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Tag: Edo poll

  • PDP accustomed to rigging – Oshiomhole

    PDP accustomed to rigging – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is accustomed to rigging and can’t boast of a transparent election in other states in the South-South geopolitical zone.

    He said Edo is the only state in the region that had been able to dismantle the PDP rigging machine and would do so again on the rescheduled date for the state’s gubernatorial election.

    Speaking while receiving a team of European observers led by Ben Llewellyn-Jones, of the British High Commission, Abuja, at the Government House, Benin City, Friday, Oshiomhole said, “We do appreciate the interest of what I might call friends of Nigeria, those who help us to continually and continuously remember that although there are different nation states, but the world has increasingly become one small village such that events in any part can affect the whole. So, we do not underestimate the import of this election even as it is limited to Edo State.

    “Edo State as we speak is the only state that can boast of a record of transparent elections since I came on board in 2007. Since I came, my campaign slogan was, we must dismantle the rigging machine.

    “Having been a union member all my life, I couldn’t condone the situation where people are imposed at various levels, and our people gave up on democracy in this state, just like the rest of the South-South.”

    “I am sure you have witnessed elections there and you can write volumes. They vote with bullets, not with ballots. Terror, not persuasion is the name of the game in the rest of the South-South. But since I came in, we have fought the forces behind rigging. We emboldened the people to challenge authorities, which is what I have done when I was in labour. And even as they still rigged me out and I fought them through the legal process, painstakingly established how I was rigged out and I got my mandate restored. It never happened before, and nobody appreciates the essence of free and fair election more than myself.”

  • Update: Edo election shifted to September 28

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State to Wednesday, September 28.

    Announcing the shift in the election, the National Commissioner, Voter Education and Publicity of INEC, Prince Solomon Soyebi, said the Commission’s earlier decision to insist on the September 10 date was because no official communication was received from security agencies.

    He said INEC received official communication from security agencies at about 6:00pm on Thursday, drawing the Commission’s attention to the importance of postponing the election following threats of terrorists’ activities in Edo and other states.

    He said: “The communication indicates that deployment of security personnel across the country to secure lives and property would over stretch their capacity while at the same time providing adequate security for the election.

    “The Commission notes the request of the security agencies and considering the security implications of proceeding with the election, the safety of eligible voters, electoral officials including ad hoc staff and other stakeholders, has decided to reschedule the Edo Governorship election to Wednesday, September 28.”

  • Postponement of Edo election illegal – PDP

    Postponement of Edo election illegal – PDP

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the postponement of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state as illegal, saying it’s a coup against the people.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier on Thursday announced its decision to hold the election, only for the commission to reverse itself hours later.

    The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the date should be kept sacrosanct, stressing that there were no tangible reasons to tamper with the election.

    The statement said: “The call for the postponement of the election by the top hierarchy of the security agencies predicated on alleged security threat was a less than ingenious attempt to buy time for the APC which is clearly heading for a major electoral catastrophe on Saturday.

    “It is shameful and indeed a major constitutional breach for the security agencies to act in concert with the APC to truncate an election that had been planned for months.

    “Nigerians were not deceived by the obvious concoctions of the security agencies whose performances during elections have been less than average since the advent of the Buhari administration.

    “Indeed they have become instruments in the hands of the ruling party to harass, intimidate and punish opponents.”

    The PDP called on the President and the National Assembly to conduct a non -partisan and holistic review and investigation of the national security apparatus to save the nation’s fledging democracy.

     

  • Poll must not clash with Oba’s coronation – Oshiomhole

    Poll must not clash with Oba’s coronation – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has kicked against the postponement of the state governorship election for two weeks or more.

    Oshiomhole said the election could be postponed for one week because of the planned coronation of the Oba of Benin slated for September 26.

    Speaking on a television programme on Thursday, the governor said the Oba’s coronation is a big event in Edo State.

    He said, “We have a big event in Edo on September 26 which is the Oba’s coronation. Before that day, there are other events that must be done. It will not be proper to hold election during that period.

    “Why not postpone the election for one week?”

    On whether the All Progress Congress (APC) was afraid of defeat, Oshiomhole said the APC defeated the PDP in 16 local government areas in the last election held in the state.

    He said his party was ready for the election, adding that Edo is not a war zone.

    He added: “We will win the election. The PDP has no credibility in this state.”

  • Edo election postponed by two weeks

    Edo election postponed by two weeks

    The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday resolved to postpone the Edo State governorship election by two weeks.

    The decision to shift the the election was taken at a security meeting held in Benin, the state capital.

    The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu and a national officer of the commission will address a press briefing on the matter shortly.

