The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Edo: New Oba, new governor

    Today, Thursday October 20, the ancient kingdom of Benin and indeed the good people of Edo State are making history. A new dawn beckons as the 39th Oba of Benin is being crowned. Twenty-one days from now, that is on November 12, a new governor, elected after a fierce gubernatorial election of September 28 will be inaugurated to steer the ship of the state for the next four years.

    By any standards, the two events, with their promises of new beginning, are historic as they are auspicious. While both Prince Ehenede Erediauwa and Godwin Obaseki come to office in the atmosphere of great expectations, the good news of course is that both, young in age and at heart, possess not just the vitality, but come fully prepared for the burden of service to the good people of Edo State. It is truly a new dawn for the people of the state.

    Talk of answers to prayer, the emergence of Godwin Obaseki as governor-elect, could only have come as personal testimony to the countless prayers offered by the new monarch to his ancestors –prayers for a peaceful poll, and the emergence of a credible individual to pilot the affairs of the state in the next four years. In the heat of the tension that enveloped the governorship election, one recalled the Oba as saying: “We all went down to our knees…We prayed harder and honestly, our ancestors and God Almighty answered all we prayed, that He should give us a peaceful election and a governor that will keep food on the table for our people and respect the traditional institution”.

    Today, it is unlikely that anyone will still doubt that the prayer has been answered hence the Oba is thankful to “God and our ancestors for hearing the fervent prayers we prayed before the election and for bringing out somebody that will uplift our people and respect the tradition”.

    Never one to miss the import of the mandate and the burden it carries, the Oba would not fail to admonish the governor-elect: “I will tell the governor-elect, keep to your promises, keep your words, put food on the table of our people, respect the traditional institution and ensure you build on what Oshiomhole has done”.

    In this, the Oba of Benin is not alone; it was the same refrain from other traditional rulers from Edo Central and Edo North who, aside offering their unanimous in the support for Godwin Obaseki have also expressed their willingness to partner with the government, to safeguard investment that will improve on the economy and well-being of their subjects.

    Not that Obaseki’s loyalty to the royal family and the Benin tradition is ever in doubt. For guidance and advice, Obaseki has stated that he would be counting on the Oba to succeed just as the governor-elect has spoken of his vision of Edo State where the famous cultures and traditions will be reinvigorated as part of economic growth strategy and harnessed to the greater benefit of our people.

    Said Obaseki, “I see an Edo state where our people will leave in peace, equanimity and where social justice, equity and fairness shall prevail at all times”.

    On a day like this, the two great men not only have reasons to celebrate each other. Together with the entire people of Edo State, they have enough reasons to be proud of the new dawn. For Obaseki in particular, it must come as something of pride not only to witness the milestone in the Great Benin Kingdom, but as a major participant. Moreover, the import of the partnership between the palace and the in-coming government can only forebode greater strides in a state ordinarily hungry for development.  For the good people of Edo State, it is time to tap into Obaseki’s formidable personal and leadership skills garnered in the course of a sterling career in private and public life – a factor which has now propelled him to become the first banker to be governor in the state. Surely, the people cannot wait to see him deploy these managerial skills to end the socio-economic gridlock that the opposition PDP has plunged the country to build a better, prosperous and economically sustainable Edo State based on cultural cohesion and ethical values.

    Little wonder  the mood, across the state today, is one of great excitement. The city centre and its environs are wearing a new look while all traders and drivers carrying out commercial activities around the Urhokpota Hall have been found a new arena for their business are they welcome their new monarch. Visible on the horizon is the huge tent – the temporary abode for the Crown Prince erected at the Urhokpota hall premises – the place called Eko-Ohae (bachelors’ camp) where Prince Erediauwa is expected to stay for three days immediately he leaves his Palace at Uselu.

    Once again, Edo people have shown that we can never be more hopeful about our future; indeed, we’ve never been more hopeful about Edo State and the progressive government and virile traditional institution as we are about to experience. And this hope, Edo people will sustain under our new Oba and our new governor.

