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KDI Gives Updates On Edo 2024 Governorship Elections Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI),Bukola Idowu, KDI has raised concerns about the widespread occurrence of vote buying that characterised Edo state governorship elections held recently in the state. She stressed that,this was observed across all three senatorial districts, with inducements ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦10,000 in cash and material incentives, undermining the credibility of the election. Bukola Idowu made the observations at the post-election statement seeks to  further update the pubic and key stakeholders on KDI’s key findings and observations regarding the election day processes. She said ," The 2024 Edo governorship election showcased a wide range of electoral experiences, with some aspects being commendable, others raising concerns, and a few being out right alarming. "On the positive side, we commend the relative peace that characterised the election...

Edo 2024: PRP Candidate Laments Vote Buying  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The governorship candidate of People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the just concluded September 21st Edo gubernatorial election, Patience Ndidi Ofure Key has said the election, which should have been a moment of hope, and a step forward for the people of Edo, was tragically marred by manipulation, vote-buying, and outright rigging. She made the statements when addressing Journalists in Benin city, said the people of Edo State have been so deeply impoverished by decades of mismanagement that many now believe selling their votes is a solution to their immediate hunger. The PRP candidate added that, the consequences of vote buying and Selling Let us be clear: Vote buying and selling is not just a crime-it is a deliberate act of self-sabotage. She said ,“The APC, known for its notorious electoral manipulations, once again showed its expertise in rigging elections while the PDP, whose candidate, the cur...

FESTUS ALENKHE: A UNIQUE JOURNALIST OF HIGH REPUTE The path to  excellence in crime reportage is often  fraught with unforeseen peril, yet Festus Alenkhe has undauntedly  confronted the hazards of the profession  with dogged resolve, his determination unshaken by the lurking shadows of the criminal underworld. His unflinching courage and unyielding perseverance have seen him through the most harrowing of circumstances, as he has fearlessly delved into the heart of criminal operations, unearthing the truth and presenting it to the world with unparalleled lucidity and depth.  As the esteemed Manager News in Edo Broadcasting Service and the revered Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe has carved a legacy as one of the most formidable and respected crime reporters of our time. Fearlessly navigating the treacherous terrain of the criminal underworld, Alenkhe has confronted danger with a steadfast resolve that has...

Edo SWAN Gets New Exco, As New Chairman Extols Everyone For The Success Of  The inauguration Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  A new Executive has been inaugurated for Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).  Those inaugurated were Kehinde Osagiede (Chairman), Moses Idahosa (Secretary) Adeleke Ayoola (Asst. Secretary) and Igunma Nosakhare (Treasurer).  The State chapter of SWAN has remained without Exco members for over five years, following a leadership crisis that rocked the chapter. The South/South Zonal President of SWAN, Mr. Ikemefuna Asika, who administered the oath of office on the new Exco members, urged members in the state to work as a team for the progress of SWAN.  "No one knows it all, please see them as your leaders and give them every support as you can. The most important thing is to take swan to the next level," he added.  Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chairman of the caretaker committee that midwifed the ...

PDP Accuses  INEC, Security Agencies For Rigging Poll For APC Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  has accused INEC and various security agencies for rigging  elections for the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the state. The party also described the just concluded governorship election, held Saturday , September 21st, 2024 in Edo state, as charade poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and frowned at the outcome of the results announced by the Commission. Expressing his grievance, the Deputy Director-General, Media and Publicity, of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Olu Martins, made the statements while speaking Journalists , in Benin City. Rev. Martins, said the INEC made the election a must win for the All Progressives Congress (APC) following its actions and inactions. He accused the electoral umpire and the security agencies most especially the Nigerian Police Fo...

      ASUU Vows To Embark On Strike, Issues 14-Day Ultimatum To FG  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet its pending demands as contained in the agreements between both parties or risk facing a fresh strike action. ASUU, in a statement on Wednesday by its president, Professor Emmanuel Osodoke, accused the federal government of not showing commitment to executing the agreements with the union, some of which date as far back as 2009. It urged the government to pay the withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action and stop exhibiting delay tactics. The University academic union is also seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021. ASUU, in its statement on Wednesday, said if its demands are not satisfactorily met in two weeks time, its members will embark on ...

 Lawyer Calls On EFCC To Investigate Bayelsa’s N45bn Secretariat Contract Scan By Editor  A Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the Bayelsa State government’s N45 billion new Secretariat complex. Adeyanju also condemned the Bayelsa State government’s decision to award the contract, describing it as “outrageous” and “extravagant” considering the current economic hardship, which residents of the state and other Nigerians were facing. Adeyanju made this in a statement and  called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the contract award, citing concerns over transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. He said ,“I condemn the Bayelsa State Government’s outrageous decision to award a N45 billion contract for a new Secretariat complex. This extravagant expenditure is unacceptable, especially considering the state’s financial constraints an...

