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Tag: Edo election

  • Edo election: Presidency dismisses PDP’s claims of interference

    Edo election: Presidency dismisses PDP’s claims of interference

    • …says party’s foul cry a pretext to imminent defeat due to failure to prepare

    The presidency has strongly denied claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, accusing it of planning to interfere in next Saturday’s election by using state machinery to favor the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a statement released on Saturday in Benin by the PDP Chairman in Edo State, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the party claimed it had uncovered a scheme involving the Presidency, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), to provide financial support and state apparatus to Senator Monday Okpebholo and the APC in an effort to secure their victory.

    Aziegbemi alleged that the Presidency tasked the NSA to work with the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security chiefs to execute the plan. 

    However, reacting to the allegations, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the claim as baseless and unfounded, emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to upholding democracy and the democratic process.

    Ajayi stated that the Presidency will not engage in any illegal activities that compromise the integrity of elections, citing President Tinubu’s track record as a steadfast democrat.

    The Presidential aide accused the PDP of preparing excuses for its impending defeat in the Edo election, noting that the party’s leaders have abandoned the ship.

    Ajayi reassured that institutions like the DSS and NSA prioritise national security and preserving democracy, rather than subverting the electoral process.

    Read Also: Edo Election: APC pulls out of peace accord

    The PDP’s allegations were dismissed as a desperate attempt to deflect attention from its own lack of preparation and impending defeat.

    “It is a silly and ridiculous claim coming from Edo State PDP and the PDP as a whole. There is no truth in such a claim. The Presidency and President Tinubu will not undermine democracy and the democratic process. President Tinubu is an avowed democrat. 

    “His party has won elections states and has lost elections, too. He won’t lend his presidency to any illegality and anything that will compromise the integrity of our elections. It is obvious the ship of PDP in Edo State is sinking just like it sank in national elections. 

    “The PDP is just preparing ground and perfect alibi for the failure that is bound to be its lot in the upcoming election in Edo State. The State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the candidate in the election both know they will suffer huge defeat. 

    “It is important to even ask which PDP is talking in Edo State because the real Edo PDP leaders who control the soul and the body of the party have since abandoned the party for the APC. What is remaining is a carcass that Governor Obaseki is merely using as his Special Purpose Vehicle. 

    “They shambolic party in Edo is only crying wolf where there is none to cover its ill-preparation and coming defeat in the election. The DSS and NSA work for the security of the country and the preservation of every part of the country. 

    “Such important institutions of state can never work for the subversion of the electoral process and democracy under any guise”, Ajayi said.

  • Edo election: We will uphold integrity of polls, says INEC chairman

    Edo election: We will uphold integrity of polls, says INEC chairman

    The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has assured the people of Edo state that the commission will do everything possible to uphold the integrity of the September 21 governorship election in the state.

    Speaking in Benin after monitoring the mock accreditation exercise aimed at test running facilities for the election, Prof. Yakubu said the task of electing the next governor of the state tests solely with the people of Edo state.

    He expressed the readiness and strong commitment of the commission to conducting a free fair and credible election in the state, saying INEC was not a political party and did not have a candidate in the election.

    The INEC Boss called all registered voters in the state to come out en masse to vote for the party and candidate of their choice, saying the commission would always protect the integrity of the process and uphold the choice of the people

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    Prof Yakubu who led some national commissioners to visit some polling units in three local governments – Oredo, Egor and Ikpeoba Okha, expressed satisfaction with all the levels of preparation at the INEC offices as well as the two centres visited for the mock accreditation exercise, said the commission was good to go.

    He said: “My assurance to everyone in Edo state is, on the part of the commission, we keep saying this. INEC is not a political party therefore we don’t have a candidate in this election.

    “The responsibility of choosing the next governor of Edo state is entirely in the hands of Edo voters and our assurance to all the registered voters in Edo state is to troop out to vote for the party of their choice and the candidate of their choice and the commission will always protect the integrity of the process and uphold the choice made by the electorate.

    “We are satisfied with the level of preparation of our local government offices in the three offices we have visited- Oredo, Egor, and Ikpeoba Okha- as well as the two centres we have visited for the mock exercise. I think we are good to go.”

