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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Recession: ‘Leaders must rise above personal interests, differences’
Says fairness, equity, obedience to rule of law key to good governance

Urges South west governors to scale up Odu’a Investment Initiative

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said that Nigeria’s present economic situation urgently requires its elected leaders to rise above their personal differences and interests with a common unity of purpose and deliver good governance to the people who they represent.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Executive/Legislative Retreat held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, said the recession taking its toll on Nigerians is a wakeup call for Nigeria leaders to come together for the purpose of rescuing the nation.

Harping on the central theme of the retreat, “Good Governance in a Recession,” Governor Ambode said the economic downturn was no respecter of tribe or religion, neither does it discriminate along political party lines, hence, every Nigerian was feeling the impact.

He said the retreat, which had brought together members of the Executive and the Legislature from the State and Federal level from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a statement of fact that the people come first in Lagos.

The Governor said, “Our people demand, and request from us, good governance, leadership and hope at a critical time like this in our nation. We must therefore rise above our personal differences and interests, with a common unity of purpose; staying focused on our promises and manifesto at all times.

“If our economy must grow, it must also have the mindset and culture to want to grow. It is therefore left for all of us to learn to emphasize the people and de-emphasize the power to get good results. Getting good results requires that we abide by the principles of good governance; whether we are in or out of any economic recession. It is very clear, and I also make bold to say that our concern is, and should be, about our people, Lagosians and Nigerians in general.

“One common feature of most of us gathered here today is the social contract we have with our people; having elected us to serve them. The Executive-Legislative collaboration is strongly required and desirous in order for us to deliver and create dividends of democracy.”

Governor Ambode who also dwelt on the need to entrench good governance, listed fairness, equity and obedience to Rule of Law and inclusion as key ingredients, adding that the last 16 months of his administration has focused on these principles.

“Allowing everyone to participate to reach consensus is good governance. There must be direction as to where our government is going. Strategic vision, performance, responsiveness in getting the needed results in the most cost-reduced efforts possible is good governance,” he said.

Besides, Governor Ambode also stressed that there was no better for the six States in the South West region under the Odu’a Investments Group to activate the partnership for economic growth.

“As you may recall, Lagos joined the Odu’a Investments Group last year to become the Sixth State in the South West with Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo State as founders. This historic move is not only Strategic, but deeply falls in line with our vision of reawakening the political economy and socio-economic hegemony of member States.

“As we proceed to extract the greater opportunities of inclusion, it is, of necessity to call on other State Governments, irrespective of our political leanings that the Odu’a Investment initiative is a veritable economic vehicle for us to take our people out of recession,” the Governor said.

In his goodwill message, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa commended Governor Ambode for the retreat and his purposeful leadership, saying that it was a good thing that the State is championing a platform for elected and appointed officials to deliberate on matters of paramount interest to the people.

He said for good governance to be feasible in an economic recession, sound anti-corruption policies devoid of mere speeches and lip service must be put in place, as well as cordial relationship between executive, legislature and judiciary.

According to the Speaker, all arms of government must be up and doing on their duties, focusing more on governance that is accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable and all inclusive.

On his part, Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa, commended the Governor for how he has been handling affairs of the State, especially the issue of kidnapping, saying that Lagos remains the only State that usually respond swiftly to such issues with the Governor leading the security operatives from the front.

Ashafa also commended the Governor for the retreat, saying that such platform should be organised periodically to foster cohesion and unity of purpose among elected and appointed representatives of the people.

In the same vein, Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate, Hon. Adeola Olamilekan Solomon, said the retreat was a confirmation of unity among people’s representatives, which according to him, was important for development.

The retreat also had in attendance members of the State Executive Council, party chieftains including Chairman of the APC in Lagos, Otunba Henry Ajomale, his Vice, Cardinal James Odunbaku, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, former Deputy Governor of Lagos, prince Abiodun Ogunleye, among others.
October 14, 2016
Southwest PDP seeks chairmanship slot in reconciliation deal

As reconciliation efforts began Monday between the two factions of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Southwest Zone of the party called for zoning of the chairmanship position to the region.

