Tag: #EdoDecides2020

Gov. Obaseki praises Oba of Benin for his role in Edo election

Newly re-elected Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has expressed thanks to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II for his fatherly role in the just concluded governorship election that held in the State.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Obaseki thanked the Oba as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented certificates of return (COR) to him and his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu.

The Edo Governorship Election Returning Officer, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Ruke, had on Sunday declared Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the governorship election in the state.

Rim-Rukeh had declared Obaseki winner after polling 307,955 votes to defeat his closest opponent Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who garnered 223,619 votes and 12 other candidates.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu presented the certificates of return to both the Governor and his Deputy at a ceremony that took place at the collation centre at the State headquarters of INEC in Benin.

Agbamuche-Mbu said that the presentation of the CORs was a statutory obligation of the Commission which must be carried out within seven days after its declaration of a winner.

She said, “This occasion is only made possible because of the successful conduct of the governorship election last Saturday, Sept. 19.

“INEC, I believe, has played its humble part but we have always maintained that a successfully conducted election is a collective effort, and so it has proven to be,” she said.

In his acceptance speech, Obaseki thanked God and Edo people for a peaceful election, adding that history had been made in the state.

Obaseki said INEC’s national Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should receive most of the accolades for his steadfastness and ability to withstand pressure, adding that using his intellect in introducing technology for the election should be hailed by all.

“Despite all the criticisms, the ability of INEC to view results as the counting is taking place in polling units is one innovation we will implore INEC to maintain and improve on.

“Because it has introduced different element of transparency in the way we conduct election in Nigeria

“I am using this opportunity to extend a hand of fellowship to my brother, Osagie Ize-iyamu, and other colleagues in the APC to work with us to move Edo forward.

“On a specific note, I want to use this occasion to call on former National chairman of the APC Adams Oshiomhole that the fight is over, to come and join in building the house where he was part of laying the foundation.

“We have no malice; the only thing we disagreed on is on the approach in moving Edo forward.’’

Obaseki, who also commended President Muhammadu Buhari, said the president would be remembered as the father of democracy in Nigeria.

“This is because he had a choice to ensure and insist that his party wins in the state but he rose above partisan politics, and insisted the right be done,” he said.

According to him, I want to finally thank his royal majesty, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for his fatherly role, for the prayers for peace, and for being that symbol we all look up to.

Earlier in his address, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Johnson Alalibo, said the ceremony was just another fulfilment of the provisions of the law.

“My joy knows no bound as I am standing here to present this welcome address, having conducted an election without any loss of life,” he said.

Alalibo commended the candidates, security personnel and the entire people of Edo for their display of professionalism and maturity during the election.

According to him, this election has already been adjudged as one of the best and it shall so remain in the annals of our history.

September 22, 2020
Consolidate on gains of Edo election, NEBPRIL urges INEC, stakeholders

Network for Best Practice and Integrity in Leadership (NEBPRIL) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the voters on the successful conduct of the Edo State governorship election, urging stakeholders to allow the electoral gains to be a benchmark for subsequent elections.

In a statement in Abuja on Monday, September 21 and signed by its chairman, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, a former member House of Representatives, the CSO group, an advocate of best practice and good ethics said:

“Without doubt, the Edo governorship poll was conducted in a manner that underlies the importance of electoral reforms and the entrenchment of democratic values. INEC was swift and decisive before and during and after the election; political parties kept to their promises of working for the promotion of peace, while the voters and security agencies created a positive and safe atmosphere during the period.

“This accounted for the reduction in electoral fraud and violent acts and ensured the promotion of a free and fair election as we witnessed.”

NEBPRIL added that almost all elections held since 2015 have largely fallen below acceptable international standards and have degenerated from mere thuggery and hooliganism to large-scale electoral irregularities and violence.

“Therefore, the relief and the success of the Edo poll should not be lost on all as to warrant a relapse to our old ways. The Ondo Governorship election is coming up on October 10, while the Anambra poll will be holding next year.

“We expect the same measure of success in the Edo poll to be recorded in subsequent polls, not just that of Ondo and Anambra polls, but in the presidential, governorship and local government elections.

“NEBPRIL however note that it’s imperative that INEC and security agencies going forward, prioritize the welfare of the ad-hoc staff and personnel on election duties, in order to ensure that they are not easily compromised,” the statement added.

It urged the winners and losers to engage in the spirit of sportsmanship, instead of needless litigations that may discredit an election that had been described by local and international observers as not only free but largely fair.

It would be recalled that just before the Edo election, NEBPRIL had warned stakeholders not to allow rancour, bitterness and violence to define the path to the poll, even as it noted that the traditional pattern of leaning towards electoral violence to advance or consolidate positions of strength would always lead to violence.

September 21, 2020
Edo indigenes in UK laud Buhari, world leaders over guber polls

The Concerned Indigenes of Edo State in the UK have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring a free, fair and credible gubernatorial election in Edo State.

Speaking to TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) correspondent in London, the spokesperson for the group, Deacon Henry Olovba recounted how they feared for the lives of their loved ones in Edo State who would have been the victims of any use of force by security agencies in the course of the election.

