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Tag: Governorship Election

  • JUST IN: INEC confirms date for Ekiti Governorship election

    JUST IN: INEC confirms date for Ekiti Governorship election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Ekiti State Governorship election will be held on Saturday 20th June, 2026 as earlier announced.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the confirmation is contained in the notice of election released by INEC on Wednesday.

    Recall that the electoral umpire, in May, for the first time, announced the Saturday 20th June, 2026 date for the Ekiti State Governorship election.

    INEC disclosed that the publication of the notice of election is in line with Section 28(1)&(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, as amended.

    The commission affirmed that the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship election “shall be conducted in the 16 (sixteen) local government areas (LGAs) of the State”.

    In the notice, INEC disclosed that the election will take place across all 2,445 polling units in Ekiti and that the exercise will commence from 8:30 am.

    “Only persons whose names appear on the register of voters and have valid permanent voter card shall be allowed to vote.

    “Voters shall only vote at polling units where they are registered.

    “The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) shall be used for the accreditation of voters.

    “No pvc, no voting,” the notice of election for the Ekiti State Governorship election released by INEC reads.

  • Edo poll: Security personnel mount roadblocks in Benin

    Edo poll: Security personnel mount roadblocks in Benin

    Security personnel were seen mounting roadblocks on roads in Benin as early as 6:00 a.m., ahead of the Edo governorship election, which is set to begin at 8:00 a.m.

    NAN reports that security personnel in the wee hours of the day began stopping and searching vehicles at the roadblocks, as well asking the occupants questions in order to ensure security, law, and order during the election.

    Some commercial bus drivers who wanted to make quick business, however, managed to avoid the roadblocks to evade questioning by security officials.

    The popular Ring Road had a notable presence of military personnel, particularly at the Sapele Road, Forestry Junction, and Sapele Road axes, with an armoured tank stationed at the city centre.

    There was also a heavy presence of security personnel at Okida Road, Ekewaun Road and at the INEC office at Ikpoba Hill.

    It was also observed roadblocks at the Agbado Market area and the Ring Road section of Akpakpava and Sapele Roads.

    There were a few vehicular movements, with a few people, likely voters, seen walking along the roads.

  • Edo guber election: Police begin mop up of illegal arms

    Edo guber election: Police begin mop up of illegal arms

    The Police Command in Edo says it has commenced a mop up of illegal arms and ammunition ahead of the Sept. 21 Governorship Election in the state.

    SP Moses Yamu, the spokesperson of the command, quoted the state’s Commissioner of Police, Nemi Iwo, as saying this on Saturday in Benin.

    Iwo said, during a meeting with the chairmen of political parties and their respective governorship candidates, that the aim was to  ensure security of the electoral process.

    The commissioner appealed to them to prevail on their supporters to shun all forms of violence during the forthcoming election.

    He assured them of adequate security to ensure that people go out to exercise their franchise without fear of harassment or any form of intimidation.

    The commissioner, however, reassured them that the police and sister security agencies would ensure that all stakeholders, including electoral materials, were protected for a peaceful election.

    He solicited for information that would assist the police to ensure an enabling environment for the election process.

  • APC’ll win Edo governorship poll – Ganduje

    APC’ll win Edo governorship poll – Ganduje

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress ( APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday expressed optimism that the party will win the September 21 Edo governorship election.

    Ganduje spoke while receiving the leadership of the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of  the NUJ led by its Chairman, Aminu Garko on Thursday.

    He said a political machinery has been put in place to pave the way for a landslide victory of the party’s candidate.

    Ganduje said, ” I believe our campaign is in high spirit, we are getting ready for that election and we believe we will be able to recover our state.

    ”This is because it was an APC state but because of internal bubbles, we lost it to PDP but we are sure we will recover that state.

    ”For Ondo State, it’s already an APC state and when the former Governor died, he left a number of problems,but we were able to resolve those issues.

    ”We conducted primaries, we succeeded in getting the person that they want.”

    He said that the party was also getting ready for the election, which  comes up in November.

    Ganduje said, ”If we win Edo, we will be getting an additional state for the party. It will be 21 states out of 36.

