The Edo State Government held Local Government Council elections for the state’s 18 Local Government Areas on Saturday, despite protests from the opposition — the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) — about insufficient election materials in most places.

The election, on the other hand, was free of violence, with voters conducting themselves quietly in most sections of the state.

In most parts of Edo North, such as Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, election materials came early in most polling units, and voting began as early as 8 a.m. in some regions, and the process went off without a hitch.
The opposition APC and the LP, however, condemned the procedure, with the LP marching to the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where the party complained about a lack of election materials.

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Daniel-Ero Onaghise, the LP chairperson candidate for Oredo local government, has appealed for the election to be cancelled.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, who voted in his polling unit at Emokpae Primary School, commended the procedure and stated that the PDP would win the polls, emphasising that the “PDP is fully mobilised in most of the state.”

Obaseki, who spoke after voting, expressed his joy with the turnout.

“Despite the weather, the turnout was really amazing. There was a significant turnout, indicating interest in the local government election. This suggests that the political parties did a good job of sensitising and mobilising the electorates and people.

“The process has been smooth and peaceful, as many people are still waiting to see the end and conclusion of voting.” I am really impressed with what has occurred, as the organisation by EDSIEC has gone fairly smoothly. You have so many people remaining here at virtually the end of the poll, indicating that we had a decent turnout.

“I’ve been getting updates from all over the state, and this appears to be the general trend.” I have not yet received any reports of violence, and I hope everything goes peacefully.”

On complaints that materials did not arrive on time in some places, the governor stated, “I believe that voting time will be extended and allow more people to vote, I am sure that EDSIEC will extend the time for voting, I am sure voting time will be extended instead of allowing voting to end at 2.30pm.” I am confident that they would extend and allow residents and voters to utilise their franchise.”

This came shortly after he praised the state elections commission for its work.

“I think EDSIEC has done well; I expect popular candidates to win, but don’t forget that the PDP went all out to campaign for this election; I don’t know how much the other parties mobilised, but I know the PDP mobilised fully in most of the state.”

“I expect some opposition here and there, but I know the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went all out to mobilise for this election, and I’m not aware of any other political parties,” Obaseki noted.

“I want to express my displeasure on this exercise,” remarked LP Chairmanship candidate while LP supporters protested. We had a number of stakeholder meetings; at one time, they stated BIVAs and card readers would be utilised, but as the election approached, they dropped that; they said there would be restrictions on movement, but two days before the election, the governor said that there would be no restrictions on movement.

“At that point, we began to have reservations, but EDSIEC assured us that everything would be fine.” Today, items took more than six hours to arrive, and no EDSIEC personnel were spotted. I am the LP candidate for Oredo, but as I speak to you, I am unable to vote since there are no materials; people have been waiting since 7 a.m.

“I discredit the process and call for its cancellation; it is so painful that I have not been able to vote for myself.” He demanded.

On his side, the APC State Chairman, Col David Imuse (RTd), said over the phone from Ekpoma, “This election is a charade, they brought insufficient ballot papers but no single result sheets.”

“How can you hold an election when there is no result sheet?” It is happening right in the entire Edo Central senatorial district, I am phoning from Ekpoma, the same thing is happening in Esan North East, Esan West, everywhere here, no result sheets, and I don’t see how an election can take place without result sheets.” He wept.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed legal action against President Bola Tinubu for “the unlawful ban and withdrawal of the accreditations of 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”

About 25 journalists who had been covering events in the Presidential Villa in Abuja have recently had their credentials withdrawn by the Federal Government.
The impacted journalists apparently got instructions to turn in their accreditation tags at the Presidential Villa’s main entrance.

In the lawsuit filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos under the case number FHC/L/CS/1766/23, SERAP is asking for “an order to direct and compel President Tinubu to reverse the revocation of the accreditations and ban on 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”

The lawsuit Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Ms. Valentina Adegoke filed on behalf of SERAP stated, in part: “The ban on the journalists from covering the Presidential Villa fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information — in its individual and collective aspects — in a democratic society.”

“A free, independent, vibrant, pluralistic, and diverse media must exist for a democratic society to function properly.”

“To forbid these reporters and media organisations from covering the Presidential Villa is to forbid them from fulfilling their legitimate constitutional duty.”

“The removal of these journalists’ accreditation tags immediately infringes on media freedom and other human rights, such as the right of access to information and the ability to participate. It could result in self-censorship and have a substantial chilling effect on news gathering and reporting activities.

“The withdrawal of the journalists’ credentials would put barriers in the way of Nigerians’ constitutionally guaranteed access to specific information about the workings of their government.”

The journalists from the Vanguard newspaper, Galaxy TV, Ben TV, MITV, ITV Abuja, PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty are reportedly among those who have been blacklisted. The majority of the reporters and cameramen from broadcast, print, and internet media publications are among the additional media professionals impacted by the withdrawal.

“The press, radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people,” according to section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“The participation of the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution,” states Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution.

The court hearing for the lawsuit has not yet been scheduled.

State House, Abuja – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commanded the recall of all career and non-career ambassadors serving in various countries.

The decision was announced by Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, only 24 hours after the president recalled Sarafa Isola, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK). Tuggar’s adviser on media and communications strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, stated on Saturday, September 2nd, that the recall of Isola on Friday, September 1st, was applicable to all ambassadors.

In a letter dated August 31, the minister stated that Tinubu had recalled Isola and urged him to return to Nigeria by October 31 at the latest, after taking formal leave from his host nation.

Tuggar praised the outgoing High Commissioner for his service and wished him luck in his future ambitions on Tinubu’s behalf. “In response to inquiries regarding the letter recalling the Nigerian ambassador to the United Kingdom, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has clarified that all career and non-career ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement reads. “Ambassadors serve as ambassadors of the government at the President’s request, and it is his power to send or recall them from any country.” There was no hint of when their potential successors would take office.