    While admitting some logistic challenges that need to be addressed, Prof Yakubu said his meeting with the electoral officers in the 18 local government areas of the state was aimed at harvesting the issues to address them.

    “Well, there are little, little issues that we are going to address, like some of the non-sensitive materials but with the 11 days to the election, I’m absolutely certain that by the end of this week, we will address those issues.

    “In addition, I’m also going to speak with all the EOs in the 18 local government, not just the local government we visited and this is going to happen on Thursday after the signing of the national peace accord. So I’m going to speak with all the EOs and we will harvest all the concerns.

    “That’s why we are here ahead of the elections so that we can respond to any issues that they may raise.

    “It has always been the intention of the commission to organise good elections and I’m giving you assurances on the level of preparation. That is why I’m personally here in Edo state and let me seize this opportunity to appeal to other stakeholders as well.

    “Election is a multi-stakeholder activity including the security agencies, the political parties, the candidates, the observers, even you the media, so you should report us very well.”

  • Edo election: Parties to sign peace accord Sept 12

    Edo election: Parties to sign peace accord Sept 12

    …as INEC frowns at non-compliance with accreditation procedures by political parties

    The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Thursday, August 29, that political parties taking part in the September 21 governorship election in Edo are expected to sign a peace accord on the 21st of September.

    The INEC chairman who spoke at an emergency meeting with national chairmen and secretaries of all the registered political parties said the decision to sign the peace accord early is to enable the National Peace Committee to monitor compliance by the parties before the election.

    Prof. Yakubu however frowned at the attitude of political parties in failing to adhere to laid down rules, especially regarding the upload of particulars of the polling and collation agents for the Edo Governorship election.

    The Nation however observed that the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure was not present at the meeting and unconfirmed reports have it that he was asked to stay away pending the resolution of the leadership crisis in the party.

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    The INEC chairman said: “After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday 12th September 2024 in Benin City.

    “Supported by eminent members of the Peace Committee, the occasion will be presided over by the chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    “You may notice that unlike the previous peace, accords signed a few days before the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process such as INEC and the security agencies during the remaining days to the election.

    “This will add further weight to the Peace Accord beyond mere ceremony as demanded by many observers and even some of the political actors themselves.

    “The signing of the Peace Accord will be preceded by the INEC Stakeholders meeting to be held on Wednesday 11th September 2024 in Benin City. As usual, the meeting will be addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police. It is an open forum for political parties, candidates, observers and the media to interact with the Commission and the security agencies ahead of the election.”

    Speaking on the nomination of polling and collation agents for the Edo State governorship election, Yakubu said “Some of you here may recall that in consultation with the political parties, we replaced the manual process for the submission of the list agents with a digital platform.

    “We have done the same for the accreditation of observers and media organisations in consultation with the stakeholders. On our own, we have also replaced the manual process of recruiting ad hoc staff with a digital platform called the INECPRES. All these activities are now done electronically on several dedicated portals. This has simplified our processes and reduced costs for all stakeholders.

    “However, after harvesting the details of polling and collation agents uploaded to the portal for the Edo State election, we discovered that there are compliance issues about the quality of uploads, particularly as they relate to the images of Polling Unit, Ward and Local Government agents.

    “This problem cuts across all political parties even though this is not being done for the first time. And in keeping with our practice before major elections, we trained officials nominated by political parties. We also set up a Help Desk in the event of any political party needing assistance.

    “I want to emphasise that there will be no going back to the manual process. It is gone for good. Already, observer groups and media organisations are in full compliance with the digital procedure. Political parties cannot be an exception.

    “You must do the needful instead of constantly complaining of shortfalls in the number of accreditation tags supplied for your agents. We will only produce tags for uploads that meet the requirements of our regulations and guidelines.

    “The Commission is determined that your agents at Polling Units and Collation Centres must be identified by name and their photographs printed on their accreditation tags duly authorised by the Commission.

    “We have also added a QR Code to each tag for easy authentication and verification of your agents at the polling and collation centres. Matters arising from the recent uploads will be discussed at this meeting”.