     

    • Mayaki writes from Benin City.
  • Edo declares public holiday for Oba’s coronation

    Edo declares public holiday for Oba’s coronation

    The Edo State government has declared tomorrow a public holiday.

    An announcement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Julius Ihonvbere, said the public holiday was in honour of the Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, the Edaiken N’Uselu, whose coronation as the oba of Benin will hold same day.

    The public holiday, the government said, would ensure a hitch-free ceremony and give Edo residents the opportunity to partake in the historic installation of the oba.

     

  • Oshiomhole has given Edo worthy successor, says Sylva

    Oshiomhole has given Edo worthy successor, says Sylva

    A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday hailed the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, for giving the people of Edo a worthy successor.

    Sylva, the Bayelsa State candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election in the state, congratulated the governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki, and the people of Edo State on the victory of APC.

    The former governor, in a statement in Yenagoa signed by his Media Adviser, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, specially praised Oshiomhole for “a worthy cause to deliver a worthy successor to the people of Edo State. “

    He said: “We send our congratulations to you, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on your victory at the poll. This feat has done our great party, APC, and the people of the South-South proud. It is a cheery reaffirmation of the place of the South-South in the national change movement.

    “Special congratulations also go to the governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for staying the course, despite visible adversity, in a worthy cause to deliver a worthy successor to the people of Edo State.

    “You have given Edo people a worthy replacement who would not only continue your lofty ideals but would consistently push the envelope of social and economic progress for the greatest good of the people.

    “We salute the entire people of Edo State, who are the ultimate winners of this election, as they prepare to enter yet another season of progress.

    “We wish the people of Edo State, the governor and the incoming governor a prosperous tenure.”

  • Edo: APC, PDP test strength

    Edo: APC, PDP test strength

    Police deploy dogs, gunboats, helicopters

    The sniffer dogs from the K-9 units were brought in from Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to augment the ones in Edo for enhanced security. 
    The police also deployed surveillance helicopters and gunboats across the waterways and crime-mapped places.
    The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Habila Joshak, said no fewer than five policemen would man each of the 2,627 polling units across the state to prevent invasion.
    Joshak spoke yesterday at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City.
    He said that 2,000 soldiers were deployed to man the outer corridors of the state especially the highways, adding that restriction of movement would take effect from 1am.
    According to the DIG, security agencies were prepared to meet force with force, warning anyone who without legitimate business with the election to steer clear.
    He allayed the fears that students writing the General Certificate Examination (GCE) might miss tomorrow’s papers. The examination will hold as scheduled, he said.
    He said: “There has been enhanced security deployment across board. We have zeroed on each of the polling booths and deployed at least five security personnel per unit.
    In terms of preparation and observation through the aerial patrol of Ekpoma, Irua and Auchi, I observed that deployments have been done and there are intervention forces in each of the local government areas.
    “In each local government, we have at least 10 patrol vans for reinforcement. For the waterways, we have had effective five gunboats. I know that in Agenebode, we have gunboats. At the boundary between Ondo and Ogelegele waterside in Ovia Northeast, we also have it there. 
    “We have had to deploy gunboats manned by armed Mobile Policemen with Marine operatives on all the areas crime mapped.
    The personnel are to ensure that those making use of the waters are intercepted and identified. Their reasons for movement must be known.
    “Those of them that cannot give good explanation and identity would be brought for further interrogation. You can be sure there is adequate security. We have said that we have outer codoning. It is done by the military.
    “They are contributing about 2,000 soldiers and they are going to man the outer codoning. From 1am on Wednesday, there would be restriction of movement, particularly on the highways. People must identify themselves and subject themselves to some search because the issue of invasion by armed uniformed men that want to come and truncate the election has kept recurring.
    “We are not going to trample on people’s rights. But we would definitely restrain and ensure that those allowed to move,do so. The security deployment is not heavy and so, citizens are excited that their security is guaranteed. It is not an invasion and we won’t have any negative effect.
    “We planned with INEC. The future of our children cannot be trampled or rescheduled because of election. We have the capacity to manage both the election and the students writing examinations. This is GCE. It is an external examination, not for all the schools. It is also an isolated examination. So, we have looked at all the schools and the places they are. We would let the students go to their centres and write their examinations, while elections are ongoing.
    “We have demonstrated and simulated what would come to play.  We discovered there is nothing negative and we can manage the two. INEC has keyed in and accepted. From all issues placed on the table, voting won’t take place where examinations are holding. 
    “We have also directed that students should get to their centres as early as6am or 7am. We have publicised among security agencies that students should be allowed to go to their centres and they should go in group, in a bus that would be identified. There should also be a means of identification to avoid any problem. 
    “Never again should we allow election to be inconclusive as a result of security challenges. Never should we allow people using their position as cultists, hooligans, and thugs to ruin elections. This time around, force would be met with force. Those who use force and arms won’t be allowed to go scot free.”

