Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, beseiged the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to arrest former govenor, Yahaya Bello.

The Director of Yahaya Bello’s Media Office, Ohiare Michael, raised the alarm in a statement on Wednesday night, titled, “Despite voluntary visit, EFCC officials surround Kogi Government Lodge, Abuja in an attempt to forcefully arrest former governor Yahaya Bello, fire gunshots.”

Earlier in the day, the ex-governor’s media team and the anti-graft agency  were engaged in a verbal dispute over the controversial visit of the ex-governor to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

A statement on Wednesday by Bello’s media team said the ex-governor finally surrendered himself and visited the EFCC headquarters months after being declared wanted by the anti-graft agency over an alleged N80.2bn fraud.

Michael said Bello went to the EFCC headquarters voluntarily to clear his name but the anti-graft agency refused to attend to him.

But the spokesman for the EFCC, in a statement, insisted that Bello was not in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

In their Wednesday night state, Bello’s media office raised the alarm about attempt by EFCC operatives to arrest Bello at the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja.

Michale said, “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.

“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC office voluntarily earlier today but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.

“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.

“ This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.”

The PUNCH reports that the EFCC preferred 19 charges against the former Kogi governor alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.

After failed attempts to arrest and arraign him, the EFCC  in April declared the former Kogi governor wanted.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on August 20 ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.

However, on Wednesday, Michael said the ex-governor honoured the EFCC invitation after consultation with his legal team and political associates. Michael added that Bello had nothing to hide.

Reacting, the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, denied that the former governor was in its custody, adding that Bello remained wanted.

Oyewale said, “Media reports today that a former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is incorrect. The commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the commission for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”

The EFCC’s statement contradicted the one released by Michael, which claimed that the former governor had voluntarily honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation.

But Bello’s team, in another statement by its director, said Bello was at the EFCC office alongside his successor, Usman Ododo. Michael alleged that the EFCC did not interrogate him and told him he could leave.

Michael said, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the commission’s invitation.

“In the statement, we reiterated the former governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority and stressed that all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.

“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, declined assent to the Presumptive Tax Bill passed by the state House of Assembly, citing the current plight of the people.

 Makinde rejected the bill on the grounds that it would impose additional burdens on the poor, stating that the people were already struggling due to the current economic reality in the country.

“Anything that will put money in the pocket of the people is what I am interested in, so they can use it where it is needed most. At this time, I’m not interested in any policy that will empty their pockets. I’ll continue to fight poverty and not fight the poor,” the governor said.

Makinde expressed his position on the bill while recognising the Speaker of the Oyo Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, during the flag-off of the upgrade of Samuel Akintola Airport to an international standard. 

He stated that he would not implement the bill for the moment.

The governor, however, praised the Assembly for the initiative, which he believed was aimed at increasing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.

Last week Thursday, the Oyo State House of Assembly passed the State Presumptive Tax Bill, 2023, which provides for the imposition, administration, and collection of presumptive tax on individuals and entities whose income cannot be ascertained due to lack of financial records.

The bill outlines various presumptive tax rates for different enterprises, including artists and sign writers, barbers, bricklayers, carpenters, grinding mills, gas refilling depots, hairdressers, horticulturists, photographers, plank sellers, plumbers, welders, mechanics, block makers, saw millers, book stores, and typing studios.

Under the section of the law titled: “Oyo State Negotiated Presumptive Tax Rate,” owners of adult wear boutiques are liable to pay a minimum of N10,000 yearly and maximum of N50,000; barbers to pay from N3,000 to N10,000; artists and sign writers to pay from N5,000 to N50,000; bicycle repairers to pay between N2,000 and N10,000; bookshop/stationary stores to pay a minimum of N10,000 and maximum of N20,000; bricklayers to pay from N10,000 to N30,000; sellers of building materials to pay from N15,000 to N50,000; furniture makers to pay N25,000 to N40,000; carpenters are to pay between N10,000 and N35,000; gas station operators are to pay between N25,000 and N45,000; while photographers to pay between N2,000 and N5,000.

