Gov Umo Eno Speaks On Dumping PDP

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has stated categorically that he is not attempting to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Edodecides: PDP won’t get a single vote in my polling unit

…APC candidate boasts The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the ongoing Edo State governorship election, Monday Okpebholo, has boasted that none of his opponents, including the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, will get a single vote at Unit 03, Ward 1, Uwessan, Esan Central LGA in Edo. Mr Okpebholo stated this after casting his ballot on Saturday. He said, “PDP or whatever will not get one vote here because this is my home and my people love me.” He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying, “What I’m seeing here is like a testimony that INEC is getting it right.” When asked to comment on his impression on security deployment for the election, the APC candidate said, “I know that everything they are saying about security – this, that – is ‘hyping’. I mean, nothing is happening. You can see! Nobody is fighting. No knockout, no stick of matches. So is just for people to scare people away from voting”. “You know Obaseki wanted to cause fire in Edo State, but by the grace of God, everything is moving perfect.”

Edo 2024 Guber: Impressive Turnout of Voters

The Edo 2024 gubernatorial election has witnessed an impressive turnout of voters across the state today, as residents turned out in their numbers to exercise their civic duties. By 7:15am when reporters visited polling units within ward 12, residents had trooped out early, signaling a strong desire to shape the future of Edo State. People with disability and octogenarians were given preference. Voting in most wards in Oredo LGA is going on smoothly, and the security situation in most polling units visited remain intact and under control. Several civil society organizations monitoring the elections, including YIAGA Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), commended the peaceful conduct and the large turnout of voters. The Edo 2024 election is seen as a critical moment for the state, with three major political parties amongst others vying for the governorship seat in a race that will shape Edo’s political landscape for the next four years.

Edo poll: IGP orders restriction of movement

In the usual tradition that never deters violence, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has directed the restriction of movement in Edo State ahead of the governorship election slated for Saturday, September 21, 2024.   The police boss said this is to ensure adequate measures are put in place for peaceful, transparent and credible elections.   At least 17 political parties will be participating in the election, with the major parties being the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.   In a statement on Friday, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi said the IG ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 6 am to 6 pm on the election day.   He added that those on essential duties, including accredited media, electoral officials, ambulances, and emergency responders, are exempted from the order.   Adejobi said, “The Inspector-General of Police has announced comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process during the upcoming Edo off-cycle election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.   “In preparation for the election, the IGP has ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 6 am to 6 pm on the election day. Exceptions will be made for essential services, including accredited media, electoral officials, ambulances, and emergency responders.   “To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the IGP has implemented a ban on all security aides and escorts accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres. Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security outfits are prohibited from operating during the election, and the use of sirens by unauthorized vehicles is strictly forbidden to ensure a calm environment for voters.”   Adejobi also said the IG directed that special attention should be accorded to People With Disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and old people, among others.   He said, “Furthermore, the IG has mandated that special attention be afforded to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, aged, and those with mobility challenges, ensuring that polling stations in both urban and rural settings are accessible to all,” adding that the IG sternly warned residents against pranking the emergency lines released by the police to report cases of emergencies during the election.   Adejobi said, “The Inspector-General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) for Edo Gubernatorial Election, DIG Frank Emeka Mba, mni, has appealed to citizens to refrain from making prank calls to control room and designated help numbers, highlighting that text messages are more effective for operational purposes.   “The designated election lines for inquiries and reporting are DIG Election DIG Frank Mba, 07025000383 and AIG Election AIG Benneth Igwe, 09085000029, while the general control room numbers are 08077773721 and 08037646272. The already activated joint control room is manned by police and relevant agencies engaged in the electoral process.”   Adejobi said Egbetokun urged the residents to report suspicious and other activities that could affect the integrity of the poll.   He said, “Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process or cause disorderliness in any part of the state.   “The Inspector-General of Police underscores the necessity of adhering to these directives to avert any undue interference and intimidation during the election. Political parties, candidates, and their supporters are urged to conduct themselves responsibly and in compliance with electoral laws, as any violations or attempts to disrupt the electoral process will be met with the full extent of the law.   “The IGP reaffirms the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to promoting a safe and democratic environment. Through collaborative efforts, we can guarantee that the forthcoming elections in Edo, specifically and the future, are held fairly and peacefully.”    