    Over one million voters are expected to participate in today’s election to choose Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s successor.

    According to the voter register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the number of would-be voters is 1, 925, 105.

    In the 2012 governorship election, only 444,000 voted.

    Edo State has 18 local governments with 2,627 polling units. To make voting easier, INEC broke down the poling units to 4011 points across the 192 wards.

    The candidates are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe of the United Progressive Party and Osaro Onaiwu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The hate speech and violence that characterised the campaigns heightened tension that has made it difficult to predict a clear winner for the election. However, the two major contenders are Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Godwin Obaseki.

    In an interview, Obaseki said he would be shocked if he did not win in all the 18 local government areas. This, he said, is because of the rigorous campaigns he embarked upon right from when he was seeking the party’s nomination.

    The PDP is expecting victory in 15 local government areas. Onaiwu said he would win in local government areas where Igbo are mainly residents. He expects victory in 12 local governments. Nowamagbe said he would win in all the local government areas.

    Permutations of the local government showed the APC may win in 10 local governments. The PDP is projected to win in three local governments. Five are undecided.

    The local government areas that determine victory in any election are Orhionmwon, Oredo, Estako West, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha. Any political party that secures a wide margin in these local governments is sure of victory. During the 1983 contest between the late Prof. Ambrose Alli and Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Orhionmwon vote gave Ogbemudia victory.

    Uhunmwode Local Government

    There are 64,842 registered voters in this local government area and 136 voting points. The APC is sure of winning in this local government. House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Elisabeth Ativie hails from Uhunmwode. The withdrawal of the support of Solomon Edebiri for the PDP will affect PDP’s chances in the locality.

    Owan West

    Checks show that the APC is ahead of the PDP in this local government. It has 54,407 voters and 150 voting points. APC leaders here are former Deputy Governor Rev. Peter Obadan, the Secretary to the State Government Professor Julius Ihonvbere, a defector from PDP, Mr. Johnson Abologba.

    Blessing Agbebaku is the PDP leader from the locality who has campaigned vigorously for his party.

    Owan East

    This is a local government where the APC has always defeated the PDP. It has 78,878 voters and 169 voting points. Hon Pally Iriase, the member representing Owan Constituency in the House of Representatives, hails from the locality. Other APC leaders are Abdul Oroh, Godwin Imoudu. PDP leaders in the area are Senator Yisa Braimah, Alhaji Kashietu Ozeto, Ail Aji Muze, Major Oisamojie (retd.), Aimola, among others. Some of these PDP leaders are lukewarm. The APC is set for victory.

    Ovia South West

    This is another local government where victory is not certain for any party. The voting pattern of the people cannot be predicted. Ijaws in this area may vote for the APC because their daughter is Obaseki’s. There are 79,989 voters and 161 voting points.

