President Tinubu expressed the optimism on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of the party’s flag to the Edo gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.

Addressing a gathering of party stalwarts led by the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the State House, the president pledged that the party would stand with the candidates ”like the wall of Gibraltar.”

”If you are happy; we are happy. If you are determined; we are determined. We are going to work with you. We are going to stand with you like the wall of Gibraltar. That is all I can assure you. The party is supreme, but victory is superior and very important,” the president said.

President Tinubu commended the leadership of the party in Edo for their efforts towards the success of the candidates and the party.

He particularly lauded Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of the state, for his exemplary leadership.

”Distinguished Senator and our flagbearer, we are putting you forward in order to hold the party in trust for us and achieve victory for us. You and your running mate have been described as giant killers, and you have worked tirelessly with the party leadership,” he said.

The president, while inviting Edo State woman leader, Lady Betty Okoebor, to speak on the party’s readiness for the election, reiterated that with the strong support of women, victory was assured.

”If the women say we are going to win, then we are good to go because they constitute the largest number of voters and the most dedicated,” President Tinubu affirmed.

In his remarks, the national chairman of the APC emphasized the unity of purpose within the party towards achieving victory in the election.

”Our candidate is soft-spoken, focused, and an achiever. He is a product that is highly marketable, and I am confident that with him as our flagbearer, we will bring Edo back to our party,” Dr. Ganduje said.

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Mr Rufus Akeju, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, disclosed this to newsmen in Akure on Saturday.

“INEC can confirm that there was an accident last night during the movement of personnel and materials to the Registration Areas of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State for today’s governorship election.

“Fortunately, all personnel and election materials were rescued when the boat capsized.

“This was made possible by the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Navy who escorted the boats.

“The movement was eventually concluded and voting commenced as planned in all the polling units today.”

Akeju commended the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Navy as well as other personnel involved in the exercise.

Source: NAN

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This it said should be done by urgently employing latest technology required to make elections transparent and credible in Nigeria so that elections would not be ruined by violence and ultimately decided by the courts instead of the electorate.

NCFront gave the recommendation on Monday in its preliminary statement on Edo State governorship elections held on Saturday.

Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, defeated his main opponent, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In the statement, NCFront however commended INEC for “their above board conduct in the Edo Governorship Elections 2020.”

The group, while assessing the performance of the police as the lead security agency during the election, said there was need for it to do more, especially in the area of the conduct of its personnel.

It, however, praised the military for its neutrality and professionalism.

NCF particularly applauded the people of Edo State for being peaceful during the election despite the tension that had preceded the exercise.

It congratulated the winner of the election, Godwin Obaseki, charging him to be magnanimous in victory.

The statement reads in part:  “NCFront as an emergent non partisan, pan Nigerian conscience, having deployed 600 Cadres of Observers/Monitors, in conjuction with its INEC accredited Partners in the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State, wishes to conclude by asserting that although every stakeholders in the Edo decides 2020 has tried to give their best in this election, much is still to be desired in the conduct of some political parties and their agents, who are expected to be more adherent to subsisting electoral ethics and rules, which forbid Voters inducement, Vote buying, thuggery and Violence during elections, ballot snatching and stuffing etc and should exercise respect for the Peace Accord their Parties and Candidates signed before Elections

“However, the Police, being the lead security agency, would still need to do more to assure the Nigerian electorate, especially, through improved conduct of its personnel that they can reliably stand on the part of the law in maintaining peace and order during elections instead of their regular recourse to intimidation of eligible voters, which has always occasioned recline of voters on election day as well as electoral manipulation in another instance. We must however commend the military for their visible neutrality and professionalism in bursting electoral thuggery and attempted malpractices in some polling units. We advice them not to rest on their oars.

“Finally, NCFront, wishes to call on the INEC, as the main Elections management body in Nigeria to always ensure that improved elections logistics are henceforth put in place and deployed to time by urgently employing latest technology required to make elections transparent and credible in Nigeria so that Elections are not ruined by violence and ultimately decided by the Courts instead of the electorate as done recently in the case of Imo State among others. However, we commend INEC for their above board conduct in the Edo Governorship Elections 2020.

“As we conclude this historic Statement, NCFront wishes to commend the Edo people for the relative peace witnessed during #Edo Decides 2020 and the Credibility of the electoral process, inspite of the violent build up. Therefore, in congratulating the winner of the elections, Mr Godwin Obaseki, we wish to call on him as the winner of this historic elections to be magnanimous in victory by extending the hands of fellowship to all his fellow contestants in building a cohesive and stable State for the good people of Edo State.”