Also, plumbers are to pay between N2,000 and N10,000; welders to pay from N5,000 to N20,000; fruit sellers to pay from N1,000 to N5000; sallers/repairers of handset to pay between N2,500 and N4,000; shoemakers to pay between N500 and N2,000; laundry shop owners to pay from N1,000 to N2,500; block makers to pay between N15,000 and N25,000; vulcanisers to pay between N2,500 and N7,500; mechanic/welder/rewire are to pay between N1,500 and N5,000 and plank sellers to pay between N2,500 and N10,000.

The bill stipulates that a taxable person who fails to make the payment of the tax shall be liable to pay the sum and a penalty equal to 10 per cent per annum, while those who maintain up-to-date records and file returns within the stipulated period shall be granted a rebate of two per cent of the tax payable.

The law also specifies that persons subject to presumptive tax must file returns on or before 90 days from the commencement of each year.

 Upon payment of all tax assessments, taxable persons will be issued a tax clearance certificate.

The Federal Government is set to receive a fresh loan from the World Bank, with approval expected for loans worth $1.7 billion.

The loan is expected to be approved on September 26, 2024, according to official documents obtained by The PUNCH.

The funds will be received via three major development projects aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s economic stability and resource mobilisation capabilities.

The first project is the Nigeria: Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme, which is set to receive $500m.

The second project, Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Governance, has proposed funding of $500m.

While the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project will receive the highest funding of $700m.

The document stated that these projects have reached the negotiation stage and are expected to be approved on September 26, 2024. (As of board presentation).

The negotiation stage, the final phase of the loan process, indicates that the request has successfully cleared the appraisal stage between Nigeria, represented by the Minister of Finance, and the World Bank.

If approved, Nigeria will have secured a total of $3.95bn in loans from the bank this year alone and a cumulative $6.65bn under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The proposed loan projects, targeting crucial sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure, are pivotal for the country’s sustainable development and economic stability.

The Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity, which will receive $500m, focuses on enhancing human capital by improving education, health, and social protection services.

According to the draft copy of the Environment and Social Systems Assessment prepared by the bank, the project is to improve quality and utilisation of essential health care services and health system resilience in Nigeria.

The document read, “The proposed HOPE-Health provides a Sector-Wide Approach platform, leveraging significant additional resources to support a critical agenda.

“By aligning donor financing with the government’s resources, the proposed operation will foster convergence around a common set of results that are reflective of Nigeria’s disease burden.

Continuing, it said, “The Programme Development Objective is to improve quality and utilisation of essential healthcare services and health system resilience in Nigeria. Four PDO-level indicators align with the PDO emphasis on utilization, and quality of essential health care services.

“Number of women and children who receive tracer essential health services by community health workers. The number of PHC facilities achieving service readiness assessment criteria. The proportion of deliveries with skilled birth attendants present and the number of empaneled EDGE level 1 CEmONC facilities certified.”

This project has the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and Federal Ministry of Education as the implementing agency.

Also, the international lender stated that the loan request for the Nigeria: Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Program, is to fortify Nigeria’s primary healthcare system by enhancing healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and improving service delivery. This project will be implemented by the Ministry of Health.

The third project, Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project, will focus on sustainable power generation and irrigation, both of which are essential for agricultural and industrial development.

It will be supervised and implemented by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Our correspondent also observed that two loan requests including the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project – Scale Up project will receive $500m by December 16, 2024, and the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project has been slated for an approval date of April 8, 2025.

Recall that on June 13, the World Bank announced the approval of two loan projects aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s economic stability and supporting its vulnerable populations.

According to a statement from the bank, the combined package, totaling $2.25bn, comprises the $1.5bn Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing Program and the $750m Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms Program-for-Results.

Already, the international lender has received $751.88m of the $1.5bn under the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation.

So far, Nigeria has secured a total of $4.95bn in loans from the World Bank under the administration of President Bola Tinubu amid concerns over the country’s rising external debt servicing costs.

Not less than six loan projects have been approved and they include loans for power ($750m), women empowerment ($500m), girl’s education ($700m), renewable energy ($750m), economic stabilization reforms ($1.5bn) and resource mobilization reforms ($750m).