    Ovia North East

    Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom hails from this local government. There are 126, 391 voters. The PDP, says it is sure of claiming victory here but the zone is still undecided of which party will be victorious. It is a local government with a large Ijaw population. If the decision of the Ijaw nation is to be taken, it means the Ijaw in Edo will vote for APC.

    Akoko-Edo

    The APC is sure of victory. It has 111, 832 voters and 232 voting points. PDP’s veterans here are Dr. Tunde Lakoju, Col. Tunde Akogun, former Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bankole Balogun, Chief Johnson Emeasalu, Segun Saiki and Kayode Alabi. They are to slug it out with Peter Akpatoson, Kabiru Adjoto and Philip Ugbodaga, among others.

    Esan Central

    There are 50,603 voters and 108 voting points. Esan Central is a stronghold of the PDP, which is most likely to win this local government.

    Esan West

    This local government will be tough for the APC. It is a stronghold of the PDP. APC leaders in the locality, such as Commissioner for Education, Gideon Obhakhan, may make things difficult for the PDP. There are 89,762 voters.

    Esan North East is the hometown of Chief Tony Anenih and Mike Onolememen. It is a place the APC has found difficult to penetrate. APC leaders, such as Prince Joe Okojie, have tried to displace the PDP. Whether this election will make a difference. There are 76,644 voters and 150 voting points.

    Esan South East is one the local governments the APC has penetrated. The APC won the House of Assembly seat in last year’s election. There are 66,698 voters. The local government is too close to call.

    Estako West is the stronghold of the APC. It is the local government of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Philip Shaibu, Obaseki’s running mate. The APC has always trounced the PDP since 2008. Votes from Estako West determines who wins the entire Edo North Senatorial District. A total of 140, 366 voters are in the locality.

    Estako East has 68, 080 voters. It is the strong hold of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, but the projects executed by the Oshiomhole administration are likely to sway votes for the APC.

    Estako Central has PDP chieftains, such as Chief Dan Orbih and Chief Mike Ogiadomhe. No party can claim victory in this local government. It has 43, 664 voters.

    Igueben has 42, 655 voters and 85 voting points. Chief Tom Ikimi hails from Igueben but he has always lost the local government even when he was in the APC. The APC speaker of the House of Assembly hails from this area and appears to be popular. The APC is expected to do well there.

    Ikpoba-Okha is a strong base of the APC. Commissioner for Works Osarodion Ogie is the APC leader in the locality. With Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, the PDP candidate of Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff faction, opposed to Ize-Iyamu and likely to work against him, PDP may not do well here. There are 260,342 would-be voters.

    Orhionmwon is the base of Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Odubu and candidate of the PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. It has 106,387 voters. It is not yet clear who will win in

    Orhionwon

    This  is the base of Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu and  Ize-Iyamu. It has 106,387 voters. It is not yet clear who will win in Orhionmwon but it was the only local government where the APC was victorious in the Presidential election. Both parties hope to do well here . Odubu , a grassroots politician , has always triumphed over lze-lyamu but he( Odubu) is not the one running in the APC. Ize-lyamu may benefit from the ‘ home boy ‘ factor.

    Oredo

    This is the local government with the highest number of registered voters with 279,270 and 571 voting points. It is the base of Rasaq Bello Osagie, Godwin Obaseki, Chief John Oyegun in the APC and Senator Matthew Urhoghide of the PDP.  APC is banking on market women, artisans, drivers for victory. PDP has surreptitiously brought religion to the fore, banking heavily on the Pentecostals as its candidate is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The contest here will be fierce.

    Egor

    This is another power house of the APC. It has 184, 297 voters. What will give APC victory is the Upper Siluko road which the PDP said they could not construct because of ‘mummy water’ that was done by Oshiomhole. Other factors are the schools and the storm water design that has deflooded many parts of the locality.

    Former military and civilian governor of defunct Bendel state , Brigadier Samuel

    Ogbemudia hails from here and has endorsed the APC and Obaseki.

