Politics

Despite petition, Edo REC won’t be removed, INEC tells PDP

Published

4 weeks ago

September 16, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

Despite petition, the Independent National Electoral Commission has snubbed the call by the Peoples Democratic Party to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Recall both Governor Godwin Obaseki and the national leadership of the PDP have called for the removal of Onuoha, citing his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

They expressed fears that the REC would manipulate the election in favor of the All Progressives Congress.

On Thursday, the Chairman of the Edo State PDP, Anthony Aziegbemhin, escalated the matter by submitting a formal protest letter to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.

In the letter, Aziegbemhin called for Onuoha’s immediate redeployment, citing concerns over his past role as Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing under Wike’s administration as Rivers State governor.

“The ties between these two are too close to ignore as they share familiarities and are also close associates. To be clear, the relationship between the two is outlined below:

“The said Edo REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. He also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing to Mr. Wike during his tenure as Rivers governor,” the letter partly read.

The controversy intensified after Wike, during a recent interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday, acknowledged the familial connection but emphasised that Onuoha is capable of carrying out his duties impartially, without influence from family or political affiliations.

Responding to these concerns, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, urged the PDP to focus on the process of the election and not on the REC.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be conducted on 21st September 2024 in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office.

“In the same manner, polling unit results will be declared by the respective Presiding Officers after the voting, ballot sorting and counting processes, in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders.

“The PO will also take a picture of the PU result in each polling unit with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, and upload same to the INEC Result Viewing portal. This process is not the same as electronic voting or electronic transmission and collation of results. The IReV is for transparency purposes. The Nigerian constitution does not yet recognise eletronic voting. Copies of the PU results will be given to accredited party agents.

“Thereafter, the various collation stages will be undertaken before the declaration of the final result at the State Collation Centre in Benin-City.

“The PDP should, therefore, focus on the process, not on the REC or other officials of the commission. The conduct of the election and result collation activity will take place in the open and accredited party agents will witness every step,” Oyekanmi explained.

He added that the commission would not give preference to any political party over the other.

“INEC does not rig elections. The current commission conducted two governorship elections in Edo State in 2016 and 2020 successfully and nobody accused us of rigging.

“We assure all the political parties, registered voters and other stakeholders that the commission will provide a level playing field and not give any advantage to one political party or candidate over the other,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council has urged stakeholders not to see the Edo State governorship election as war, noting that the exercise is meant to choose leaders who will promote good governance, accountability, and development.

The National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, made the call in a statement Sunday in Benin, Edo State, after a stakeholders’ meeting.

He also called on stakeholders in the off-cycle election to work together to create an environment conducive to credible elections.

He said, “To all stakeholders, let us remember, election is not war. It is simply an exercise in a democracy, where we choose leaders who will promote good governance, accountability, and development.

“As stakeholders, we must prioritise peace, equity, and justice. Let us work together to create an environment conducive to credible elections.

“I urge all stakeholders to adhere to the principles of democracy, respect the rights of others, and prioritise the interests of the Edo people and Nigeria in general,” he said.

Politics

Edo 2024: PDP, APM, ZLP, others files petition to challenge APC’s victory

Published

8 hours ago

October 15, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Peoples Movement (APM), All Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have filed petitions at the election petitions tribunal in Edo State to challenge the September 21 victory of the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Edo Chairman of PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, yesterday at a news conference in Benin, said the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, filed a petition at the tribunal, noting that the legal process to reclaim PDP allegedly-stolen mandate was on course.

Aziegbemi said: “APC did not have a chance of winning Edo governorship election. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not play by the rules, as it was compromised.

“We have filled our petition before the tribunal. I can assure you that the journey to reclaim our mandate has begun, and by the grace of God, your mandate will be returned.

“The allegation that PDP members disrupted the inspection of electoral materials at INEC’s Edo headquarters in Aduwawa, Benin is laughable. In whose interest is the disruption? We applied to the court for inspection, and the court granted us an enrolled order to inspect. Why would we want to disrupt the process?