Data from the external debt stock report of the Debt Management Office shows that Nigeria owes the World Bank a total of $15.59 billion as of March 31, 2024.

On Tuesday, The PUNCH reported that 20 state governors have borrowed N446.29bn in six months highlighting the significant financial burden the sub-nationals currently face.

The Federal Government has called on agencies recruiting for the private sector to adhere to the N70,000 minimum wage, warning that any deviation would not be tolerated.

According to the FG, the new minimum wage is necessary to address the current economic reality, emphasising that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, stated this on Wednesday while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Daju, who was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages of the ministry, John Nyamali, said, “The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers.

“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they take from their principal that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions.

“The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the least paid worker goes home with N70,000.”

In his remarks, the President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, asked the government and Nigeria Labour Congress to clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross, stating that all ambiguities in the Act should be highlighted and explained.

 According to Okoye, the EAPEAN is already committed to the minimum wage, as well as providing decent jobs for Nigerians and guarding against the exploitation of human resources.

“As a labour union in the private sector, we are committed to the implementation of the minimum wage. We are a law-abiding and guided association. Our principals and clients have also keyed into the minimum wage.

“However, the government must clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross. The government and NLC should address all ambiguities in the minimum wage,” he stated.

Speaking at the programme, the Chairperson of the NLC, Lagos State chapter, Funmilayo Sessi, said the prevailing hardship had made a mess of whatever income any worker was earning in Nigeria, calling on private employers to ensure the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage.

She said: “The N70,000 isn’t enough in the current economic realities. By the time the consequential adjustment is concluded, all private employment agencies should immediately start paying their workers the N70,000 minimum wage.

“The NLC in Lagos State will see to the strict enforcement of the minimum wage. EAPEAN should avoid confrontation with the NLC on the minimum wage.”

The internal crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party has taken a new dimension as members of the National Working Committee and their deputies move to oust the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

A high-ranking member of the PDP NWC, who wished to remain anonymous due to lack of authorisation to speak on the issue, exclusively revealed to The PUNCH that certain members of the integrity group within the NWC were making efforts to remove Damagum and realign the party, as demonstrated in Bauchi State.

The source stated, “It’s well-known that some NWC members remain dedicated to the PDP rather than to any individual leader. The integrity group, led by the National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyegikuro, and two others, recently travelled to Bauchi to advance their agenda of replacing Damagum.”

Since taking on the role of acting National Chairman, party leaders have increasingly blamed Damagum for the ongoing crisis in the PDP and have called for his resignation.

This tension became more evident when Damagum and other NWC members loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, not only secured approval for the contentious Rivers State PDP congresses but also postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24.

The political conflict between Wike and current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara intensified on August 24, following public support for Fubara by PDP governors.

The governors demanded a review of the Rivers State congresses and affirmed Fubara’s leadership within the PDP.

Wike reacted angrily to this support, threatening on August 31 to disrupt activities in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State affairs.

In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, condemned Wike’s threat as irresponsible on September 3.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory asserted that he would not retract his threat to take action in PDP states.

While hosting five NWC members in Bauchi, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum dismissed Wike’s threat and confirmed that the North Central region would nominate Damagum’s successor.

A reliable source present at the Bauchi meeting reported that the NWC members convened with the Bauchi State Governor, who serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, to update him on their discussions and propose solutions.

He stated, “The situation within our party is concerning. There are efforts to undermine it. A few of us who share similar views met with the Bauchi State Governor to address these issues. We explained to him how Damagum is managing the party in a way that favours Wike and a select few, violating the party’s Constitution.

“Many of us oppose this direction and are prepared to support the governors in taking necessary actions to realign the party. We believe Damagum should be replaced by someone from the North Central while he returns to his role as Vice Chairman.

“The Bauchi State Governor, who initially backed Damagum’s appointment to the NWC, expressed regret for his support and apologised to those who came to see him about the damage caused by Damagum’s leadership. Senator Bala Mohammed has also committed to rallying other governors to facilitate Damagum’s replacement and restore the party’s integrity as soon as possible.

