News
Edo 2024 Guber: APC Cries Out Over Plots By PDP To Rig September 21 Poll
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
As the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election draws closer, the Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) has on Tuesday alleged that it had uncovered a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the election in favour of their candidate.
Prince Kassim Afegbua, director of media for the Edo APC campaign council made the allegations in a statement he made available to newsmen.
He alleged that the Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki was planning to use the Edo Security Network as a “gambit” to manipulate the election results.
Afegbua further alleged that APC had been inundated with calls from well meaning Edo electorates of PDP’s game plan to use threat, intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise Edo voters from exercising their right during the September 21 gubernatorial poll.
He however called on all relevant security agencies to show proactive measures in mitigating the plot by the ruling party in the state.
Below is the full statement reproduced hereunder:
PRESS STATEMENT
GOVERNOR OBASEKI PLOTTING TO RIG EDO ELECTION.
We, of the Edo State APC Campaign Council are hereby alerting the public, Edo electorates, and all others concerned, of the clandestine and surreptitious moves by the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to rig the forthcoming Edo Gubernatorial election using his illegal Edo Security Network as a gambit. We have been inundated with calls from well meaning Edo electorates of his game plan to use threat, intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise Edo electorates from exercising their right at the elections. We had decried before, the State Government’s activities apropos of arms procurement. Edo State government has been recruiting even more hands into their illegal Edo Security Network, with the sole motive of empowering them for the underhand assignment of rigging the election by intimidation.
We are aware that the State Government has now started producing Police Uniforms and Military Uniforms which the members of the Edo Security Network will be made to wear on the said day of the election, to disguise as real police officers and military personnel; to assist them in carrying out their pernicious assignment. Some citizens with moral rectitude, who were invited for a briefing at the Government House on Monday, raised concerns about this plot and turned down the job offer. The State Government is still arranging to procure more guns and other ammunition for them for the D-Day of the election. Before now, the Edo Security Network had started mounting illegal road-blocks and checkpoints across the state, posturing as Police and Military personnel: the APC campaigns in Akoko-Edo were attacked a couple of days back, and our supporters, acolytes and functionaries were also attacked at Ewohinmi area last week after our successful campaign outing.
By this statement, we are appealing to the Military Authority as well as the Nigeria Police, particularly to the Inspector General of Police to please come and rescue Edo State, immediately. We adjure these authorities to commission their men to carry out investigations concerning these serious allegations in order to act appropriately, and forestall the breakdown of law and order in Edo Stste. We have been besieged with serious complaints by our members, and other citizens of the need to be particularly overarching about the safety of theirs, and our lives and properties, in order for us all to successfully and peaceably exercise our franchise on the D-Day.
The fears are becoming disquieting hence our decision to alert the whole world of these sinister plots of Governor Godwin Obaseki. It is wrong, condemnable and abhorrent for a state government to be arming youths in the name of election. This is how the dreaded Boko Haram started, and has grown to become this juggernaut besetting Nigeria till date. We must avoid such a situation in Edo. It is incumbent on the security authorities to act with legerity, even if it comes to banning the Edo Security Network and also arresting those illegally in possession of firearms altogether. The needful need be done lest we allow a total breakdown of law and order in the state.
In the APC, we preach one man, one vote; in the exercise of the franchise of every eligible voter in the state.
We are concerned that the state governor is deeply desperate and will espouse cutthroat gambits to plunge the state into avoidable crises should the odds be against him. Under a democracy, the freedom to choose is not only a sacrosanct but indeed the least requirement for the exercise to bear that name. Let us leave the power with the people. Governor Obaseki must be called to order immediately. We are for a peaceful process of election and nobody, no matter how highly placed, or in whatever station will intimidate, repress, or withstand us.
We are fervently calling on all concerned, to ensure that the election is devoid of bloodletting and killing by any party, by not leaving any wiggle room for artifice. A stitch in time, saves nine. The IGP and Military Authorities should please act on this with alacrity, to arrest this grave concern.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.
The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.
Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.
Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.
The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.
The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.
The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.
A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.
The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”
He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”
“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”
The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.
Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.
However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.
Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.
In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.
The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.
Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.
He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.
Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs
Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election
Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News21 hours agoSANUSI: Count me out of any plot to dethrone him — Ganduje cries out
-
News21 hours agoHardship! If Your Hubby Still Gives You 3 Square Meals, Shelter In This Economy, He’s a Responsible Man – Aisha Lawal
-
News24 hours agoNLC Alleges Fraud in NNPC, Dangote Refinery Dispute
-
News11 hours agoHours to Edo guber polls, major opposition candidate crumbles structure for Ighodalo
-
News17 hours agoRuns babe saved from a money ritu$list inside Abuja hotel
-
News17 hours agoAbove Average Performance As NECO Releases 2024 June/July SSCE Results
-
News17 hours agoBBNaija 9: El-Rufai collected my number, school address but never called – Onyeka reveals
-
Economy24 hours agoSEE Naira To Dollar Exchange Rate In Black Market Today – 19th September 2024