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Tag: Edo governorship election

  • Edo governorship election: Ganduje donates N20 million to families of policemen who died in auto crash

    Edo governorship election: Ganduje donates N20 million to families of policemen who died in auto crash

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday donated the sum of N20 million to families of the police officers involved in a fatal auto crash while returning from the Edo state governorship election duties on Tuesday.

    The policemen, who were deployed from Kano State for the election, had boarded the ill-fated vehicle to return home on completion of their assignment.

    The vehicle conveying them had a head-on collision with a reversing trailer at Karfi, along Kano-Zaria Expressway.

    Five of the policemen died while about 10 others sustained serious injuries.

    The wounded were still recuperating in a hospital when the APC national chairman visited Bichi to offer his heartfelt condolences and assist the bereaved relatives.

    Those who lost their lives in the accident include Inspector Ashiru Garba, Inspector Usman Salihu, Sergeant Saidu Salisu, Corporal Kamalu Shehu and Corporal Abubakar Nuhu.

    Ganduje gave the families of the deceased officers N2 million each, while relatives of the wounded were given N1 million each.

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    Ganduje, an immediate past governor of Kano, expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy.

    He noted that the sudden death of the officers, who died on duty, was a sad moment not only for the Police Force but to him personally and the nation in general.

    He said: “We are here not for celebration but for condolences; to sympathise with you over the death of the five policemen who died in accident while returning from Edo election duty.

    “We condole with the deceased’s families, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the police commissioner and police force in the state, the emirate of Bichi and the entire state of Kano over the incident.

    “The officers had completed their assignment in Edo and were returning when the fatal accident occurred. We are here to condole with their families and pray for quick recovery of those who suffered various degrees of injuries.

     “It is our culture and tradition as a great party (APC) and government to always sympathise with the masses when they are in moments of grief, and be with them to comfort them and make them feel that they are not alone during the unhappy time.

    “I decided to personally come down to Bichi because of the enormity of the death, and because the officers gallantly died in active national service.”

    House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, said the death of the policemen touched him deeply.

    “I feel the pain the way the families left behind by the deceased officers feel,” Abubakar, a federal lawmaker representing the area, said.

  • Voters defy rain to vote in Edo governorship election

    Voters defy rain to vote in Edo governorship election

    Scores of voters in Edo Central on Saturday trooped out to participate in the off-cycle governorship election in the state amidst a downpour.

    Voting commenced at exactly 8:40 a.m. at the Eguare Primary School, Ujiogba in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, which hosts three polling units.

    In spite of the rain, voters lined up for accreditation and voting, which were held simultaneously.

    At the polling unit II, ward 2, some of the voters took cover with their umbrellas, while others queued in the rain.

    One of the voters, Samuel Samson, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the voting process started at 8:30 a.m.

    Read Also: Edo governorship election: Jonathan sues for peace, neutrality

    “The electoral officials got here overnight, but the polling booth opened exactly at 8:30 a.m.,” he said.

    At Igueben, Igueben LGA, canopies were mounted in some of the polling units to shield voters from the downpour.

    (NAN)

  • Edo poll: INEC re-engages stakeholders

    Edo poll: INEC re-engages stakeholders

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be holding another interactive session with stakeholders in Benin on Thursday over the postponement of the Edo governorship election.

    The Deputy Director of Publicity and Voter Education of INEC, Mr Nick Dazang, made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Dazang said that the aim of the forum was to address concerns arising from the postponement of the election from Sept. 10 to Sept. 28 based on security advice.

    “The session will also be used to address reactions and assuage the anxieties of stakeholders,’’ he said.

    Dazang said that 1,925,105 registered voters were expected to participate in the election.

    “Total number of registered voters remains the same as issued on Aug. 11 (30 days to the election) as demanded by law.

    “However, distribution of PVCs (Permanent Voter Cards) is on-going as directed by the commission in all states of the federation.

    Asked if the commission was considering reshuffling personnel for the poll, Dazang said he was not aware of that.

