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PDP members protest result of Kwara LG poll

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PDP members protest result of Kwara LG poll

A man was reportedly beaten in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Sunday during a protest against the results of Saturday’s local government elections by members of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The man, identified as Ibrahim Suberu, who said that he is a civil servant in the state, was beaten mercilessly near the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission office, Fate Road, Ilorin, by the irate crowd who pulled him down from his motorcycle.

The PDP members, as early as 8 am on Sunday, started the protest against the results of the local government elections released in the early hours of Sunday by KWASIEC.

The KWASIEC Chairman, Mohammed Baba-Okanla, in a statement made available to the press on Sunday morning, said that APC won the chairmanship and councillorship elections in the 16 local government areas and 193 wards of the state, respectively.

During the protest, burnfire was made at strategic locations on Fate Road before they matched on to Zango/ Maraba Road to the General Post Office and Challenge areas of Ilorin Metropolis wielding placards with different inscriptions condemning the election results declared by KWASIEC.

Speaking with our correspondent, the victim said that he was coming out of a shopping mall, where he went to buy something for his children on his motorcycle when he ran into the mob.

“I was mercilessly beaten, and they were looking for used tyres and wanted to burn me, but I managed to run and escaped to the KWASIEC office, where the security men protected me.

“The mob attempted to chase me and forced themselves into the KWASIEC headquarters, but the security operatives locked the gate against them and prevented them from entering the premises,” Suberu further narrated.

Also, at a press conference addressed by the Offa Local Government PDP chairmanship and councillorship candidates, they kicked against the result, contending that the election did not take place in the ancient town.

Addressing reporters, the PDP chairmanship candidate, Salahudeen Lukman, said, “PDP candidates rejected the declaration of APC candidates as the winners of the election in an election that did not take place.

“It is inconceivable that KWSIEC, in broad daylight, would attempt to declare a winner in an election that was marred by irregularities, with no votes cast, counted or announced in Offa. Such brazen action undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law, which are the bedrock of our society.

“Should there be any breakdown of law and order in Offa as a result of this injustice, Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq must be held accountable. Adding to maintaining peace and ensuring the credibility of our democratic process, we demand the immediate rescheduling of the Offa local government election.”

 

However, the local government’s APC said the election actually took place.

The Special Adviser to Governor AbdulRazaq on Political Matters, an indigene of the town, Femi Agbaje-Whyte, said the election was conducted in the town, adding that those who were interested exercise their franchise right.

“Traditionally, Offa is an APC town. The party won all the elected seats in the 2019 and 2023 elections respectively. Therefore, the people will not be so docile and will vote for another party.

“Ab initio, the PDP did not want the election to hold; that was why it went to court seeking to stop the election,” Agbaje-Whyte added.

Corroborating him, the chairman-elect of Offa Local Government, Sulaiman Olatunji, said that the PDP was not prepared for the election.

He added that “the election was free, fair and transparent. PDP is lying, and it is trying to cover its lies.”

Earlier, the PDP members, during their protest in Ilorin, described the election results as fraud and condemned KWASIEC for being partial in the local government election processes.

Some of the placards read, ‘Kwara people say no to the continuation of bad governance led by APC, ‘LG Election results declared by KWASIEC is fake,’ ‘Govt, KWASIEC changed the results of the election in favour of APC,’ and ‘KWASIEC robbed PDP in Kwara LG Elections.”

Speaking with newsmen, a former state commissioner who led the protest, Saratu Adebayo, accused KWASIEC of forging the results of the Saturday local government elections.

Adebayo said, “PDP won the chairmanship election in the 16 local government areas of the state but was falsely awarded to APC by KWASIEC.

“KWASIEC, in collaboration with the state government and APC, changed and stole the votes of the people of Kwara State.

“Though the PDP is not happy with the process of the election, we are peace-loving people, KWASIEC should do the needful.”

