Bribery case: SERAP orders INEC to enforce judgement against Governors 

The Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has handed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu seven days to enforce judgement on bribery case against State Governors.  SERAP gave this deadline on its social media platforms on Sunday.  “We’ve given Professor Yakubu, INEC chair 7 days to enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies, and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, or face contempt charge.” The deadline is believed to have began today (Sunday). 

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Tinubu receives Edo Gov-Elect, tasks him on development 

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has called on the Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to prioritise the development of his state while assuring him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). President Tinubu advised on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress party, where the Edo governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect, Rep. Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return. President Tinubu emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State. ‘’Governor-elect,  you can now face the task of development. We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task,” he said. Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria, the President added, ”You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours. ”If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government. ” The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy and described them as a ”good symbol of people ordained  by God to work together.” ”You started as rivals and ended us as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before. ”In Kano, he was a front runner, became a second runner, and became a deputy before he eventually became a governor,” he said. President Tinubu acknowledged the role played by former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the progressive governors and the APC leadership in the successful outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo. ”I saw Adams Oshiomhole radiating in joy… sincerely the governors showed up in Edo, they impressed me. They defended the party. They worked hard for the party,” he remarked. President Tinubu also commended INEC and the security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and organised election, with no reports of violence or disturbances. ”I must thank the security agencies. There was no bloodshed, no riot, people voted and went back to their houses in peace, and the fears dissipated instantly, ” he said. The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda. ”Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion. ”When you see the stability in the Edo North senatorial district, we see a man that won the Central senatorial district and a candidate who has won a seat in the south senatorial district; we did a match- which turned out to be a winning match,” he said. President Tinubu also commented on the heavy downpour on Election Day in Edo and the electorate’s commitment to voting in the rain without using an umbrella. ”It is a very punching illustration,” the President said, referring to remarks made by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, about the election-day rains in Edo. In his remarks, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman, commended the leadership and support of the President, the governors, and all stakeholders. ”On the day of the election, there was an exciting scenario: it was raining heavily, yet people came out to vote without using an umbrella. Your Excellency, the people were convinced that our party is the party to be voted for, and we won the election, ” he said. The APC National chairman noted that the party’s next focus is securing victories in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra states. ”The election in Anambra is part of our programme, ‘ Political de-marginalization of Southeast geopolitical zone.’ ”Having only two states in the Southeast as APC is too small for us. We need more states from the Southeast geo-political zone,” he said.

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PDP rejects Edo Governorship election results

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of the Edo State Governorship election in its entirety.  The Party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Illiya Damagun stated this while addressing newsmen in a press conference held on Monday. Damagun claimed the PDP had on several occasions alerted of sinister plot by the APC to subvert the election, the roles allegedly being played by AIG Zone 7, Benneth Igwe and Edo State Commissioner of Police @PoliceNG CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo and the appointment of a known APC apologist and supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). “Several demands by our Party for the redeployment of these officials as well as the release of all arrested PDP members and supporters fell on deaf ears and tend to validate PDP’s suspicion of a top-level conspiracy to rig the Edo State governorship election. “Nigerians and the world watched in horror as the APC-compromised security operatives and thugs unleashed terror, harass, arrest and detain PDP members and supporters, foisted siege mentality on the people and paved the way for APC agents and procured INEC officials to manipulate the ballot process, substitute genuine results from the Polling Units with fictitious figures and transferred the victory clearly won by our candidate, Asue Ighodalo to the defeated APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo. “As Nigerians already know, despite the violence, intimidation and manipulations by the APC, results obtained from the Polling Units show that our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election before the figures were altered at the State collation exercise in favour of the defeated APC candidate.” The PDP therefore unequivocally rejected the final result of the Edo State Governorship election as declared by INEC, saying it doesn’t meet the minimum standard for democracy having not reflected the expressed will and aspiration of the people in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for State Governorship election. The PDP demands that INEC within the time stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022 review the Edo State governorship election and announce results only as obtained from the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units. The PDP however charged the people of Edo State to remain resolute and undeterred as the Party make moves to retrieve the mandate with legal means. 

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Edo 2024 election: PDP Governors task INEC to live up to oath of office

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.”

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