News
Confusion in Edo as INEC postpones collation of results
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
There is confusion in Edo State over alleged attempts to tinker with the result of the governorship election held on Saturday, September 21.
Sundry media reports said that there has been a stunnorn resistance of the planned attempt to relocate the collation centres contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Sprcifically, a report by TheNiche stated that after immense pressure from Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Delta State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori and other stakeholders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), decided to postpone the collation of results of the governorship election to 10 am on Sunday, September 22.
In a statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, announced the development in the early hours of this morning following increased pressure from the PDP for the umpire to stick to the provisions of the electoral law, against an earlier decision to jettison collation procedures.
“This is to inform the general public, political stakeholders and observers that the collation of results for the ongoing Edo State Governorship election will resume today (Sunday) 22nd September, 2024 at 10.00am,” the REC said.
PDP supporters had stormed the State INEC office after the umpire had stopped collation in several local governments in Edo South and moved the exercise to the state party secretariat over supposed security concerns.
Governor Obaseki, his Delta counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori and other concerned stakeholders raised the alarm over the jettisoning of the collation procedures, as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP, Osarodion Ogie Esq., noted that collation was halted in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and moved to the State INEC office with party agents restricted from accessing the collation exercise.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in the wee hours of today, Sunday, September 22, 2024, arrived at the head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State.
The INEC head office in Benin, Edo capital, is the main collation centre for the ongoing governorship election.
Accompanied by his security aides, the governor walked into the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha. for a meeting which did not last more than 30 minutes.
Members of the All Progressives Congress led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Governor Obaseki from the INEC premises about 3.30am.
Idahosa, who was shouting on top of his voice from outside the gate, demanded alongside others for the exit of the governor as he stated that he had no business being there.
He said, “Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC staff member. Nigeria Police should not compromise.”
The protesters at interval tried to gain entrance into the premises of INEC, but they were prevented from entering even when they repeatedly banged on the gate.
At some point during the drama, the DIG in charge of the election, Frank Mba, came into the premises with his team and headed to where Obaseki was sitting.
Late Saturday night tensions were rising in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election as the INEC acknowledged a second complaint regarding discrepancies in polling unit results.
In a statement posted on its official X account late Saturday night, INEC assured the public of swift action, vowing to investigate allegations of incorrect figures being entered into result sheets. [With TheNiche report]
News
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence in Kogi was reportedy invaded by gunmen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, leaving damaged windows but no injuries.
The incident happened at her hometown residence in Obeiba-Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources familiar with the event said the attackers arrived around 1:00 a.m. Armed with cutlasses and guns, they damaged parts of the building, smashing windows and causing panic in the area. At least three men were involved in the attack.
Senator Natasha’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, quickly informed the appropriate security agencies.
In response, officers from the Okehi Police Division rushed to the scene.
Although nobody was hurt and no suspects have been arrested yet, security officials recorded the extent of the damage and launched a preliminary investigation.
The reason behind the attack is still unknown, and as of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not released any official statement. She represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is known as a vocal figure in Nigerian politics.
According to Zagazola Makama, police are still trying to figure out what motivated the attackers and are working to find those responsible.
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