Soldiers kill vandals, destroy 13 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

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Soldiers kill vandals, destroy 13 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, says its operatives have neutralised two armed vandals involved in illegal oil bunkering during a gun duel and recovered two AK-47 rifles while 18 suspects were arrested across various states in the Niger Delta region.

Also, the Army said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refining sites, seven boats, uncovered eight illegal connection points and impounded over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

The acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lit-Col. Jonah Danjuma disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Sunday.

Danjuma said the feat followed the Army’s consolidation on the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations, saying it had recorded enormous successes in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

The statement read, “In the latest feat recorded, troops neutralised two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats, discovered 8 illegal connection points and confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

“Following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalise the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“On getting to the scene, the criminal elements engaged troops in a firefight. In the gun duel that ensued, troops neutralised two of the criminals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, while others fled in disarray. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“At Bille in Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, two wooden boats and handled over 6,000 litres of stolen products. Likewise at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products, destroyed one oven and received each within the swampy area of Odagba village.”

The statement further noted, “In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 litres at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA.

“The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways. All the persons arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while products confiscated are handled appropriately in compliance with subsisting mandates in the region.”

The division’s General Officer Commanding, Maj-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the successes recorded, reassured all that the division would continue to sustain ongoing operations across the Niger Delta region.

PDP alleges results alteration, demands re-collation

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PDP alleges results alteration, demands re-collation

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the results of the state governorship election, so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In the results announced so far by the commission, the All Progressives Congress has won in 10 out of 18 local government areas of the state, while the PDP won in six local governments.

In a letter addressed to the office Chairman of the INEC in Abuja and made available to journalists in Benin on Sunday by the state chairman of the PDP, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the ruling party alleged that the votes announced so far had been inflated to favour the APC.

The letter titled, Re: Protest against manufactured vote entries and unjust inflation of APC votes and deduction of PDP votes in the collation of results of Edo State Governorship Election held on 21 September 2024.’

The chairman, in the letter, alleged that results from some units in three local governments – Akoko Edo, Egor and Estako West Local Government Areas, calling on the electoral commission to re-collate and recompute the results.

The letter read, “It has come to our attention that the Electoral Officers appointed by the INEC for the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election made entries that are totally different from the actual results as uploaded on the INEC IREV, thereby unjustly inflating votes in favour of the APC and deducting the votes of the PDP.

” In Akoko Edo LGA, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 25,010 votes while 34,847 votes were recorded in the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, the number of votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 18,620, but 15,865 were returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer.

“It would interest you that in Ward 9 Akoko Edo LGA, from the 36 Polling Unit results uploaded on the IREV, the total votes obtained by APC is 2,350 while 9104 was entered into the EC8B result for APC. The total number of votes for PDP is 1359, while 633 were entered in the EC8B. Also, in Ward 6 Akoko Edo LGA, where elections were not held in Ward 6 Units 12, 17, 15, 18, 14 and 16, results were returned for the said polling units in the Ward Result sheet (EC8B).”

It added, ” In Egor LGA, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 10,972 votes while 16,760 votes were recorded in the ECBC declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 14,485, but 14,658 were returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. It would interest you to note that the collation of the Egor LGA was not done at the designated LGA centre but was moved to the INEC state headquarters, and the PDP agent was not allowed to be part of the exercise.

“In Etsako West LGA, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 29,858 votes while 32,107 votes were recorded in the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 16,712, but 17,483 was returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. The above-highlighted irregularities are very apparent and extremely scandalous, as well as a brazen attempt to steal the mandate of the PDP and also a terrible embarrassment to the commission.”

The PDP asked the INEC to immediately re-collate and recompute the actual results for the various polling units in the ” above highlighted local government areas in compliance with the INEC guidelines and regulations, which mandates that votes from various units and wards be properly collated.”

Election observers express concern over transparency

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Election observers express concern over transparency

 

 

By Adeyinka Adedipe and Samuel Ese in Benin

Election observer groups have raised concerns about the transparency of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.

