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PDP Warns APC Against Alleged Citizens Harassment Ahead Edo Election

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be ready to face the wrath of the Edo people if it continues in its alleged violent attacks and harassment of innocent citizens of the state.

The major opposition party, however, reiterated its calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to wade in and halt APC’s activities, warning that it was pitching the people of Edo State against the Police.

PDP further urged the IGP to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of every Edo citizen being detained by the APC.

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologungaba, during a press conference in Abuja, said the party’s warning was 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.

He alleged that the attacks were part of APC’s bid to scare the people from coming out to vote and seize the opportunity to rig the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Hon. Ologungaba claimed that APC and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, “have been desperate to use violence and harassment to break the will of the people of Edo State,” since it became clear that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, is coasting to a landslide victory with 68% of the expected votes.

He recalled that the PDP, on Monday, September 2, 2024 disclosed how the APC, in connivance with certain compromised security operatives, had 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.”

Hon. Ologungaba added that PDP had information of how the APC and its candidate were 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.”

Reiterating its call on the Inspector General of Police to wade in and halt the APC’s activities, PDP said “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.”

Hon. Ologunagba however said APC must note that nobody has the monopoly of violence and that nobody was 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 to face the consequences if they fail 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 people 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 placed, who in any way attempts to subvert the Will of the people of Edo State in this election will definitely face the consequences,” the party spokesman added.

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CTC Chairman Attributes Fubara’s Emergence To God’s Plan

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The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Asari Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Orolosama Amachree, has attributed the emergence of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as Governor of Rivers State to divine intervention.
According to him, Governor Fubara’s leadership was ordained by God to liberate the Kalabari people from underdevelopment.
Hon Amachree made this statement when the Ido Community Council of Chiefs paid him a courtesy visit.
He highlighted Governor Fubara’s numerous contributions to the Kalabari people, including the award of the original Trans-Kalabari road project worth N225 billion.
The CTC Chairman emphasized that the Kalabari people had no option but to support Governor Fubara’s administration wholeheartedly.
He criticized the defected former Rivers State House of Assembly members representing the five Kalabari state constituencies for aligning with enemies of the state government.
Hon Amachree praised Governor Fubara for declaring Asari-Toru as his second home and demonstrating immense love for the people, citing the completion of the Emohua-Kalabari road and approval for the reconstruction of the Buguma-Degema-Abonnema road project as examples of the Governor’s commitment to the ethnic nationality.
The CTC Chairman assured the Ido Council of Chiefs that his administration would continue to prioritize the wellbeing of the people and announced the approval for the provision of three public conveniences for the community.
Earlier, the spokesman of the Ido Community Council of Chiefs, Chief Igbigioyibo Emmanuel, expressed the loyalty and support of the Chiefs and people to Governor Fubara’s administration.
He thanked the Governor for his love and the appointment of Hon Amachree who has embarked on various empowerment programmes, as well as the rehabilitation of key infrastructures to better the lives of the people at the grassroots.

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We’re Ready For Edo Election, INEC Assures Stakeholders

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has reassured stakeholders in Edo State that the commission is prepared for the upcoming governorship election on September 21.
Addressing the stakeholders in Benin on Wednesday, Prof. Yakubu emphasised the importance of cooperation to ensure a credible election process.
He highlighted that the meeting, traditionally held before major off-cycle governorship elections, is co-hosted by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police to discuss election preparations.
Prof. Yakubu detailed that the session aimed to engage with political parties, candidates, accredited observers, media, and other stakeholders to review preparations for the election.
He noted that the Inspector-General of Police would address security preparations, while he himself would cover electoral preparations. Together, they would address any issues or concerns raised by the attendees.
The INEC Chairman outlined that preparations for the election began last year with the release of the timetable and schedule of activities, in accordance with legal requirements.
Out of 13 statutory activities listed from the publication of the election notice to election day, 11 have already been completed.
Prof Yakubu reported that the final list of candidates had been published, with minor adjustments made following court orders. The Labour Party’s running mate was replaced as directed by the court, and the National Rescue Movement (NRM), which missed its nomination deadline, was included on the ballot after a court order.
With the conclusion of the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo, 184,438 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been issued 119,206 for new voters and 65,232 for various updates and transfers.
Edo State now has a total of 2,629,025 registered voters. A detailed breakdown of PVCs collected for each of the 4,519 polling units will be published soon, while uncollected PVCs will be secured in the Central Bank of Nigeria until after the election.
Prof Yakubu also revealed that INEC has accredited 134 groups (124 domestic and 10 international) to deploy 1,836 observers and 114 media organisations with 721 journalists.
Thousands of agents representing candidates and political parties will be present at the 4,730 polling and collation locations across the state.
The BVAS machines will be used for voter accreditation and uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Dr. Greg Igbinomwanhia, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), urged political parties to adhere to the rules to ensure a free, fair, and credible election. Political party chairpersons and candidates also delivered goodwill messages and raised concerns regarding the election.

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Two Million Voters To Elect Next Ondo Gov – INEC

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More than two million voters will be participating in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo state.
They would determine the fate of 17 governorship candidates of the political parties participating in the election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, disclosed this in Akure, at a seminar organized by the International Press Center (IPC) and funded by the European Union (EU).
The programme was part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGNII) project, with IPC serving as the lead partner under Component 4, which focuses on support to the media.
Mrs Babalola also said that the INEC has said it would deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) during the election.
According to her, “Ondo State has a total of 2,053,061 registered voters. They would be participating in the governorship election scheduled for November 16, this year. INEC has made necessary arrangements to ensure a free election”.
The REC noted that efforts and preparedness were in place to ensure a credible, inclusive, free, and fair gubernatorial election.
Mrs Babalola added that the portal for media registration for the election had opened.
Speaking on BVAS and IREV, the REC, said that the commission would ensure the use of BVAS and IREV during the election to ensure a free, fair, and credible poll.
She said similar arrangements have been made in Edo State for the September 21 governorship election.
In his welcome address, IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized the essential role of the media in promoting electoral integrity.
Mr Arogundade noted that elections were the cornerstone of democratic societies, highlighting the importance of capacity training for journalists in preparation for election coverage.
He said that the dialogue aimed to foster collaboration among critical stakeholders, ensuring that the media remains fair, accurate, ethical, and professional in covering the upcoming Ondo State election.
The Executive Director, also underscored the importance of journalists’ involvement in voter education, helping to inform the electorate about their rights and responsibilities.
A Senior Lecturer at Elizade University, ilara- Mokin, Dr Tunde Fajimbola, spoke on the media’s role in addressing key issues in the governorship election.
The Founder of the Journalism Clinic, Mr Taiwo Obe, guided participants on asking the right questions and telling impactful stories during electoral coverage.
In his remarks, CEMESO Executive Director, Dr Akin Akingbulu, emphasized that off-cycle elections had become a significant feature of Nigeria’s electoral calendar. He highlighted the need for journalists to be well-equipped to contribute to credible electoral processes.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Prince Leke Adegbite, commended IPC for its efforts in building journalists’ capacity through training.
Adegbite acknowledged that the media dialogue came at the right time and assured the organizers that participants would strive to achieve set goals.

 

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