    “Next year, there will be Anambra, which has been a state governed by APGA for many years, but we have introduced a new scheme.

    ”The North, South-East political zones are all claiming that they have been marginalised.

    ”The South-East geopolitical zone is saying the same thing. But what we are telling them is that the marginalisation has been created by them.

    “How can you have five states ruled by four political parties? What will be your political bargain?”

    He said that the party was working very hard to ensure that it gets more states from the zone, saying, ”we want to start with Anambra.

    ”Already, we have Ebonyi and Imo. Now we are encroaching into that zone to ensure that we capture most of the states.

    ”And if we get what we want, we capture all the states,” Ganduje said.

    NAN

  • Stemming political tension in Edo ahead of governorship election

    Stemming political tension in Edo ahead of governorship election

    By Usman Aliyu

    The attack on Edo deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen. Monday Okpebholo, in Benin has sparked condemnations and raised concerns about the upcoming governorship election in the state.

    The attack, which resulted in the death of a police personnel attached to Okpebholo, Insp. Onu Akon and severe injuries to many others, has been described as a threat to the peaceful conduct of the Sept. 21 off-cycle election.

    Shaibu and Okpebholo were exiting Benin City Airport alongside their supporters, shortly after their arrival Benin from Abuja when some gunmen suspected to be political thugs fired gunshots at them.

    This development has, obviously, raised political tension in the state with gladiators engaging in accusations and counteraccusations over who was responsible for the action that has put Edo on the spotlight albeit for a wrong reason.

    Shaibu was impeached by the State House of Assembly but secured a judgement from the Federal High Court, Abuja, reinstating him to the office.

    The court also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to restore his security aides as well as an immediate payment of his salaries and allowances for the period he was out of office.

    Armed with the verdict, the reinstated deputy governor planned a triumphant entry to the state, which was truncated as a result of the bloody attack. Edo Government blamed Shaibu for the incident.

    The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare claimed Shaibu, after getting the judgement, flew to Benin with his friends.

    But before entry, he said Shaibu mobilised thugs to wait for him, particularly when he knew the judgement had been appealed.

    On arrival, the commissioner said, the deputy governor unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of Edo, and in the process a police officer was killed and many others were injured.

    “The CP (Commissioner of Police) should be arresting him, because, as it stands today, he is not the deputy governor and has no immunity.

    “We are now calling on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to look into the crisis. The whole thing happened in the presence of the Commissioner of Police and he is one of the witnesses,” he explained.

    The Peoples Democratic Party through its Campaign Council for the election corroborated the government’s claim, accusing Shaibu of attempting to forcefully take over the deputy governor’s office in spite of an appeal for stay of execution.

    The party at the news conference, organised by its Campaign Council for the state governorship election, knocks the reinstated deputy governor for ignoring the commissioner of police’s advice.

    The Director-General of the council, Mr Matthew Duoriyekemwen at a news conference also told the I-G investigate the incident.

    But in a counteraccusation, Shaibu mocked the state government for trying to cover up, questioning the logicality of sponsoring an attack against himself.

    He described the incident as an attempt to assassinate him.

    Shaibu says he has already instituted a N50 billion lawsuit against the governor and the state officials, who accuse him of masterminding the attack.

    “They said I was the one who planned the attack but I came in peacefully from Abuja to the state capital. Why were the armed thugs laying ambush for me? Were they expecting a visitor,” he asked.

    On the side of the police, an investigation into the incident is ongoing and those whose names have been mentioned in the incident will be invited for interrogation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, said.

    He described the incident as unfortunate and preventable, saying if political gladiators and actors played the game by the rules, the event of July 18 could have been avoided.

    “I am talking to our political gladiators generally irrespective of party affiliations, including their supporters.

    “It is a simple thing, if there is a court case; this has to be pursued to a logical conclusion in the court.

    “Our job is simple if our political gladiators want to make it so. The court will direct the bailiff to enforce most judgements and the duty of the police is to protect the bailiff for his safety,” he said.

    The commissioner warned against creation of unnecessary tension, saying Sept. 21 governorship election was still far away.