    He added that the commission was not aware of any of those recruited and trained for the poll changing interest on participating in the exercise.

    “We do not have any report to that effect. What INEC is doing now is to re-engage with the stakeholders, particularly the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), security agencies and others.

    “We appreciate that there could be such fear by the ad hoc staff. So, what we are doing is to re-engage with the stakeholders.

    “We are re-engaging  to reassure them based on the assurance given to us by security agencies that the same level of security that they assured us is still in place.

    “We will try and allay their fairs and anxiety so that they will feel strengthened to participate; we are working on that.

    “We are also sensitising all stakeholders and that is why we are holding another stakeholders forum in Benin to address whatever concern that they may raise,’’ Dazang said.

    He said that for now INEC had no challenge on getting the required ad hoc staff for the conduct of the election.

    Dazang said that one third of the ad hoc staff engaged were NYSC members, while the remaining two thirds were former corps members and students of tertiary institutions.

    “Be that as it may, we are not taking things for granted; we are going to assure them of their security while on election duty.

    “In fact since the postponement of the election, INEC offices have been under 24 hours surveillance and the same number of the security measures would be provided before the election proper.

    “The security personnel are going to be present at the eve of the election with the ad hoc staff in the all the 192 Registration Area Centres.

    “They are going to secure the ad hoc staff and our election materials,’’ he added.

    Dazang said that the commission would continue to build on its engagement with stakeholders to ensure security and success of the election.

    NAN recalls that INEC had trained 18,511 personnel for the poll, while the police mobilsed 25,000 before the postponement on Sept. 8, two days before the Sept. 10 scheduled date.

  • Edo polls: CDHR warns against another postponement

    Edo polls: CDHR warns against another postponement

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weigh carefully any call for another postponement of the Edo governorship election.

    CDHR president, Malachy Ugwummadu, said Tuesday that INEC’s postponement of the polls earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 10, greatly affected the logistics of civil society organizations as well as local and international observer groups.

    Last Thursday, the commission yielded to security advice from the police and Department of State Services (DSS) and moved the election to Wednesday, September 28.

    Last Monday, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) said it would petition INEC to postpone the election once more, because it would clash with the 2016 November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in the state.

    “In terms of cost in the entire logistics of this exercise, this postponement is a total disaster and waste for INEC itself, the political parties that have mobilised, the civil society organizations and observer groups both local and international who have mobilised but have to demobilize,” Ugwummadu said.

    Although he admitted that INEC had the “discretion and prerogative” to postpone an already scheduled gubernatorial election pursuant to Section 26 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010, Ugwummadu warned INEC not to entertain another “insecurity” excuse.

    He said: “One of such conditions upon which it can be postponed is insecurity. Thus, if the foremost security agencies i.e. police & DSS have raised security concerns, it is for the Commission to ascertain that the grounds given are both verifiable and cogent as provided for S.26(1)of the EA.

    “However, the timing and circumstances of the present postponement leaves much to be desired. INEC through its representative in Edo State had granted an interview saying that the election would go on.

    “Thus, what are the specific variables that have changed? The integrity of an election is also measured by certainty level of the process.

    What is the assurance that another security situation will not be cited in a fortnight when it has been postponed to within which time it cannot be further postponed in view of the constitutional time limit?”

  • Ladoja cautions against shifting election dates

    Ladoja cautions against shifting election dates

    National leader of Accord Party and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has cautioned against adverse implications of shifting election dates in the country by ruling government.

    He said that Edo governorship election would not have been postponed if the All Progressive Congress (APC) was sure of winning.

    Ladoja who said the federal government needs to fulfill the promises it made to Nigerians in the spirit of Ramadan festival messages noted that while the government complained of lack of money, it was wasteful in its approach to governance.

    Ladoja who stated this while speaking with newsmen at his Bodija home shortly after observing the Eid-prayer at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque said nobody is convinced by the argument being put forward on security concerning Edo guber election.