“Moving forward, we will engage with more governors and party leaders to ensure the right actions are taken. Enough is enough; if Damagum and his supporters refuse to cooperate, we will be forced to take a stand publicly in the coming days.”

Another reliable source, a member of the NWC who wishes to remain anonymous due to lack of authorisation to discuss the issue, claimed that there were efforts to remove Damagum for allegedly jeopardising the party’s stability.

The source stated: “We have repeatedly reached out to Damagum, Bature, and the National Secretary, but they have refused to engage. They shouldn’t be able to undermine us all because of Wike. Traditionally, the governor of a state is the party leader and deserves proper respect. However, they have given control to Wike in Rivers. Why is that?

“Damagum needs to address these concerns if he isn’t the problem. By continuing to accept land and favours from Wike, they risk undermining the party. I don’t want that. What we need is for Damagum to return to his original position, and for North Central to provide a replacement. This will ensure fairness and adherence to the party’s constitution. The constitution does not recognise an acting National Chairman, so why is Damagum holding onto that role?

“When Bamanga left, they brought in Muazu to complete his term. Why should this situation be different now? Just because Wike believes he has more power than everyone else? Many of us in the NWC are exhausted and can’t continue like this. We’re seeking support from our leaders to take necessary action.”

In a related development, some deputies to NWC members met in Abuja and agreed to support efforts to restructure the PDP, including the replacement of Damagum.

A source, who attended the meeting and requested anonymity because he was not authorized to share the group’s decisions, confirmed to The PUNCH that efforts were underway to replace Damagum.

He stated, “Yes, we met and decided to back any initiative aimed at repositioning our party, the PDP. Various party organs are proposing ways to accomplish this, including replacing Damagum, and we are prepared to support any legitimate actions to make it happen.”

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, stated that they met to assess the state of the party.

Osuoha said, “We met as a group and agreed to work together for the stability and growth of the PDP.”

When asked about the move to oust Damagum, he responded, “It is about the process and the organ that will make such a decision. If the NEC takes any decision, I cannot oppose it; I must support it. It is unfortunate that some people act unilaterally. The party should be run by its organs, not individuals. We have the BoT, NASS caucus, Governors Forum, NWC, and NEC. The NEC is the most supreme, and any decision they make must be binding on everyone.”

When reached for a response, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the party leadership would address all issues in the coming days.

Ologunagba mentioned that the PDP leadership aimed to concentrate on the upcoming Edo State governorship election and noted that they only paid a courtesy visit to Bauchi State.

 “There is no splinter group in the NWC. The NWC undertook an official courtesy visit to the Bauchi State Governor to discuss party matters, which is normal. Some of us went to Borno, while others went to Bauchi.

“I assure you that we will address some of the issues affecting our party. These matters are significant, and you have the right to know about them. The PDP remains a beacon of hope and democracy in this country. We cannot afford a one-party system in Nigeria, and we will discuss these important issues,” Ologunagba said.

Meanwhile, The PUNCH has learned that the PDP Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President, Adolphus Nwabara, has urged Wike to lay down his arms and allow peace.

It is worth noting that Nwabara, along with other BoT members, held a closed-door meeting with Wike in Abuja on Tuesday.

Another NEC member, who is also on the Board of Trustees and requested anonymity due to a lack of authorisation, revealed to The PUNCH that the elders appealed to Wike to seek peace.

The source, who wished to remain unnamed, said, “The BoT listened to Wike and urged him to stop all media attacks and give peace a chance. It was a reconciliation effort. However, the BoT is also aware of the underlying issues and is using all available organs to address them.”

When asked about the problem, he stated, “Most members of the Board of Trustees are opposed to Damagum. He is not managing the party effectively, and many of us want him removed.

“We believe that if Damagum returns to his original position and a substantive National Chairman is appointed, the PDP will regain its voice, influence, and power. While many may choose to stay silent, we are actively working to support efforts to reposition the party. So, the best way to get result is to organs of the party, he added.

Additionally, The PUNCH learned that the Nwabara-led Board of Trustees visited Bauchi State on Wednesday to meet with the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and discuss the state of the party.

Our correspondent’s attempts to reach Damagum for comments on these issues were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to messages by the time of publication.

