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‘Edo people have spoken,’ Reps congratulate Okpebholo, Idahosa

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‘Edo people have spoken,’ Reps congratulate Okpebholo, Idahosa

The House of Representatives has congratulated Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, on his victory in the Saturday governorship election.

The House also congratulated the deputy gov-elect, Dennis Idahosa, a lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services in the 10th Assembly.

Okpebholo and Idahosa of the All Progressives Congress were declared winners by the Independent National Electoral Commission after polling a total of 291,667 votes to beat the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata who garnered 247,274 and 22,763 votes respectively to finish in second and third places.

The congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued by the spokesman for the House, Akin Rotimi, on Monday.

Rotimi quoted the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, as describing the election as a reflection of the choice made by voters in Edo State.

“Edo people have spoken with their votes, reflecting their desire for positive change and progress. The Speaker lauds the election of the deputy governor-elect, Mr Idahosa, a sitting member of the House,” he said, noting that this victory highlights the increasing role of parliamentarians in shaping governance and politics across Nigeria.

Abbas urged Okpebholo and Idahosa to work together to serve the common good of the people of Edo State, urging the duo to “remain good ambassadors of the National Assembly.”

He also urged them to use their new positions to champion policies that would benefit the people and foster development in the oil-rich State.

“As the newly elected leaders prepare to assume office, the House calls for magnanimity in victory. Speaker Abbas urged Senator Okpebholo and Mr Idahosa to extend a hand of fellowship to their opponents, fostering unity and peace in Edo State.

“He also urged the people of Edo to remain calm and respect the democratic outcome, which reflects the collective decision of the majority.

“The House of Representatives remains committed to promoting democracy and good governance and looks forward to the positive contributions of Senator Okpebholo and Mr Idahosa in their new roles,” the statement added.

Kwara gov swears in 16 LG Chairmen

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Kwara gov swears in 16 LG Chairmen

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Monday, swore in the newly elected chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the 16 local government areas of the state, urging them to “be prudent with power and work with the people” in the interest of all.

The new chairmen emerged from the local government elections conducted by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission on Saturday.

Speaking shortly after the oath of office at the Government House in Ilorin, the governor congratulated the new council chiefs, their families, party leaders, community stakeholders, and everyone who played various roles in their emergence.

“Set realistic goals for yourself. Be conscious of your legacies. Be fair to everyone and yourself. Attend to the needs of the people, and be open to positive engagements across the board.

“Our country is in a transitional phase as our economy undergoes reforms. This has brought some inconveniences for the people. Please be sensitive to the realities of the time. Don’t indulge yourselves while the people struggle to meet basic needs.

“As local government areas and the first layer of government, be creative, explore areas of cooperation, and complement one another for bigger accomplishments.
Importantly, please prove to the people that you truly deserve to occupy this esteemed office. I wish you all the best, ladies and gentlemen,” he said.

The party chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, commended the people of the state for their support and the governor for his statesmanship and commitment to the public good.

“This is a great moment. We have just cemented the foundation laid for the good of Kwara. We are thankful to the Kwarans for their support. The agenda is to develop Kwara and take the state to the next level,” Fagbemi said.

The chairman of the Ilorin South Local Government council, Majeed Podo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, stated that they would work hard for the good of the people in their respective local government areas.

He couldn’t win his LG, I feel vindicated, Shaibu mocks Obaseki

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He couldn’t win his LG, I feel vindicated, Shaibu mocks Obaseki

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has mocked the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, over the result of the just concluded governorship election in the state.

Shaibu said he felt vindicated after Obaseki lost his local government area for the Peoples Democratic Party, noting that he holds no grudge against the outgoing governor.

Shaibu stated this while reacting to the outcome of the 2024 governorship during a chat with Arise TV on Monday.

The deputy governor noted that Obaseki had never won an election, noting that he has been helping achieve the victories he had recorded so far.

He stated that the All Progressives Congress’s victory vindicated him against those who claimed he couldn’t win the election.

“I feel vindicated; even the governor couldn’t win his local government. I won my unit, ward, and local government. Where are the governor’s results? He has never won; we always assisted him,” he stated.

He also urged Obaseki to apologise to the people of the state.

He said, “What is left now is for him to go back and start begging and apologizing to the people of Edo State and he has a lot of them that he needs to go and apologize to.”

On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo as the new governor of the state.

The governorship position was keenly contended by Okpebholo, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party.

The APC candidate secured 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Akpata of the LP finished a distant third with 22,763 votes.

