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Edo 2024: APC, PDP, LP trade tackles as parties mobilise heavy cash for vote-buying

Published

4 months ago

September 15, 2024

It’s going to be cash for votes in Edo guber polls as major parties in the state mobilise cash to induce voters on Saturday.

It was gathered that the parties had started amassing “war chests” in a desperate bid to compromise voters.

A highly credible source said the Edo poll could set a new record for vote-buying in the history of elections in the country.

“A vote could go as high as between N15,000 and N20,000. There are plans by agents of some of the parties to mop up voter cards. How they intend to use the cards is what nobody knows. This is why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission are being deployed for the election,” the source added.

Another source confirmed plans by the parties for what he called “heavy vote-buying”.

“I can confirm to you that the parties are ready to do whatever it takes to win this election and that includes paying as high as N20,000 for a vote.

“Unfortunately, doling out of gift items during campaigns has become entrenched in our political system with voters themselves mortgaging their votes for a ‘pot of pottage’. The voters are all partners in crime and what they fail to understand is that collecting gift items and cash from candidates and political parties makes them vulnerable.

“They will not have the moral justification to question the government if it fails in its responsibility to provide developmental projects in the state. After all, they (the electorate) have been paid upfront.

“Unless the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies work together to ensure that citizens are discouraged from selling their votes, this might be an election where the buying of votes becomes an all-time high,” the source added.

Another source urged INEC and security agencies to monitor the activities of parties and their agents on election day.

He said, “I have spoken to some members of two of the leading parties and they said that they are preparing to bring out cash to induce voters. So INEC and security agencies should be ready to combat this.”

is why they have not campaigned on issues but have instead relied on federal might.

“In contrast, the PDP is ready for this election and any future elections because we have done our homework and the people are with us. We also have the most credible candidate, and the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has achieved a lot, which will swing votes to the PDP.

“The APC has demonstrated a significant propensity for violence and has even recruited some members of the Nigeria Police Force into their scheme. We also know they are planning to engage in heavy vote buying, which will be resisted.”

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, also said the APC had shown signs it was not committed to a free, fair, and credible election.

He said, “Since it became evident that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is heading towards decisive victory, the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, have become desperate, resorting to violence and intimidation to undermine the will of Edo State voters. Reports indicate that the APC has set up a torture squad to abduct innocent Edo residents and take them to undisclosed locations.

This use of violence and intimidation reveals that the APC and its ineffective candidate are intimidated by Dr Asue Ighodalo’s growing popularity in Edo State.”

Ologunagba also claimed that the APC was importing thugs from Imo State to assist in an election manipulation scheme.

He noted that residents were prepared to use every lawful means to confront and resist attempts to disrupt the governorship election.

But the APC dismissed the allegations, insisting that Governor Obaseki was plotting to rig the September 21 governorship election.

The National Publicity Director of the party, Bala Ibrahim, said, “The PDP has made a name in rigging. But because their rigging mechanism has been uncovered and defeated, everything about them falls around rigging. Now that they can not unleash their rigging tactics, they have refused to sign the Peace Accord.

“They have seen that the people are ready to protect their votes and won’t allow rigging; this is why they are making noise all over the place about arrest, rigging, vote-buying and others. This is even a sign that the PDP has lost grip and the real meaning and intent of democracy.”

Ibrahim denied that the APC had plans to buy votes, adding that the party lacked the means.

Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae, said his party had no reason to engage in vote-buying.

He said, “We are not in the business of buying votes and we don’t have any reason to do such. We are not paying for votes. Buying of votes is an electoral offence and we cannot be seen to be committing an offence when we are planning to win the election.

“The only party that will buy votes is the one that feels it has not been accepted and this is a wrong step to be taken by any political party that means well for the Edo people.

“We are a decent party, we have done so well in our campaign and the people have shown that we are accepted and are ready to demonstrate that on election day.”

The Labour Party Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, distanced his party from vote-buying, saying only the APC and PDP were known for such.

He said, “The APC and the PDP are the ones involved in vote-buying if what you heard is correct. That has been their practice, they also rig elections and are involved in other electoral malpractices. We are urging INEC and the security agencies to watch officials of these political parties closely, especially during the election.

“For the LP, we are not vote buyers and the people are with us. However, we are scared about this age-long practice they have been known for, that they have used to cripple this country and used to bastardise the electoral system.”