Nigeria’s Children Of Sweet Power by Suyi Ayodele Nigeria’s children Now that the President is back The streets are empty Betsy Oshiomhole Serving their Bandit-land Lest China seize our President Ifa’s message for our ‘Protest’ that ‘restructured’ Nigeria Dangote Refinery Blind man and his yam Isabel dos Santos is the first daughter of Angola’s longest-serving president, José Eduardo dos Santos, who died on July 8, 2022. The late Angolan president ruled the country for 38 years (1997-2017 ). Isabel grew up in the presidential palace. She became influential in government circles. That transformed her to become rich, not just rich, but wealthy. At a time, Forbes recorded her as the richest woman in Africa. She leveraged on her father’s presidency to corner good business deals. She sat atop Boards of the nation’s biggest companies from telecommunications to oil, prospecting for precious stones and other thriving enterprises. But now, the ‘Daddy’s Girl’ is in trouble. Forb...

Oba Ewuare ll Enjoins The Public To Embark On Fasting, Prayer Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo , Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin has called on all sons and daughters in Benin , indigene and non indigenes and those in diaspora to embark on a two weeks fasting and prayers. The fasting and prayers will start from September 26th and end on October 9th 2024 between 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening daily This was contained in a palace public announcement issued on the authority of the Oba signed by Chief Stanley Obamwonyi , Esere of Benin kingdom and made available to journalists in Benin The Omo N’ Oba also enjoined the general public to use the occasion of the two weeks fasting and prayers to appreciate God Almighty for the peaceful conduct of the 2024 governorship election and also for warding off all forms of evil out of the land In addition and in line with the age-lonh tradition that before the commencement of the consumpti...

Edo Poll: DIG Mba Arrests Six Suspects, Recovered Arms Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Frank Mba, has asserted that six suspects were arrested during last Saturday’s Edo State gubernatorial election. He made the statements, while giving situation report on last Saturday’s governorship election in Benin city, Edo state.  Mba  added that four weapons of different mix, life ammunition, 58 Voter’s cards and some stolen BiVAS machine were recovered.  “We have a total of six arrests. That’s a summary. We expect this number to shoot up in the course of investigations, because we expect that there will be accomplices. " I mean there will be people who aided, who abetted, who procured, who facilitated who sponsored these suspects who were arrested. “For now we have a total number of six suspects in our custody, but we expect that this number will likely go up as we begin to expand and deepen our investigations. “We also recover...

Okpebholo Assures Oba Ewuare ll His Regime Would Respect Traditional Institution Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has assured Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, UKU Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin that elected government is tenure-bound, but the Benin throne, nestled in eternity remains. Akpabio made the statements when he led victory-bound Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo and Progressives Congress leaders in solidarity visit to Oba Palace, Benin City, while referencing attempts by some state actors to stultify the sacred traditional stool. According to Akpabio, declared that whoever does not recognize that power is transient, can never be a good leader to his people. He said,“Tonight is not time for speeches. It’s a night for us to come back from the war front to report ourselves to you that we’ve won”, according to Akpabio who said, “Government come and go, but your Kingdom remains forever “So, whatever does not recog...

Edo NIPR Chair Salutes Governor-Elect, Monday Okpebholo ...Urges Him To Lead An Inclusive Government  The Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo on his recent and well-deserved victory as Governor-elect of Edo State, Nigeria. In an official statement signed by the State Chairman, Dr. James-Wisdom Abhulimen, and was made available to the media by the State Publicity Committee Chairman Mr. Paul Okojie.  The State Chairman of NIPR encouraged Senator Okpebholo to be gracious in victory by embracing all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation, as he prepares to take on the responsibilities of his new office. He also urged the Governor-elect to lead an inclusive government that welcomes diverse opinions and perspectives. According to the NIPR Gaffer, fostering unity and inclusivity will be vital in building a prosperous and united Edo State. In addition, the...

Edo 2024: CTA Suggests Security Authorities Should Hold Party Officials Accountable For  Vote-Buying  ... Laments How Their Observers Were Harassed By Some Police Personnel Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Centre For Transparency Advocacy (CTA), has warned political parties, as matter of urgency should at all times mobilize voters instead of waiting to buy votes on election day, this the body said could also reduce voter apathy, as witnessed in these elections. Addressing Journalists in Benin city,  in a press conference, the Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, after their findings and observations in the field, strongly condemned vote buying and selling. She buttressed that,  INEC, security agencies, Nigerians, and other interested parties must devise strategies to deal with this unpleasant occurrence.  Nwadishi equally suggested that, it is imperative for political parties to acknowledge that incentivizing vote buying is illegal, that secur...

Edo Guber:  NCSSR Laments Of Fake News, Vote Trading  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), on the 2024, Edo state governorship election, has asserted that, situation room Observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel. Addressing Journalists in Benin city, on behalf of its members in a press conference, the Co-Convener of NCSSR, Mimidoo Achakpa, lamented the widespread of fake news. Achakpa, said the spread of fake news which has contributed to confusion among voters and heightened tension at several polling locations. He posited," Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel. " The price of votes ranged from 5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PUO8 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East L...