    He also asked the parties to play by the rules, saying, “The Commission is aware that you are in the middle of an electioneering campaign in Edo State. I urge you to continue to maintain decorum and civility in your campaigns and fully comply with the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of rallies and processions.

    “So far, no political party has submitted to the Commission the dates and locations of your major campaign rallies and processions but some of you are quick to complain of incidents when they occur. Doing so will enable better coordination of your campaign activities.

    “It is exactly 22 days (3 weeks and 1 day) to the Edo State Governorship election. Campaigns are in full swing and we have already implemented 10 out of the 13 activities listed in our Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

    “In addition to these statutory activities, we have intensified our engagement with stakeholders at State and Local Government levels. Similarly, voter education is ongoing. We have concluded the training of security personnel and we are finalising the delivery of the few remaining non-sensitive materials for the election.

    “We are concluding arrangements with the land and maritime transport unions for logistics. The printing of triplicate copies of voters’ registers for each of the 4,519 Polling Units in Edo State is virtually completed.

    “The installation and configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to be deployed on Election Day is completed. Observer accreditation tags are being produced.

    “The portal for media accreditation closes next week and so far, 88 media organisations have applied by uploading the details of 698 personnel (journalists, technicians and crew members) to cover the election. We will soon commence the training of various categories of ad-hoc staff.

    “Early this week, the Commission announced that out of 184,438 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), 125,928 PVCs representing 68.3% of new cards were collected at Ward level in Edo State in just five days.

    “This is the highest rate of collection of PVCs since the introduction of the CVR for off-cycle elections in the Bayelsa and Kogi State governorship elections in 2015.

    “The Commission appreciates the role played by political parties and other stakeholders in mobilising new voters to collect their PVCs. Just yesterday, Wednesday 28th August 2024, the collection of PVCs resumed in our 18 Local Government offices in Edo State. This will last until Sunday 8th September 2024. We once again appeal to stakeholders for the same level of mobilisation so that we can achieve an even higher rate of collection.

    He disclosed that a number of other activities have been scheduled, adding that “on Tuesday 10th September 2024, the Commission will conduct a Mock Accreditation of voters to test-run the deployment of BVAS for the election as well as the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

    “Twelve Polling Units in six LGAs across the three Senatorial Districts of the State have been designated as centres for the one-day exercise which begins at 8.30am and ends at 2.30pm. Detailed information on the locations of the Polling Units for the exercise have been uploaded to our website.

  • Edo tribunal dismisses Ize-Iyamu’s petition

    Edo tribunal dismisses Ize-Iyamu’s petition

    Edo State Election Petition Tribunal on Friday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    The tribunal upheld the September 28, 2016 election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, held that the petitioners failed to support their pleadings with evidence as well as abandoned some pleadings in their petition.

    Justice Badamasi held that many witnesses called by the petitioners were discredited during cross examination and gave hearsay evidence.

    He said, “The petitioners have failed to prove their case with credible evidence and it is therefore dismissed.

    “The much talked about ticking and over voting by the petitioners have not been specifically proved beyond reasonable doubts. And not calling witnesses to prove their allegations of corrupt practices and over voting was fatal to their case and is deemed to have abandoned their pleadings.

    “Accordingly, the petition has failed and is hereby dismissed.”

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu had in his petition asked the tribunal to declare him winner of the governorship election.

    Respondents in the suit were Governor Obaseki, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

    Hearing on the petition began on January 7 and ended on April 3.

    During the course of trial, the petitioners called 92 witnesses while Governor Obaseki called 68 witnesses.

    The APC called 15 witnesses and INEC did not call any.

    Counsel to INEC, Onyinye Anumonye, argued that there was no need to call witnesses that would repair the case already damaged by the petitioners’ witnesses.

    Onyinye, however, tendered 203 documents including 200 copies of Form EC8 (B) for the 18 local government areas, one copy of Form EC8(C) for the 18 LGAs of the state, Form EC8 (D) for Edo State and Form EC8 (E).

    The petitioners tendered the voters’ register from 16 local government areas as well as the Forms EC8A, Form EC8B and EC8C, being results sheets for all the polling units, wards and local government areas of the state.

