A former governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomole, has denied the allegation that the All Progressives Congress has already stock-pilled money to buy votes of the people during the election.

Oshiomole who is also the senator representing the Edo North Senatorial District of the state, also said he had not received any report of violence from anywhere across the state, as the election was ongoing.

Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his votes on Saturday at Iyamho, Ward 10 Unit 01 in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, the former governor said the voting had been going on peacefully.

The former governor said, “It is laughable when I hear this kind of allegation. You have been did you see anywhere where they are sharing money? People turned out in large numbers to vote for us because they wanted good government. During our campaign, people came out to see me not because I wanted to give them something but because of what I have done for them while I was in the office as the governor.

“All structures that I have put in place 12, 13 years ago are still there but the ones put up by the present administration, in one year, they are washed off. So our people have seen the difference. Some people do tell me that since I left the government, they haven’t seen the real presence of government in their communities.”

The results from the INEC Viewing Portal (iRev) indicated the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo Olumide Akpata is out of the race.

Akpata lost his polling unit to his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Asue Ighodalo.

According to results declared at his Polling Unit 11, Ward 6, Oredo Local Government Area, Ighodalo polled 41 votes while Akpata trailed with 32 votes.

Checks on the website also revealed that over 89.93 per cent of the results have been uploaded, covering 3,895 results out of 4,519 polling units.

From the results, the APC is leading in its stronghold in Edo North while the PDP is leading in Edo South.

In Etsako West local government Area, Igbira Camp Booth, APC had 90 votes, LP 13 and PDP 85 while in Owan West, APC got 90 to LP’s 13 and PDP’s 75. For Uhunmwonde Uvbenisi-Uvbenisi primary school, APC scored 83, LP 06 and PDP 47.

In Egor local government area, Paramount Nursery and Primary School Uselu II – IV, APC had 17, PDP 22

In Oredo local government area, New Benin, Unit 27, New Benin III/Payne primary school, APC scored 36 votes, LP 5 and PDP 56.

In Ikpoba-Okha Ward 7 Unit 17, which is the voting place of the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP, Osarodion Ogie Esq. PDP scored 216 while the APC scored 29.
The Nation reports that Senator Monday Okpehbolo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won his polling unit 001, Uwessan 1, Esan Central Local Government Area of the state with 102 votes.

He defeated his opponent Ighodalo and Akpata including 14 other candidates scoring102 votes.

Okpebholo had said the ruling PDP would not get any vote in his polling unit while declaring that he has nothing to fear because his people love him.

The Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, on Sunday morning alongside members of the Peoples Democratic Party, protested the just concluded governorship election at the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He also said that the Peoples Democratic Party would protest the outcome of the polls, which he said, was being skewed in favour of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

While journalists and some party agents were waiting at the Conference Hall in the INEC office for the announcement of the results, protesters numbering about 20 stormed the entrance gate of INEC.

Iduoriyekemwen said the PDP was cruising to victory but information available to them showed that there were plans to juggle the final results that would not reflect the wishes of the voters.

He also alleged that the leader of the APC in the state, Adams Oshiomhole and reinstated deputy governor of the state Philip Shaibu were thumb printing ballot papers to close the gap with which the APC was leading.

We have information that the result is being skewed to favour Okpehbolo when it is clear that our candidate is coasting to victory.

“We will not accept this, we will contest it” he said at about 2:27 am when he led the protesters to the venue.

They were dispersed by the police shortly after speaking to journalists through the barricade.

PUNCH Online late Saturday night reporter that tensions were rising in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election as the INEC acknowledged a second complaint regarding discrepancies in polling unit results.

In a statement posted on its official X account late Saturday night, INEC assured the public of swift action, vowing to investigate allegations of incorrect figures being entered into result sheets.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that INEC has uploaded 90.33 percent of the results from the Edo governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal.

The Osun State Police Command has dragged two bankers, namely Adeoti Adebisi Awanat and Samson Adediji, before a magistrate court sitting in Osogbo for allegedly defrauding two people of N25 million. 

The Nation had published a report about one of the bankers, Awanat, who was pregnant when she was arraigned before the court, claiming that she gave birth in prison.

More details have however emerged to the effect that she gave birth while she was on bail.

The bankers allegedly defrauded Dr Olaggunoye Ajibola and Mrs Daramola Oyindamola of N25 million under the guise of subscribing to a bank package, Proof of Fund.

Awanat and Adediji had pleaded not guilty to the offences of fraud filed against them by the police and were granted bail on July 3, 2024.

The Presiding Magistrate, Dr Olusegun Ayilara, granted them bail with two sureties in like sum, one of which must be a Level 14 officer and a bank manager, and not a traditional ruler as earlier claimed.

Meanwhile, they could not perfect their bail, prompting their being remanded in the Ilesa correctional facility. 