Edo 2024: KDI Decries Vote Buying, Late Arrival Of Materials  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  A non-governmental organisation, NGO, Kimpact Development Initiative, Election Data Room, has decried and expressed disappointment of vote buying and late arrival of materials of the September 21, Edo state governorship election. The NGO made the statements in a press conference in Benin city,  about their aims to inform the public and key stakeholders about the key findings and observations of KDI regarding the election day. Speaking to the media, NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzor - Election Day Data Room and Faculty member, said KDI is a civil society organization implementing the Nigeria Election Violence Education and Resolution Project in the 2024 Edo state off-cycle governorship elections with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).  He said,"The Data Room noted the relative adequacy in policing structure and professionali...

EDO 2024: NNPP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE CAST HIS VOTE By Austen Akhagbeme  Dr Azemhe Azena, the Governorship candidate of the NNPP in the ongoing September 21st election in Edo state, casted his vote in his polling Unit 3, Ward 10, Okpekpe in Etsako-East LG. The Candidate who was at the polling Unit at exactly 10am did his accreditation and voting at 10:20am amidst peaceful conduct of both voters and electoral officials. The voting exercise which commenced about an hour before then, witnessed a great turn out of voters and the presence of security officials to maintain law and order. Speaking to news men afterwards, Dr Azemhe Azena was grateful for the peaceful atmosphere and hope it will continue throughout the exercise. He however, added that from what he saw at his polling Unit and reports reaching him from across the senatorial zones, vote buying was the order of the day.  " In my own unit, the sum of Fourteen thousand Naira and Ten thousand Naira were being offe...

 Edo 2024: Dr. Enabulele Calls For Peaceful Governorship Elections  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  As Edo people go to the polls today, Saturday, September 21, 2024, to elect their next Governor, a one-time Governorship candidate at the April 2007 Edo State Governorship election, and the Immediate Past President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has counselled on the need for peaceful Governorship election in Edo State. Dr. Enabulele stated this in a broadcast message to the people of Edo State, and made available to the press, in Benin city. While noting the significance of elections in the determination of individuals to lead the people, Dr. Osahon Enabulele called on all players, including the political parties to work to ensure a peaceful and violence-free elections.  " Underscoring the need for politics without bitterness and violence, Dr Enabulele particularly charged the political parties and their agents to do nothing to prom...

Edo NUJ Situation Room Opens For The Public  For Vital Information  ...And Distress Calls By Editor  Edo state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has opened "JOURNALISTS MONITORING SITUATION ROOM in the press centre in Benin city,Edo state. This is in  view of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election holding on Saturday September 21,  2024 in different parts of Edo State. A statement signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,  Edo state council,  Comrade Festus Alenkhe called on Journalists and members of the general public to hook up on the union's Facebook page (EDO NUJ) and other channels that will be used during the election. The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Dr. Chris Isiguzo MFR will preside over the situation room activities.   The union also released some mobile phone numbers to call for update and other necessary information.  The  numbers to call are...

A Visionary Leader For A Stronger Union Fellow journalists and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, it's time to elect a leader who embodies excellence, integrity, and dedication. Dr. Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde is the ideal candidate for Deputy National President. With her wealth of experience and achievements in the journalism industry, Dr. Oyetunde has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive positive change. Her leadership skills, garnered from years of service, make her the perfect fit for this role. Electing Dr. Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde as Deputy National President will usher in a fresh wave of progressive leadership.  It's A New Era for NUJ!

Edo Guber: CSO Tasks Voters To Use Its App To Report Violence Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin   Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Big Family 360 Foundation has called on Edo people to use its Computer Application known as the SMARTRR App to report cases of violence during the polling in the Edo State governorship election holding on Saturday, 21 September. The body also assured them that, any concern raised through the app will be taken up promptly and addressed with the appropriate authorities, added that, the SMARTRR has a unique feature that makes the person reporting anonimous, so there’s no fear of reprisal from perpetrators. The Executive Director of the Foundation, Dirug Samuel made the call in Benin on Thursday, 19 September while demonstrating the workings of the computer application to members of CSOs and journalists in Benin City. Speaking during the demonstration of the App, which was organised in collaboration with “Rally for Peaceful Election”, Samuel poi...

Edo 2024: CTA Opens Situation Room To Gather information  ...Urges All Political Parties To  play By The Rules Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA),  has opened situation room ahead of the Edo state 2024 Gubernatorial Election and Pre-Election statement.  Addressing Journalists in Benin city, Edo state, the Executive Director, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, said they appreciate the deployment of 35,000 police officials by the Nigeria Police Force. She also urged the Police authorities to ensure an even distribution of the deployed  men and officials across the urban and rural areas of Edo state.   Nwadishi, said,"The Official Opening of the Situation Room of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) for The Edo State 2024 Gubernatorial Election and Pre-Election Statement. "The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), a Nigerian based registered, Non-Governmental, non-partisan ...