Meanwhile, Obaseki lost his local government, Oredo Local Government Area, to the APC.

I weep for Nigeria’s democracy, Fintiri laments

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I weep for Nigeria’s democracy, Fintiri laments

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has raised serious concerns over the conduct of Saturday’s Edo election, describing it as a blatant attack on Nigeria’s democracy.

Fintiri condemned the alleged irregularities, “including vote buying, voter intimidation, and the manipulation of election results,” which he claimed “undermined the integrity of the electoral process” in a post on his X platform on Sunday.

The governor also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of violating democratic norms, citing incidents where APC officials, including the party’s national chairman, flew into Edo on election day despite movement restrictions.

On September 22, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, victorious in the recently concluded Edo State governorship election.

Okpebholo triumphed over his main challengers, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, announced Okpebholo as the winner at the collation centre in Benin City, the state capital, on Sunday.

The APC candidate secured 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Akpata of the LP finished a distant third with 22,763 votes.

Reacting to the outcome of the election, Finitiri further criticised the INEC for reportedly favouring the APC, warning that the country’s democracy was at risk if such practices continued unchecked.

The statement read, “I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The @OfficialAPCNg’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue. I merely shared results from INEC’s Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas.

“What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their Governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters. This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming @inecnigeria for compromising and favouring APC.

“The reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermine trust in our democracy. Democracy indeed is under attack. We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better.”

Court dismisses suit seeking Ganduje’s sack as APC national chairman

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Court dismisses suit seeking Ganduje’s sack as APC national chairman

Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, dismissed the suit seeking the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, as the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress.

In his judgment, he agreed with the preliminary objection of the 2nd defendant, who prayed the court to strike out the suit on the grounds that the claimant does not have the required locus standi to institute the suit.

The judge also agreed with the preliminary objection of the 3rd defendant, who argued that the name the claimant had sued in the ‘Northern Central APC forum’ is not a registered body.

Ekwo, in his judgment, held that based on the contentions of the 3rd defendant, “the onus rests on the claimant to present a certificate of registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission.

However, Justice Ekwo held that the APC group lacks the juristic personality to institute the suit having not been registered in law and therefore has no legal power and capacity to file the suit.

The justice also said that the plaintiff failed to explore the internal mechanism of the political party for peaceful resolution of issues on the subject matter before approaching the court.

Additionally, he held that there was no cause of action against the defendants since the plaintiff has no power under any known law to institute any case in any Nigerian court, while he added that the appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affair of the party, which no court can dabble into.

He hence proceeded to dismiss the suit.

He said, “I hereby dismiss this suit for lack of juristic personality of the claimant.

“The claimant has no locus standi to institute the suit and I make an order striking out the suit for lack of locus standi.

“The subject matter is an internal affair of the political party, I hereby strike out the suit for lack of locus standi.”

The North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, who is the plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, is challenging the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the APC National Chairman when he is not from the North Central geopolitical zone.

The plaintiff had sued Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the court, praying for nullification of Ganduje’s appointment by the APC on the ground of gross violations of the party’s Constitution.

The plaintiff, in the suit, contended that the APC National Executive Committee breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geopolitical zone to replace Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geopolitical zone.

They further argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 31.5(1) of the APC Constitution and ultra vires the powers of the NEC of the party.

The plaintiff, therefore, approached the court to, among others, bar Ganduje from further parading himself as the APC National Chairman.

The plaintiff also asked the court to issue an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023.

The Forum of All Progressives Congress State Chairmen passed a vote of confidence on Ganduje.

The delegation of 37 state APC chairmen gave the endorsement during a solidarity visit to the secretariat of the party in Abuja.

Edo gov election results another rape on democracy- Ondo PDP

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Edo gov election results another rape on democracy- Ondo PDP

Hours after the governorship election in Edo State was concluded, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State rejected the outcome of the poll.

As announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday, the All Progressives Congress won the poll with a total of 291,667 votes while the ruling PDP scored 247,274 votes and the Labour Party polled 22,763 votes.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Organisation, Ayo Fadaka, described the development as another rape of democracy in Nigeria.

The PDP said the election result was a total disregard for the electoral desires of the people as validly expressed through the ballot.

The statement read, “The Edo State Governorship Election results represent another rape on democracy in Nigeria and for the umpteenth time, we declare that this is absolutely condemnable, as it betrays a total disregard for the electoral desires of the people as validly expressed through the ballot.

