Politics

Edo Election: Be Ready to Face the Wrath of the People- PDP Tells APC over Attacks

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly warns the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be ready to face the full impact of the wrath of the people of Edo State if it continues in its violent attacks and harassment of innocent citizens of the State

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, issued the warning at a media briefing in Abuja.

According to him, the warning is on the backdrop of continuing attacks, harassment and illegal arrest of innocent citizens of Edo State by APC leaders in connivance with certain compromised police operatives, as part of APC’s desperate bid to scare the people from coming out to vote and seize the opportunity to rig the September 21, 2024 Governorship election.

Since it became clear that the PDP Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is coasting to a landslide victory with the overwhelming support of over 68% of the expected votes, the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo have been desperate to use violence and harassment to break the Will of the people of Edo State

It will be recalled that the PDP on Monday, September 2, 2024 alerted on how the APC in connivance with certain compromised security operatives have been harassing, arresting and detaining innocent citizens of Edo State, notable among whom are Mr. Kingsley Osahon who was arrested in Uromi, Mr. Odion Bright and Mr. Timothy Isibor who were arrested in Igueben.

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, an attempt was made by the said APC-controlled operatives to arrest Chief Francis Inegbeniki, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.

Also last week Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the APC’s agent stormed the house of one Shina who decamped from the APC to the PDP three weeks ago and forcefully took him away while shooting sporadically to scare the people. On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 an attempt was made to pick Mr. Joel Aidamebor which was firmly resisted by the people.

There are reports in the public domain that the APC has established a torture squad which has been picking innocent Edo citizens and taking them to unknown destinations.

Only yesterday, Sunday, September 8, 2024, thugs and hoodlums recruited by APC leaders attacked PDP rally in Edo North and destroyed campaign materials in an assault that was decisively resisted by our courageous members and supporters in Edo North, where our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo commands overwhelming support and solidarity.

This resort to harassment and violence only shows that the APC and its irredeemably empty and confused candidate are cowards who are intimidated and terrified by the soaring popularity of Dr. Asue Ighodalo across Edo State
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The recent public comment by the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo that he will provide the people of Edo State “with insecurity”, is not a slip but a subconscious confession triggered by preponderance of APC meetings and discussion on schemes to visit the people of Edo State with violence before and during the election.

What else do you expect from a candidate whose godfather is the lying, oppressive, widow-suppressing, go-and-die Adams Oshiomhole?

Moreover, the PDP already has information of how the APC and its candidate are importing thugs from Imo State, some of who curiously appear in the INEC list to serve as SPOs for the election. These APC thugs from Imo State should know that the people of Edo are already aware of their sinister plan and it will be in their interest to steer clear of Edo State.

The APC must note that nobody has the monopoly of violence and that nobody is above the law. APC and its candidate are practically pushing the people of Edo State to the wall; they should know that there is a limit to what a people can stomach in the face of aggression and be ready the face the consequences if they fails to desist from these dastardly acts.

The people of Edo State have had enough from the APC and will use every legitimate means allowed in a democracy to defend themselves by directly and physically confronting and resisting the APC in its desperate plot to derail the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

The PDP as a law-abiding and applying Party that stands for the interest of the people will not fold its hands and watch the APC harass the peope of Edo State.

Our Party will within the ambit of the law stop at nothing in contending with the APC, head-to-head in all ramifications, magnitude and force where necessary to protect our democracy and ensure that the Will of the people of Edo State is not subverted in this election.

The PDP is standing shoulder-to shoulder with the people of Edo State in their resolve to protect their State and democracy and anybody no matter how highly place who in any way attempt to subvert the Will of the people of Edo State in this election will definitely face the consequences.

The PDP again calls on the Inspector General of Police to wade in and halt the activities of the APC which is now pitching the people of Edo State against the Police. The IGP should ensure the immediate and unconditional release of every Edo citizen being detained by the APC.

The IGP owes a duty to the people of Edo State and the Nation, in the perseveration of peace and sustenance of democracy, to address this issue before it escalates. This is the only way to douse the tension in Edo State and reassure the people of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Our Party salutes the people of Edo State for their courage, determination and urges them to remain vigilant in their readiness to protect democracy, their votes and the firm desire and expression to elect Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of Edo State in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Politics

Akwa Ibom LG poll: PDP wins 30 out of 31 chairmanship positions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 30 of the 31 local government chairmanship seats, leaving the All Progressives Congress with one seat in the October 5, 2024 election in Akwa Ibom State.

