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Tag: Edo

  • Shun monetary inducements, Odubu urges electorate

    Shun monetary inducements, Odubu urges electorate

    As political parties perfect strategies for success in the forthcoming April 11 polls in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State Deputy Governor, (Dr.) Pius  Egberanmwen Odubu has appealed to the electorate to shun monetary inducements to lure them to vote the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Dr. Pius Odubu made the appeal at Urhonigbe South and North, Igbanke East and West as well as Ugbeka and Iyoba Wards respectively while addressing All  Progressives Congress (APC) supporters ahead of the National Assembly and state House of Assembly elections.

    Party supporters from Urhonigbe South and North and other wards trooped out for the last minute strategizing for victory at the elections which comes up on Saturday.

    The deputy governor who urged the electorate to vote for the performing APC said the duo of Hon. Samson Osagie and Patrick Aisowieren would fast-track the development of the locality if given the mandate to represent the people at the National Assembly.

    Dr. Odubu also pointed out that without the approval of the State House of Assembly, the governor finds it impossible to initiate projects hence the need to support Roland Asoro and Nosayaba Okunbor for Orhionmwon South and East Constituencies seats respectively.

    Former Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi emphasized that the National Assembly and House of Assembly polls would go a long way to determine whether the state would be in opposition or not.

    Orhionmwon APC Chairman, Chief Matthew Ehigie thanked the people for their support which led to the emergence of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari as president-elect.

    The rally witnessed the defection of PDP members to APC in Urhonigbe South and North as well as Igbanke West ward respectively.

    Spokespersons for the defectors, Mrs. Margaret Uwuoroya Iyen Osarodion and Austine Isede said they were moved to join the train of change by the excellent performance of APC in the area.

    The party chairman, Chief Matthew Ehigie received them into the fold of the APC.

     

  • Buhari assures of credible polls in Imo, Rivers, Edo

    Buhari assures of credible polls in Imo, Rivers, Edo

    The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday assured of credible elections in the All Progressives Congress (APC) states of Imo, Rivers, Edo and others in the forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    General Buhari who was in Owerri, the Imo State capital on a thank-you visit, said that he was aware of the travails of  Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rochas Okorocha and Adams Oshiomhole during the last election.

    According to him, Oshiomole, Amaechi and Okorocha have shown uncommon courage and commitment in this system that has brought about this change and they should be commended.

    He said, “the vote of the people is their strength and if the people’s vote is allowed to count, they can vote out any government that does not meet their expectations and this is what the APC government stands for.”

    In his opening remarks, the APC National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun, said that the leadership of the party was aware of the frustrations suffered by APC members during the Presidential election in Imo, Rivers and Edo States.

    He said that “we are aware of the frustrations and intimidation you suffered during the last election and that is why the President-elect decided to come here in his first outing since he was announced the President-elect. But I assure you that it will never happen again. You can go out on Saturday the 11 of April and vote for the APC candidates without fear”.

    Imo State Governor,Rochas Okorocha in his speech, said that Buhari’s victory has given the members of the APC a sense of relief, adding that their experience in the Presidential election was traumatising.

    He urged the President-elect to ensure that there is a level playing ground for Ndigbo in his administration, adding that they had suffered untold hardship and marginalisation under the outgoing administration.

    “We are in this struggle to better Nigeria, especially the Igbo nation and may I remind you that you are the President of all Nigerians and not the APC alone so your administration should carry everybody along,” he stated.

  • INEC to punish erring officials in Edo

    INEC to punish erring officials in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission is to punish any of its officials whose actions caused irregularities in the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Edo State.

    Resident Electoral Commission in the state (REC), Barrister Mike Igini, who disclosed this Monday said the erring officials must account why result sheets were not present at some polling units during the elections.

    Igini spoke shortly before meeting with Electoral Officers and other management staff of INEC to review the March 28 polls as well as strategies for this Saturday elections.

    The Edo REC said it was worrisome for result sheets not to be available at polling units when he personally handed out the result sheets to the concerned officials.