The Deputy Director General, Media, Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Olu Martin, said parties that did not have popular candidates engaged in the practice.

He said, “I can’t speak for other parties but it is not unusual in a democracy to see people trying to induce voters, especially for parties who don’t have popular candidates.

“For us in the PDP, our fellowship is organic, our candidate is known, our manifesto is clear, we have endeared ourselves to the people. We even have people who are donating to us and ready to mobilise people to go out and vote. They are even ready to give us money to run the campaign. If you buy votes, you now become like a social contractor hoping to recoup what you have spent. It is the people that will suffer.”

EFCC, INEC warn parties

The spokesman for EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said vote buying is an economic crime and the commission would not tolerate it.

“We will not allow any kind of criminality in any form,” he stated.

“The same spirit and focus that we have been using to fight all other crimes, will be deployed be the commission to fight criminality including vote-buying.”

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the electoral body had asked security agencies to go after vote buyers.

“Therefore, it will be a big mistake for any political party to think that its members can engage in vote-buying on election day because law enforcement agents will move against them. I would strongly advise anyone thinking of doing it to have a rethink. Apart from the fact that vote-buying is an electoral offence, it will also go against the spirit and letter of the Peace Accord that the political parties and their candidates signed only on Thursday here in Benin City,” he added.

Obaseki raises the alarm

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor Obaseki, has alleged that INEC is working in cahoots with the APC to postpone the governorship poll on the eve of the election.

A statement on Friday said the governor spoke while addressing members and leaders of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

Obaseki, who had earlier refused to sign the peace agreement, noted that the country’s democracy was at risk.

He said, “They plan to postpone the election on the eve of the election to destabilise us. But whenever they postpone the election, we will win the election. It will be a long fight but we know it’s a struggle.”

“APC has not offered us an alternative. They have not campaigned on any meaningful thing we can hold them onto. They don’t have any credible candidate but all they boast of is federal might. They say they will write the results and we can go to court. We will not go to court because they can’t write the results. If they write the results, they will meet the consequences.”

News

NBS to include commercial s3x, other illegal activities in GDP calculation

Published

30 minutes ago

January 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

To unveil rebased GDP, Consumer Price Index this month
•Proposes 2019 as new GDP base year
•Proposes 2024 as base year for inflation computation

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday said that illegal and hidden activities like prostitution and drugs peddling will now be included in the calculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

Meanwhile, NBS has proposed 2019 as a new GDP base year and 2024 as new base year for inflation computation.

NBS disclosed this at a sensitization workshop on GDP and Consumer Price Index, CPI Rebasing organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

According to the bureau, 2019 was proposed as the new GDP base year because economic activities were relatively stable during the year, compared to subsequent years disrupted by the impact of COVID and policy shifts..

The bureau added that the rebased GDP is expected to capture new segments such as the digital economy, activities of pension fund administrators, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF), activities of modular refineries, domestic households as employers of labour and coverage of illegal and hidden activities.

Elaborating on the inclusion of illegal and hidden activities in the classification of economic activities for computation of the GDP, Head of National Accounts, NBS, Dr. Baba Madu, said: “Illegal activities will be in line with the national best practices, that is System of National Accounts, SNA 2008.

“If you are into, for instance, drugs, there are some countries, it is this drug that is driving their economy. It is illegal here because there is no legal backing. Also prostitution, they also earn income. Some even live bigger than those in the formal sector. The SNA does not say no to these, it is we. But the challenge is the legal backing and how do we get the data.

“And then, of course, the hidden economy. If I ask you, how much do you earn in a month, you will lower your income. Or if somebody is selling provision in a store, and before you know it he started selling India hemp. Those are the things we are seeing. There are challenges all over the world. But the beauty is that they are less than 3.0 to 3.5% of the GDP.”

Highlighting the importance of the GDP and CPI rebasing exercise, Statistician General, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said: “The rebasing is a vital exercise that ensures our economic indicators are current and accurate reflections of the economic realities on the ground. As economies evolve, new industries emerge, and consumption patterns shift, it becomes imperative to update our statistical measures to capture these changes. Rebasing our GDP and CPI allows us to align with these transformations, providing a more precise and relevant picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape. This process is foundational to informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance; hence, it is one exercise that NBS is conducting with significant importance and professionalism.