    The spokesman to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed the postponement, saying Nigerians should await briefing on the matter.

     

  • Update: Edo Governorship election to hold as scheduled – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said the Edo State governorship election would go ahead as scheduled.

    The INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Solomon Soyebi, stated this at a press conference held at INEC’s office in Benin,  the state capital.

    Soyebi said INEC as the body statutorily set up to conduct elections in the country would not take orders from any institution on its constitutional duties.

    “We have therefore weighed all the consequences of a postponement in the election and have resolved to go ahead with the conduct of the election on Saturday as scheduled,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the INEC official as saying at the briefing.

  • INEC keeps parties, others in suspense over Edo poll

    INEC keeps parties, others in suspense over Edo poll

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu yesterday convened a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin, the Edo State capital, after receiving the security advice that Saturday’s governorship election should be shifted.

    Leaders of political parties, civil society and traditional rulers attended the meeting, which sparked a huge debate and suspense.

    Yakubu told the impromptu gathering that the call for postponement had nothing to with the preparation for the election. He said INEC was ready for a successful poll.

    He is to meet with security agencies for more details about the threat and how it could affect the election.

    A decision will be taken today on whether the election will go on or not, Yakubu said, adding that the independence of INEC is guaranteed.

    Before the meeting with stakeholders in Benin, party agents were already stationed at the CBN office to escort and monitor the transportation of sensitive materials but they were recalled.

    Prof. Yakubu said: “INEC is fully prepared and mobilised for the election. The preparation started six months ago. We have mobilized, we have recruited, we have trained and we have deployed personnel. After today’s meeting, the news broke about security threat. We agreed to take delivery of the sensitive materials from the CBN to our office for further distribution to the local governments. We have fully implemented all activities in preparation for the election.

    “If we proceed, it means getting the sensitive materials from the CBN and once the materials leave the CBN, we consider them exposed. We have the result sheets and ballot papers customised local government by local government. It took time for the materials to be delivered. Shall we proceed or leave matters as they are until further clarification with security agencies?

    “The independence of INEC will be protected. This is the only body empowered to set a date for election. INEC will do all to protect Nigeria’s democracy. We need to consult with those that gave the advice. They are not in Benin. INEC will take a decision as soon as possible.”

    A statement by Yakubu’s spokesman Rotimi Oyekanmi said: “We have just met again with the stakeholders where various pieces of advice were given by them.

    “INEC then decided that it would be necessary for it to consult with both the DSS and the police that issued a statement earlier today (yesterday), to find out what informed their decision to issue that statement.

    “Thereafter, INEC will take a decision that will be communicated to all Nigerians. However, the commission wishes to assure all Nigerians that its independence will not be compromised.”

    The likelihood of a shift set the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on a collision course.

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole said his party is “over prepared” for the election.

    The APC  candidate is Godwin Obaseki.

    He appealed to INEC not to postpone the “final burial of the PDP for too long”.

    He added: “The APC is ready for the election this Saturday and that was why we held our mega rally on Tuesday and after that rally our people across the state became more committed, more dogged and ready for the election.

    “I am already preparing to go to my village to also mobilise my people as other party leaders are doing, that is to let you know that we are not relaxing despite the fact that we know the PDP is already dead and our people are just getting ready for the burial.

    “However, security issues are security issues and as regards elections they are very critical. If on their own they are calling on INEC for postponement, I am sure they must have their reasons because they are experts in it. If you recall, we raised the alarm that the PDP had planned to import thugs from neighbouring states to help them unleash mayhem on our people because they are not prepared for the election.

    “They have not been campaigning because they have no message, rather, they imported thugs into the state but I wish the election will go on so that security agents will pick them up and expose them. So, if security agents are raising this same alarm, I will not be surprised. I am aware some of my colleagues in the Southsouth threatened that they will deal with me in Edo because I went against former President Jonathan.

    “But I laughed because I am serving the living God and I am glad they brought a fake pastor as their candidate and we will flush them all out. So these threats have been there but my appeal is that if INEC is shifting the election, it should not be too far because we are eager to bury the PDP.

    “I am making this passionate appeal so that we can get this over. I am ready, my people are ready. Whatever is the decision, we shall abide by it because I also know that security issues are serious matters.”

    A statement by PDP candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s campaign organisation accused the APC of stage managing the shift because it is afraid of defeat.

    According to Ize-Iyamu, he had a comfortable lead over the APC from a state-wide survey his team claimed to have conducted.

    The statement said the survey, ”supervised by Dr. Ubani Azuka and released on Tuesday by the organisation, shows that the lead, which Obaseki had enjoyed in the Edo North—compared to the last survey, had hugely declined.