“In spite of INEC’s feeble attempt to deny us our request for the Certified True Copies (CTC) of all the electoral materials, we were still able to do the needful.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter, has announced the formation of 24-member transition team to work with Governor Godwin Obaseki/Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) transition committee.

Edo Chairman of APC, Jarret Tenebe, made this known yesterday in a letter he addressed to Governor Obaseki.

He said: “I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter requesting the Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the APC to initiate the formation of a transition team to work with your side.

“We look forward to a smooth and effective collaboration with our 24-member committee, headed by Dr Pius Odubu as chairman, for meaningful discussions that will lead to a seamless transition process.”

APC transition committee comprises Dr. Odubu, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Pastor Osagie Ize-lyamu, Andrew Enwanta, Dr. Washington Osifo, Nosa Adams, Omosede Igbinedion, Paul Ohonbamu, Edo Omorogieva, Ernest Umakhihe, Taiwo Akerele and Godwin Eshieshie.

Others are Yakson Musa, Kazeem Afegbua, Ohio Ezomo, Gani Audu, Dr. Aminu Imafidon, Prof Oyaziwo Aluede, Prof. Eunice Omonzejie, Matthew Egbadon, Dr.Tony Ikpasaja, Felix Akhabue, Kingsley Ehigiamusor and Dr. Frank Omoh.

Politics

Ex-deputy gov heads Edo APC transition committee

Published

8 hours ago

October 15, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A former Edo State Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, will lead the All Progressives Congress transition committee team that will work with the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

This was contained in a letter by the acting chairman of the APC, Jarrett Tenebe, made available to journalists in Benin.

Others are Matthew Urhoghide, Osagie Ize-lyamu, Andrew ]Enwanta, Washington Osifo, Nosa Adams, Omosede Igbinedion, Paul Ohonbamu, Edo Omorogieva, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, Taiwo Akerele, Godwin Eshieshie, Yakson Musa

Also included on the list are Kazeem Afegbua, Ohio Omo-Ezomo, Gani Audu, Dr. Aminu Imafidon, Prof Oyaziwo Aluede, Prof. Eunice Omonzejie, Matthew Egbadon, Dr.Tony Ikpasaja, Felix Akhabue, Kingsley Ehigiamusor and Dr. Frank Omoh.

The letter dated October 14, 2024, read, “I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter requesting the Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressive Congress, to initiate the formation of a transition team to work with your side.

“We however look forward to a smooth and effective collaboration with our 24-member Committee, headed by Chief Pius Odubu as Chairman, for meaningful discussions that will lead to a seamless transition process.

“Attached herewith is the list Your commitment is highly appreciated.”

The Edo State Government had written to Okpebholo to initiate the formation of his transition team.

In a letter dated October 10, 2024, Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, said establishing the team would allow both parties to begin meaningful discussions and share vital information that would ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities and continuity of governance.

The letter read, “I hope this message finds you in great spirits. As we prepare for the transition of power, we believe it is crucial to establish a smooth and effective collaboration between your team and the current administration.

“To facilitate this process, we invite you and your party, the All Progressives Congress, to initiate the formation of your transition team at your earliest convenience.

“Establishing this team will allow us to begin meaningful discussions and share vital information that will ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities and continuity of governance.”

Politics

Again, Senator Manu embarks on installation of solar powered streetlights in Taraba Central (Photos/Video)

Published

2 days ago

October 13, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Barely three weeks after installation of solar power in three palaces across Taraba Central, Senator Manu Haruna has replicated same in Maihula located in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State by providing solar powered streetlights.

The installation took place same day Senator Manu Haruna concluded a three-day medical outreach for over 2,000 constituents in his senatorial district.

This initiative is part of Senator Haruna’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for his constituents. The solar streetlights are expected to improve security and provide better visibility for residents at night, contributing to the overall development of the community.

This project reflects Senator Haruna’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions and addressing the needs of the people in his senatorial district.