The zone made the call after a meeting of in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

At the meeting were chairmen and party leaders of the party in the six states in the zone.

After much deliberation, the zonal leadership in a nine-point communique, hailed the reconciliation efforts being made at national level, stressing that the meeting was a replica of the efforts.

The zonal party leadership said only Southwest zone deserves the chairmanship slot because it has never held it before.

The communique, which was read by a former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, read:
“The Southwest PDP Forum initiated by the BoT members of PDP from the Southwest Is a replica of the national edition of the party to bring about peace, reconciliation and harmony in the party came on board today on Monday October 10, 2016, in Ibadan, Oyo state.

“The theme of the Forum summit is: “Working Together to Regenerate Our Party in Line with the Spirit of the Founding Facilitators.”

” The Forum recognizes the role of BoT members, our able governors, National Assembly members, founding fathers and other critical stakeholders in bringing about peace in our party.

“We commend the spirits of sportsmanship exhibited by both Senator Makarfi and Senator Sherif joint committees in thrusting national peace and harmony in the party.

The forum further resolves as follows:

“We commend the leadership and membership of PDP in Edo state at the last gallant fight in the last governorship election in the state.

“The Forum stands firmly by them in their effort to retrieve the stolen mandate. It also urges members and leaders of PDP in Ondo State to close ranks and work together as a solid and united team to sustain the control of the state by PDP come next election.

“This forum admonishes the leadership of our party to clearly zone the position of the National Chairmanship of our party to the Southwest as the only zone that has never held that position before.

“The forum calls on the state chapters of the party to replicate this type of meeting in their respective states to resolve all internal grievances.

“And finally, the Forum decided that irrespective of the various challenges facing the party at the national level, at the zonal level and each state of the federation, all leaders and members of the party have resolved to remain in PDP with a view to taking over power in Nigeria in 2019.”

While the meeting was chaired by Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, others in attendance were sen. Buruji Kashamu, Dr Ade Dosumu, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Sen. Teslim Folarin, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, Alh, Fatai Adeyanju and Prince Kola Balogun.

The six state chairmen are Mr Yinka Taiwo (Oyo), Segun Adewale (Lagos), Soji Adagunodo (Osun), Engr Adebayo Dayo (Ogun), Chief Ajayi William (Ekiti) and Mr Biyi Moroye (Ondo)

October 10, 2016
Fayose condemns attack on Tinubu

From an unlikely quarter came a support for the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the battle for the soul of the ruling party in Nigeria.

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Friday condemned what he called the “conspiracy against Asiwaju Tinubu by those he made that are now being allegedly used against him warning those hoping to reap political benefits in the APC crisis to have a rethink.

Fayose who belongs to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in condemning the attack on the former Lagos State governor emphasized that “humiliation of Tinubu is as good as humiliation of the Yoruba race.”

The self-styled “Opposition Leader in Nigeria” declared that he won’t keep silent in the face of attack on a revered Yoruba leader like Tinubu stressing that “Yoruba leaders must be protected.”

He recalled that similar attacks were visited on Yoruba icons like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Bisi Onabanjo (all of blessed memory), Alhaji Lateef Jakande, among others.

Fayose said: “Even though I am not a member of APC and I will never be, I have elected to stand in defence of the Yoruba nation once again by saying no to the continuous dishonourable treatment being meted to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, having paid his dues.”

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose, said; “if Tinubu is allowed to be embarrassed and disgraced just the way our past leaders were humiliated by these same elements, the Yoruba nation would have been made to suffer for uprightness.”

The Ekiti helmsman condemned the Tuesday’s alleged sponsored protest against the APC leader at the party’s national secretariat, saying; “it is unfortunate that Tinubu is now being vilified in a party he invested heavily in and his fellow kinsmen that he brought up politically are part of this conspiracy.

“In their desperation, they have even tried to set him against the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, by insinuating that tried to prevent his (Osinbajo) emergence as President Mohammadu Buhari’s running mate, this is sad!”

He lamented that “when other tribes protect own, it is becoming historically common among the Yorubas to allow themselves to be used against their leaders just for momentary political gains at the expense of the collective interests of the Yoruba nation.