    According to him, “There must be an account why result sheets were not at the polling units. I am compiling areas where results sheet were not accompanied with other materials. When I distributed sensitive and none-sensitive materials, I gave everything to all of you.

    “To say that there was no result sheet is a clear manifest violation of our procedures; and there must be consequences today.”

    Barr. Igini warned INEC officials against any breach of procedures in the April 11th State Assembly elections saying “the outcome of the election must be decided by the people.

    “The will of the people must not be compromised because this office will occupy is under public trust.

    “I don’t have any vote to give to anybody. There are consequences for those who breached our procedure.”

  • Edo ringleader of child sex smuggling gang extradited to UK

    Edo ringleader of child sex smuggling gang extradited to UK

    A 36-year old Nigerian mother of one, Franka Asemota, was last week arrested in Benin City, the Edo state capital, and extradited to the United Kingdom.

    She was accused of being Ring Leader of an International child sex smuggling gang.

    The arrest which was carried out by men of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) who has been working with the National Crime Agency of the UK since 2011 took place at a fancy shop located neat New Benin market in Benin City, believed to be proceeds of money laundering.

    One of the charges against Asemota according to Police sources is that she accompanied about 40 victims of sex trafficking on eight separate flights into Heathrow airport, London, UK, between 2011 and 2012.

    The lady who is facing extradition to Britain, where she is wanted for organising a network that trafficked young women — most aged under 18 — from remote Nigerian villages into Europe using Heathrow airport as a transit hub.

    The girls were promised education or jobs such as hairdressing in such European countries as France, Belgium, and Spain but were forced into prostitution.

    Others were raped under oaths even as their traffickers were said to have used witchcraft to terrify them that their parents would be killed, so they would not talk to police or attempt to escape.

    A European arrest warrant was issued for her from the UK, when she was thought to be in Italy but she it was later discovered that she has relocated to Nigeria, where the NCA working with NAPTIP and the Nigerian Police traced her.

    The UK-based NCA said: “Asemota’s arrest was the result of exceptional collaboration with our partners at home and in Nigeria” adding, “This operation demonstrates our global reach and our determination  to track those wanted in the UK, no matter where in the world they are.”

    Asemota’s arrest may have been aided by the whistle blown by a Nigerian member of the trafficking ring, Odosa Usiobaifo, of Enfield, UK, who was jailed for 14 years by Isleworth crown court in 2013 for conspiring to traffic for sex exploitation.

    In October 2014, David Osawaru, another Nigerian, was jailed for nine years for chaperoning two women in transit to Prague, Czech Republic. He had been arrested by Border Force officers at Heathrow.#

  • April 11 polls: Ogiemwonyi, Benin leaders canvass votes for APC

    April 11 polls: Ogiemwonyi, Benin leaders canvass votes for APC

    Former Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, and members of the Benin Leaders of Thought have urged the people of Edo State to reject any monetary offer meant to induce them to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

    Ogiemwonyi alleged that the PDP wants to deploy money to hoodwink Edo people into an unrewarding opposition with the aim to destabilizing the state.

    Speaking at a press briefing Monday, Engr. Ogiemwonyi, noted that a legislature dominated ‘by a poisonous and vindictive opposition is a recipe for strife, instability and retrogression.’

    Ogiemwonyi warned Edo people not to forget how Oshiomhole’s first year in office was dogged by deliberate truncation of enabling laws for development including the non-release of ecological funds to tackle erosion problems in the state.

    According to him, “We cannot afford to be in opposition. The time has come for us to decide. We must have APC in Edo as we have in Abuja.”

    “The politics of inclusion as a panacea for attaining sustainable development is gaining acceptance globally and Nigeria is one being left out. The Yoruba nation, having realized the futility of opposition politics, has keyed into mainstream politicking at the centre.”

    “It is our firm belief that our interest in Edo will be better served within the framework of the APC under the leadership of Gen. Buhari at the centre with APC at the state level. Edo people must support this change.”