     

  • Edo poll: INEC, APC collaborate to rig – Adeyanju

    Edo poll: INEC, APC collaborate to rig – Adeyanju

    1. All Progressives Congress (APC) in collaboration with staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to subvert the electoral process for the September 10, 2016 gubernatorial election in Edo State.

    2.  I am aware that the plan is to ensure card reader failure in certain areas, particularly Edo North Senatorial District (Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East & Akoko Edo) & some parts of Edo South Senatorial Districts. This would enable INEC staff in collaboration with APC members to falsify data and offer them the opportunity to rig the elections.

    3.  I am also aware that part of this plan is to subvert the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) by ensuring that INEC staff do not collate results at the polling units or post those results on the walls of the polling units as provided for by the Act, but at Ward/Local Government collation centres. This would afford the INEC staff and members of APC the opportunity to manipulate the results between the polling units and the Ward/Local Government Collation Centres.

    4.  Part of this plan is prevent e-collation officers from entering the results from the various polling units onto the INEC database immediately they are announced but to do so at the Ward/Local Government Collation centres after APC would have had the opportunity to manipulate them.

    5.  Finally, I am aware that this plan also includes INEC issuing fake result sheets to its staff at the polling unit level. The use of such result sheets would invalidate the results entered thereon & give an opportunity to APC members and colluding INEC staff to re-write the results onto original results sheets which will not reflect the reality of the number of votes cast for the candidates.

    6.  I urge the leadership of INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections by ensuring that these plans fail. In that wise, we suggest the following simple & legal steps to ensure that the ideals of free, fair and credible elections are achieved –

    –    INEC should deploy a minimum of 5 card readers per polling unit to the 2626 polling units spread across 192 wards in the 18 LGAs of the state. We are aware that INEC owns 145,000 functional card readers. Card reader deployment in this manner would reduce incidents of card reader failure and ensure that only voters with genuine voters’ cards are permitted to vote. The implementation of such a plan would only require 13, 130 carder readers.

    – INEC should commence testing of all card readers from today – September 8, 2016 until tomorrow to ensure that only functional card readers are deployed for the elections.

    –    INEC should ensure that all its staff comply with the provisions of Sections 27(1)(a), 63 and 65 of the Electoral Act, and its operation guidelines for the elections by counting the number of valid votes cast at the various polling units and posting the results on the wall of the polling unit. Anything less than this would be resisted by our supporters across the State.

    –    INEC should ensure that its e-collation officers enter the results onto the INEC database immediately they are announced at the polling units.

    –    INEC should ensure that its staff only use original result sheets for the elections. To this end, we call on INEC to display samples of the ballot papers, result sheets and other sensitive materials to be used for the elections to enable relevant stakeholders differentiate between real and fake.

    7.  The PDP in Edo said they have made several formal attempts to meet with the INEC chairman to discuss these issues. All of those attempts have failed so far.

    8.  I believe that the implementation of these simple steps will ensure the delivery of the basic ideal of free, fair & credible elections.

    9.  God bless Nigeria.

  • APC, PDP clash as INEC fixes Sept 28 for Edo poll

    APC, PDP clash as INEC fixes Sept 28 for Edo poll

    Edo State will elect a new governor on September 28 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday postponed the election by 18 days.

    On Wednesday, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the police advised the agency to shift the poll because of an untoward security situation.

    At a joint news conference, the security agencies said it would be impossible for the election to hold on schedule.

    The INEC, whose top officials, including Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were already in Benin, the state capital, said it would meet and take a decision based on the advice.

    The initial position of the agency yesterday was to go ahead with the election.

    INEC National Commissioner in charge of voter education and publicity Prince Solomon Soyebi, said the agency was ready and would go ahead.

    “We cannot shift the election on the basis of security report. We have weighed all the parameters and consequences of postponing the election. This Commission will not mortgage its independence for the sustenance of democracy.