“It should be noted that late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was sent to jail by the conspiracy and collaboration of some Yorubas with the external aggressors.”

Fayose said: “Tinubu is a prominent stakeholder; we should not sit back and watch while those he used his own sweat to make conspired with others to humiliate him.

“Most importantly, it is my position that irrespective of political affiliation, no leader of the Yoruba nation must be vilified unduly, especially by the same people who humiliated our past leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Adekunle Ajasin, Bola Ige, Bisi Onabanjo, Lateef Jakande and others.

“To me, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should not be seen just as an APC leader, but acknowledged as a major stakeholder in the Yoruba nation that we must all protect beyond politics.

”It should be recalled that these were among the issues that I raised when I visited Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State few months ago on the need to work together beyond party affiliations.

“Here in Yorubaland, it is said that if a household is at peace, it is because the bastard child of the family is yet to attain the age of maturity and those people that Asiwaju Tinubu made, but are now being used against him should watch it.

“I therefore condemn this conspiracy against Asiwaju Tinubu and I admonish those that are hoping to make political benefits from it to have a rethink.”

The governor, who called for greater unity among the Yorubas, added that; “We are first Yorubas before becoming members of political parties, it is my opinion that our leaders must be defended and protected not-minding the personal gains of today.”

October 7, 2016
PDP National Caucus endorses move to reconcile members

The extended national caucus of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the peace move by the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee to reconcile with the disputed National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff and his faction.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen after the party’s caucus meeting.

Adeyeye said that the purpose of the meeting was to brief the caucus on the move and get its endorsement.

The caucus is made up of PDP governors, National Assembly caucus, Board of Trustees and other stakeholders.

“Members of the caretaker committee are not there on their own, they were appointed by the party and they have to carry the party along in all they are doing.

“The peace move has been finally endorsed and supported by members of caucus without any dissent voice,” he said.

Adeyeye, however, said there were no factions in the party but aggrieved members.

“We don’t have factions in PDP. There are some of our members who are aggrieved.

“We are making moves to ensure peace in the party,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Makarfi and Sheriff in September expressed determination to settle the party leadership crisis.

The peace committee is expected to be inaugurated on Monday to reunite the party.

Commenting on the issue of some elected PDP members who had defected to APC, Adeyeye said that PDP was taking necessary steps to declare their seats vacant.

“We are taking steps to ensure that we take back the seats from the lawmakers that defected from PDP to APC.

“There is no factionalisation in PDP, INEC recognises the caretaker committee. All the organs of the party are in one place.

October 6, 2016
APC, PDP trade words as WAEC withholds Bayelsa’s results

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, lamented that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has withheld the results of the state’s indigenous candidates.

The party said the examination body took the action following the inability of the state government led by Mr. Seriake Dickson, to pay the required fees of the candidates.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fired back describing the position of the APC as a mischievous and total display of ignorance.

APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Panebi Fortune, regretted that under Dickson a generation of youths was on the verge of being wasted with the seizure of the results.

“WAEC had refused to release the results over unpaid debts owed it by the Bayelsa state government. By implication, pupils who made respective cut-off marks in the last Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination (UTME) might forfeit their admissions”, the party said.

The party berated Dickson, accusing him of deliberately scuttling the destinies of bright children who are leaders of tomorrow.

APC said: ”While the situation of the non-payment of teachers’ salaries in Bayelsa continues to be an embarrassment to all and sundry even as the governor’s deliberate impoverishment of public servants has now become an ego issue on his part, a far more dangerous twist is looming in the education sector in Bayelsa state.

“This is the seizure of the results of secondary school pupils by WAEC over the state government’s refusal to pay statutory dues.

“This is a brazen act, the height of irresponsibility on the part of a government. To say the least, Governor Dickson is deliberately wasting away a generation of tomorrow’s leaders due to his inaction in this regard.

“While we call on well meaning individuals to prevail on the governor, we sympathize with the parents of the pupils for this pain, an ordeal not worth it for whatever reason.

“To the affected pupils, while we pray for a divine intervention in this regards, we share in your distress, despair, and disappointment”.