    “On April 11, Edo people must jettison the toga of opposition. We must reject the persuasions of those who seek to use an expected numerical edge in the House of Assembly to instigate instability and chaos in Edo State.”

    Prime Minister (Iyase) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, said he was shocked at the results of March 28 general elections.

    Chief Igbe stated that whoever voted for the PDP was an enemy of the state and urged the people to vote for APC.

    Former Chief of Staff to Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, Isaiah Osifo, said Edo peoples must vote for APC in line with the voting pattern of the people of Katsina State.

    Other speakers at the press briefing included former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, Col. Paul Ogbebor amongst others.

  • Airhiavbere, others defect to APC in Edo

    Airhiavbere, others defect to APC in Edo

    National Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan Support Group Gen. Charles Airhiavbere and his supporters have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Gen. Airhiavbere was the PDP governorship candidate for Edo State in 2012.

    He announced his defection at a news conference.

    Gen. Airhiavbere said he decided to join the team of change so that the state could enjoy benefits from the Federal Government.

    The former PDP governorship candidate said any politician who meant well for the state would join the APC.

    He denied collecting money from the PDP to finance his 2012 campaigns as well as getting any gratifications for his group’s support for Jonathan.

    Gen. Airhiavbere said:  “I know for sure that with APC at the national and state levels, there will be rapid development and all campaign promises will be delivered to our state.

    “My passion for Jonathan was my personal effort and group’s donation. I did not get any gratification but for the fact that Edo State should remain at the centre.

    “I will always be loyal to the centre. We delivered for PDP on March 28. We will deliver to APC on April 11. My desire is to have a peaceful Edo State. Oshiomhole should enjoy majority at the Edo State House of Assembly.”

    Thousands of PDP members led by the Coordinator of Grassroots Youths Initiative, Osarobo Idahosa and former senatorial aspirant, Richard Lamai, defected to the APC at a rally held in Benin City.

  • Edo declares public holiday for Buhari

    EDO State has declared a work-free today, to celebrate the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, in the presidential election.

    The state governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, invited people to a victory party, which will hold at the Oba Ovoranmwen Square, Benin City, starting from 3:00pm today.

  • Buhari’s victory: Edo declares public holiday

    Buhari’s victory: Edo declares public holiday

    Edo State Government has declared a work-free day in the state on Wednesday to celebrate the historic victory of General Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

    Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhira  invited people of the state to a victory party which will hold at the Oba Ovoranmwen Square, Benin City starting from 3:00pm.

    Top artistes, including Davido, Patoranking, Osayomore Joseph, Young Bolivia, among others, will perform at the party to celebrate General Buhari’s victory

  • Jonathan leads in Edo

    Jonathan leads in Edo

    Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan, has won in 15 local government areas out of the 17 local government results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State.

    Election is yet to be conducted in Orhiomwon local government and INEC is yet to fix a date for the election.

    Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orunmwense, who announced the results, said the President Mohammadu Buhari polled 208,469 against 286,969 votes of President Jonathan.

  • PDP rejects election in three Edo LGs

    PDP rejects election in three Edo LGs

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State Monday rejected results of general elections in three local governments where it lost the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    It alleged that elections in Etsako West, Akoko Edo and Owan East local government areas were marred with irregularities.

    State Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said elections in the affected LGAs were marred by “multiple” and “underage voting.”

    Orbih noted that results showed “heavy mutilation,” coupled with cases of harassment by suspected thugs of the APC.

    He said, “The reports reaching us from these local governments shows clearly that the elections that were held in these three local governments were characterised by multiple voting and also we have reports of underage voters who were forced out to come and cast their votes.

    “From the result sheets received from these local governments, we have received very grave mutilation of result sheet and with several reported cases of harassment and intimidation even at the voting centres, by suspected thugs of APC.

    Orbih urged INEC to re-examine the results from the localities and said the party would file petition on the alleged allegations.

    “For us as a political party, we are going to reject the result declared in Etsako West, Akoko Edo and Owan East because of gross irregularities that have been observed in the conduct of the elections in these ‎local governments.”