The election observer groups made their position known in a statement jointly signed by the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa on Sunday.

The statement read, “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organisations observing the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centres, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process.

“We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognising reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.”

It added, “In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.

“We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centres. We wish to emphasise that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”

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Obaseki loses LG to APC

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Obaseki loses LG to APC

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has lost his local government, Oredo Local Government Area, to the All Progressives Congress in the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to the result declared by the commission, the candidate of the APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, polled a total of 30,780 votes in the LG, while Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party secured 24,938 votes.

Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party polled 5389 votes.

Ighodalo of the PDP is Obaseki’s anointed candidate in the election.

More to come…

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Police nab man for destroying graves, stealing iron rods in Bauchi

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Police nab man for destroying graves, stealing iron rods in Bauchi

Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old man, Dauda Sa’idu who allegedly destroyed graves and extracted iron rods for sale.

In a press release issued by the Command’s spokesman, Superintendent of Police, Ahmed Wakili on Sunday, said, “On September 20, 2024, the Command arrested Dauda Sa’idu, who is resident in Yelwa for trespassing, vandalism and theft.

Wakili said, “The detainee unlawfully entered a Christian cemetery in the Yelwan Kagadama area of Bauchi, causing damage to several graves and removing iron rods during daylight hours.”

“Following interrogation, Dauda Saidu confessed to the offences, admitting to stealing multiple iron rods and selling them to scrap metal buyers in separate transactions, amounting to N9,500, N12,000, and N5,500, respectively.

“Dauda Saidu also disclosed that the proceeds were used to purchase an undisclosed quantity of Indian hemp and food items for personal consumption.

“CP Auwal Musa Muhammad has instructed that Dauda Saidu be prosecuted following the conclusion of the investigation.

“Additionally, he emphasised the importance of parental supervision and urged parents and guardians to be vigilant in monitoring their children and wards.”

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PDP supporters protest at INEC office

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PDP supporters protest at INEC office

As people of the Edo State are awaiting the final announcement of the results of the governorship election in the state, some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party staged a protest at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission against the results released so far.

With 16 out of 18 local government areas of the state released by INEC on Sunday, the All Progressives Congress won in 10 while PDP won in six local governments.

The protesters who gathered in front of the INEC office in Benin City were chanting various solidarity songs while some of them were holding leaves during the protest.

They alleged that the results announced so far had been tampered with, saying the results announced were different from what they had from the polling units.

One of the protesters, who simply identified himself as Frank, alleged that the results had been tampered with on the INEC portal.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and investigate the matter.

He said, ” What we are saying is that we will not allow anyone to tamper with the wish of the Edo people. People have voted for our candidate (Ighodalo), and some people want to use the power from above to turn the results upside down. We won’t accept it. No, we won’t.

“We have the authentic results with us, and the ones they announced are different. That means someone has tampered with the results. We will not take it.

“We are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in this matter. Some people should not burn our state. “

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Shaibu, Oshiomhole win LG for APC

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Shaibu, Oshiomhole win LG for APC

The reinstated Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu and former Governor, Adam Oshiomhole, have won the Estako West Local Government for the All Progressives Congress n the ongoing 2024 governorship election.

Etsako West Local Government which is home to both Shaibu and Oshiomhole saw APC’s governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, polling 32,107 to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party’s counterpart, Asue Ighodalo, who got 17,483.

Recall that Shaibu rejoined the APC in the buildup to the election after a long battle between him and his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who anointed Ighodalo ahead of him.

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Delta communities end hostilities, sign peace pact

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Delta communities end hostilities, sign peace pact

Leadership of the two neighbouring communities of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government and Bomadi LG of Delta State have resolved to end their ageless hostilities just as they signed a nine-point peace accord.

Also, a 10-man Monitoring Committee was set up to monitor the Peace Accord.