    “We have made 99 percent preparation for the elections and we have also weighed the political atmosphere,” Soyebi said.

    But he later made a U-turn to announce a new date after a long deliberation. Reporters were kept for a long time after the agency called a news conference to break the news of the shift.

    Sources said the delay in announcing the new date was to avert a clash with the coronation of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, as the Oba. The ceremony is slated for September 26.

    Soyebi said the commission’s earlier insistent on holding the election on Saturday was because there was no official communication from security agencies.

    He said the commission only received official communication from security agencies at about 6pm yesterday, drawing attention to the need to postpone the election in view of threats of terrorist activities in Edo and other states.

    He said: “The communication indicates that deployment of security personnel country wide to secure lives and property would over stretch their capacity to at the same time provide 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, 28 September.”

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole welcomed the decision although he would have favoured a week’s postponement. He cautioned against a new date clashing with the Oba’s coronation.

    The governor nevertheless said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win because he claimed the PDP is not popular in the state.

    Speaking on a television programme, Oshiomhole said  the APC  defeated the PDP in 16 local governments in the last election.

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

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

    But the PDP declared the shift as illegal and a coup against the people.

    In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the Makarfi-led PDP 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 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 fledgling democracy.

    “The postponement of the election by INEC is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the peoples’ trust in the commission and the security agencies.

    “It is a coup against the people of Edo State in particular and Nigerians in general. Since the APC assumed power, virtually all elections conducted by INEC have either been inconclusive or truncated.

    “Saturday’s election in Edo State must be an exemption. We will not accept anything less than free, fair and transparent election conducted and concluded the same day.

    “INEC must rise to the occasion to restore the confidence of Nigerians in its operations. Edo is a test case. With the way INEC is performing, how are we sure that it would be able to handle the 2019 national elections.

    In another statement by its publicity secretary, Chri Nehikiare, Edo State PDP accused INEC and the state government of orchestrating the shift.

    ‘’For us, the move by INEC to put off the election is shocking and unacceptable.

    ‘’We are taken aback by the rash security advice 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 final campaign rally of the APC in Benin City, which was concluded without any security hitch.’’

    The party said INEC recently conducted a hitch-free senatorial bye-election in Borno State, a state which had remained a hotbed of terrorism and insurgency, yet the security agencies saw no reason to advise against the conduct of the election.

    ‘’We are therefore convinced that this phantom security advice is orchestrated in connivance with the APC in the face of imminent defeat in the governorship election,’’ the PDP added.

  • INEC resolves to hold Edo governorship election on Saturday

    INEC resolves to hold Edo governorship election on Saturday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to hold Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    The Nation learnt that the decision to go ahead with the election was taken Thursday morning after a meeting with stakeholders and consideration of the security report.

    A reliable source said a statement confirming that the election will hold as scheduled will be issued later today.

    Details later

  • Edo: Avoiding another inconclusive election

    SIR: As the momentum trailing Edo State governorship election comes to its tail end this week, one question on the lips of Nigerians is: will INEC get it right this time around?

    Such anxiety, no doubt, is not unexpected considering what has become of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    Following the commission’s exploit at the 2015 general elections under Prof. Attahiru Jega, which drew commendations across the globe, many believed that the country can, at least, boast of a transparent, free and fair elections, but the recent waves of inconclusive elections in the country under the new administration has failed to bridge the gap between expectations and reality.

    Under Yakubu’s watch, INEC has conducted two governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, one council election and over 80 re-run legislative elections across the country, but ended inconclusive on grounds of violence, ballot box snatching among other electioneering vices.

    These, no doubt, are not new in Nigeria’s political terrain, with the ‘do-or-die’ ideology of most of our politicians. For instance, there were supplementary elections for Ekiti State governorship election in 2009, Anambra Central senatorial constituency in 2011, Imo State governorship election in 2011; the Oguta constituency of Imo State 2013; the Imo State governorship election in 2015; and the Anambra State governorship election in 2013.

