Seyi Law, the stand-up comedian, says he is confident that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, will secure a “clean sweep” in the Ondo election.

Aiyedatiwa, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mimiko of the ZLP are the frontrunners in the election.

Speaking with TheCable, Seyi, the senior special assistant on entertainment and tourism to the governor, said the election has been “peaceful in my polling unit”, with timely accreditation and a massive turnout of voters.

The comedian said he believes that the “people are voting for Aiyedatiwa”, who he thinks “deserves to remain as Ondo governor”.

“The election has been very peaceful in my polling unit. You can see that everything is going very well, people were accredited on time. People are casting their votes, it has been an amazing turn out, massive turn out,” he said.

“That means the people are truly ready for the election, they are ready to cast their votes for the man that they believe deserves to be the governor of Ondo state. For me personally, it is honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

“I can tell you for a fact that I know it is a clean sweep in this polling unit. So we are still here awaiting the collation, people are on the queue casting their votes. It is beautiful to see.”

Agboola Ajayi, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo, says he does not trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election.

Ajayi spoke on Saturday after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Ese-Odo LGA.

The former deputy governor criticised the commission’s pace, saying it is a deliberate attempt to rig the polls.

“The system is not perfect, things are not working,” Ajayi told reporters.

“A lot of complaints here and there… INEC cannot organise elections in just one state.”

In a previous interview, Ajayi alleged that Oluwatoyin Babalola, the state’s resident electoral commissioner (REC), met with Lucky Aiyedatiwa, incumbent governor, and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I think it’s deliberate on the part of INEC and the part of the REC,” he said.

“We can’t trust you. The system is compromised, people are complaining about vote buying, BVAs are not working. It’s very shameful.

“I think Nigerians should call on the chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. If he cannot do the job, he should just resign. This is embarrassing.

“This is sad and Nigerians are not happy.”

Ajayi also faulted the presence of armed military officers.

According to the PDP candidate, their proximity “intimidated voters”.

Ajayi, who served as deputy governor between 2017 and 2021, is running against Aiyedatiwa and 15 other candidates.

He however said he would win the election “convincingly”.

A suspected vote-buyer has been apprehended by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the ongoing Ondo governorship election.

The individual was apprehended with two bags of money believed to be intended for voter inducement, according to SaharaReporters.

The arrest occurred at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, outside St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State, around 9am on Saturday day.

It had earlier been reported that some of the political parties participating in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were caught engaging in vote buying.

SaharaReporters observed that the parties predominantly engage in the vote buying in Irele Local Government Area of the state.

It was observed at polling unit 007 (PU007), Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area, some political party agents are handing out signed papers to voters as tickets to get paid after casting their votes.

Some voters said that the papers would be used to collect cash from the agents after the election, but they said that they didn't know the exact amount they would be paid.

Earlier, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, participated in the ongoing election by casting his vote early in his polling unit.

The governor arrived at Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, in Ilaje Local Government Area at 8:46 am, accompanied by his security aides. 

He completed the voting process at 8:48 am.

This marks an important moment in the election as Aiyedatiwa seeks re-election under the APC platform.

Some voters had complained about malfunctioning of some Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

Speaking to SaharaReporters at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, a voter, Omotayo Akinlami, had said the malfunctioning BVAS was affecting the election in their polling unit.

He had said it would be better if INEC allowed them to adopt manual accreditation.

Thirteen Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana have been rescued, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said.

The agency said their rescue brings “the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163”.

In a statement by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM gave a breakdown of the rescued ladies.

“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend,” the Friday statement said.

It said the rescue “operation was a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM.”

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW

PRESS RELEASE

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 13 MORE GIRLS TRAFFICKED TO GHANA RETURN, AS NIDCOM SAYS 163 TRAFFICKED VICTIMS RESCUED SINCE JULY

 

ABUJA, NOV. 14, 2024

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163.

Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.

The rescued operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police , The Rescue live foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NIDCOM.

Speaking on the latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed her gratitude to the First Lady , Senator Oluremi Tinubu , the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.

She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman (Rescue live foundation International/NIDO Ghana), and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.

She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.

A statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.

They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.

NiDCOM representative, Mr Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly , having heard of the ealier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.