    While lamenting that Billions of naira has been wasted on the shifting of the election date, Ladoja said the federal government should stop playing games with the life of Nigerians adding that the economy cannot improve if the leadership continues to waste scarce resources.

    On the launch of “Change Begins with Me” Ladoja noted that the change should begin with president Mohammadu Buhari, his cabinet while Nigerians will follow suit wondering how the attitude of those who are being owed over six months of salaries will change because the government has asked them to change their attitude.

    The former governor who noted that diversification being championed by different governments has to start from gradual transition from artisanal culture to industrial agriculture while he lampooned states which asked civil servants to go and farm for two days.

    While noting that the work of civil servants should not be mixed with that of a committed farmer who has passion for farming, Ladoja asked government to be creative and provide lands and inputs for people genuinely interested in farming.

    He also carpeted the State governor Abiola Ajimobi over the creation of local government development areas asking the government to be more creative and not be lazy.

    He said “Its mixed, look at what Emir Sanusi said. Sanusi does not believe that there is sincerity with the anti-corruption crusade. He said he as Emir can source $1m by telephone at N197 and sell it at over N400 which means he knew some people are doing it. You see economy and corruption go together. As long as you have a lot of roadblocks there will be more corruption. Liberalisation is better. Do you need to bribe anybody to get GSM today? Go and try it in the days of NITEL. They will ask you to go and bring the ladder and you had to bribe them for them to render the service. Corruption is not only public servant or politician thing. It is endemic in us and it is caused by blockade, redtape. Remove the red tape and you will see. Sanusi has said it that the dollar has gone up but there is corruption there. I don’t have anything against religion but I believe that we should not do something that is not sustainable. There is no corruption and yet some people can buy at N197 and those that want to employ people and do business can go and buy at over N400 and we want the economy to improve? All these do not add up. Who does he (Buhari) want to please. That is subsidy, if you do it for Muslim you have to do it for the Christians.

    ” I think the change starts with president buhari. Look at what INEC said about the change in date in Edo State elections. They said it is colossal waste and nobody has convinced us about the postponement. They said security reasons. Billions of naira have gone down the drain. We are wasteful. I am not in their party. My party has no candidate in Edo. I just know that it is wrong. We have fixed this date for a long time.  Are you now going to ask WAEC to change the date also? We are still playing games. I am sure that if APC were sure that they will win Edo election they will not have postponed.”

  • Police, DSS urge INEC to postpone Edo guber poll

    Police, DSS urge INEC to postpone Edo guber poll

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 10, citing security threat.

    The Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Don Awunah, made the call at a joint news conference by the police and the DSS in Abuja.

    He said that credible intelligence available to the agencies indicated plans by insurgent and extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets.

    Awunah said that Edo was among the states being earmarked for the planned attacks by the extremists between Sept. 12 and 13 respectively.

    He said that while election was important, security agencies cannot allow the peace of the country to be disrupted.

    ” We will continue to be vigilant and ensure consolidation of the successes gained in the current counter-insurgency fight.

    “It is in these regard that we are appealing to INEC which has the legal duty to regulate elections in the country to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of the election,” he said.

    He said that the postponement would afford security agencies to deal decisively with the envisaged terrorist threats.

    “While the police and DSS remain mindful of the inconveniences this request may cause stakeholders, it is our strong resolve that security agencies need not to be distracted from ensuring a peaceful Nigeria,” he said.

    The spokesman assured Nigerians that security agencies in the country would continue to remain focused and committed.

    “The attention of security agencies should be drawn to any observed unusual movements or actions by groups or individuals in your neighbourhoods,” he said.

     

  • Police deploy 25,000 personnel for Edo guber poll

    Police deploy 25,000 personnel for Edo guber poll

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has approved the deployment of additional 25, 000 personnel for the Edo governorship election scheduled for Saturday to ensure safety before, during and after the election.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Force Spokesman, DCP Don Awunah.

    He said that the personnel comprised of Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Anti bomb Squad, Marine Police as well as conventional policemen.

    Others are the Armament Units, Personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Force Intelligence Bureau and the Sniffer Dog Section.