Meanwhile, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday expressed his support for Damagum, stating that the time was not right for changes.

Makinde, an ally of Wike, assured Damagum of their ongoing support to help reposition the PDP.

He stated, “I am glad that the National Working Committee of our party is here.I read that there was another meeting in Bauchi. Let me say it clearly that we are 100 per cent in support of the Damagum-led NWC.  Whatever decision you take, we will support you to reposition the party.

“Let me also say this, I don’t think this is the right time. Even if we have issues within ourselves we have an important election on Saturday. So we should all rally round and deliver our candidate.”

The Osun State Police Command on Wednesday said it had arrested seven suspects for selling human parts and water used to bathe corpses in the state.

A statement signed by the acting Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, Mr. Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, said the suspects arrested included two mortuary attendants -Johnson Daniel, aged 43, and Adetunji Okunade, aged, 42 years.

Giwa-Alade, who listed others arrested for the crime as, Olaniyan Azeez, Balogun Temitope, Oladapo  Hammed, Kazeem Rasaq, and Asaka Rauf, said the suspects were arrested upon credible information from a good-spirited individual that, Daniel, a mortuary attendant at lpetu-ljesa was selling remains of corpses deposited at the mortuary where he worked to native doctors.

“The said suspects use these remains from the mortuary attendant (Johnson Daniel) for different ritual purposes. Daniel also confessed that he conspired with one other mortuary attendant named Adetunji Okunade ‘m’ to sell the remnant of water used in bathing corpses to interested native doctors.

“In the course of an investigation, a search was conducted at the residences of these suspects which led to the recovery of fragments of substances suspected to be a human skull at Asaka Rauf ‘m’ and Oladapo Hammed ‘m’’s residences, while a female pant and a notebook containing instructions on ritual practices were recovered from Balogun Temitope Asimiyu’s residence,” Giwa-Alade said.

The Osun Police Command spokesperson also said three people were arrested for canvassing support for the Yoruba Nation in the state.

According to him, Oluwafemi Fagbuyi, who was picked up at Obada Market in Ikire, where he was addressing people, told his audience, “to denounce their allegiance to Nigeria as a nation. He claimed that Nigeria ended in 2014 after 100 years of amalgamation.

He displayed the Yoruba Nation’s flag in the process.

“The case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department after preliminary investigation. Through diligent investigation, Joy Faseyiku, ‘F’, 63 years and Alabede Janet, ‘F’, 64 years were arrested in Osogbo and Ikire town respectively in connection with the crime. Investigation has been concluded and the suspects have been charged to Federal High Court accordingly.”

APC, LP tackle PDP over Obaseki’s N1bn grant to market women, NAF aircraft arrive Edo with sensitive materials

The Independent National Electoral Commission is set to begin the employment of more than 5,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems and other sensitive materials on Thursday (today) for the Edo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

Sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, arrived in Edo State on Wednesday via Benin Airport and were transported to secure storage facilities under tight security.

This comes as the 17 political parties participating in the poll are slated to end their campaign today.

The All Progressives Congress candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party are the leading contenders ahead of the ballot.

INEC officials and security personnel supervised the transportation of the election materials to ensure accountability.

5,000 BIVAS 

Multiple senior INEC officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that more than 5,000 BVAS devices would be deployed for the election.

“More than 5,000 BVAS devices will be deployed for the Edo State governorship election. BVAS is a sensitive election material. It will be deployed tomorrow (today) with other sensitive materials,” one of the officials disclosed.

INEC is preparing to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process across the state’s 4,519 polling units and 211 collation centres, which include 192 ward centres, 18 local government collation centres, and the state collation centre in Benin City.

As part of its preparation for the polls, INEC has increased its financial support to transport unions for the election logistics.

Additionally, the commission has been engaging with various stakeholders ranging from political parties and civil society groups to community leaders—to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and inclusive.

It was further learnt that the commission would deploy more than 18,000 ad-hoc staff for the poll.

Based on INEC’s staffing structure, each of the 4,519 polling units in Edo State will require a team of four officers, comprising a Presiding Officer and three Assistant Presiding Officers (APO I, II, and III), totaling 18,076 ad-hoc staff.