Chief Callistus Elozieuwa said with Rescue live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the ladies were provided shelter for some days after they all willingly indicated their interest to come back home.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Valentine Okike Uzo, thanked the Governor for his willingness to bring the ladies back home which in line with his efforts to care for all Ebonyi indigenes both home and in the Diaspora.

He assured that all efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for the victims from Ebonyi state.

e-Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr)
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday expressed its readiness for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

INEC National Commissioner Supervising Ondo, Ogun and Osun States, Professor Kunle Ajayi, disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today in Akure.

He assured Ondo voters that the electoral empire won’t disappoint them as they file out in their numbers to elect a new governor who will pilot the affairs of the Sunshine State for the next four years.

“We have done our own work, we are proud of what we have done and we will not disappoint the people of Ondo State,” he said.

On Thursday, INEC commenced the sensitive materials to various local government areas of Ondo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The distribution was carried out at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State under the watch of party agents, armed policemen, and several commercial buses hired by the Commission.

During the interview, the INEC National Commissioner noted that, unlike the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, all the Registered Areas in Ondo State have received their sensitive materials.

“I want to assure you that everything will do well. As of 3 pm, all the Registered Areas (RAs) all their sensitive materials. The next thing is to move to the Polling Unit (PU). I toured some of the RAs this afternoon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have deployed about 34,000 operatives for the Ondo State governorship election billed for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Abiodun Alabi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Coordinating Election Security, disclosed this to Channels Television on Friday.

He also revealed that measures have been taken to avoid infiltration of thugs or unauthorised persons during the off-cycle poll.

Alabi explained that all the 3,933 polling units of the state would be well covered, stressing that police operatives have been deployed across the wards and local government areas.

“By tomorrow, all the 3,933 polling units will be well covered,” he said. “We have about 34,000 police officers on the ground.”

The figure, he stated, includes the tactical units, the aerial surveillance team, and marine police among other units.

YouTube streamer, Jake Paul emerged victorious against boxing icon Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated bout at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

The judges delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Paul with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.

The fight made history by featuring the largest age gap between opponents in professional boxing—31 years. Tyson, 57, stepped into the ring for his first professional fight since his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Paul continued his unconventional rise in the sport.

The eight-round match deviated from the traditional format, with two-minute rounds and fighters wearing 14-ounce gloves, adding a unique twist to the contest.

Final Round Drama

As the final round began, the crowd chanted Tyson’s name in a show of support. However, Paul silenced the cheers with a series of sharp jabs. Tyson managed to connect with a left hook, but Paul dominated the last minute, landing a powerful right hand that pushed Tyson to the ropes. In a show of respect, Paul bowed as the match concluded.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 7:

Tyson started aggressively, energizing the audience, but Paul quickly regained control with a combination of a right hand and a body shot, slowing Tyson’s pace. Paul’s precision punches dominated the round.

Round 6:

Boos echoed from the crowd as the fight slowed. While Paul maintained an upper hand, neither fighter showed much activity.

Round 5:

Paul remained the aggressor, dictating the pace with higher activity levels and sharper accuracy, though significant punches were scarce.

Rounds 3 & 4:

Paul capitalized on Tyson’s exhaustion, assuming complete control of the match. Tyson struggled to throw punches, leaving Paul to dictate the fight’s tempo.

Round 2:

After a strong start in the opening round, Tyson appeared fatigued in the second, his punch output noticeably declining. Despite this, Paul stayed largely on the defensive.

Round 1:

Tyson delivered powerful blows early on, keeping Paul on the defensive. The round showcased flashes of Tyson’s legendary power nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years after his retirement.

The event, held at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, drew immense attention, marking Tyson’s return to the ring against Paul, a 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied claims of an agreement to hand over its presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any of its prominent members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, clarified this in an interview with Punch on Friday.

He emphasized that the party remains committed to a transparent and democratic process in determining its presidential candidate, adding that decisions on candidacy will be made through established procedures.

“Nobody has told the party that he or she is running on the platform of the PDP for the party to take a position, and there is no agreement that a particular person will be given the ticket. As of today, we have not issued notice for the sale of form, we have not called for primaries. So, we don’t know who is running and who is not going to run,” said Osadolor.

Osadolor’s rebuttal came barely two days after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ruled out Atiku’s chances of securing the PDP’s presidential ticket again in 2027.

He said Wike’s position might be valid if what transpired in the past was put into consideration.