“We were worried for our friends and families in Edo who have threatened to resist any attempt by security agencies to disenfranchise them from exercising their civic rights.

“As you know, the gun is only a friend to the one who holds it and presses the trigger facing a target. We knew that, if push comes to shove, the security agencies might deploy the use of force against any resistance.

“This concern necessitated our raising a petition to the British Prime Minister who we know enjoys a good relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, to help us appeal to him to ensure that no external interference by security agencies, that ordinarily should not be on ground in Edo State on Election Day.

“You will recall that on Thursday 10 September, our group went to the Nigeria High Commission here in London to hand a copy of our petition to the Ambassador for onward transmission to President Buhari. This was after submitting the master copy to the British Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson.

“I made a press statement outside the Nigeria High Commission on behalf of the group, appealing to our Prime Minister and other world leaders to help us appeal to our President on the subject matter.

“Barely 2 days after that appeal, the United States of America made some strong statements regarding election riggers and placing travel ban on some un-named people.

“Within 24 hours of the US statement, the British Government warned of consequences for anyone who engages in electoral malpractices and violence in the Edo and Ondo States’ elections.

“Few days to the election, President Buhari reassured Nigerians and Edo indigenes of his commitment to a free and fair election as part of his resolve to strengthen our democratic process,” Olovba said.

Deacon Olovba noted that, their appeal yielded the needed outcome. He said the 2020 Edo guber election which held on Saturday 19 September has been adjudged as one of the most credible elections in Nigeria in recent times.

He expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the group, to President Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for doing their due diligence in ensuring a peaceful election.

He also thanked Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Donald Trump for lending their voices to the call for a violence-free election in Edo State.

He commended the electorates for coming out in their numbers to cast their votes and assured them that, with this template set by this election, future elections would see more participation.

Deacon Olovba used the opportunity to call on Governor Godwin Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory, and work for all Edos across party divide and provide dividends of democracy to the electorates who gave him the overwhelming support.

He said, election is over, now its time for governance.

September 21, 2020
BREAKING: APC rejects result of Edo governorship election

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo chapter on Sunday rejected the result of the Edo Governorship Election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Benin on Sunday.

Chairman of the Edo APC Media Campaign Council, Mr John Mayaki, said in a statement that the party rejected the result, citing alleged strong arm tactics in the process.

“Our people were arbitrarily arrested, many of the figures were fabricated.

“Areas where we won, they cancelled them, they decreased the votes in areas we had advantage. They rejected our results and jerked up theirs,” Mayaki said.

According to him, the election was characterised by arbitrary arrests of local party members who could have resisted the outrage, while Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo was busy diverting attention with false alarm.

“Obaseki shouted that he was being rigged out and blamed INEC at the initial stage but that was to divert attention from the evil going on in the field,” Mayaki said.

He, however, thanked the APC loyalists for the support and urged them to remain calm as the party leaders were studying the result and would soon announce their decision and course of action.

September 20, 2020
BREAKING: Obaseki receives Edo election results sheet from INEC [Photo]

Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent Governor of Edo State and the winner of the just concluded Governorship Election that held in the State on Saturday, has officially received the election results sheet from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC on Sunday declared Obaseki, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the election winner over Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I have just received the results sheet of the Edo governorship election from INEC Nigeria, which provides details of the polls cast on Saturday. I appreciate Edo people for their support and unflinching resolve to reward our hard work. Congratulations to all of us once more,” Obaseki said shortly after receiving the results sheet.

The results sheet as received the Governor contained the details of the election as submitted by the returning and electoral officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.

According to the results, Godwin Obaseki secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more votes than his closest rival, Ize-Iyamu, who polled 223,619 votes. A total of 14 political parties fielded candidates to jostle for the office of the governor in the State.

I have just received the results sheet of the Edo governorship election from @inecnigeria, which provides details of the polls cast on Saturday. I appreciate Edo people for their support and unflinching resolve to reward our hard work.

Congratulations to all of us once more! pic.twitter.com/XADNaGrca6

— Godwin Obaseki (GGO) (@GovernorObaseki) September 20, 2020

Below are the official results of the Edo State Governorship election as announced by INEC:

Igueben LG

APC – 5199

PDP – 7870

Esan North-East

APC – 6,556

PDP – 13,579

Esan Central

APC – 6,719

PDP – 10,794

Ikpoba Okha

APC – 18,218

PDP – 41,030

Uhunmwonde

APC – 5,972

PDP – 10,022

Egor

APC – 10,202

PDP – 27,621

Owan East

APC – 19,295

PDP – 14,762

Owan West

APC – 11,193

PDP – 11,485

Ovia North-East

APC – 9,907

PDP – 16,987

Etsako West

APC – 26,140

PDP – 17,959

Esan South-East

APC – 9,237

PDP – 10,563

Oredo

APC – 18,365

PDP – 43,498

Esan West

APC – 7,189

PDP – 17,434

Akoko Edo

APC – 22,963

PDP – 20,101

Etsako East

APC – 17,011

PDP – 10,668

Etsako Central

APC – 8,359

PDP – 7,478

Orhionmwon

APC – 10,458

PDP – 13,445

Ovia South-West

APC – 10,636

PDP – 12,659

Earlier, Obaseki had lauded the people of Edo State for giving him the mandate to govern the State for a second time.

