All Progressive Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo has been declared winner of the Edo State Gubernatorial election. Okpebholo polled a total of 291,667 votes to defeat Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 247, 274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came distant third with 2,763 votes. More details soon
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has tasked INEC to live up to oath of office on Edo State Gubernatorial election. The forum made this appeal in a statement signed by Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Executive Governor, Bauchi State & Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum on Sunday. The statement read in part; “As the process runs its course, we wish to remind the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of the need to live up to the oath of office of the Commission’s principal officers and the expectations of the people, to serve as an impartial umpire committed to deepening our multi party democracy and the survival of our country. “As the country perches on the horns of grave economic and security challenges, it is our expectation that INEC and everyone involved in the Edo Governorship Elections will respect the sovereign wishes of the people of Edo State and spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a disputed result at this time. “This becomes more imperative, especially in the face of the threat to democracy by the total state capture inclination of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC government.” The PDPGF unequivocally reiterated its commitment to democratic best practices, and the peace and stability of a united Nigeria in which the citizens are not only spared the contrived ordeal of the moment but, more importantly, provided alternative opportunities to realise their legitimate dreams. “We look forward to the announcement of a result that truly represents the wishes of the Edo people as freely expressed through their votes yesterday.”
The All Progressives Congress has short in the lead in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State. Before the announcement of a break at the collation centre in Benin City, the Edo State capital, at about 2:10pm, APC was in the lead. It had won in 10 out of the 16 local government areas where the results had been announced. Edo State has 18 local government areas. The Peoples Democratic Party took the remaining six local government areas. The results from two local government areas were still being expected. The collation of result will resume at 5pm. Meanwhile, the accredited civil society organisations have expressed concerns on the transparency of the results collation process in the 2024 Edo Governorship election. The Group, in a joint-signed statement, opined that reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centres, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate result ls 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 after any proven violations. “In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and return 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 the 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 this impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election,” statement read. Results so far: Etsako West LG APC: 32,107 LP: 2,116 PDP: 17,483 Etsako Central LG APC: 11,906 LP: 381 PDP: 8,455 Etsako East LG APC: 20,167 LP: 604 PDP: 9,683 Owan West LG APC: 19,380 LP: 446 PDP: 14,189 Orhionmwon LG APC: 16,059 LP: 556 PDP: 14,614 Ovia South-West LG APC:10,150 LP: 849 PDP: 10,260 Esan North-East LG APC: 10,648 LP: 194 PDP: 12,522 Esan Central LG APC: 10,990 LP: 418 PDP: 8,618 Akoko Edo LG APC: 34,847 LP: 2,239 PDP: 15,865 Egor LG APC: 16,760 LP: 1,966 PDP: 14,658 Esan South-East LG APC: 8,398 LP: 98 PDP: 14,199
In the final hours to the Edo State Gubernatorial Election scheduled to be held tomorrow Saturday, September 21, 2024, certain political parties have desperately resorted to forgery, disinformation and blackmail by circulating a fake Magistrate court ruling purportedly disqualifying Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the election. The circulated ruling is fake, a fabrication and an act of pure desperation in the face of their imminent defeat at the polls. The Magistrate Court that purportedly issued the FAKE RULING has issued a disclaimer stating categorically that the FAKE RULING did not emanate from that court. The fake news meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate is a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electorate and must be thoroughly rejected by the good and discerning people of Edo State. This illegal and underhand tactic of the parties involved constitutes a despicable attack on our electoral democracy. We call on our law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice. “We urge voters in Edo State to remain vigilant and resolute in the exercise of their democratic rights at tomorrow’s polls. “We trust that the Edo people will reject this and other illegal devices by desperate candidates and their parties to subvert this important election. “Senator Monday Okpebholo is, and remains, the standard bearer of the APC in tomorrow’s Edo State Gubernatorial Election,” Felix Narka, the National Publicity Secretary of APC affirmed.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo State governorship elections to conduct themselves peacefully and sportingly. The election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024. The President, in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, implored the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will. He believes in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders. Tinubu emphasised that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience, and respect for the rules of the game. He notes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has committed to conducting a free and fair election and urges all stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful and peaceful process. The President commended the governorship candidates and political parties for their campaigns, which have focused on issues that matter most to the people of Edo State, including improving livelihoods, promoting economic growth, and contributing to national development. He urged all citizens in the state to remain peaceful and respectful throughout the voting process. He encourages them to resolve any disagreements amicably through the constituted authorities. In addition, the President expressed unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of security agencies and INEC officials. He urges them to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
President Joe Biden stirred controversy when he wore a red cap belonging to the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump ahead of the United States, US, Presidential election. Biden wore the Make America Great Again, MAGA, cap at an event to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. During a visit to firefighters in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, near where one of the four hijacked planes crashed, videos showed the president having a friendly chat with a Trump supporter before they swapped headgear. In the video, Biden offers a Trump supporter donning a campaign cap another hat with the presidential seal on it, saying he would autograph it. The man then asks Biden if he would sign it with his name on it. Responding jocularly, Biden said “I don’t remember my name, I’m slow.” After an exchange about his age, Biden hands the man the autographed cap and offers to trade it for the Trump hat, which he wore briefly, drawing cheers from the crowd. The action immediately drew comments from social media users, with Trump’s campaign thanking Biden for the “support”. But, a statement issued by the White House said Biden’s gesture was a way to underline the unity theme of the day. The deputy White House Press Secretary, Andrew Bates said: “As a gesture, he gave a hat to a Trump supporter who then said that in the same spirit, POTUS should put on his Trump cap.”
Former President Donald Trump announced that he will not participate in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of election day. Trump claimed victory in their recent debate, despite some polls indicating otherwise. Trump took to “Truth Social”, stating that after winning the debate, there was no need for a rematch. He said, “Polls clearly show that I won the debate against Comrade Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ Radical Left Candidate,” and noted that Harris had called for a second debate. He further argued that key issues like immigration and inflation were already thoroughly addressed in both his recent debate with Harris and in his previous June debate with President Biden. Trump criticized the Biden-Harris administration, claiming they had “destroyed” the country, particularly on matters of immigration and the economy. He accused them of allowing unchecked immigration and causing inflation that harmed the middle class. Trump also highlighted Harris’s absence from debates hosted by Fox, NBC, and CBS, stating, “KAMALA SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE DURING THE LAST ALMOST FOUR YEAR PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” Both Trump and Harris are the official candidates of their parties after accepting their nominations earlier this year. The first debate between Trump and President Biden took place in June, after which Biden exited the race and endorsed Harris. The recent debate between Trump and Harris was their first since she became the Democratic nominee in July. The US presidential elections will take place on November 5.
