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JUST IN: PDP Govs Forum declare Asue Ighodalo winner of Edo guber poll
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and the national leadership of the party have asserted that Asue Ighodalo, their candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, is the clear winner, based on results collected by the party’s agents across the state.
This comes as governors elected under the major opposition party expressed their support for Ahmadu Fintiri’s stance on the already collated results from some local government areas in the Edo State governorship election, before the suspension of the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
They urged the electoral body to respect the sovereign will of the people for the sake of democracy’s survival.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the PDP Governors Forum (PDP GF), the governors urged the electoral body to spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a disputed result at this time.
“This becomes more imperative, especially in the face of the threat to democracy by the total state capture inclination of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government,” the forum declared.
The statement also noted that the Adamawa State governor, who chairs the PDP Edo State Governorship Campaign Council, merely presented the results on INEC’s IREV to prevent the manipulation of the suspended collation.
Signed by its chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, the forum also expressed satisfaction with other PDP governors who monitored the exercise in accordance with the law
The governors advised INEC officials to honor their oath as impartial electoral arbiters to ensure the survival of the nation’s democracy.
The forum stated: “We note with immense pride and satisfaction the role played by PDP Governors, including His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, His Excellency Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, who have painstakingly monitored the exercise in accordance with the law and guided the electorate to remain calm and law-abiding throughout the entire process.
“We are satisfied that our colleagues, led by His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, merely stated the results of a few local government areas that were already collated and recorded on the INEC IREV portal, aiming to prevent manipulation by unscrupulous elements and, ultimately, avert a situation that could discredit the exercise and endanger the nation politically.
“Therefore, the public is advised to disregard the baseless accusations made by the APC that anyone usurped INEC’s responsibilities, particularly the distinguished governors serving in their respective states.
“As the process continues, we remind the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its obligation to honor the oath of office taken by its principal officers and meet the expectations of the public. INEC must serve as an impartial umpire committed to strengthening our multi-party democracy and ensuring the survival of our country.
“Amid the grave economic and security challenges facing the nation, we expect INEC and everyone involved in the Edo Governorship Elections to respect the sovereign will of the Edo State people and spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a disputed result at this time. This becomes even more urgent, given the threat to democracy posed by the total state capture inclination of the Tinubu-led APC government.
“The PDPGF unequivocally reiterates its commitment to democratic best practices, as well as the peace and stability of a united Nigeria, where citizens are not only spared the contrived ordeals of the moment but are also provided with opportunities to realize their legitimate dreams.
“We anticipate the announcement of a result that truly represents the wishes of the Edo people as freely expressed through their votes yesterday.
“Finally, we stand with our Governors—His Excellency Fintiri, His Excellency Diri, His Excellency Agbu Kefas, and His Excellency Oborevwori of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Delta States respectively—regarding all actions and positions they have taken on our behalf, to maintain the sanctity of the elections.”
While commending the people of Edo State for turning out in large numbers to vote in Saturday’s exercise to choose their next leaders, the statement praised the quality of service provided by Governor Godwin Obaseki over nearly eight years, as well as the qualities of their governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, which the forum said would have made it easier for the enlightened Edo electorate to make the right choice, especially given the hardship that the APC administration is spreading nationwide.
In a separate statement, the national leadership of the main opposition party maintained that its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the Edo State election based on the results gathered by its polling agents across the state.
Issued on Sunday by Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, the statement asserted that “the rush, venom, and insults with which the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked Governor Fintiri only confirm the APC’s violent desperation to cover up its manipulations and steal the mandate freely given to Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the people of Edo State, as reflected in the genuine votes cast at the polling units.”
It stated: “As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the polling units show Asue Ighodalo in a clear lead before the state collation exercise was hijacked by the APC, which, in connivance with some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favor of the defeated APC candidate.”
The PDP recalled that it had repeatedly alerted Nigerians to this sinister plot by the APC, which will be firmly resisted, as the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, were thoroughly defeated in the election.
The statement added: “The PDP strongly cautions the APC and INEC against announcing or declaring any result that does not reflect the will of the people as expressed at the polling units. Doing so would be a recipe for a major crisis in the state, as the people of Edo State will never allow their mandate to fall into illegitimate hands.
“Our party again cautions INEC not to forget the violent protest that followed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari, to alter the outcome of the 2023 Governorship election in that state, which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials.
“Any attempt to alter the results of the Edo State governorship election and allocate victory to a defeated candidate will provoke even worse consequences.
“INEC must, therefore, do what is right in the interest of peace, stability, and the preservation of democracy in Nigeria.”
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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