Politics
Vandalism of billboards: Put your house in order – Edo Govt advises LP candidate
The Edo State Government on Friday advised Barrister Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for the September 21, 2024, governorship election, to address the internal crisis rocking the party rather than accuse it of vandalism of his campaign billboards in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, advised while reacting to the allegations made by the Labour Party governorship candidate at a press conference in Benin City.
The Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, at the press conference on Friday, June 7, 2024, accused the Edo State Government of allegedly sponsoring its agents to destroy his campaign billboards across the state.
DAILY POST recalls that the Labour Party in the state had been polarised into Barrister Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the party and Barrister Olumide Akpata, the governorship candidate factions.
While Olumide is backing the Kelly Ogbaloi-led dissolved state executives, Julius Abure, on the other hand, is backing the newly inaugurated 17-man caretaker committee headed by Elizabeth Ativie, the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Nehikhare, in a statement made available to newsmen, encouraged the Labour Party governorship candidate to prioritise addressing the internal challenges within his party and work towards fostering unity and stability in the party.
He also advised the governorship candidate that they should all strive to promote a peaceful and inclusive electoral process for the benefit of all citizens.
The commissioner, who condemned any form of vandalism in the state, however, urged all parties involved in the act to address such issues through proper channels.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by Mr Olumide Akpata regarding the removal of his campaign billboard. While we understand Mr Akpata’s frustration, we encourage him to engage with the relevant agencies responsible for the management of signage to settle any outstanding bills or disputes.
“Threats of violence or disobedience have no place in our democratic process, and all parties should conduct themselves with decorum and respect for the law.
“It is essential that we focus on constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement rather than resorting to tactics that may incite division or unrest.
“The government remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will address any disruptive behaviour, regardless of one’s status or affiliation,” he said.
Senator Ned Nwoko has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The move, confirmed through reliable sources, has sparked discussions within political circles about its potential implications for the 2027 elections.
According to reports, Senator Nwoko’s decision to join the APC is influenced by speculation that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is eyeing a Senate seat in the next electoral cycle.
This development is said to have prompted the senator to reconsider his political alliances, aligning with a party that may better support his future ambitions.
Senator Nwoko, who has been a prominent figure in Delta State politics and a key member of the PDP, is known for his strong advocacy for developmental projects and his stance on national unity.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo on Friday, opened his case challenging the victory of Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by tendering over 1000 documents used in the election, in support of his petition.
Ighodalo and th PDP in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 are contesting Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Okpebholo, winner of the election alleging that there were irregularities during the exercise.
Ighodalo claimed that he scored the highest valid votes and not Okpebholo and wondered why the INEC would declare him the winner.
When hearing resumes on Friday, the Lead counsel to the Petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, tendered from the bar Certified True Copy (CTC) of Form EC8E which is the INEC’s final declaration result sheet of the poll in support of the petitioners’ cases.
Kenneth Mozia, who conducted the presentations at the instance of Oyeyipo also tendered CTC of Form EC8D; the summary of results from Local Government Areas Collation at the State Level.
Other documents tenders were Certified True Copies of Form EC8Cs, covering the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, CTC of Forms EC8B (Wards Results Sheets) used for the conduct of the election in the 192 Wards in the state were also tendered by Mozia, all in support of the petitioner’s cases.
The petitioners further tendered in evidence 320 Certified True Copies of Form EC8A documents (polling Units results sheets),
While presenting before the court 318 CTCs of INEC’s Polling Units Booklets, each containing Form EC25D, Mozia, again, tendered in court 58 CTCs of Form EC8A (IREV).
Reacting, counsel to INEC, Governor Monday Okpebholo and APC (1st to 3rd respondents), Kanu Agabi, SAN, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, and D.C. Denwigwe, SAN, who held the brief of Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents
The respondent’s counsel told the court that they would be abducing reasons for their objections to the petitioners’ CTC documents at the final address stage of the petition.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi led the tribunal in response provisionally admitted all the documents tendered in evidence and marked the same as exhibits.
“Learned counsel to the respondents shall state their reasons for their objections at the address stage”, Justice Kpochi held.
Hearing on the petition continues tomorrow, Saturday, December 18, 2024 as the petitioners are expected to tender more documents in support of their petitions.
There was confusion at the entrance of the courtroom where the Edo state Governorship election petition Tribunal were sitting as youth leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC chased out private security men believed to have been contracted by the Governorship aspirant of the PDP in the just concluded Edo Governorship election.
The drama started at the corridor leading to the courtroom when the APC youth leaders and their supporters were prevented from gaining access, before they mobilized their supporters to chase the security men who were dressed in black away.
Speaking to newsmen, two of the APC youth leaders identified as Comrade Kelly and Tony Kabaka, said they have to chase them away as only the DSS and policemen were permitted to provide security at the court.
Meanwhile, former deputy governor of Edo state Comrade Philip Shaibu and Asue Ighodalo of the PDP were present inside the courtroom while the drama lasted.
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