‎The party also noted that public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa had yet to resume for the 2016/2017 session because of the failure of the state government to settle the seven-month salary arrears it owed teachers.

But the PDP in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Mr. Moses Cleopas, said the allegation was a deliberate deceit to score cheap political points.

Cleopas said the APC lacked moral justification to criticise the Dickson’s administration, because “what Bayelsa State is going through is as a result of the misrule by the APC-led government at the centre.”

He said the misrule of APC “has completely ruined the nation’s economy, through its inability to initiate policies to reinvigorate the economy.”

According to him, the situation in Bayelsa State was made worse by the financial recklessness and huge debt burden left behind by the immediate past administration in the state, which was under the leadership of Chief Timipre Sylva.

He said that the PDP administration had spent N100bn to service the bond liability it inherited from that administration.

Cleopas said that despite the huge debt burden it inherited from Sylva’s administration, the PDP government under Dickson had through careful application of the scarce resources at its disposal, kept the machinery of the government running.

He said the people of the state including the parents of the affected candidates understood the level of wastage in the Chief Sylva years.

He called on the APC leadership at the state and federal levels to apologise to Bayelsans and Nigerians for subjecting the people to untold hardship.

According to him, the “Dickson-led administration will not allow itself to be distracted by charlatans, who have proved time and again, that they do not have anything positive to offer the people of the state”.

October 4, 2016
Why Faleke could not succeed Audu – Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Friday proffered reasons why it upheld the election of Yahaya Bello as Governor of Kogi State.

It said it could not do otherwise because neither James Faleke (running mate to the late Abubakar Audu) nor Idris Wada (the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party – PDP) was qualified to be made governor.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the reasons for the lead judgment in the appeal by Faleke, said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was right in substituting the late Audu with Bello.

She further said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also in order to allow the substitution and allowing Bello to inherit the votes scored by the Audu/Faleke joint ticket in the November 21 election.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said since it is the party that contests elections, with candidates as agents, it has power to substitute a deceased candidate once it is done within the law.

She held that Falake was not qualified to be made a replacement for the deceased candidate because he did not obtain nomination form and did not participate in the primary election.

Justic Kekere-Ekun said since there was no return and declaration made by INEC in respect of November 21 election, it was wrong to conclude that the Audu/Faleke ticket had won the election before the December 5 supplementary election.

She said that before the sudden death of Audu, after the November 21 governorship election, INEC had already declared the election inconclusive and that since the election was not completed and the final result issued by INEC, Faleke, as a running mate,could not seek to inherit ‎victory in the election.

In upholding the substitution Audu with Bello, the court said, in the face of the law, Bello was the appropriate substitute having obtained nomination form, taken part in the primary election and came second, as against Faleke who did not meet that condition.

The court further said that by virtue of Section 221 of the Constitution, Bello, having become candidate of APC, and legally sponsored by the party, he was qualified to claim the 240,867 votes earned by the Audu/Faleke ticket on behalf of the party in the November 21 election.

The court further held that by virtue of the provision of Section 221, political parties canvass for votes and are voted for. It added that it was only the candidates duly sponsored by political parties, that can lay claim to the votes earned by the party.

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who read the reasons in the lead judgment in the appeal by Wada, said the ex-governorfailed to prove his allegation that the election was held in violation of the Electoral Act.

He also upheld the choice of Bello as a replacement for Audu as against Faleke.

“While Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act (EA) made provision for what should be done in the event of the death of a nominated candidate after the delivery of nomination paper, but before the commencement of the poll, neither the EA (2010) nor the Constitution provided for what to do in the event of the death of a candidate after the commencement of the poll as in the case at hand.

“The death of the original candidate of the 2nd respondent (APC) after the commencement of the poll in November 21st election in Kogi State left a yawning gap in the nation’s electoral process without any provision for filling the gap.

“In the situation such as this, it amounts to abdication of duty for the electoral umpire and the tribunal and court to fold their hands and bemoan the fact that the Legislature failed to do the impossible – providing for all exigencies both in the present and the future in their legislative duties.