    “The report said the survey, which targeted 23,000 respondents and cut across the three senatorial districts, was carried out between August 1 and September 2, 2016.

    “The latest report by the organisation, which targeted likely voters by telephone and online survey in the three senatorial districts: Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North, showed Ize-Iyamu to have the support of 75 per cent of the electorate in Edo South; 77 per cent in Edo Central, and 47 per cent in Edo North versus 25 per cent, 22 per cent and 53 per cent of the respondents, who said they supported Obaseki.

    “The survey said that many of the respondents based their decision on the neglect of their communities, unfulfilled promises by the government, huge corruption within the state government, high cost of living, bad roads and abandoned projects in their areas.”

    Edo PDP also condemned the planned postponement as “ a despicable connivance” with the security agencies.

    A statement by Publicity Secretary Chris Nehikhare, said:

    “Edo PDP has condemned in very strong terms and brings to the attention of the general public, especially the good people of Edo State, a grand plan by APC to rig Edo elections through despicable connivance with security agencies whose questionable security report INEC has acted upon to postpone the elections.

    “The security agencies in their report were talking about planned attacks on densely populated areas during the Sallah celebrations on September 12 &13 ;whereas Edo election is onSeptember 10.

    “What APC and its leaders do not realise is that the liberation movement is beyond Ize-Iyamu and the PDP; it is a statewide consciousness; it is a defining idea and movement whose time has come, as the future is now.”

  • APC ready for election – Oshiomhole

    APC ready for election – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, declared on Wednesday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is “over prepared” for Saturday’s governorship election and appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone the “ final burial” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for too long.”

    He said, “The APC is ready for the election this Saturday and that was why we held our mega rally on Tuesday and after that rally our people across the state became more committed, more dogged and ready for the Saturday election.

    “I am already preparing to go to my village to also mobilize my people as other party leaders are doing, that is to let you know that we are not relaxing despite the fact that we know the PDP is already dead and our people are just getting ready for the burial.

    “However, security issues are security issues and as regards elections they are very critical. If on their own they are calling on INEC for postponement, I am sure they must have their reasons because they are experts in it. If you recall, we raise the alarm that the PDP had planned to import thugs from neighbouring states to help them unleash mayhem on our people because they are not prepared for the election.

    “They have not been campaigning because they have no message rather they imported thugs into the state. But I wish the election will go on so that security agents will pick them up and expose them. So if security agents are raising this same alarm, I will not be surprised. I am aware some of my colleagues in the South -south threatened that they will deal with me in Edo because I went against former President Jonathan.

    “But I laughed because I am serving the living God and I am glad they brought a fake pastor as their candidate and we will flush them all out. These threats have been there but my appeal is that if INEC is shifting the election, it should not be too far because we are eager to bury the PDP. We have purchased their coffin and ready to be sealed.”

     

     

  • Security report: INEC convenes stakeholders’ meeting on Edo poll

    Following the advice from security agencies that the Edo State governorship election slated for Saturday be postponed, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has convened a stakeholders’ meeting in Edo State.

    Attending the meeting are leaders of political parties, civil societies and traditional rulers.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, told the gathering which was convened impromptu, that the call for postponement of the election has nothing to with the preparation for the poll.

    Prof. Yakubu said INEC has made all necessary arrangement for a successful election.

    The INEC chief said he would meet with security agencies for more details about the threat and how it will affect the election.

     

  • PDP faults ‘security advice’ to postpone Edo poll

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as shocking, bizarre and confusing, purported advice by the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the advice was predicated on purported security threats during the poll.

    The party expressed surprise that the said security alert was coming a day after President Muhammadu Buhari visited Benin City, the Edo State capital for the All progressives Congress (APC) mega rally, where there was no incidence of security breach.

    The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to the shocking breaking news of the advice by the DSS and the police to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Saturday, September 10, 2016 gubernatorial election in Edo State over insurgency alert.

    “We are taken aback by this advice, coming a day after the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, was present at the mega rally of its party, the APC in Benin City which was concluded without any hitch.

    “It is on record that INEC recently conducted a ‘hitch free’ senatorial bye election in Borno State, which is a high-point of insurgency in the country but the security agencies saw no reason to call-off the election.

    “It is therefore lamentable to hear from these same security agencies that the election cannot be held in a state where in less than 24 hours, the President and the APC leaders and members had an uninterrupted rally.

    “We are calling on the President, Muhammadu Buhari to caution the security agencies and direct them to provide full security and also desist from doing anything that will jeopardise this forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.

    “We are equally counting on INEC not to succumb to this false alarm by acting independently and holding election as scheduled.”