     

  • Edo election and its aftermath

    It was expected that the Edo State leadership of the PDP would at least display some grace and respect for the unquestionable verdict of the Edo electorate in the just concluded Edo governorship election; that a modicum of dignity, honour and honesty will be demonstrated in the reaction of PDP to what was obviously a uniquely free, fair and significantly violence-free exercise. For any unbiased participant and observer of the September 28 election, the scenario of the historic date was completely different from the doomsday prediction of the PDP.

    Across the voting units and the wards, incontrovertible reports indicate that the voters – the market women, the civil servants, the teachers, the pensioners of various political stripes related in friendly manner during the voting exercise. Even in situations where spirited and vigorous conversations ensued among the voters about preferences for their candidates, such engagements never degenerated to the gruesome level of anarchic acrimony that Ize-Iyamu’s campaign had secretly calibrated.

    Rather than join the rest of the country and international observers in commending Edo State electorate for the patient and enthusiastic performance of their civic responsibility, the Ize-Iyamu’s group resorted to its characteristic theatrics: the seeming  delusive pattern of perpetual  denial of reality and psychopathic inclination  to blame other people and agencies for their failure. The leadership of Edo PDP has unfortunately resorted to insulting and negating the collective will of the people of Edo State as expressed on September 28 by alleging rigging and other invented excuses for the party’s abysmal defeat. The failed hierarchy of the PDP has shamelessly continued with the same line of lies that they purveyed to their followers right from the beginning of this electoral exercise; the sorry story being peddled now by the former governorship candidate is from the same booklet of political scam that he, Ize-Iyamu, canvassed during the election. Nearly 70 percent of the Edo electorate wisely and clearly rejected the menu of fanciful but poisonous tales from Ize-Iyamu at the polls and opted for credibility and integrity within the paradigm of progressive continuity. The electorate spoke in unison endorsing the economic vision and political mission of the APC and Godwin Obaseki in their 21st Century march to progress.

    Perhaps, it is a quality far beyond the moral universe of Edo PDP factional leadership to rise with a spirit of humble courage, to accept defeat with grace, to embrace political challenge with philosophical nobility and deliver a memorable message of congratulations to their opponent. Maybe, such endearing qualities will never be manifested in the lives of a cabal that is wallowing in the grip of hallucinatory political power and the unquenchable lust for public wealth. And this is a crucial anchor where the post-election conduct and utterances of the PDP leadership engenders a lot of curiosity.

    All through the primary nomination process and campaign period including few hours after voting, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu hardly factored God’s name into his political equation as he attempted to bully his way towards his inordinate terrestrial ambitions, forsaking everything celestial. Now suddenly after the election and having tried but failed to mobilize Edo people around the fake result manufactured by his campaign organization. The pastor now says that his decisions are being guided by the voices of some Higher Mighty powers. It seems that our Pastor would need a combination of sobriety of thought and spiritual re-birth before he can clearly hear the voice of God that we all desire to worship. We are sinners, the Holy Scripture rightly says. We must also forgive, the Holy Book instructs, but, the scripture did not say we should forget especially when the characters involved have not done any truth-telling.

    Let Pastor Ize-Iyamu do what could be of minimal redemption, to immediately step down from the altar of false prophecy and hear the energetic calls of the people to let the incoming government begin work immediately. If Ize-Iyamu was truly  ‘in the spirit’, he would concede that very often, the voice of the people is also the voice of God.

    If the PDP is to ever regain a modicum of respect with the electorate of Edo State, the party should begin with an earnest exercise of soul-searching and rigorous self-assessment. How can the PDP in good conscience be manufacturing tales of victory and rigging when all the self-baptized giants of the party woefully lost either their polling units, their wards or their entire local government areas; what justification do these self-proclaimed ‘Irokos’ have to allege rigging when the truth is that they were nothing but exaggerated Bamboo shrubs when it came to the crucial political ground game on the day of battle.