“The 2nd respondent and INEC rightly resorted to substitution of the deceased candidate with the 1st respondent (Bello). I think that the decision of this court in Amaechi v. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (pt. 1080) 227 at 296 encompasses the situation created by the death of the 2nd respondent’s candidate. The decision finds support in Section 221 of the Constitution.

“A political party is an abstraction. It has to canvass for votes through its members as agents, in the same way it contests, wins or loses elections through a candidate it nominates, who acts as its agent.

“There is no provision for independent candidates. The candidate nominated to contest at an election by his party acts as an agent of his party. He is, as it were, an agent of a disclosed principal and as far as third parties are involved, benefits and liabilities accruing to the candidate (as agent) belong to his party (the disclosed principal.

“If an agent (candidate) of the party dies, or withdraws from the contest, the political party can substitute the dead candidate or the candidate, who withdraw from the election with another candidate (agent) subject to the provisions of the Act. There is continuity as the new candidate starts and continues from where the previous candidate stopped. ” the court said.

In resolving the question whether or not Bello contested the election without a running mate, the court held that it could not be said that he ran without a running mate as required under the law.

“Now if the court below (Court of Appeal) did not pronounce on the appellant’s contention that Hon. Faleke was not adopted as the running mate of the 1st respondent, it is because the matter had become academic as the issue of nomination of running mate is not within the jurisdiction of the tribunal and ipso facto, the court below cannot pronounce on it.

“But that notwithstanding, did Hon. Faleke withdraw his nomination in accordance with Section 35 of the Act? The answer is in the negative for the simple reason that the purported withdrawal was wrongly addressed to the 3rd respondent (INEC) and not to the political party that nominated him.

“For all intents and purposes, he remained the running mate to the 1st respondent at all material times,” the court said.‎

September 30, 2016
Edo guber poll: Ambode congratulates Obaseki

…Says Edo people have made the right choice

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday congratulated the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial election, saying that the people of the State have made the right choice.

Obaseki, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeated his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 319,483 votes to 253,173 votes.

Governor Ambode, in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the development was not just a victory for democracy but the people who he said would experience continuity in terms of dividends of democracy.

The Governor, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said the people of Edo have voted for continuity of people-friendly policies and programmes, and urged all the relevant stakeholders in the affairs of the State to accept the verdict of the people and work with Obaseki to move the State forward.

“Like I said during the grand rally of our great party – APC, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin some weeks back, Edo State, being the heartbeat of the South-South region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, and the decision of the people to speak with their votes in support of Obaseki is a signpost of their readiness for greatness and a testament to the monumental successes recorded in the last seven and half years by the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

“We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Lagos today because of the decision of the people to vote for continuity of good governance and I am glad that the people of Edo have also toed that path and the result will definitely translate to improved social services and welfare of the people,” Ambode said.

The Governor said judging by the antecedents of Obaseki, he was certain that Edo State is set for transformation and consolidation of the achievements of the outgoing administration in the State.

According to him, “Governor Oshiomhole has laid the right foundation for progressive governance. He has been responsive, progressive and totally committed to the needs of the people. With the decision to vote Mr Obaseki who is equally people-friendly, reliable, trustworthy, and has the fear of God, the people have made the right choice and I can only urge them to continue to support him to deliver on the campaign promises.

He also congratulated the people of Edo State for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self-help.

September 29, 2016
Edo: Heavy rainfall greets Obaseki’s victory

Heavy fall of rain is currently being experienced in Edo State after the keenly contested gubernatorial election between candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Our correspondence reports that Benin City is witnessing a heavy rainfall after the announcement of Mr. Obaseki as the winner of the election.

Details shortly….

September 29, 2016
Edo poll: Obaseki leads Ize-Iyamu with 62,300 votes

The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the Edo governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, currently ahead of his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with 62, 300 votes.

The APC has polled 306,663 votes, while the PDP garnered 244,363 in all the local government areas where results have been officially announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Results of 17 out of 18 LGAs in Edo State have been announced by INEC.

The APC won in 12 LGAs, while PDP triumphed in five.

Ovia South West is the only local government whose results have not been declared.