Osadolor, however, stated that Atiku couldn’t also be ruled out of contention for the ticket, citing Donald Trump’s victory as a reference point.

He said, “If Trump could win a Kamala Harris, anything is possible. Again, Wike’s points are valid. It is only a man who is immune to changes that would discard most of the observations he made because at the end of the day, it is about the people.

“So, maybe there was something about branding or the way he (Atiku) branded himself in the past that didn’t resonate well with the people. But people still have the opinion that the elections were a fraud and that he actually won. At any rate, I don’t also see him running and winning without trying to curry the support of everybody, including that of Nyesom Wike himself too.”

Labour unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have threatened to shut down operations over the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, aligning with the Nigeria Labour Congress‘ (NLC) directive to embark on a nationwide strike by December 1, 2024.

Despite President Bola Tinubu signing the minimum wage bill into law on May 29, 2024, the FCT and seven other states—Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, and Taraba—are yet to approve the new minimum wage, expected to have commenced in October.

Speaking to Punch on Friday, the Chairman of the FCT Council of the NLC, Stephen Knabayi, decried the non-implementation and said efforts to engage the FCT administration had been unsuccessful.

He further condemned the treatment of workers amid rising living costs, describing it as “unfair and unsustainable.”

Knabayi said, “FCT has not implemented the minimum wage. We have tried to meet with the FCT administration, but that has not been possible. And we are going to follow the directive of the NLC and shut down everywhere by November 30. Even the ₦70,000 minimum wage is not enough, and it is unfair.”

Knabayi and the chairman of the FCT chapter of the Trade Union Congress, Audu Akogwu, alleged that the FCT administration under the leadership of the Minister, Nyesom Wike, has failed to meet with the labour unions since his inauguration in August 2023.

Akogwu said, “Any moment the federal government pays anything, FCT pays the same thing. They paid the N35,000 wage award, and all the salary arrears, they have cleared. I do not think there is any formal negotiation with the administration or the FCT. Whatever the FG is paying is what they are paying.

“The only challenge we have with the FCT Minister is that the two labour unions cannot access him. Immediately they resumed office, we sent a letter from the TUC, telling him that we want to pay him a courtesy visit, till today they have not replied. That’s the only issue we have with the present minister of the FCT.”

The people of Ondo State will head to the polls on Saturday, November 16, 2024, to elect their next governor in an off-cycle election that promises to be a keenly contested race.

Voters across the state’s 18 local government areas will decide the fate of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and 16 other candidates, including a former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the election will feature candidates from 17 political parties, with Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking re-election amidst a competitive field.

Since its creation on February 3, 1976, Ondo State has been led by 19 governors and administrators. The last governorship election saw Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC securing a decisive victory with 292,830 votes, defeating Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 195,791 votes.

INEC data reveals a sharp increase in registered voters for this election. With over 2.053 million registered voters, Ondo State now boasts 726,944 youths (35.41 percent) and 721,982 middle-aged citizens (35.17 percent) among its electorate. This marks a significant rise from the 1,647,973 registered voters in 2020.

The gender breakdown shows 1.034 million male voters (50.36 percent) and 1.019 million females (49.64 percent), reflecting a near-equal gender participation rate.

As the people of Ondo State prepare to choose their next governor, according to Nigerian Tribune several factors will shape the outcome of this highly anticipated election. See the factors below:

1. Division Among Akeredolu’s Supporters

Though the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has passed, his influence remains strong in Ondo State. Akeredolu, who served as governor from 2017 until his death on 27 December 2023 at age 67, was widely respected by the people.

Typically, Akeredolu’s supporters might be expected to back Governor Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, as Akeredolu won two terms under the party. However, Aiyedatiwa’s ability to secure their full support is uncertain.

Recently, the Akeredolu family, alongside ASEI Human Rights of Nigeria, publicly endorsed Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate. This endorsement could sway many of Akeredolu’s loyal supporters, potentially impacting Aiyedatiwa’s prospects in the election.

2. Aiyedatiwa and Mimiko’s Alliance

The alliance between Governor Aiyedatiwa and former governor Olusegun Mimiko may play a significant role in the election.

Mimiko, the first governor to serve two terms in the state, holds considerable influence in Ondo’s political landscape.