    From High Chief Raymond Dokpesi to the Oduma (the Lion) of Esan Land, Chief Tom Ikimi who roared into Igueben but sneaked out with meow-like cries of a domesticated cat following his disgraceful defeat, and the members of the self-venerating “House of Igbinedion” in Ovia North East, they all lost their supposed political home fronts. And from Ovia to the zone of state party chairman, often hailed at campaign rallies as the Kulukulu 1(the Commanding General), Chief Dan Orbih in Etsako Central Local Government Area, to Erie, Ward 10 in Oredo Local Government Area, the cultural and political cradle of the Ize-Iyamus, PDP dangled lifelessly between insignificant wins and total defeat. Not even the combined efforts of the reputed Iyasere of Esan Land, Chief Tony Anenih who desperately asked for pity on the grounds of old age and ill-health and the deputy governorship candidate of the party, John Yakubu, could deliver a clear win for the PDP in Esan North East Local Government Area. The High Chief of Gbode fell irredeemably low, the factional personality who recently gallivanted around the country seeking and posturing for the national leadership of PDP could not even win his voting unit.

    This is the bleak landscape of the map that the PDP membership must carefully re-imagine; it is the sad but true picture that the deceived followers of the PDP must now deal with and, perhaps, the unchangeable reality that they must confront. The Ize-Iyamus in their hallucinatory universe may try to write new songs proclaiming the possibility of resurrection for Edo State PDP, but the party of Dan Orbih and Anthony Anenih never had a soul, hence there can be no redemption much less a resurrection. Ize-Iyamu cannot be allowed to open another chapter in his book of political skulduggery; this is the final inglorious burial rites for a plundering economic beast. Edo people have spoken, the chickens have come home to roost and History has been manifested with consequence.

     

    • Adams writes from Benin City.
  • Obaseki wins Edo governorship election

    Obaseki wins Edo governorship election

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has won the Edo State governorship election based on the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday.

    Obaseki was declared winner of the election after polling 319, 483 votes, while his  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, garnered 253, 173.

    He edged out Ize-Iyamu with 66, 310 votes in the election held across Edo State on Wednesday.

    A total of 1, 900, 223 voters registered for the election, while 622,039 were accredited.

    The APC won in 13 out of the 18 local government areas of the state and the PDP triumphed in five.

    Votes polled by other political parties are listed below:

    APGA – 876

    ACPN – 3, 184

    ACD – 1,350

    PDC – 1, 289

    LP – 182

  • Edo election: Collation of results begins today, says REC

    Edo election: Collation of results begins today, says REC

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Mr. Sam Olumekun, said last night that collation of results for the governorship election would begin today.

    Olumekun stated in Benin last night after a closed-door meeting with a National Commissioner and two Resident Electoral Commissioners at about 11.20 p.m.

    He, however, did not give reasons for the shift in date for the exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the decision to commence the collation today could be traced to the late arrival of results from the 18 local government areas.

    A NAN correspondent who visited INEC office in Benin reports that security was tight while movement to the area had been restricted to only accredited officers and staff.

     At the INEC office, party agents, reporters and election observers were seen waiting for the commencement of collation of results from the local government areas.

    A source close to the commission told NAN that those waiting for the collation had the option to wait or come back today for the exercise.

  • Edo poll: We don’t envisage any problem – INEC

    Edo poll: We don’t envisage any problem – INEC

    …Says election going to be historic
    With all the arrangement put in place ahead of Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it was not envisaging any problem that could lead to an inconclusive election.

    The election which was earlier scheduled for September 10th was however postponed on the advice of the security agency to Wednesday.

    Speaking to our Correspondent, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi said report from all quarters have been encouraging, despite the allegations by both parties.

    Oyekanmi also based the confidence of the commission on the assurances from the security agencies that Edo election will be historic.

    He said, “My dear brother, by the special grace of God there shall be no incident that will lead to inconclusive election. We have assurances from security agencies. The Nigerian police has promised to deplore 25000 men and they also have other agencies that are also co tributing men for the purpose of the election and I believe in the new commissioner of police in Edo, who gave assurances yesterday that they will decisively deal with anybody that tries to engage in any act that is capable of derailing the election in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “And so far we have not seen any intention of from the political gladiators to cause mayhem. There has been exchanges here and there, allegations and also of that, but we hope that this will not degenerate.

