The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo poll

  • Edo poll: Anenih sues for peace

    A former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, on Wednesday called for peace among the people of Edo as they participated in the governorship election in the state.

    Anenih made the call after casting his vote at Uzenema Primary School, Urue-Uromi, Esan North East local government area of the state at about 8.20 a.m.

    He said there was need for the people to maintain peace during and after the poll “for the state to have full benefit of democracy.”

    The PDP chieftain expressed satisfaction with the timely arrival of electoral officials and materials as well as the peaceful conduct of the exercise in the area so far.

    On security arrangement, the former minister of works said “as I said, it is too early to make a general statement.”

    Meanwhile, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Edo, Mr. John Yakubu, has described the simultaneous accreditation and voting in the process as a perfect process.

    “Rather than doing accreditation and coming back later to cast your vote, you do everything the same time and this is very good.

    “I am alright with the whole process so far and I hope it continues that way, although I am hearing that there are pockets of violence in few areas around the senatorial district,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu voted at Unit 8, Ward 3, Esan North-East Local Government Area at 10:05 a.m.

  • Conduct of Edo election satisfactory – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, has expressed satisfaction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s conduct of the Edo State governorship election.

    Oyegun, who voted at Ward 2, Unit 2 in Oredo local government area at 11: 45 a.m., said: “I am impressed with the conduct of the election so far.

    “The atmosphere has been peaceful and the weather has been very friendly to us all. The voters have been wonderful in their conduct.”

    Oyegun also commended the large turnout of voters, saying: “ the turnout is wonderful and I am pleasantly surprised.’’

    “This is the best turnout so far in years. This is the best so far because I have always voted here.

    “I hope, and it’s presumed that something good is about to happen in the state.

    “It is a sign that the people are beginning to express their democratic rights and that democracy has become totally widespread in the state.

    “It’s peaceful so far because I have been watching events on TV.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyegun described the security arrangement as “lovely and wonderful.”

    “As the National Chairman of my party, it was something that was of grave concern to us all.

    “All the security agencies have given us iron clad assurance that there will not be a major incident,’’ he said.

    On the allegation of money inducement in some centres, he responded: “I have not seen any where I have just voted.’’

     

  • Edo election peaceful – CP

    The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, has said the governorship election in the state has been peaceful.

    Gwandu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the state police command had not recorded any incident since accreditation and voting began simultaneously at 8.00 a.m.

    He said the command was in touch with all the police formations and special units involved in the election duty.

    “So far, all is well as I talk to you. We are presently in the field monitoring the election in some parts of the state.

    “I will give you more details after monitoring the election. But, so far, so good, I can say for now,” he said.

  • Obaseki votes, hails turnout

    Obaseki votes, hails turnout

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, voted at about 10:50 a.m on Wednesday.

    Obaseki spent one hour on the queue with his wife, Besty, before he was accredited.

    In a chat with journalists after voting, the APC candidate hailed the exercise and described it as impressive.

    He said, “Everything seems to be working fine. We had an isolated incident somewhere in Edo Central. There was shooting at Ugboha but it has been taken care of.

    “What is important is that we don’t lose lives. My hope is that we had peaceful election that will strengthen our democracy. The turnout is massive and okay.”

     

  • Odubu, Shuaibu vote in Edo poll

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu and the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Philip Shuaibu have voted in their various polling units.

    Shuaibu voted in unit 11, Auchi, Etsako West local government area of the state.

    He voted at 9:15 a.m., while materials arrived before 8:00 a.m.

    Shuaibu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.

    Odubu said materials and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials arrived at his polling unit as early as 6:00 a.m., while voting commenced at 8:00 a.m.

    The deputy governor voted at unit 4, Urhonigbe South, at 10:15 a.m.

  • Edo governorship poll records impressive voters’ turnout

    The governorship election in Edo has recorded an impressive turnout with voters arriving at polling stations in large numbers across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as early as 7:30 a.m., voters were seen in large numbers eager to cast their vote in all the polling centres visited.

    It was also observed that the exercise in all the polling stations monitored was peaceful and orderly.

    Security personnel were deployed to ensure orderliness at the polling stations.

    NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials also arrived early with election materials and the exercise has commenced.

  • Accreditation, voting commence in Edo

    Accreditation, voting commence in Edo

    Accreditation and voting commenced in some parts of Benin City and its environs as early as 8:00am on Wednesday.

    In Ward two at George Idah primary school voting materials were distributed to other units in the ward.

    Security agents were also seen escorting out materials.

    Voters had already queued up at several voting points in George Idah at time of filing this report.

    At Emokpe primary school in Ward four,  voters’ turnout was quite impressive.

     

  • Edo to elect Oshiomhole’s successor

    Edo to elect Oshiomhole’s successor

    The Edo State governorship election takes place in 18 local government areas of the state on Wednesday.

    A total of 1, 925, 105 people will cast their votes to determine who succeeds Adams Oshiomhole in the state Government House.

    More than 10 political parties will take part in the election but the key contestants are the ruling All Progress Congress (APC) and the People Democratic Party (PDP).

    Godwin Obaseki represents the APC, while Pastor Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu carries the PDP flag in the election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the election in 2,627 polling units – comprising 4011 voting points across the 192 wards in the state.

  • #EdoDecide: Transport companies make brisk business

    Transport companies on Tuesday recorded high patronage as travelers thronged the various major parks in Benin ahead of Wednesday’s governorship election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most of the parks visited on Tuesday witnessed large number of passengers waiting to board buses to their various destinations to exercise their franchise.

    Mr Oshoke Mamazu, a driver with Afemai Motors, who plies Benin to Auchi, told NAN that more than 30 buses loaded with passengers had left the park to various parts of the state.

    “We used to load 10 to 15 buses with passengers daily, but today as I speak with you, more than 30 buses loaded with passengers have left this park.

    “Although we have a lot of passengers on ground, the fare remains N800.00,” Mamazu said.

    NAN observed that because of the large passenger turnout some travellers were stranded at Owan-West motor Park.

    One of the passengers, Mrs Roseline Imogan, said, “I have been here for almost four hours waiting to board a bus to Afuze, but there are no buses to convey us to our various destinations”.

    ” Mr Etinosa Ebogbe, Manager, “God is Good Motors’, said, “the number of passengers has increased since this morning, but there is no increment in fares”.

    NAN reports that the situation was the same in many of the intra-city motor parks in Benin.

  • Edo: IGP orders restriction of movement

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered restriction of movement during Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    He also ordered the activation of the revised operation plan for the election.

    The operation plan, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, is expected to guarantee free, fair and credible election, secure electoral process, enable eligible voters exercise their franchise freely and voluntary, protect election materials and officials and ensure adequate security before, during and after the election.

    The statement reads: “The IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Edo State to enforce the restriction of vehicular movement from 12:00 midnight Tuesday, 27th September, 2016 to 6:00pm, 28th September, 2016 except those involved in essential duties who must be properly identified.”

    The Force also noted that adequate resource and personnel will be mobilized and deployed to execute the election conclusively.

    “In order to achieve the expected outcome of credible election acceptable to all stakeholders, the police will deploy 25,000 conventional police officers for the election.

    “Tactical teams comprising of Police Mobile Force [PMF], Counter Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Special Protection Unit, Force Animal Branch, Police Air wing [Aerial patrol) and Marine Police Unit [Riverine Patrol) will also be deployed,” the statement added.