The peace meeting which was at the instance of the chairman, Bomadi Local Government council, Rawlings Andaye in collaboration with his Ughelli South counterpart, Lucky Iroro Avweromie, took place on Saturday at the Government House Annex, Warri.

In attendance at the historic event which ended in Okuama and Okoloba communities resolving to “live in peace and harmony” were the leadership of both communities, royal fathers and security agents from both Local Government Areas.

In a nutshell, the Peace accord read: “Immediate Ceasefire: Both communities agree to an immediate ceasefire and an end to all hostilities.

“Denouncement of Violence: Both communities denounce the recent military operations and the looting and destruction of property in the Okuama community.

“Reconciliation: Both communities agree to work towards reconciliation and forgiveness

“Access to Farmlands and Farming Activities: Both communities agree to grant free access to farmlands and farming activities within our respective boundaries, recognizing the importance of agriculture to our livelihood.”

Also, the peace accord deal, added that both communities appealed to the government to strengthen the joint patrols along the Forcados River bank to ensure safety and security.

“Free Passage along the Forcados River: Both communities agree to allow free passage of boats and passengers along the Forcados River bank bordering both communities.

“Release of Properties: Both communities appeal to the chairmen of both local governments to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged theft of belongings by neighbouring communities during and after the operations of the military at Okuama community. We further appeal to both chairmen for commitment towards identifying and recovering the stolen items, ensuring that justice is served and affected individuals are duly compensated.

“Dispute Resolution: Both communities agree to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.

“Community Engagement: Both communities agree to engage in community outreach programmes to promote peace and understanding,” the pact added.

Speaking while declaring open the peace parley, Andaye, who presided noted that it was convened at the instance of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori who, according to him, mandated him to “iron out all aching issues between the two communities”.

“The main purpose of this meeting is that we have no other option than to live in peace. The Okoloba and Okuama crisis is not from God, it is of the devil and no price is too big to pay for peace to reign between these two communities”, the Bomadi Council chairman stated.

He spoke further, “You people have lived together peacefully in the days of old and you can do same today. Let that old relationship between Okuama and Okoloba be sustained.
“Our governor, Sheriff Oborevwori is aware of this meeting and he is expecting us to report back to him after the meeting. If we don’t agree to live in peace now, we are planting hatred and persistent conflicts for our future generations.

“The ultimate goal of this meeting is to ensure lasting peace between Okuama and Okoloba communities, and we want both communities to go back to your age-long relationship of peaceful co-existence”.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, Ughelli South LG, Avweromie, stated that “sustainable peace could only be achieved if both communities forgave one another’s offences and mistakes”.

Avweromie said: “No other person can settle this issue but the people of Okuama and Okoloba communities. We have to speak as brothers and sisters, lasting peace can only be achieved if you forgive one another.

“Let us maintain our old relationship where we farm and fish together because we want free access to the river, we want free trade in the river and it is a must Okuama and Okoloba lived peacefully”.

In his contribution, the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom, His Majesty, Clement Oghenekevwe Ikolo, emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence between the two communities, stressing that “an atmosphere of crisis often hatched out negative effects on an area and the people”.

“Crisis destroys the very fabrics of our communities. Crisis breeds fear, sorrow, economic hardship and deaths. When we live in peace, we develop our domains and there is no need for us to be fighting one another”, the Ewu monarch stated.

He appealed to both community representatives to “go back home and talk to your people on the need for peaceful coexistence”.

“We must refresh our minds and have the spirit of forgiveness so we can stand together as a people”, he emphasised.

Also speaking, the Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, Pere Kalanama VIII, commended the two Local Government Council Chairmen on the peace deal.

According to him, “both Okoloba and Okuama have been living together for over three hundred years and I want to appeal that it’s enough of the fight. The land dispute should be amicably settled”.

“I want to urge the state government to step in to demarcate the boundaries between the two communities for lasting peace to reign”, he said.