    Awunah also said police aerial surveillance helicopters and gun boats, 10 additional armoured personnel carriers and 550 patrol vehicles would be deployed.

    He said that Idris was committed to ensuring that the election was conducted in accordance with the electoral law.

    The spokesman said that a Deputy-Inspector -General of Police, Assistant -Inspector General of Police and three Commissioners of Police have been deployed to coordinate the security operations.

    He said Idris would convene a peace meeting of all the political parties, candidates, INEC officials, election observers and other stakeholders before the election.

    “This meeting will focus on the overall desirability of peace during the election and adherence to the rules of the game.

    “All police personnel and other complementing sister security agencies are under strict instructions to be professionally polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their statutory duties,“ he said.

    Awunah said that the meeting was part of additional measures aimed at guaranteeing a credible election.

    He advised political parties, traditional rulers, community leaders as well as parents and guardians to prevail on their members, supporters, subjects, children and wards to be law abiding.

    “The spirit and letters of the law will be fully applied on any person or group of persons found violating the Electoral Act,’’ he said.

    Awunah said Idris assured the electorate and all law abiding citizens of the state of adequate security throughout the election.

    “He enjoins them to cooperate with the police in the discharge of their duties as the security personnel will operate within the framework of democratic policing, ‘’ he added.

  • Edo guber: We’ll vote Obaseki — Ogbeson community

    Edo guber: We’ll vote Obaseki — Ogbeson community

    As a mark of appreciation to the Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for his intervention in reclaiming the gully erosion-ravaged areas of Ogbeson community, the leadership of the community has promised to massively vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the governorship election in the state, this Saturday.

    The Community which presented an award of commendation to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and endorsed the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki as their candidate for the September 10, governorship election in Edo State said they will support the Governor as they will never forget how he saved them from consumed by the gully erosion.

    Enogie of Ogbeson, HRH Prof. Aduwa Ogiegbaen who spoke for the community said “I want to say that the people of Ogbeson love you, they appreciate what you have done. We will support all the way in whatever you are doing. We are sitting here today because of you.

    “We couldn’t stand here three years ago, let alone sitting down. Those who didn’t see what happened here in the previous years will not appreciate what happened here – the devastation, the trauma and the difficulties our people went through for several years before you came. This community has benefitted immensely from your government. A lot of people lost their properties, lost their lives, and today, we are looking at this place.

    “There was a church here where these people are standing now, and that church went down. My uncle’s house was here, he was buried here. The house and the grave were swept away. So, we are here to appreciate you. I tell you that we cannot forget what you have done in Ogbeson, and words will not be enough to express our appreciation for what you have done here. Your antecedent is something that nobody will forget in Edo State, even those who are not appreciating what you have done, they know within their minds that you have done a lot.

    “There has been no governor like you in this state. I make bold to say that, and if there is anybody who thinks they have out-performed you, let them come out. Nobody. In terms of road construction and development, you flew high. You are still flying. In terms of education, you excelled. In terms of health care delivery, look at the edifice on Sapele Road, the Central Hospital there. We are looking forward to the day that hospital will be opened. You have given the best to health tourism to Edo State. And you have assured us that you are going to equip it with state-of-the-art health facilities, and we take your word for it. Thank you very much.”

    The Ogiegbaen said, “We appreciate what you have done, and I want to say that my brother here, Obaseki, and I have known him for about forty years. We have interacted with him. Some of the Enigie have interacted with him. And when we talked with him, we knew that he has something up there. He is not going to disappoint. I want to say on behalf of my people, Ogbeson people, we are going to give him the mandate.”

    Also speaking, the Obasogie of Benin, Chief Eduwu Ekhator said, “This gentleman, since he came, words are inadequate to even enumerate what he has done. He took the bull by the horn and he sourced for funds. He got it from all angles to the extent that the source he got the money from call him after that and said we are giving you another seventy-five million dollars, they were impressed with the way you utilized the first one. I think it is this that motivates this community, that motivates every person, that we gather here today to say, well done.”