In his victory post on his official Twitter page, Obaseki who said words failed him, thanked the people of Edo for being courageous in their bid to end godfatherism in the state.

“Words fail me in saluting our teeming supporters who displayed immense courage in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalisation. The collective will of Edo people made itpossible for us to triumph over godfatherism. Congratulations to all Edo people,” Obaseki tweeted.

https://twitter.com/GovernorObaseki/status/1307686663229931521

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the election process, which led to the victory of Governor Obaseki as declared by the INEC.

The President congratulated the winner and urged him to show grace and humility in victory.

In his reaction to the outcome of the election as announced by INEC, President Buhari said:

“My commitment to free and fair elections is firm, because without free and fair elections, the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak.”

The President added:

“I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.

“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with.”

He commended the people of Edo State, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.

September 20, 2020
BREAKING: Buhari congratulates Obaseki, commends Edo election process

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the election process in Edo State which led to the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In his reaction to the outcome of the election as announced by INEC, President Buhari said: “My commitment to free and fair elections is firm, because without free and fair elections, the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak.”

The President added: “I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.

“The President congratulated the winner and urged him to show grace and humility in victory.”

“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with,” he said in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity.

He commended the people of Edo State, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.

September 20, 2020
INEC official shot as hoodlums disrupt election

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been shot and critically injured.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Professor Godswill Alan Lukman, the Collation Officer in Etsako Central Local Government Area made this known on Sunday.

While giving a situation report on the election conducted in the LGA, Professor Godswill said the incident occurred on Saturday while the electorates were still voting.

He explained that some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs stormed the venue and disrupted the exercise, forcing the electorates who have come to vote to run to safety.

As a result, the election could not be concluded at the polling area, Godswill said.

He stated that the victim was not dead but in critical condition at a hospital in the State.

The collation officer, who noted that the incident occurred due to violence at the venue of the election, added that another ad-hoc official was cut in the face.

September 20, 2020
[Updated + Video]: PDP raises alarm as Orhionwhon’s collation officers ‘vanishes’ with results

Emman Ovuakporie

There’s a brief break at the INEC collation centre in Edo State as Orhionwhon collation officer suddenly vanishes from the centre with results.

PDP party agent Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama brought this to the notice of the REC who asked for a little break to wait for the agent.

Orhionwhon is where Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu the APC Guber candidate hails from.

Watch video:

September 20, 2020
#EdoDecides2020: Obaseki leads Edo election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has so far announced results of 13 local government areas (LGAs) in the Edo State Governorship Election.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Obaseki, who is the incumbent Governor was leading after the announcement of results from the 13 LGAs.

Obaseki’s closest rival in the election has been Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Below are the official results of the Edo state governorship election as announced by INEC so far:

Igueben LG

APC – 5199

PDP – 7870

Esan North-East

APC – 6,556

PDP – 13,579

Esan Central

APC 6,719

PDP 10,794

Ikpoba Okha

APC – 18,218

PDP – 41,030

Uhunmwonde

APC – 5,972

PDP – 10,022

Egor

APC – 10,202

PDP – 27,621

Owan East

APC – 19,295

PDP – 14,762

Owan West

APC – 11,193

PDP – 11,485

Ovia North-East

APC – 9,907

PDP – 16,987

Etsako West

APC – 26,140

PDP – 17,959

Esan South-East

APC – 9,237

PDP – 10,563

Oredo

APC – 18,365

PDP – 43,498

Esan West

APC – 7,189

PDP – 17,434

So far Obaseki has polled 243,604 votes, while Ize-Iyamu has polled 154,192 votes.

TNG reports five LGAs results are still yet to be released.

September 20, 2020
BREAKING: PDP leaders storm INEC office, demand immediate release of Orhionmwon, Ovia South West LG results

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Saturday stormed the office of the Independent National Electoral Xommission (INEC) in protest of the delay of results from Orhionmwon and Ovia South West Local Government councils.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of PDP’s Edo 2020 Campaign Council, Dan Orbih, the party raises concern over unexplained break in the announcement of results as it concerns Orhionmwon LGA and Ovia South West LGA.

Read statement in full:

All the leaders of our great party in Benin City are hereby requested to make their way to the INEC office in Ramat Park, Benin City.

The INEC office has taken and unexplained break in the announcement of results as it concerns Orhionmwon LGA and Ovia South West LGA.

We are aware that the Collation officers for these LGAs are in the INEC with the result sheets, copies of which are with our agents.

Edo people will not tolerate any manipulation which INEC and its staff appear to be planning.

The mandate kindly and decisively given to Governor Godwin Obaseki by the good people of Edo State must not be compromised, subverted or toyed with.

We therefore demand for the immediate release of the result of these two local government areas.

The patience and resolve of Edo people must not tempered with.

Signed

Chief Dan Osi Orbih
Chairman Edo 2020 Campaign Council.

September 20, 2020