    “From the point of INEC, we have prepared for this election since March, remember that September 10th was the initial date, and we were for the advices from security agencies that persuaded us to postpone the election.

    “So we are really keen and hoping that as I speak, a lot of deployment is going on, a lot of personal and materials deployment. We are monitoring everything in real time and there had been no problem and I hope that tomorrow we will have a fantastic time and it will be a historic election. So we don’t envisage any problem.”

  • Edo election: Wike, APC bicker over support for PDP’s Ize-Iyamu

    Edo election: Wike, APC bicker over support for PDP’s Ize-Iyamu

    •I gave Ize-Iyamu only moral support – Wike
    •No, you also gave material, financial support to PDP candidate – APC

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State  and the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in a bicker over  his  support for the Edo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Wike dismissed reports that he backed Ize-Iyamu with a N2 billion donation, saying all he gave was moral support.

    He vowed to continue to support democratic forces, not just in the Niger Delta, but across Nigeria, to bring better life to people of the country.

    But the APC in the state said Wike has been a pillar of financial backing for Ize-Iyamu.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, speaking for his principal said Wike had no N2 billion to give the PDP candidate.

    He also denied allegation by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State that Wike and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, were mobilising militants to rig the September 28 election for the PDP candidate.

    Tam-George said: “Governor Wike has no links with militants in the region and anywhere else in the country. He (Wike) has only given moral support to the PDP candidate in Edo State to overcome the ineptitude and dysfunction the APC imposed on the people.”

    Wike asked the people of Edo State to stand firm in defence of their sovereign right by voting for the PDP in the election.

    However, the APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers, Chris Finebone, told The Nation yesterday that Ize-Iyamu has been receiving massive financial support from Wike.

    He said: “Wike should, for once, be courageous to accept that he also gave material and financial support to the Edo PDP’s governorship candidate (Ize-Iyamu), as charged by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    “We all know that Wike is still on his schizophrenic delusion of grandeur. It is this same obscene pursuit of his that sent the PDP to its present life-support situation. Happily, some of his own people are now cutting him to size.

    “The APC in Rivers State believes that Wike mobilized and exported militants and hoodlums to Edo State to rig the September 10 election and he will repeat the same on September 28, 2016 (new date for the governorship poll). Security agents and Edo people must be vigilant.

    “We have informed him (Wike) that since all his (Wike’s) government can export is militancy, election-rigging and violence, he should tell Rivers people how much inflow that will bring, to improve the economy of Rivers State.

    “The Rivers State governor should halt his ego trip and conserve funds to pay teachers outstanding seven months salaries, pay pensioners their nine months pensions, close to one year outstanding wages to Rivers State House of Assembly legislative aides and others who are already dying every now and then.”

  • Edo election a big challenge, says IG

    Edo election a big challenge, says IG

    Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday described the Edo State governorship election, the first major election to be conducted since his assumption of office, as a big challenge to the security agencies and him in particular.

    On a visit to Benin to assess the level of security preparation for the September 28 governorship election, the IG urged police officers and other security agencies not to relax until election results are announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He spoke in Benin City while addressing security officials designated for the election.

    Idris vowed to deal with any police officer found supporting any of the political parties during the conduct of the election.

    On the alleged Boko Haram threat, the police chief directed security officials to effectively police prayer grounds and areas where people might assemble during the Eid-el-Kabir.

    He urged all Divisional Police Officers to personally visit all polling units within their division.

    The IG warned the security personnel not to collect money from politicians during the election as the federal government has released money for payment of security officials.

    He said: “Remain neutral and ensure that the electorate, party agents and INEC officials believe in our neutrality.

    “Don’t take money from anybody. The FG has paid us. We are going to pay you before the election but make sure you are available for election duties. Severe sanctions await those who abandon their duties.

    “Don’t go to areas that are not your responsibility. You are to provide security and not support any political party. Arrest those that violate the electoral laws. We have to be serious to make sure the election is conducted peacefully.”

    He also warned the security personnel against accompanying politicians to polling units.