The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) made this known on Sunday.

The commission, which released the results of the October 5 Local Government election, also indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won one local government area.

Following the successful conduct of the election, all is now set for elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to be sworn in on Monday, October 7, 2024, by 8 am at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, in the State capital.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Enobong Uwah.

The statement indicated that Governor Umo Eno would perform the function in the presence of guests.

Meanwhile, Governor Eno has announced plans to swear in the elected chairmen on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Eno, who made this known while speaking at the All Nations Christian Ministry in Eket, said it was important to immediately inaugurate the democratically-elected officials to position local government area in the state for rapid development.

“Election was concluded yesterday. Results are trickling in. We are swearing in new chairmen tomorrow by 8 am. We want to thank those who have served. They have done well.

“The window we negotiated with the Federal Government was till October, and this is October. So we need to quickly swear in those chairmen so that they will start receiving their allocations and work for their people,” he said.

Politics

Ondo guber: REC confirms receipt of BVAS, non-sensitive materials ahead of poll

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, has disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the non-sensitive materials have arrived in the state ahead of the November 16 governorship poll.

According to the REC, INEC is not leaving anything to chance towards ensuring that the commission conducts seamless and flawless polls in the state.

Babalola, who disclosed this during a media briefing with newsmen, maintained that security agencies are also prepared for the off-cycle governorship election and stressed that vote-buying would be tackled during the election.

The REC added that Registration Area Technical Support Staff (RATECH) will be deployed to all Registration Areas (RAs) to provide technical assistance in case of any issue with the functioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“INEC is fully committed to conducting a credible, transparent, and inclusive election in Ondo State.

“We call on the good people of Ondo State to come out en masse on election day, exercise their franchise peacefully, and contribute to the democratic process.

“We assure you that every vote will count, and what we can do about the issue of vote buying is that we will continue to sensitise people to desist from this. So we are working assiduously to succeed in the forthcoming governorship election.”

Politics

‘I am not thinking about 2027 election- Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu said he is not thinking about the upcoming 2027 general elections but instead dedicated to restructuring the economy for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

This is coming as several prominent figures from the All Progressives Congress, APC, including former national chairman. Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and governors from Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti states—Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Biodun Oyebanji, respectively—expressed their support for President Tinubu’s re-election and the success of all APC candidates in 2027.

Tinubu and the party leaders made these comments at the 2024 South West Assembly of the APC, held on Saturday at Victoria Island, hosted by Governor Sanwo-Olu, who serves as the zonal coordinator of the party.

The event had in attendance party leaders and stakeholders from the South-West including senators, members of the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly members, local government officials, and top party representatives.

At the event, former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, delivered the keynote address, praising the president as a “listening leader” with a strong determination to succeed.

Tinubu, who was represented by his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, urged Nigerians to be patient with his administration, which is committed to the genuine progress of the populace.

“Mr. President has asked me to tell you that he is not thinking of the next election but the next generation,” Gbajabiamila said.

“He has asked me to convey his message, that he knows he has taken a very tough decision. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel. The time will come when we will all thank him for the decision,” he added.

Gbajabiamila reiterated Tinubu’s focus, stating, “Mr. President said I should let you know that he is not thinking of the next election but the next generation. For every moment in a country, a particular leader is produced for that time. This is the time to produce a leader that is courageous.”

He added that Tinubu remains deeply committed to the well-being of Nigerians, especially the masses and that despite the difficult reforms, Tinubu is driven by a conviction to lead Nigeria through this period of change.

“For those of us that know him very well, he has a love for the masses. As the people are complaining, he is also pained but when a man has a strong conviction of what he is doing, he pursues it.”

Gbajabiamila also stressed that while Tinubu serves as the President of Nigeria, his political base remained rooted in the South-West, and all discussions at the assembly would be taken seriously.

“The challenges facing our country are vast and complex. But for those who know him, Tinubu has always been a leader with a deep love for the people. He is pained by their struggles, but he is determined to push forward with his vision for Nigeria’s future,” he added.