    He continued, “We have decided to put on record our signature. It is on this honour and this very regard without wasting words that we have collectively, on behalf of our children and fathers that are not here present to distinguish this gentleman, to give him a certificate of award.”

    Elated by the kind word and the award given him, Governor Oshiomhole said, “I am very humbled listening to those comments. Let me thank you, your royal highness; My Lord Most Reverend Father Ofere and Chief Ekhator for the joint certificate that you presented me. This is a unique certificate that is enough to compensate for the case that was in court when the PDP argued that I didn’t go to school. Today, I have got the privilege to receive a certificate signed by a traditional ruler, signed by a Catholic Reverend Father and signed by a very senior palace chief. These combinations are rare. I am humbled. I am very humbled and I want to thank you for the honour.”

    He said, “We knew we had been denied federal support. We didn’t have the money in our pocket. But I also insisted that my task is not to lament to the people of this community. The task of government is to get things done, not to join the people to wallow in self-pity and lamentation. The government is about what is possible, not what is not possible. And we went to work and did some designs, got the World Bank to look at the designs, sent it to Washington and got approval in principle, but we had to make our counterpart funding before we attract the World Bank grant. And one is a precondition for the other. Without we paying the counterpart funding, the Bank was not going to oblige the difference. We raised the money, and the Bank augmented the money. There is not one dime of the Federal Government in this project.”

    Oshiomhole noted, “This is the evidence that God answers prayers when they are offered honestly by his people who are in genuine need, and that is the story of this place. I am happy that it is now a completed project. I am happy that the people can now drive from there to here.

    He added, “And so, with the endorsement of the community leaders as represented by the Enogie, Godwin will continue. The next election in Edo State is important for us. A clear choice between two parties that have governed this state, one for ten years and one for seven and half years. These two candidates, one has been a Secretary to the State Government and the other one chairman of the economic team under the APC, and it is on the basis of their pedigree that our people should decide whether to build on current gains and continuity or to put on reverse the records of where we are coming from. I pray that the courageous endorsement by the Enogie on behalf of the community, which also carries with it the sentiments of our ancestors, may God guide our people not only to vote for consolidation but to vote for continuity and vote for the advancement of the pace of our development for our great state.”

  • Obaseki’s edge as Edo governorship election beckons

    Oshiomhole is nearing the completion of his second tenure. The achievements of this transformational and revolutionary leader resonate through the entire length of the state and beyond. He has proved himself worthy of people’s trust. His administration readily comes up for mention among performing states that are changing the face of the country.

    However, the outgoing administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomole has lessened the burden of choice by providing the dividends of good governance by which any incoming administration would no doubt be assessed. He has, in the past eight years, bought into the efficiency of the private sector as the engine of growth in any economy. The people of Edo State need someone who will sustain the tempo of development in the state after Oshiomole.

    Looking at the profile of Godwin Obaseki, he stands out as the leader and most experienced administrator and manager of men and resources. Obaseki is a notable man of integrity and principle in the Nigerian corporate world. He is a detribalised Nigerian. This is because he has worked with, been with, and in his corporate leadership world, being virtually part of the part of the parts of Nigeria.

    This integrity and competence combination made him to serve on the presidential committee on the reform of the Nigerian pension system. He also served on the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Committee on the activation of the Nigerian Board Market and the review of the investment and securities act. He served as a member of the Nigeria Stock Exchange Council between 2006 and 2009. Hence, it was not a surprise to me when he became the flag bearer of the APC in the September 10, 2016 governorship election.

    In my own opinion, between him and the PDP candidate, he stands out due to his past record. He has the capacity to transform Edo State into one that would be worthy of emulation. Obaseki, with God on your side, you have won. Obaseki is in his 50s. His vision is unaided and his memory is amazingly sharp; a reason Oshiomhole speaks highly of him. A lot of people close to him has spoken of his resilience in getting things done, and his family’s name has opened several doors for him.