    But, such excuses should not hold sway before a commission bent on upholding, if possible, surpass the gigantic strides of the Jega-led INEC and with the overriding interest of Nigeria and her democracy at heart.

    The ugly trend prompted Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose’s statement that: “democracy in Nigeria is being threatened by INEC and this should call for national and international reflection.”

    To prevent another poor outing in Edo State, all hand must be on deck to ensure that the best candidate emerges. INEC in particular must ensure all logistics needed for the election are on ground before that day.

    The security personnel must ensure a tranquil environment that can foster a free and fair election, even as religious and political leaders in the state should sensitise residents of the state on the need to shun violence during after the election.

    At a time like this when economic hardship is biting harder on Nigerians due to the fall of crude oil in the international market, Edo State and the country at large need leaders with dynamic, innovative and a consuming interest to serve the people.

    To this end, INEC should leave no stone unturned to ensure that nothing short of success is recorded this time around.

    Nigeria cannot afford to slip below the success recorded during the 2015 general elections.

    • James Ojo,

     University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

  • Edo poll: INEC to meet DSS, police before decision

    Indications are emerging that the Edo governorship election scheduled for Saturday may be shifted following security advice.
    Though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yet to take a decision on the matter after a crucial meeting with all the political and state actors, the Commission has assured Nigerians that its independence will not be compromised.
    The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi in a text response to an inquiry by our correspondent stated, “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 Wednesday 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.”

  • ‘Edo can become another Lagos’

    ‘Edo can become another Lagos’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the people of Edo State to troop out and vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Godwin Obaseki on Saturday for the continuity of the people-friendly policies and programmes.

    Speaking at the grand rally of the APC  at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Ambode said Edo, being the heartbeat of the South-south region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, but the people must play their part by voting for Obaseki to build on the successes recorded in the last seven and half years by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    Ambode who is the Chairman of APC National Campaign Council for the Edo governorship election, said without any controversy, Edo State under Governor Oshiomhole had witnessed the best developmental progress more than any other period in the last 17 years, saying that a vote for APC in the coming election would be another sure way to greater progress.

    He said: “Governor Oshiomhole has laid the right foundation for progressive governance. He has been responsive, progressive and totally committed to the needs of the people. We in the APC have shown through our actions and campaigns that the only way forward is to vote for continuity of the successes. It is very clear that the continuity of APC government is the sure way to greater progress.”

    Speaking on the secret of the success story of Lagos, Governor Ambode said since 1999, Lagosians have been voting for continuity and the results were evident for everyone to see, adding that people of Edo should take a cue from the development and vote Obaseki to use his financial expertise to turn around the State for good.

    He said: “Lagosians voted for continuity last year and we are all witnesses to the progress we are recording in Lagos. We have been voting for continuity since 1999 in Lagos and the results are very clear for everyone to see. Edo State can be another Lagos. The State has all the potentials to be great. It is in the heart of commerce and economic greatness.

    “You all need Godwin Obaseki now. He will bring his financial expertise to turn Edo State around for the better. People ask me what is the secret of our progressive governance in Lagos and I tell them it is very simple, in the last 16 years till May 2015, we were in opposition, whereby we had PDP at the centre and Lagos in APC.

    “Ever since May 2015, that we aligned with our great party the APC at the centre, President Muhammadu Buhari has been going out of his way to support our dreams and aspirations for Lagos. Edo State cannot and should not throw away this key success secret. You must vote APC come Saturday.

    “I know Godwin Obaseki, he is people-friendly, he is reliable, he is trustworthy, above all, he has the fear of God,”Ambode said.

    The rally, which attracted thousands of party faithful, was attended by President Buhari, governors of APC, members of the Federal Executive Council, political bigwigs in the APC across the federation, market men and women, artisans, youths, among many others.