September 29, 2016
BREAKING: PDP rejects Edo election result

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday morning distanced itself from the results of the gubernatorial election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a press conference held at its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s Ugbo Raod residence in Benin City, PDP said the results being announced by INEC, which indicates the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki was in a comfortable lead, were predetermined fabrication.

At the briefing were the state chairman, Dan Orbih, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Ize-Iyamu and Henry Duke Tenebe. Orbih said the official results from INEC were at variance with the result collected by their agents at the polling units, insisting that the PDP was the winner of the election. He claimed that from the results available to them, the PDP won the election with at least 30,000 margins.

“It was too early to pass comment yesterday (Wednesday) without reports from agents. We have since received reports from party agents across 192 wards and all polling units in Edo State. The results being announced by INEC are not true reflection of the election.

“INEC started the process of announcing results in the election at their headquarters in Benin. They suspended the announcement at some point and promised to continue this morning.

“We took time to look at results from our agents and independent observers. From the results, PDP clearly won the APC in all the local government areas of the state with a minimum of 30,000 votes. But, we have compared them with INEC’s figures and observed there is a wide difference between the figures from party agents and independent observers with INEC’s

“The result by INEC has confirmed our statement less 48 hours to the election that the Edo State Governor was telling his party members and leaders that they have written the results of the election. Everything the PDP said is playing out.

“INEC disregarded results from various polling units. Decided to announce the one they wrote before election was held. While we continue to study this results still coming in from riverine areas, we are going to reject the result currently announced by INEC officials.

“Even areas we won, they have removed most of the votes with claims that card readers did not function in those areas. I wonder what the incident forms are meant for. They were supposed to address such problems. But in this instance, it is convenient for INEC to cancel all the results in areas we won.

“INEC should take full responsibility for malfunctioning card readers. What they are doing at the INEC is in line with what we said before election. All INEC officials are working in collaboration with Edo State Government who has taken pains to go into INEC office for no cause.”

Similarly, Ize-Iyamu condemned the results being released by INEC, accusing the commission and security agencies of connivance with APC, describing the outcome as a rape of democracy. The PDP candidate raised serious allegations against the ruling party, claiming that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s government spent not less than N3billion to buy votes at polling units.

He said: “Contrary to claim that PDP brought in 8,000 militants, the election showed that PDP are law abiding and did not involve in illegality. The delays in announcing official result by INEC was in order to announce predetermined fabricated results.

“The Figures being announced by INEC do not represent the massive turnout. We have told our agents to bring all the results issued at the polling units. We do not want to rely on the messages they sent. In the next three or four days, will have complete record. From findings, it is clear a lot of manipulation has taken place.

“At George Idah Primary School, thugs came in, shot into the air and carted away election materials. Till now he has not been apprehended nor declared wanted. At Ward 10 Ikpoba Okah, APC thugs carted away materials. At Ohrionwon LGA, a PDP agent was arrested on the instruction of INEC because she complained about illegality.

There were over 300 non-Nigerians, whose names were put in the register at Ohrionwon to vote. We wonder why non-Nigerians would be allowed to vote in Edo election. At Etsako East, security agencies were shooting and driving people to perfect rigging plan.

“The results being announced by INEC were obtained by fraud and use of arms, ammunitions. There was no election at Etsako Central. Materials were seized. We talked about it, condemned it but yet, the results were accepted.

“The arrest of the journalists I invited from Abuja to cover the election was clearly an orchestrated plan to ensure PDP does not only lose the election but wouldn’t have the evidence of malpractices.

“INEC used the same result sheet whose serial numbers were disclosed on September 8 before the postponement of the election. These same result sheets were deployed to bring in fake results. Ballot papers and sensitive materials have been thump printed and shifted into the government house since two days.

“INEC has failed, connived and in conjunction with security agencies, betrayed the confidence of Nigerians. What transpired in Edo is rape of democracy. Everyone is aware that Edo government spent not less than N3b to purchase votes at polling units. PDP does not have that kind of resources at its disposal.

“A night before the election, APC members were caught with 3,000 PVCs and N15m but nothing happened to them. Within INEC, we have got calls from people who said we should protest the manipulation. Dissatisfied with outcome.”

September 29, 2016