by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, a Management Committee and a State Campaign Council, made up of 200 eminent members of the PDP. He said the women wing would be headed by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo while the youth wing would be led by the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor. Anenih explained that the selection process was carried out under the direct supervision of the leaders of the party headed by Obaseki. “I do not have any doubt whatsoever in my mind, that this group of very versatile members of the PDP that have been carefully chosen, will deliver our erudite, intellectually-sound and broad-minded candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo,” he said. “The advisory council has seven eminent members of the state, with the Governor as Chairman; the Management Committee is made up of the Director General and 13 Deputies for Finance, Contact and Mobilization and Media/ Publicity Field Operations and Security, among others” According to him, the youth and women wings which are very critical wings will be working independently, its relationship with the other Directorates will be symbiotic. He added “On behalf of the party, I congratulate each and every one of you that have been selected, and the party hopes and expects you to hit the ground running.”
INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo Governorship election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially unveiled the final list of candidates for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election. Following the conclusion of initial primaries, the Commission had earlier disclosed the personal details of gubernatorial candidates and their running mates at its offices across the state. In compliance with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, certain political parties opted to conduct fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates before the 15th April, 2024 deadline. Notably, the Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) made substitutions for their Governorship candidates and running mates. Additionally, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced only the running mates of their candidates. A total of seventeen (17) political parties will be fielding candidates in the election, with sixteen (16) being male and one (1) female. The final list, inclusive of detailed candidate information such as age, academic qualifications, and disability status, has been made accessible at INEC’s offices in Edo State, as well as on its website and social media platforms. Part of the statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, read: ”With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is the electioneering campaign. ”As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day. ”Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday, 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday, 19th September 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. ”As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity. For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.” The Edo State Governorship Election is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 21st September 2024.
Former NBA President, Akpata Clinches Edo LP Governorship Ticket
The Labour party in Edo State has announced a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata, as the winner of the party’s primary election for the September 2024 governorship election in the State. Akpata scored 316 votes to clinch the party ticket at the exercise held at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State capital on Friday. His victory comes months after he declared interest in the Edo State governorship race under the Labour Party. Akpata, had in October visited the Edo LP secretariat in Benin City to formally declare his interest in the governorship race, stating that his decision is influenced by his love for the people. “My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out about politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people,” Akpata told the mammoth crowd that welcomed him.
Edo APC Governorship Candidate Emerges
Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State. The re-run election, prompted by the inconclusive initial result, witnessed Okpebholo securing a notable 12,433 votes, surpassing 11 other aspirants in the race. The results were officially declared in Benin by the newly appointed Chairman of the election committee and Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu. The announcement followed meticulous collation of results from all 18 Local Government Areas, solidifying Okpebholo’s position as the preferred candidate. Notably, Senator Okpebholo was among the three winners who emerged from last Saturday’s canceled shadow poll, further underscoring the significance of his victory. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was replaced by Otu, who, in line with APC’s indication, expressed his unavailability for the re-run election.
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.
2024: PDP Unveils Timetable For Edo Guber Election
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unveiled the much-anticipated timetable for the Edo State 2024 gubernatorial election. This schedule, released after a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, outlines the key activities preceding the election. Key highlights from the timetable include: Aspirants eyeing the governorship seat can obtain nomination forms for N21 million, with a 50 percent discount available for youths aged between 25 and 30; Registration of both existing and new members is set between November 16 and December 7, while the crucial party congress, determining the governorship candidate, is scheduled for February 22, 2024; December 14 marks the deadline for the submission of ward registers to the Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation; Stakeholders’ consultative meetings with the National Working Group will be held from December 19 to 20; Expression of interest and ad-hoc forms will be available for purchase from January 10 to 16, with January 17 as the final date for their submission; The screening of governorship aspirants by the National Working Committee is set for January 18, 2024; Sales of nomination forms for completed expression of interest submissions will take place from January 19 to 25, with January 27 as the deadline for their submission. The governorship primary is scheduled for February 22, while February 24 is earmarked for appeals related to the primary process.