The recent political collaboration between Aiyedatiwa (APC) and Mimiko (historically PDP-aligned) has sparked interest and discussions about its possible impact.

With support from Mimiko and his loyalists, Aiyedatiwa may gain an edge in the race to remain in Alagbaka Government House in Akure.

3. Influence of Candidates’ Strongholds

A candidate’s stronghold can influence election outcomes, especially in historically high voter turnout regions.

In the previous Ondo State governorship election, voter participation varied across the candidates’ local governments, offering clues for the upcoming race. Last election data showed that Ilaje Local Government, where APC’s Governor Aiyedatiwa hails from, recorded 37,785 votes, while Ese Odo Local Government, where PDP’s Ajayi comes from, had 18,063 votes.

Since Aiyedatiwa’s local government recorded the highest turnout among the two leading candidates, similar support could benefit him if those votes are cast in his favour. In addition, going by the last election results, the APC recorded a landslide victory in Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, Okitipupa, and Owo local government areas. For the PDP, Akure South was a complete sweep, while the remaining LGAs had the margins within close cut for both parties.

4. Leading Candidates’ Profile

While 17 candidates are competing in the Ondo gubernatorial election, it is largely seen as a two-horse race between APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and PDP’s Agboola Ajayi.

Aiyedatiwa, currently serving as governor, is a businessman and politician from Obe-Nla, an oil-producing community in Ilaje Local Government Area. Running for a full term, his platform focuses on continuity, which could appeal to voters seeking stability in governance.

Meanwhile, Ajayi, a former deputy governor from Kiribo Town in Ese Odo Local Government, ran for governor in 2020 under the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and now represents the PDP. He positions himself as a candidate for economic transformation, appealing to voters seeking change.

5. Zoning Settlements

While Nigeria’s Constitution does not mandate rotation of governorship or other political roles, informal power-sharing arrangements are common across parties and states, including Ondo, to ensure equitable power distribution.

Ondo State is divided into three senatorial districts: Ondo North, Ondo South, and Ondo Central.

With the late Governor Akeredolu, who won two terms from Ondo North, voters may favour candidates from other districts. However, a Tribune Online check revealed that both leading candidates, Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi, are from Ondo South.

This geographic distribution could influence voting dynamics, with Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi potentially attracting voters who prefer rotational governance over candidates from the same senatorial district as the late Akeredolu.

6. Akeredolu’s Former Deputies Face-off

The fact that both Aiyedatiwa (APC) and Ajayi (PDP) previously served as deputies to the late Governor Akeredolu adds a unique dimension to the Ondo 2024 election.

Ajayi served as Akeredolu’s deputy from 2017 to 2021, while Aiyedatiwa held the position from 2021 until Akeredolu died in 2023.

While Aiyedatiwa maintained a positive relationship with Akeredolu, Ajayi’s relationship with the governor soured in 2020. On 21 June 2020, Ajayi left the APC for the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences with Akeredolu. After losing the PDP primary to Jegede, he joined the ZLP to challenge Akeredolu in the 2020 gubernatorial election.

The two candidates’ history with Akeredolu may affect the voting behaviour of Akeredolu’s loyalists, potentially shaping the election outcome.

7. Support from Jegede’s Followers

Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP candidate in the last governorship election, commands a loyal following, and his endorsement could help unify the party’s base, which has been fragmented since the previous election.

As a PDP leader in Ondo State, Jegede urged party members in May 2024 to rally behind Agboola Ajayi in the upcoming election.

This endorsement could consolidate the PDP’s voter base, appealing to Jegede’s loyal supporters who may have felt alienated by past party dynamics. Ultimately, Jegede’s support could increase Ajayi’s visibility and credibility, boosting his chances of securing a significant vote share.

8. Tinubu’s Re-election Ambitions

In the 2023 general election, President Bola Tinubu lost Lagos State to the Labour Party and Osun State to the PDP.

Although Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, these losses in Southwestern states were seen as a blow to his political influence.

With the 2027 election approaching, Tinubu is keen on securing the majority of southwestern states to bolster his re-election bid.

Federal support from Tinubu and influence as the centre’s ruling party could give Aiyedatiwa a crucial advantage over other candidates in the upcoming election. However, the country’s current economic challenges, especially the rising cost of living occasioned by some policies of the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, could also be a factor in how the people of Ondo state decide at the poll.