In addition to the POs and APOs, INEC will also dispatch Supervisory Presiding Officers to manage operations at various polling units across the state.

In a move to ensure a hitch-free exercise, the Nigeria Police Force has announced that it is expecting over 8,000 security personnel from other agencies to join the 35,000 officers already deployed for the Edo State governorship election.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi said drones, helicopters and other equipment had been deployed in the state to forestall any untoward incidents during the poll.

Adejobi added that DIG Frank Mba would lead the police team, noting that Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police would be posted to senatorial districts and local governments.

He said, “We are deploying 35,000 police officers to Edo, and we expect 8,000 plus to join us from other security agencies who are members of the Committee on Election Security. The IGP has deployed two Deputy Inspectors-General Police, DIG Frank Mba, to be the head of the team, then DIG Daniel Pedro, who is from the South-South, to be part of it. AIGs, Commissioners of Police are to be posted to senatorial districts and local governments.

“We have enough officers to monitor deployment and supervise the conduct of our men and other security agents there. So, we have enough deployment; our chopper will go, drones have been deployed, and many other critical assets have been moved down to Edo to make sure we have a free, fair, credible and even acceptable election in Edo State

“So, we are ready to support the INEC to make sure we have good conduct and a very perfect electoral process in Edo.”

Reacting to allegations that members of the PDP were indiscriminately arrested, Adejobi said those arrested so far in the state were involved   with the murder of a police officer.

He said, “We have not arrested any member of any party. Those that we have arrested so far in Edo are those that were suspected and they have been fingered in the killing of a policeman within the airport vicinity in Benin City.

“So, if they belong to a party, we don’t know; if they are businessmen, we don’t know; if they are professors, we don’t know. So, we are only dealing with those who have been fingered in the killing of the policeman in the state. And for those who have killed policemen or a policeman across the country, they have murdered peace and they will never enjoy peace.

“We cannot allow our policemen to be killed, to be attacked and be killed and you expect us to fold our arms? So, people are accusing the IGP of arresting people in Edo indiscriminately. No. We have our targets, we went for our targets, and we will still go for more.

“Those are people arrested in connection with the killing of the policeman. Don’t forget, we have charged some people to court. The case is in court and we are still going to do more. We are widening the scope of the investigation.

“Enough is enough. Any slightest thing, you attack the police and you kill the policemen as if we don’t have laws in Nigeria.

“So, anybody can say whatever they want to say, but for us in the police, we don’t know anybody’s identity other than those that we have arrested for the killing of a policeman in the state.

“According to the provisions of the law, there is what we call parties to offences, a criminal law. If you have committed an offence, if you are propelled to commit an offence, you are parties to that offence, and you go for it.

“So, those that are picked, they have done one thing or the other that led to the crisis and that led to the shooting of the policemen. Not only that, arms have been recovered from them, prohibited firearms. More than six have been recovered from them.

“So, we are not picking individuals to jeopardize the electoral process. We are not picking anybody on party basis. We only went after those who killed our policemen and injured others.”

Ahead of the election, the Nigerian Air Force has begun airlifting election materials to the state.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain, Kabiru Ali said the airlifting was to ensure timely and secure delivery of sensitive materials necessary for the smooth conduct of the elections.

Ali said, “The Nigerian Air Force has commenced the airlift of election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for 21 September 2024.

“This move is part of a broader effort to ensure timely and secure delivery of sensitive materials necessary for the smooth conduct of the elections. The airlift operation demonstrates the collaboration between NAF and INEC, aimed at facilitating logistics and ensuring a peaceful election process in Edo State.”

PDP accuses INEC

With just 48 hours before election, the PDP urged the electoral commission and the police not to allow the All Progressives Congress pitch them against the people.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made the statement during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, urging INEC and the police to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election in Edo State.

“The PDP has information that some unscrupulous INEC officials have concluded plans to give result sheets to APC. We call on INEC to ensure the endorsement of all result sheets by the REC and National Commissioner for the zone assigned for the election for authentication at the time of the distribution of election materials to the various Local Governments, Wards and Units,” he said.