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Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the APC, was defeated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor of the state.

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu who polled 223,619 votes.

The results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday.

Reacting to his defeat, Ize-Iyamu who thanked his supporters, said he was studying the results after which he would announce the next step to take.

His tweet reads: “I thank and appreciate my supporters, who had to endure many evils including being prevented from voting, for their support and determination during the election. I assure you all that I am studying the results along with other party members and will announce my next move soon.”

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These are the words of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who trounced his opponent, All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, in the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.

Obaseki spoke in reaction to his victory which was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday.

He won the election polling 307,955 votes against Ize-Iyamu’s 223,619 votes.

In his reaction on his Twitter handle, he thanked the people of Edo State for their votes, saying that he was short of words.

His tweet: “Words fail me in saluting our teeming supporters who displayed immense courage in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalization. The collective will of Edo people made it possible for us to triumph over godfatherism. Congratulations to all Edo people. This is our victory!”

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Obaseki’s main opponent is Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The total results of the election will be announced after collation officers for Ovia South West and Orhionmwon local government authorities would have made their presentations.

This is as the results from three other local government areas have been announced in addition to 13 others earlier submitted to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo, Mr Johnson Alalibo, and announced.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner had announced Prof. Akpofure Rem-Rukeh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Petroleum Resources, Effuru, Delta, as the Returning Officer to announce the final collated results.

The released LGAs results included:

Etsako East, APC 17011, PDP 10668

Registered voters-157291

Accredited voters- 28404

Total valid votes-27824

Rejected votes 335

Total votes cast 28159.

Akoko-Edo– APC 22963,   PDP 20101

Registered voters -121027

Accredited voters -46967

Total valid votes- 43377

Rejected votes -617

Total votes cast -43994.

Etsako Central-APC 8359, PDP, 7478

Registered voters- 50004

Accredited voters -16092

Total valid votes- 15885

Rejected votes- 157

Total vote cast -16042

Edo election: INEC releases results of 13 LGs

The results of the election in 13 local government area earlier declared are:

Igueben Local Government– APC 5179, PDP, 7870. Registered voters 46838, accredited 13404, total valid votes 13179, rejected votes 212 and total vote cast 13 382

Esan North East Local Government– APC 6556, PDP 13579. Registered voters 84241, accredited 20825, total valid 20369,rejected 361, total votes cast 20730.

Esan Central Local Government -APC 6719, PDP 10,694. Registered voters 55569, accredited 17931, total valid votes 17672, rejected 242, total votes cast 17914

Ikpoba-Okha Local Government – APC 18218, PDP 41030. Registered voters 310073, accredited 61731, total valid votes 60052, rejected 1378, total votes cast 61430.

Uhumwode Local Government– APC-5972, PDP-10022, ZLP-5 and YPP-2. Registered voters 73416, accredited 16741, total valid votes 16283, rejected 352, total votes cast 16635.

Egor Local Government – APC 10202, PDP 27621. Registered voters 219841, accredited 39709, total valid votes 38396, rejected 955, total votes cast 39351.

Owan East Local Government – APC 19295, PDP 14762. Registered voters 91769, accredited 34819, total valid votes 34246, rejected 515, total votes cast 34761.

Owan West Local Government– APC 11193, PDP 11485. Registered voters 61193, accredited 23294, total valid votes 22849, rejected 404, total votes cast 23253.

Oredo Local Government -AA-8, ADC- 160, ADP-256, APC-18365 and PDP- 43498. Registered voters 309968, accredited voters 64783, total valid votes 62578, rejected 1302 and total votes cast 63,880.

Esan South East Local Government -APC 9237, PDP 10563. Registered voters 73907, accredited 20274, total valid votes 19896, rejected 307, total votes cast 20203.

Ovia North East Local Government -APC 9907, PDP 16987. Registered voters 143009, accredited 28607, total valid votes 27437, rejected votes 934 and total votes cast 28371.

Etsako West Local Government -APC 26140, PDP 17959. Registered voters 158899, accredited 48846, total valid votes 44539, rejected 2828, total votes cast 47367.

Oredo Local Government- APC 18365, PDP 43498. Registered voters 309968, accredited 64783, total valid votes 62578, rejected 1302 and total votes cast 63880.

Esan West Local Government– APC 7189, PDP 17434. Registered voters 99983, accredited 25530, total valid votes 24880, rejected 579 and total votes cast 25459.