Also, the Ovie of Arhavwarien Kingdom, Solomon Okukeren, preached peace and unity to both communities urging them to stop the spread of hate speech.

“Okuama and Okoloba communities were one people. I want both communities to embrace peace and harmony”, the Ovie said.

In their responses, the leadership of both communities pledged their willingness to live as brothers and thanked the initiators of the peace move.

The secretary-general of Ewu Kingdom, Amb. Edewor Egedegbe, who led the Okuama community representatives, commended Governor Oborevwori and the two Local Government chairmen for initiating the peace move.

While pledging Okuama community’s readiness to live peacefully with its neighbouring Okoloba community, Egedegbe lauded Governor Oborevwori “for ensuring that there is sustainable peace between us”.

“I also commend the efforts of the council chairmen and traditional rulers on this peace building process”, he said assuring that “the people of Okuama are eternally committed to peace between both communities”.

“We also use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government to follow due process in the approach on issues as innocent Okuama indigenes are suffering, and as we are speaking we don’t know the whereabouts of our frontline community leaders”, Egedegbe further stated.

In another response, Dr David Akpobolokemi, leader of the Okoloba community delegation stated that the community fully subscribe to the peace accord which he described as “a fundamental move”.

“We subscribed to it in its entirety and Okoloba community is committed to ensuring sustainable peace between us. We will do everything humanly possible to live together in peace and move forward”, he assured while thanking Governor Oborevwori and the two council chairmen for the tireless efforts made towards achieving sustainable peace between the two communities

Protest as APC, PDP differ on results

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Protest as APC, PDP differ on results

The People’s Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress have taken different sides on the results of the recent Local Government elections held in Kwara State on Saturday.

Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, Mohammed Baba-Okanla, in a statement made available to the press on Sunday morning said that APC won the championship and councillorship elections in the 16 LG councils and 193 wards of the state, respectively.

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While the PDP members staged a protest at KWASIEC’s office in the Fate area of Ilorin, the state capital, on Sunday, the APC commended the people of the state for their support during the elections.

The PDP members carried placards with different inscriptions, condemning the KWASIEC for being partial in the elections.

Some of the placards read: “Kwara people say no to the continuation of bad governance led by the APC,” “LG election results declared by KWASIEC is fake,” among others.

Speaking with newsmen, a former Commissioner in the state who led the protest, Saratu Adebayo, accused the state electoral commission of forging the results, saying, “The PDP won the chairmanship election in the 16 local government areas of the state but was falsely awarded to the APC by KWASIEC.

“KWASIEC, in collaboration with the state government and the APC, changed and stole the votes of the people of Kwara State.

“Though the PDP is not happy with the process of the election, we are peace-loving people. The KWASIEC should do the needful.”

She appealed to the commission’s chairman to declare the true results of the election cast by the people and announce the PDP candidates as the winners of the elections.

However, the APC, in a statement signed by its chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, read, “The official results from across polling units in the 16 local government areas showed impressive performance by the party in the chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 16 local council areas.

“We thank the people of Kwara State for their show of support and the confidence reposed in our party. We commend them for coming out to vote for the APC in spite of the intimidation by the opposition elements.

“We commend the electoral body, KWSIEC, for the good showing, the impartiality of its officials, and its prompt and professional responses to the late arrival of materials and procedural hitches in a few areas. Also, we commend the people of Kwara State for their peaceful conduct throughout.”

The state PDP chairman condemned “the futile attempts of the opposition PDP to disrupt the election in some parts, especially in Offa where miscreants made fruitless efforts to undermine the process. A popular party had no reason to disrupt the process of the election. But that was what the PDP tried to do after its initial plan to stop the election through the courts failed woefully. We thank the electorate for resisting their antics and voting for our party.

“So far, so good, our party is poised to emerge victorious in a superlative way in this election. It is all too clear, from Central to South and North. We commend Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his leadership, his peaceful disposition, and his clear democratic credentials that have all played out in this election.”

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