“Nigerians are not fooled by the officially declared result by INEC, they know that PDP won that election and this is a shame on those who sit atop our affairs. It is disappointing that INEC could disregard the electoral law by shifting the collation of votes in the designated local government collation centres to its headquarters in Benin, this is expressly against the electoral law.

“In Ondo State, we have taken due cognisance of these dastardly acts committed by agencies saddled with the responsibilities to provide level playing grounds, and sadly failed to live up to expectations, it is a shameful act that lowers the status and respect due to Nigeria in the committee of nations.”

It noted that the PDP in Ondo had prepared to ensure that rules were followed in the November 16 governorship election.

“We need to underscore that we will not acquiesce or take kindly to any act geared towards compromising votes in our election. We state emphatically for all to see and hear that Ondo is not Edo, our attitude, understanding and patience differ, we will vote and protect our vote here. We are resolved to give everything to ensure that the electoral desires of our people will command attention and attain the desired goals.

“As they say, politics is local, in Ondo State, the people are already protesting against the hardship imposed on them by the APC government, they are protesting against hunger, lack and want, Ondo State people are protesting against the high inflationary trend that has denied them not only the future but even the present!

“In Ondo State, we are already protesting against a Party, the APC and a government that has institutionalised hardship, penury and poverty and our protest day is the 16th of November, we thus sound a note of warning to those whose trade is the compromise of ballot that danger looms if they seek to tamper with our votes,” the statement read.

Why I killed 18-year-old female church member

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Why I killed 18-year-old female church member

A 23-year-old philosophy student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ayomide Adeleye, has revealed the chilling details behind the murder of an 18-year-old female church member, Christiana Idowu.

According to a Vanguard report on Sunday, Adeleye, now in custody at the Lagos State Police Command Tactical Unit in Ikeja, admitted to killing Idowu due to financial difficulties.

“I killed her because I had financial problems,” he stated, describing how he lured the victim to his home under the pretence of repairing her phone.

The incident occurred when Idowu, an Industrial Training student at Yaba College of Technology, visited Adeleye’s residence.

“She came to our house around 5pm on the day of the incident and asked me to repair her phone,” Adeleye recounted.

He then detailed the horrific moment of the murder, stating, “I just grabbed her, applied pressure. She started struggling. She didn’t really shout because I already suppressed her. I then squeezed her throat, and she gave up.”

Following the murder, Adeleye embarked on a macabre plan to dispose of the body and extort money from the victim’s mother.

He described digging a shallow grave behind his compound and burying Idowu’s body in the early hours of the morning.

“By 4 am the following day, I woke up, I continued digging. Honestly, I did not close my eyes till daybreak,” he said.

In a cruel twist, Adeleye then contacted Idowu’s mother, demanding ransom.

“The first thing I said to her was, ‘Hello, madam. we have your daughter,’” he said.

Through manipulation and threats, he managed to extort N360,000 from the grieving mother.

Narrating the circumstances after demating three million from the mother, Adeleye said, “I know for a fact that she didn’t have three million. Even if she did not have that amount, I was ready to collect any amount because I desperately needed money no matter the amount.

“After going back and forth with her, she said she was able to get N350, 000.00 and I gave her a sporty bet account to pay the money in order to avoid being traced.”

He added that he later requested for an extra N10,000, which the mother had said was all she had left.

Adeleye’s capture came through tracing his SportyBet account, where he had uploaded his National Identification Number.

“If I had not uploaded my NIN, it would just be an empty account,” he explained, revealing how his attempt to cover his tracks ultimately led to his arrest.

“But the moment I uploaded my NIN, all my personal details, my location, my address, my name, everything, was already on the sporty bet. The girl’s phone was also with me, they could have traced the location of the phone, that was how they got my location,” he added.

Expressing remorse for his actions, Adeleye stated, “I regret that I killed her because my mum and her mum were friends.”

He added, “I don’t deserve any mercy for what I have done. At the same time, I ask God to forgive me. What I did was totally wrong and I regret it.

“I feel remorseful for what I have done. If there’s any way I could be given a second chance, I want to be given one but I deserve death, honestly. I have been planning to kill myself. While I was in the guard room, I tried to look for any sharp object to cut myself so that I would bleed to death.”

Hippopotamus kills 60-year-old guard in Kebbi

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Hippopotamus kills 60-year-old guard in Kebbi

A hippopotamus killed a 60-year-old fisherman, Malam Usman Maigadi, on Sunday at Yauri River, Kebbi State.