Ologunagba asserted that the momentum for Saturday’s election suggests the PDP was poised for a decisive victory.

He stated, “The tide of this election, to the effect that the PDP is coasting to a sweeping victory, is clear for all to see and the people of Edo State are not ready to accept any result that does not reflect their Will as expressed at the ballot.

“The PDP therefore charges INEC and the police not to allow the APC to pitch them against the people. They must ensure a free, fair and credible election in Edo State.

The PDP, Ologunagba pointed out, had also been alerted that “the APC has allegedly given fake police and military uniforms and dangerous weapons to their thugs to unleash violence on the people of Edo State on Election Day.”

“These harassments, arrests and torture of PDP members and supporters are going on with the knowledge of the Edo State Commissioner of Police and the entreaties by the PDP to IGP to put such to an end have not received the desired attention,” he noted.

Ologunagba warned that the PDP candidate and the people of Edo State would not stand by and let the APC intimidate them or manipulate the results of the governorship election on Saturday.

He added, “The PDP and the people of Edo State are for peace but if the APC wants trouble, the PDP and the people of Edo State will use every legitimate weapon and means available in a democratic resistance to fight back, head-to-head and with overwhelming force to protect and ensure that nobody subverts the Will of the people at the poll.

“The PDP, in very clear terms, cautions that from henceforth any APC thug, fake or compromised security operatives that attempt to abduct any innocent citizen of Edo State, attempt to snatch ballot box or cause any crisis on election day will know that ‘Edo no bi Kogi.’

“The PDP, therefore, directs all our members and supporters across Edo State to get ready for election. They should equip themselves with all necessary self-defense mechanism to defend their Will and our democracy.”

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has voiced concerns regarding the  election.

HURIWA and 13 affiliated organisations at a press conference in Abuja on  Wednesday, berated INEC for retaining the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anugbum Onuoha, citing his close ties to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, which they said could compromise the commission’s  neutrality.

HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said, “The refusal to redeploy Onuoha raises serious questions about the commission’s commitment to conducting a credible election in Edo State.

“INEC’s reputation is on the line, and the Nigerian people deserve an election that is transparent and free of external influences,” HURIWA stated.

The association also expressed concerns about the police’s impartiality, alleging that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State is biased towards the APC.

HURIWA claimed that  the recent arrests of PDP leaders indicated a pattern of intimidation aimed at undermining the opposition.

To address these issues, HURIWA appealed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to take charge of security operations during the elections.

Opposition slam Obaseki

Director of Publicity, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, described the N1bn grant promised market women by Governor Obaseki  as “an inducement.”

Obaseki made the pledge while addressing the Association of Market Women in Edo State on Tuesday.

“The promise is an inducement and a trick to fool the people again,” Afegbua told The PUNCH. “He(Obaseki) has tried everything at this time and nothing is working for him. The promise is part of the gambling nature of the Governor Obaseki-led PDP government that the Edo State people have experienced in the past eight years.

“Some of the major markets have all been burnt down and he has refuse to renovate or rebuild while other markets are begging for the attention of the governor.”

The Edo State Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Sam Uruopa, told The PUNCH that the governor cannot make such a promise less than three months to the end of his tenure.

“A government that is winding down cannot make such a promise.  Is he the one on the ballot or Asue Ighodalo? Obaseki has been the governor for eight years, is it now that he is making the N1bn promise to make people vote for his failing party. He is only trying to woo the people with empty promises because they are no longer with him.”

Afegbua also accused Obaseki of trying to harass civil servants to vote for Ighodalo.

This comes after Obaseki told the state workers civil servants at a meeting on Tuesday in Benin that they would be the first casualty if an opposition candidate emerged the governor, urging them to vote for Ighodalo for continiuty sake.

“At the meeting on Tuesday, 8am, the governor issued out a fiat that any of the civil servants who refused to vote for his candidate, Asue Ighodalo, would be summarily sacked,” Afegbua said in a statement.

“He directed the directors and senior staff members to inform their subordinates of the directive, which according to him must be complied with. Even when some of the staff were grumbling, Governor Obaseki, vowed to deal ruthlessly with the staff if they failed to comply with the directive.