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INEC National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu announced this on Sunday in Benin.

Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC commissioner incharge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers, is the commissioner overseeing the Edo election.

Addressing newsmen and party agents at the state collation centre, INEC headquarters, Benin, she said that results were still being expected from the 18 local government areas of the state.

She said: “This is to inform you all that we are still waiting for results from the local government areas.

“I am sorry we have to wait before we start collation. Only one local government has arrived in the centre.

“We are going to wait until at least, when results from seven local government areas arrive in the centre before we start.

“We do not want anybody to cast aspersions on us. So we are going to wait.”

Source: NAN

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The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Obaseki arrived his Oredo Ward 4 Polling Unit at Emokpae Model Primary School, Benin City at about 10:25am.

He, however, said he was disappointed at the level of preparation of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the election.

“I expected that INEC would have prepare better for this election,” he said.

“I waited for one and half hours on the queue before exercising my franchise, it’s a bit disappointing,” the governor added.

He said considering that the election was just for the state, INEC should have prepared better.

“I expected a better planning for this election. Card readers were very slow and that’s the situation everywhere.”

Meanwhile, Sylvester Okoduwa, an official of the Transition Monitoring Group, an election NGO, commended the peaceful commencement of the electoral process in the Edo State capital.

He said the election had started on a peaceful note and the voters wore their face masks, observed the social distancing rule, and also washed their hands in compliance to the COVID-19 protocols.

Edo is voting to elect a governor to run its state affairs for the next four years.

The state has a total of 2, 210,534 registered voters in 18 local government areas with 192 wards.

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The group said the discovery was uncovered by its monitors in a viral video, where agents and stalwarts of one of the dominant political parties were said to be seen exchanging monies and Ankara clothing materials for Permanent Voters cards, PVCs of voters.

In a statement issued at the weekend by its Head of Public Affairs Bureau, Dr Tanko Yunusa, NCFront threatened to drag the concerned party and its governorship candidate before the International Court of Justice and the international community at large, if the said act continued through the Saturday elections.

According to the group, the action of the members of the party amounted to vote buying and “see and buy”.

NCFront’s intervention reads in part: “Our non-partisan Front hereby wishes to alert the nation, especially the Gen Abdusalami Abubarkar-led Peace Committee, INEC and the international community that this unfortunate act of desperation by this party is capable of sparking off a major crisis that could mar the peace and credibility of the entire elections.

“Therefore, we urge them to quickly step in to nip these subversive and circumventing activities of votes buying in the bud before they degenerate into a free for all, as our pre elections investigations and findings reveal a violent build up between the two leading political parties in the Edo elections.

“Finally, in the event of further recklessness and blatant violations of electoral ethics by any of the contesting political parties, the NCFront as the new conscience of the country shall not hesitate to raise a formidable petition over this matter before the international community and appropriate international courts of Justice as our Monitors Situation Room stationed in Edo State has been mandated to compile every electoral offences observed during the elections for judicial processing.”

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IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, gave the warning in the light of the emerging accusations and counter accusations by political actors and other players in the electoral process about possible violence.

He noted that although the signing of the peace accord had allayed fears, violence in elections was often unpredictable, hence staying safe should be a priority.

“It is very important for journalists covering the Edo State election to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, and to avoid situations that will put them in harms way. Journalists should proactively balance eagerness for news with safety consciousness. If there is an outbreak of violence, journalists should ensure to stay safe and not be caught in the melee of violent disruptions.

“Journalists are also expected to be non-partisan. Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party, but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions with statements,  tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality,” Arogundade said.

He also admonished other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake their tasks in a very professional manner, and especially to recognise that the media was a critical factor for credible and peaceful elections.

“The security forces should note that the media is a critical part of the electoral process and so the media should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations as partners in enshrining the credibility of the electoral process.

“Other stakeholders, including elections observers should also proactively provide journalists covering the elections with information to ensure that all work together for the credibility of the electoral process,” Arogundade added.

As part of initiatives to keep tab on the safety consciousness of journalists, IPC said that there were safety alert officers who journalists under threat/attack could report to.

Arogundade said that in cases of attacks or insecurity issues, concerned journalists on the field could contact any of the following persons:

Melody Lawal (Safety Alert Officer, IPC) – 08132776441

Rosemary Nwaebuni, Safety of Journalists’ Monitor, (South South) – 08035146978

Mr. Arogundade also enjoined journalists to report any threats to the NUJ state chapter.

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