    His experience, competence, exposure, sincerity, tenacity of purpose and connections put him on a pedestal higher than that of his opponent. As far as I’m concerned, Oshiomhole has discovered a light for us that have been destined to take Edo State to the next level. If he wins the election, he will bring about rapid development in Edo State. He has spoken of working out meaningful human capacity skills to make entrepreneurship a way of life for the people of Edo State.

    Obaseki’s long-term vision is to put in place and industrialised society that would depend less and less on oil revenue. He said recently that he would open up the rural regions for agro-allied business which had in the past been ignored in favour of oil. But Obaseki is looking ahead beyond the present era of dependence on oil revenue as he hopes to train the citizens of Edo to settle for cottage industries.

    Obseki believes that to deliver on his plan to diversify the economy for industrial development, the people need to be trained in new skills. It is not enough to have the industries, there is the need to have a well-trained manpower. This will perhaps explain why Dr. Prosper O. T. Obaseki a.k.a Teddi Seki, the entrepreneurship guru, acknowledged the fact that Godwin Obaseki’s outstanding qualities have always been there since his secondary school days. So as he waits for the electorate to give him the mandate at the ballot next week, Edo will become a prosperous and highly industrialised state far surpassing what he will inherit from Oshiomole. His going to Osadebey House will only expand the frontiers, because leadership drives anticipation.

    Accordingly, when it comes to looking for a personality that can turn things around, the lot falls on him, because as an economic adviser in Oshiomhole’s administration, he has contributed to attracting a lot of development to the state, and he is one of the pillars behind Oshiomole.

    At this juncture, I must give a lot of credit to Oshiomhole for giving us Obaseki. Normally, it is easy for people seeking political office to say, Iwill do A, B, C and Z. His antecedents have shown the capacity to achieve certain development agendas. He has the capacity, which is verifiable, based on what he has done in the past. So it becomes easier to say this is what he will do now.

    So, as we do the run up to September the 10 election, Edo will do well to be on its guard. I foresee very strong forces of darkness trying to destabilise the state. It is all part of the deadly ambition to capture Edo.

  • Oshiomhole recalls sacked aides

    In a demonstration of total reconciliation between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, all aides of the governor sacked or suspended for supporting Odubu have been recalled.

    Oshiomhole announced this at a reconciliatory meeting held with Odubu on Tuesday.

    The governor said the party primaries was to demonstrate internal democracy and distinguished the All Progressive Congress (APC) from other political parties.

    He noted that the step taken towards reconciliation was in the interest of the APC and honesty of purpose on his part.

    He said, “The deputy governor and I have worked together, dined together and socialized together. For time it’s being in the news that the deputy governor and I are not in good term. I believe watchers of Nigeria politics will agree that Pius and I have had an extremely cordial relationship and I have had without any prompting agree that in my working with Pius I found him to be absolutely loyal, dedicated and committed.

    “Nobody was able to infiltrate us and nobody ever came to settle a quarrel between the deputy governor and I in the past seven and half years. Some times when we joke we don’t relate as boss and subordinate but as brothers as we have been.

    “Pius and I fought many battles, both political battles as well as battles to reposition this government and together we can effortlessly point out what our stewardship accomplished for the benefit of the people of Edo State. I believe all these formed the foundation for the electioneering campaign that is about to begin. Having worked so hard and related so closely, there is no question Pius and I in and outside government will remain friends and comrades.

    “The primaries have come and gone. As a governor, I took some decisions some of which clearly affected some of the supporters of my brother the deputy governor.

    “As part of my own atonement and to demonstrate my commitment to our friendship, some of the people who were affected in the cause of this contestation I have decided to reinstate them to their former positions and even to get their remuneration reinstalled.

    “I believe that when a leader shows compassion and demonstrate spirit of forgiveness and calls his younger ones, pat them on the back and say return home, it is not a mark of weakness, it simply shows that we are ever conscious that as humans there are times to make mistakes and times to correct them.

    Responding, Odubu reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and victory at all elections.