    Adams Oshiomhole former a Edo governor and Senator representing Edo North has challenged the commissioner of police to defend the integrity of his men by bringing the suspected killers of the officer to justice.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the Edo election, Oshiomhole urged the I-GP to consider the killing, in broad daylight, of one of his officers on a lawful duty, as a national assignment.

    The senator vowed to ensure that the National Assembly investigated the attack.

    Shielding light on the judgement, Dr Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor Jnr., an Abuja-based legal expert said it was declarative court order that outlines the rights and obligations of parties involved in a legal dispute without prescribing specific enforcement actions.

    “When a party seeks a stay of execution for such a judgement, he says, it requests the court to temporarily suspend its enforcement pending the outcome of an appeal or other legal proceedings“, he said.

    This stay of execution, according to him, is vital as it prevents the adverse effects of immediate enforcement while the matter is under review.

    In this case however, he notes that the mere application for a stay of execution by the Edo House of Assembly or the state’s Attorney-General does not stop the enforcement of the judgement.

    He opines that Shaibu remained the legally recognised deputy governor until the court hears the application and grants the stay.

    The attack has brought to the fore the need for urgent action to stem the rising political tension in the state.

    The police have a critical role to play in investigating, arresting and prosecuting the masterminds of the attack.

    By doing so, they will not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also send a strong message that political violence will not be tolerated in the state.

    The success of the electoral process in the state depends on the ability of all stakeholders to work together towards a common goal.

    The security agencies, political leaders, and the general public must collaborate to prevent violence and ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.

    By doing so they will be building stronger and more stable democracy that benefits all Edo people.

    NAN

  • INEC publishes final list of candidates for Ondo gov poll

    INEC publishes final list of candidates for Ondo gov poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates and their running mates for Nov. 16 Ondo State governorship election.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,disclosed this in a statement issued  in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him ,personal particulars of the candidates and their running mates have been published at INEC state and local government offices in Ondo State.

    Olumekun said that in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two political parties, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of June 10.

    He also disclosed that five parties; the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), replaced their running mates only.

    “Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic).

    “The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications.

    “The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” he said.

    Olumekun said that with the conclusion of the nomination process, political parties were now permitted to start public  campaigns from Wednesday (June 19) till the midnight of  Nov. 14.

    “As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity.

    “For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022,” Olumekun said.

  • 17 parties to feature in Ondo governorship poll

    17 parties to feature in Ondo governorship poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a total of 17 political parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Nov. 16 Ondo State Governorship Election.

    The commission said this in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun on Thursday in Abuja.

    Olumekun said that the figure was recorded the 6p.m., of May 24 when INEC dedicated portal dedicated to the nomination automatically shut down.

    He said that the personal particulars of the governorship candidates and their running mates would be published by INEC on May 25 in line with section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    He said that INEC would publish the personal particulars by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate.

    This according to him would be published at INEC state headquarters in Akure and the 18 Local Government Area offices across the state.

    He appealed to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents.

    “Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate or running mate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022,’’ he said.

  • Tribunal set date to deliver judgement on Kogi governorship election

    Tribunal set date to deliver judgement on Kogi governorship election

    The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has fixed May 27 to deliver judgment in the petition filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo.

    The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, announced the date on Thursday in Abuja in a message communicated to counsel to the parties through its secretary, David Mike, and made available to newsmen.

    Kogi had, on Nov. 11, 2023 held its off-cycle election in which Ododo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerged winner beating his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP with a wide margin.

    Ajaka, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, had filed a petition before the tribunal, challenging Ododo’s victory.

    The case, which commenced in December 2023, came to its highest point on May 13 when SDP, Ajaka, APC, Ododo and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adopted their final written addresses, after which the tribunal reserved judgement in the petition.

    INEC, Ododo and his party, APC, had prayed the tribunal to dismiss Ajaka and SDP’s petition in its entirety for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

    INEC, Ododo and the APC had, through their lawyers; Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, respectively, had told the tribunal so while adopting their final written addresses and presenting their arguments against the petition.

    However, Ajaka’s lawyer, Pius Akubo, SAN, had urged the tribunal to discountenance the respondents’ submissions and uphold their petition.

    In his argument, INEC’s lawyer, Chief Agabi, had told the panel that the petition lacked merit and incompetent, urging the court to strike it out or dismiss it.