At the last adjourned date, the presiding Magistrate, Dr. Ayilara, was informed that Awanat had given birth while she was in the custody of the correctional facility.

A letter dated August 29 2024, with reference number IC. 48/VOL.V and addressed by the Nigeria Correctional Service to Magistrate Ayilara, notified the court that Awanat, who is standing trial in charge number MOS/200c/2024, had given birth.

The letter signed by Chief Superintendent of Corrections, A. A Alade, stated: “I am directed to inform you that the above named Inmate in llesa Custodial Centre had been delivered of a baby on 29th August, 2024,

“She is currently at the hospital receiving treatment after the Caesarean session.”

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, also known as DJ Cuppy, a popular disc jockey and daughter of Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola, has made history as the first Nigerian to host an opening session at the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA.

Cuppy moderated the Youth Action Day at the 2024, UNGA, themed “The Summit of the Future – Youth Actions Day.”

Cuppy also delivered a musical performance after her keynote session. 

Her session became the largest youth gathering in UN Headquarters history.

Other personalities at the session include the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and the president of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves. Reacting hours ago on her Instagram story, Cuppy expressed her excitement writing:

“PINCH ME.

Can’t believe I had the chance to open up the Summit of the Future AND moderate at the @unitednations

General Assembly!

EVEN though I believe preparation meets opportunity, I KNOW it was really God speaking through me!.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is mounting pressure on Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to suspend the collation of results in Edo state.

The state governorship election took place on Saturday and result collation is ongoing in some LGAs.

In a statement, Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, said “intelligence” available to the party indicates that the APC wants the result collation of the governorship election suspended “to make way for the manipulation of the INEC portal and replace the real results from the units with fabricated figures in favour of the APC”.

The PDP said Asue Ighodalo, the party’s candidate, is taking an early lead in the election, adding that the APC is planning to invade collation centres with thugs to disrupt the process.

“Our Party has also been made aware that the APC is mounting pressure on the Military to withdraw from their positions so as to enable the APC convey its armed thugs to disrupt and manipulate the collation process,” Ologunagba said.

“The PDP in very strong terms cautions INEC and the APC to note that the people of Edo State already have authentic results from the Polling Units across the State and that any attempt by anybody or group whatsoever to alter the results will inflame the already charged situation with very severe consequences on perpetrators.

“INEC must not lose sight of the violent protest that trailed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari to alter the outcome of the 2023 Governorship election in that State which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials.

“INEC and the APC must note that any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election will provoke worse consequences as the people have indicated their readiness to use every means allowed in a democracy including legitimate physical confrontation, if necessary to protect their votes.

“The PDP charges the Electoral Commission to resist the pressure by the APC and ensure that nobody tampers with the results as obtained from the Polling Units.

“Our Party commends the military for its professionalism in defending our democracy in the Edo State governorship election and urges the Military High Command not to succumb to the pressure from the APC to withdraw from their posts and allow for the manipulation of the process.

“The PDP again charges the people of Edo State to remain at the Coalition Center in their numbers and monitor the collation process so as to ensure that their Will as expressed in the election is affirmed.”

Civil society organisation, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition party in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) of offering between N5,000 to N10,000 in exchange for votes during the Saturday’s governorship election that held in the state. 

CDD in its preliminary statement from its Election Analysis Centre (EAC) on the Edo governorship poll expressed concern that there were extensive incidents of electoral offences carried out during the elections, which questioned the integrity of the electoral process. 

CDD-EAC, in a statement signed by its chairman, Professor Adele Jinadu, said while 88% of its observers noted that there were no campaigns near to or at the polling unit, those who reported electoral offences highlighted extensive vote trading and officials failing to carry out any corrective action.

According to CDD-EAC, in Edo Central, incidents of vote buying were observed in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Ward 10, Polling Unit 014, Esan Central, Ward 5, Unit 4 at Eguare Primary School, and Esan North East, Ward 5, Uromi, involving both APC and PDP. 

“It was observed that the APC and PDP offered between N5,000 to N10,000 in exchange for votes. The same was observed in Esan West LGA, Ward 6 Central Primary School Iruekpen Ekpoma, PU: 004. Observers reported that this practice contributed to an increase in voter turnout as news of the financial incentives spread among the electorate. At Ward 5, Polling unit 4- Awo Primary School, account numbers of voters were collated after voting for a particular party. 

“In Edo South, incidents of vote buying were also reported at Oredo Local Government Area, Ward 12, Ibiwe/Iwegie/Ugbague at Ibiwe I, Oba Market, where PDP and Labour Party (LP) officials were particularly identified as having tried to induce voters. Of note was the attempt by some agents to engage with voters who spoke in Hausa in an attempt to engage the Hausa community in the area. 

“On a positive note, at approximately 10 am, suspected vote-buyers were apprehended in the Egor Local Government Area of the state. Officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently removed the three individuals, two males and one female from the scene. 