Highlighting the benefits of GDP rebasing, Chief Executive Officer, NESG, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, in his welcome address, said: “Accurate data enhances credibility. Our debt-to-GDP ratio, a critical indicator of fiscal health, dropped from 19% to 11% after the 2014 rebasing.

“This improved Nigeria’s creditworthiness, making us a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Investors are drawn to transparency and growth potential, and rebasing sends a clear message: we understand our economy, and we are open for business.

“Second, rebasing sharpens policymaking. It provides a detailed map of our economic terrain, enabling governments to identify high-growth sectors for scaling and low-growth sectors that require targeted interventions to drive impactful and balanced development. For example, after Ghana’s 2010 rebasing—which resulted in a 60% GDP increase—its policymakers could better plan for infrastructure and social investments, fueling sustained growth.”

Vanguard

News

Man walking from Ibadan to Abuja to Meet Tinubu Stranded, Begs for Help

Published

1 hour ago

January 11, 2025

Naijablitznews

A young man known as Mr. Nigeria101, who embarked on an ambitious mission to trek from Ibadan to Abuja since December 1, 2024, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance after becoming stranded.

His journey, which he described as a demonstration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at delivering a letter he claims represents the collective voices and concerns of Nigerian youths. Despite reportedly covering over 600 kilometers, his efforts have gone largely unnoticed by both the government and the public.

In a series of emotional videos shared on his TikTok account, Mr. Nigeria101 detailed his struggles and called on Nigerians for help. The videos, which have since garnered significant attention, reveal the extent of his frustration and exhaustion.

Speaking directly to the camera, he said:

“Nigerians, please come to my aid. I need your support. Have mercy on me. I have been on this trekking mission since December 1st last year from Ibadan to Abuja to meet Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to read out this message to him that Nigerians are suffering.

Nobody wants to attend to me; nobody wants to pay attention to me. I have trekked to the extent that my spirit has almost left my body.”

The young man’s plight has drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding his determination while others question the effectiveness of such actions in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

Mr. Nigeria101’s journey has taken a more desperate turn as he vows to continue his trek to Abuja, even if it means wandering indefinitely or sacrificing his life. He has expressed his intention to protest until President Tinubu acknowledges his efforts and the message he carries on behalf of struggling Nigerians.

The contents of the letter, according to him, highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, amid the prevailing economic hardships in the country.

Observers note that his actions reflect the growing frustration among young Nigerians, who often feel unheard and overlooked by those in power. Whether his efforts will result in an audience with the President remains uncertain, but his story has sparked conversations about the lengths citizens are willing to go to make their voices heard.A determined young man known as Mr. Nigeria101, who embarked on an ambitious mission to trek from Ibadan to Abuja since December 1, 2024, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance after becoming stranded.

His journey, which he describes as a demonstration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at delivering a letter he claims represents the collective voices and concerns of Nigerian youths. Despite reportedly covering over 600 kilometers, his efforts have gone largely unnoticed by both the government and the public.

Speaking directly to the camera, he said:

Nobody wants to attend to me; nobody wants to pay attention to me. I have trekked to the extent that my spirit has almost left my body.”

The young man’s plight has drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding his determination while others question the effectiveness of such actions in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

The contents of the letter, according to him, highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, amid the prevailing economic hardships in the country.

News

MEET Ibrahim Mahama’s footballer son who is set to join a club in Germany

Published

1 hour ago

January 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Amer Mahama, the son of business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, is an emerging talent reportedly set for a move to Europe after impressing in Ghana’s lower-tier league.
Amer is an attacking midfielder who plays for the lower-tier side Nice Ibrahim Sporting Club, based in Tema.

Known for his technical abilities, Amer is an exciting prospect with immense potential to become a top player.

Speaking to MO TV on YouTube, he confirmed drawing interest from an unnamed German club and stated he is set to join at the end of the current campaign.

“Hopefully, by the end of this campaign, I will go to Germany. Hopefully, I can make a name for myself,” he said.

The youngster also expressed his desire to represent Ghana, but indicated that his progress will determine.

“It depends on my progress. Yeah, maybe (I’ll play for Ghana).”

Amer Mahama’s strengths include his passing and vision, combined with his dribbling skills and ability to create chances.