    “It is our humble submission that your work in the determination of this petition is simplified in recent judgments by Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” he said.

    He argued that Appeal Court had decided that if the grounds of a petition are inconsistent with one another and are not consistent with the reliefs, it should be struck out.

    He also argued that the evidence of the petitioners were grossly insufficient, citing a Supreme Court decision in a case by Tonye Cole against INEC.

    The senior lawyer, who described the case as frivolous, prayed the tribunal to strike out or dismiss the petition for being incompetent.

    Ododo, through his Counsel, Daudu, also urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition in its entirety.

    Adumbrating, he had argued that the petition was statute barred (filed out of time).

    He also urged the tribunal to dismiss the allegations of forgery against his client, saying it bordered on pre-election matter, which the apex court had decided in Gbagi’s case against INEC.

    Daudu also argued that Section 137 of the Electoral Act cited by the petitioners on allegations of over-voting did not apply in the instant petition.

    Also backing Daudu’s submission, Ukala, who represented APC, urged the court to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit.

    The petitioners’ lawyer, Akubo, disagreed with Daudu that their petition was filed out of time.

    He argued that the respondents themselves confirmed that the petition was filed on Dec. 2, 2023, even by their own witness.

    “I urge your lordship to hold that we filed this petition within time under our law,” he said.

  • APC shifts screening of Ondo governorship aspirants

    APC shifts screening of Ondo governorship aspirants

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has shifted the screening of its aspirants for the Nov.16 Ondo State governorship election to Friday, following the declaration of Thursday as public holiday by the Federal Government.

    This is contained in a message on the party’s official X page, @OfficialAPCNg on Wednesday.

    “Due to the inclusion of Thursday, April 11, as a public holiday by the Federal Government for ELd el-Fitr, all aspirants are requested to attend the screening on Friday, April 12, at the party’s national secretariat,” the party said.

    A total of 16 aspirants were expected to be screened, ahead of the April 20 primary election.

  • APC ‘ ll record overwhelming victory in Edo guber poll – Ganduje

    APC ‘ ll record overwhelming victory in Edo guber poll – Ganduje

    Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is almost certain that the party will win the Sept. 21 Edo governorship election, going by the qualities of its candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo.

    Ganduje said this on Saturday in Abuja when he presented the certificate of return to Okpebholo, saying that there was a need for other aspirants to work with him to ensure the party’s victory in the state.

    He said that direct primaries were held in 192 wards in the state with records and video evidence, adding that Okpebholo was declared winner because he got the highest votes.

    “The full cooperation, harmony, and unity of all aspirants and members of our party is all we need now to win Edo in the coming election now that the primary is over.

    “The party has a product that is refined, well packaged, and sellable to the electorate in the person of Okpebholo and is therefore ready to win Edo,” Ganduje said.

    He said that other aspirants had since congratulated Okpebholo as the party’s candidate.

    Mr Nze Duru, the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary while presenting the committee’s report to Ganduje, said the primaries was adjudge nationally and internationally to the the most peaceful, fairest and transparent in the state.

    Okpebholo in his remarks, called on other aspirants who contested the party’s ticket with him to join forces with him to ensure that the APC win the Sept. 21 governorship election.

    Also speaking, Sen. Lucky Imasuen one of the aspirants who contested the party’s ticket with Okpebholo said the National Working Committee (NWC)was hard working, sincere, and fair in the handling of the Edo primarily election.

    He commended the APC Edo Governorship Primary Election Committee for a job well done, assuring that the other aspirants would work hand in hand with Okpebholo to ensure APC’s victory at the poll.

    Recall that Dennis Idahosa was initially declared the winner of the Edo Governorship Primary Election on Feb. 17, by the Gov. Hope Uzodinma-led Governorship Primary Election Committee.

    The APC NWC however, upturned Idahosa’s election and declared the election as inconclusive.

    The committee slated Feb.21 for a supplementary election and replaced Uzodinma with Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River as chairman.

    Otu while declaring Okpebholo as winner of the supplementary primaries, said he got 12,433 votes to defeat 11 other aspirants in the contest.

    Okpebholo currently represents Edo Central at the National Assembly.

    NAN