Maigadi, who worked as a guard at the Emir of Yauri’s Orchard Farm, was fishing when the animal attacked, likely in defense of its young, reports Daily Post.

The Chairman of Yauri Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibu, confirmed Maigadi’s burial.

He stated, “Maigadi has been buried according to Islamic rites in Yauri, after a funeral prayer.”

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Governor Nasir Idris extended condolences to the Yauri Emirate and Maigadi’s family.

“I want the emirate and members of the deceased family to take heart and accept the will of the Almighty in good faith.

“I pray to Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, animal attacks, though rare, can occur when humans inadvertently come into close contact with wildlife.

These incidents often happen when animals feel threatened or perceive a danger to their young or territory.

In February 2024, the veterinary technologist in charge of the Zoological Garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Mr Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a lion on the campus.

In 2020, lions attacked and killed a South African conservationist, West Mathewson, 69, without warning.

I’m starting from where Oshiomhole stopped, says Okpebholo

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I’m starting from where Oshiomhole stopped, says Okpebholo

The Governor-elect of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has promised to bring the South-South state to an enviable height when he assumes office.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday, declared Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the winner of the keenly contested election.

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who secured 247,274 and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, who came a distant third with 22,761 votes.

Addressing reporters on Sunday evening after he was declared winner of last Saturday’s governorship election, Okpebholo appreciated the people of the state for choosing the right person to govern them for the next four years.

He also vowed to continue from where the former governor Adams Oshiomhole stopped and would replicate what Senate President Godswill Akpabio did in Akwa Ibom State.

Okpebholo said, “I am very happy, and I thank the Edo people for choosing the right person to do the job. Look, the new Edo is rising. I am here to develop Edo. I want to transform Edo the way it should be.

“I want to tell you that I am starting from where Adams Oshiomhole stopped. I also want to let you also know that I would like to imitate what Akpabio has done in Akwa Ibom State. Edo has received a new transformation. By the grace of God, Edo is back again.”

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Lagos residents bet to make hoax calls to emergency services – LASEMA sources

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Lagos residents bet to make hoax calls to emergency services – LASEMA sources

There have been growing concerns about a significant rise in false calls to emergency services by residents in Lagos State.

According to Metro however learnt that some residents are making hoax calls because of bets placed among themselves.

Sources in the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday disclosed that some individuals often edged a bet to confirm if they would respond or not.

The development was said to have seriously disrupted the operations of the agencies.

One of the sources who craved anonymity as he was not permitted to speak on the matter said the cases of betting were discovered during findings made by the agencies to determine the factors associated with hoax calls.

“We have experienced an increase in false calls made to our offices and it was on this note that we discovered that some of the calls were made for different reasons, but the most surprising of them were cases of individuals making false calls after betting between themselves on whether we would respond or not.”

Another source who claimed to have experienced this alongside his team of emergency responders said it occurred three times.

“I have experienced this three times and we met the culprits during one of the encounters. When we got there the very day, we called them and they picked up. They later came out and told us that they had bet within themselves and they thought whether we would come or not. We could not do anything because the environment was very volatile,” he explained.

In April 2023, a Lagos magistrates court in Ikeja convicted a teenager, Uzuokwu Solomon, for making a false emergency call to the fire service.

The spokesperson for LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor, could not be reached as calls made to his phone were not responded to. A text message sent to him had yet to be responded to.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the LSFRS, Amodu Shakiru, said hoax calls recorded as a result of betting could not be ruled out.

He said, “With the advent of sports betting, it cannot be ruled out because the false call is not abating even after we made examples of false callers being prosecuted. We feel it ought to have reduced but appears to be on a steady rise, so we cannot rule out the possibility of making false calls on game betting.”

He added that the hoax callers were not always available at the address where the incident was said to have occurred.

He said, “You don’t even get to see them, you can’t even identify them when you get to the spot. The few ones we have been able to apprehend among those making hoax calls, we had to work with the police before apprehending them. For example, when you get to the location, it is either an address found but no cases of fire incident or an untraceable address. And in such an instance, if you call back the caller, it is either they are not picking up their calls or the line is switched off.

“We are making efforts to correct them and that is to enforce laws. It is also a criminal law by the Criminal Code of the country. When the Lagos State Government promulgated the law in 2012, it was all about how we enforce this because some of the calls are from third parties and because we don’t want to deter them from calling for help on behalf of someone else.

“So, by the time we start to prosecute everybody, it will also affect them and they may be discouraged to continue doing that for those in need of help in emergency cases,” he added.

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