“However, some local residents protested the arrests, claiming the suspects were being unfairly targeted. This led to a brief confrontation between the EFCC operatives and residents who attempted to obstruct the removal of the suspects,” the statement reads in parts. 

CDD-EAC’s observers reported that in 42% of the locations where it deployed its observers, INEC officials did not arrive on time, an instance at the Emotan College (PUs 12/12/04/001 to 005) where officials arrived very late, with none of the polling units operational by 9:45am. 

The report also raised concern over possible overcrowding of polling units, with 65% of the observers noting that the polling units they observed had between 501 – 1,000 registered voters which made poll officials in these polling units overwhelmed.

CDD-EAC also noted with concern, that there were reports of voters not understanding where they were set to vote, especially in venues with multiple polling units such as Emotan College (PU 12/12/04-001 to 005) where several voters had to be redirected to different polling units.

“CDD-EAC notes heartily that 94% of our observers reported the presence of BVAS machines and 92% said that the machine showed 000 to indicate that no figures had been preloaded into the BVAS before accreditation.

“Although there were initial glitches in some observed polling units, when voting commenced, the process was reported by observers to have gone on smoothly and seamlessly. In unit 234, Obe primary school Fuga, Etsako Central, the BVAS was not displayed at all by the Presiding Officer.

“Attitude of Security Personnel CDD-EAC observation indicates that the conduct of the process has been largely peaceful, with no reports of any widespread incidents of violence. CDD-EAC commends some of the key players who have acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the process.

“However, on the police declared plan to deploy 3 personnel to 65 voters, it was observed that this target was not met. In PU 036, Ibewe Isan of Oredo LGA, about 1,500 voters were catered for by only 3 police personnel. While the police were reported to be friendly, the military personnel were said to be very hostile, even to observers.

“CDD commends voters in Edo for the calm and peaceful manner in which they have conducted all through this process so far. We similarly commend some political stakeholders who have acknowledged the peaceful nature of the electoral protest, just as we urge them to continue to promote peace and adherence to the rule of law and due process as the election, collation and declaration of results heads to the point of conclusion,” the statement added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will investigate allegations of falsified polling unit results in the Edo governorship election.

In a post on its official X page on Saturday, the commission said the complaint is the second received out of the 4,519 polling units in the state.

“The Commission’s attention has been drawn to an allegation of wrong figures entered into polling unit result sheets in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election,” the post reads.

“This is the second complaint we have received out of the 4,519 polling units used for the election.

“The Commission will immediately investigate the matter and deal with any proven infraction.”

Earlier today, Obozuwa Josephine, a presiding officer of the commission, allegedly recorded more votes than accredited voters in Osholo primary school, Weppa ward, Etsako east LGA in Edo.

The total number of accredited voters according to the Form EC 8A filled by Josephine was 213 — but 406 votes were recorded as the total number of valid ballots cast.

Shortly afterwards, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the presiding officer.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP’s spokesperson, in a statement, alleged that Josephine allocated non-existent votes to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP also demanded the arrest and prosecution of members of the APC involved in the alleged falsification.

“The election result sheet for Osholo Primary School Polling Unit, Weppa in Etsako East Local Government Area shows that whereas 213 voters were accredited, Obozuwa Josephine criminally and fraudulently allocated 352 votes to the APC, 52 to the PDP and one to the LP, giving a total of 406 as votes cast,” he said.

“It is highly provocative that the INEC PO Obozuwa Josephine could be so compromised by the APC to audaciously and feloniously allocate unearned 352 votes to the APC above the 213 voters officially accredited in that Polling Unit.”

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested nine suspects over alleged vote buying and possession of pre-filled ballot papers during the governorship election in Edo state. 

In a statement on Saturday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said six suspects were arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu Hotel in the Auchi area of Edo state, for engaging in vote buying.

Adejobi noted that the suspects were found with “a large sum of money, a cache of weapons, and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation”.

“The well-coordinated effort led to the arrest of two key suspects, who are members of the PDP, Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), both from Ufunama community, Ovia South West LGA, Edo state,” the statement reads.

“The suspects, connected to a larger network involving one “Atiku” and a kingpin known as “the boss”, were apprehended at So Cash guest house in Ekpoma, where a substantial amount of cash and incriminating items were recovered.

“Furthermore, six suspects namely Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat, 52 years, Salihu Lukman, 54 years, Safianu Saratu, 32years were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu Hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying.

“This group was found with a large sum of money, a cache of weapons, and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.

“A fake journalist who claims to be a staff member of one of the leading television stations in Nigeria was also apprehended, further highlighting the extent of the criminal network.”

Earlier, the NPF announced that its operatives arrested two suspected political thugs and seized firearms during overnight raids ahead of the election.