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Edo: Obi finally speaks on Akpata’s defeat, says it’s a ‘state capture’
Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has described the results of the just concluded Edo State elections as a case of “state capture.”
Recall the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election, with Asue Ighodalo in second place and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party finishing third.
In a tweet on Monday afternoon, Obi criticized the electoral process, saying that the elections in Edo do not reflect a genuine democratic system.
He disclosed that politics should focus on serving the nation rather than merely seizing power.
Obi pointed out that the flawed leadership recruitment process in the country is leading to dire consequences, urging those in authority to rectify the situation rather than rely on it to maintain their positions.
He disclosed the significant investments made in the INEC’s IReV and BVAS systems, stressing that these tools must be properly utilized to combat electoral fraud.
Obi called on agencies and individuals undermining democracy to consider the long-term implications of their actions, warning that society will ultiultimately seek justice for the damage done.
He tweeted:
“What happened over the weekend in the name of election in Edo State does not in any way represent the democratic process we chose as a method of electing our political leadership.
“Instead, it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values.
“Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country.
“I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.
“As a country, we have invested significantly in IReV and BVAS, and they must be allowed to function and used properly in order to free our electoral process from the massive falsification that has plagued it and worsening.
“To the agencies and individuals being used to undermine our democracy simply because they hold positions of authority, please remember that your time in office is not eternal. The society that you are helping to destroy today will eventually take her revenge on you tomorrow.
“To the lecturers and others complicit in perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing in damaging the very foundation of our democracy.
“The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future.
“This kind of action has no place in a true democracy. That is why I have always maintained that today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone, regardless of their background.”
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, has granted music producer and former manager of gospel artist Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel Onyedikachi (also known as EeZeeTee), a N20 million bail in connection with a fresh $255,000 alleged forex transaction fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Aneke, in a brief ruling on Friday, set the bail condition, requiring one surety who must reside in Lagos and own property worth the bail sum.
The judge, who had previously released EeZeeTee to his lawyer, Ojukwu Chikaosolu, gave him 72 hours to meet the bail condition.
The EFCC had initially filed a 14-count charge against EeZeeTee for alleged fraudulent conversion but later amended the charge to seven counts, accusing him of engaging in foreign exchange transactions without a license.
Prosecuting counsel Bilikisu Buhari-Bala told the court that in June 2023, EeZeeTee, without authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), negotiated a foreign exchange transaction worth $52,895 with one Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.
This, she argued, violated Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.
EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case has been adjourned to June 20, 2025, for trial.
Several areas in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been thrown into darkness for days.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, confirmed this in three separate outage statements released on its X handle on Thursday and Friday.
The disco blamed the blackout on technical fault affecting the feeders serving the concerned locations.
“We regret to inform you that the ongoing power outage is due to a technical fault affecting the feeders serving these locations,” the AEDC stated in a notice on Friday.
Several areas and businesses affected include Jabi District, Lifecamp, Kado District, Aire Gas, Total Marble, and others along Kaduna Road.
Also, Idu, Citec Mbora, Karmo, EFAB Global Estate, Karmo, Woodfield Estate, Zulu Community and all its environs are experiencing outages.
Also, Sokale Garden, Dutse Makaranta, Dutse Bokuma, Ushafa, Pegi, Gigo, Defence College Estate, Kogo, Zuma, Veritas University, Jamb Headquarters, Law School, Bwari and environs are experiencing similar power outages.
Meanwhile, for Bwari and its environs, the disco said the epileptic power supply was particularly due to a technical fault in the 33 kV Bwari Feeder serving the areas.
“The ongoing power outage is due to a technical fault on the 33kV Bwari Feeder, which is affecting supply to these areas.
“The TCN technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible,” the Abuja disco disclosed.
Meanwhile, residents in the affected areas have continued to lament the impact of the outage.
“We have not had power supply for over a week now. The situation is really impacting households and businesses in Jabu. I now spend more money to buy fuel. The AEDC and TCN need to fix this situation,” he stated.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it closed the registration of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj on May 2 to enable it to concentrate on the airlift of pilgrims.
The commission said that any Hajj fare deposit received after May 2 would be duly refunded.
Hajia Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division, NAHCON, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Usara, an extension was earlier made possible through the intervention of NAHCON Chairman Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, despite closure of contract by March 25.
“Stoppage of further registration became necessary in order for the Commission to concentrate on airlifting pilgrims, with sufficient resources to ensure their comfort.
“Any Hajj fare deposit received after May 2 will be duly refunded.
“Meanwhile, movement to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj commences from May 9,” she said.
She said that the inaugural flight for this year’s Hajj was scheduled to take off from Owerri, with Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo as host.
The NAHCON spokesperson said that 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia and Bayelsa were scheduled to board the Air Peace airline for the trip.
“Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour.
“Already, the NAHCON advance team arrived in Owerri earlier on May 7 to monitor preparations for the inaugural flight,” she said.
She said that registration for the 2025 Hajj ended with a record of 40,671 pilgrims.
“Four flights are scheduled to take off simultaneously on May 9 for the pilgrimage.
“The flights are expected as follows: Max Air from Bauchi, two Flynas flights, one from Kebbi and the other from Osun through the Lagos departure centre.
“There is a fourth flight from Niger, totalling 2,528 pilgrims to arrive in Madina on the first day.
Further details will be shared as the activities unfold,” she said.
(NAN)
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