You Can’t Set Bauchi On Fire, I Have Enough Water – Governor Bala Muhammad mocks Wike

Bauchi Guber: Tribunal Upholds Bala Mohammed's Election Victory

Bauchi Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed has declared that nobody can set Bauchi State on fire because he has gathered enough treated water to quench any form of fire. This remark comes in response to the recent threat by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to set opposition PDP states on fire. Bala Mohammed issued the response which was apparently directed at Wike when a delegation from the National Secretariat of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited him at the Governor’s Office in Bauchi on Tuesday. The Governor said that the crisis rocking the party is not personal, stressing that nobody should misunderstand the party as it is still united. According to him, “If we have quarrel, it is not personal, nobody should misunderstand us, we are together. This is not a splinter group, this is just a delegation from the National Working Committee of the PDP. We are going to discuss some of the issues in the party” “This unsolicited visit by the National Working Committee shows that in Nigeria we have people of conscience and we are connected by the values that established the PDP by our founding fathers” Bala Mohammed also said, “Yes, none of the political parties are insulated from crisis here and there, but crisis is there and that why leadership is there.We have to take the bull by the horns to discuss and look at the constitution of our party.” “We must do things by the rule of law, we must respect people, we must put our interest aside, we must respect our diversities, we must bring and close rank, especially for party like the PDP that has a history,” he added. “We have a pedigree, most of the developments in the country were done by the PDP, since we left nothing has happened. As you can see all the members of the National Working Committee that are here are square heads in square holes” He then assured that as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, he will continue to give effective and efficient leadership and meaningful opposition in the country.

Sultan, Kukah seek community involvement in tackling security challenges

For those attempting to make a mountain out of mole hill, Mathew Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto has reminded them that, like the PDP candidate in Edo Gov elections, President Tinubu did not sign a peace accord as a presidential candidate in 2023. Kukah, one of the conveners of the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, made this known on Sunday in Benin City during the Edo Election Security Townhall. According to the clergyman, the committee can’t force any presidential candidate to sign the peace pact, which has become an electoral ritual in the last decade. Kukah asserted that the failure of political parties and their candidates to sign the peace accord sends a wrong signal to Nigerians, which the opposition can easily exploit. He said, “The National Peace Committee, what we do is not in the Electoral Act, it’s not law; it’s moral. You can’t compel people to fall in love or love their neighbour. “If you go back to the 2019 election, the presidential candidate for the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was not there to sign the Peace Accord. And, of course, the opposition went to town, which is what it ought to be, and the next day, he (Atiku) turned up to sign. “What is also very interesting is that the current president, when he was a presidential candidate, did not sign; it wasn’t our fault that the political opposition didn’t take advantage of it. “It’s a pity, but we are not going to take anybody to court for not signing the Peace Accord. The only thing it does to you as a candidate is that it sends a wrong signal which can be very easily exploited by the opposition.”

PDP Suspends Dino Melaye

Presidential Election results’ collation marred by corruption, Dino Melaye tells Tribunal 

While it looked away when the second runner up in the last presidential primary, Mr. Nyesom wike brook every rule in the books, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi State chapter has suspended former Senator Dino Melaye, a close ally of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.   The suspension was announced by the Ward executive committee of Ayetoro Gbede, Ward 1, following Melaye’s refusal to honour a summon.   Melaye was suspended for engaging in anti-party activities and alleged misconduct, which is said to have brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party.   The Ward exco took the decision during a meeting on Friday, where they reviewed the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate Melaye’s activities.   The resolution, signed by Ward Chairman Abayomi Osamika and Secretary Yodson Dayo, stated that Melaye’s continued membership in the party is no longer tenable.   “The suspension is in line with provisions of Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution which empowers the Ward party excos to take disciplinary actions against erring members,” it reads in part.   The suspension is effective immediately.