“According to Governor Obaseki, the election would be a do-or-die contest, and he directed the staff and civil servants to join him in the exercise of taking Edo State back by fire and by force.

“He also assured them that he would give them hazard allowances starting from Thursday to motivate the civil servants for the voting exercise. If the governor gives you money, collect it. After all, the money belongs to the people.

“We understand that what the civil servants take home from their promised N70,000 is actually N54,000 but the incoming APC government will pay N70,000 in full as well as other allowances.”

In response, the Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday, said, “We want to equivocally state that there is no such thing and the government never made any statements whatsoever threatening civil servants. The dimwitted scribbling is not only false but a figment of the jaundiced imagination of Afegbua, whose loyalty is to mammon and not the people. 

“The civil servants in Edo State are Nigeria’s happiest workers. They are liberated and well-empowered and have no reason to vote for Kassim Afegbua’s sinking party, the APC, whose government at the centre has not only superintended the liquidation of the Nigerian State but has inflicted untold hardship and suffering on the people.”

Police arrest miscreants

Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the police contingent for the election, Frank Mba, said the state command, with the support of visiting officers, had arrested miscreants at dark spots to ensure the election was hitch-free.

“Like the IGP has already briefed Nigerians, the police will be deploying adequately for the Edo election. What we have done today (Wednesday) is to hold a meeting with the strategic commanders, DPOs, Area Commanders, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Commissioner of Police who are saddled with the task of providing leadership and supervision at the various levels.

“Our task is to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of a free, fair and credible election. We are working with sister agencies as we cannot work in isolation.

“The state shares borders with Kogi, Delta, Ondo and Anambra states, so the security will be adequately done. The Army will man these border areas that are far away while the Navy will also provide security on the waterways, while other security organsations will also work with us during the election.

“We are also providing a dedicated phone number, 07025000383, for the public to report any breach of peace. This phone number will be with me and if for operational reasons it is not with me, it will be with my PA.

“The state command is supported by visiting officers who have been conducting very specialised operations. They have been conducting raids at known criminal hideouts. Most of the raids they have are target-oriented, intelligent driven and they are targeted at isolating criminal elements in the state while some have been arrested. The raid continues as we are ready to provide adequate security during this election.”

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, arrived in Edo on Wednesday ahead to assess the readiness of troops deployed for the poll.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, noted that the CDS also met with the Governor Obaseki and assured him of a safe environment for the election.

The statement read, “Speaking during his visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the CDS said he is in the state to assess the operational readiness of the troops and other security agencies. He assures the governor of an enabling environment for Edo people to come out and vote for their candidate of choice. “

Musa also promised that the troops deployed for the election would be professional in their conduct.

“I want to assure the good people of Edo State that the Armed Forces and other security agencies are going to act professionally in the conduct of the election.”

Musa warned those with intentions to cause violence against doing so or face the consequences.

“The Armed Forces will not accept any individual carrying arms and weapons of any kind. He added that President Bola Tinubu has given the military the mandate to ensure the most peaceful election in the history of the state.

“General Musa maintained that the Armed Forces will ensure Mr president’s directive comes to fruition. He seized the opportunity to appeal to Edo citizens to come out and vote en masse while guaranteeing their security. The Nigerian Police, he said, will provide general security while the military will give security back up for the election.”

The PUNCH learnt most of the political parties have reinforced as the campaign enters final day today.

The APC said it would use its last campaign day to intensify its unit-to-unit campaign across the state.

Director of Publicity, Edo APC Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, said, “We will intensify the unit to unit campaign on Thursday to round off the election,” he added.

Also, presidential candidate of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Wednesday tasked the security agencies and INEC to ensure a free, fair and credible poll, saying the LP was the right party to take the state to the next level.

He made this known during the final rally for the party’s candidate Olumide Akpata in Benin.

He said, “Nigerians are suffering today because of the wrong choice of leadership they made. If Akpata wins the election, he will fix the federal roads that are connected to the state without waiting for the federal government to fix them.”

Less than 72 hours to the election, the candidate of the Accord Party Dr. Bright Enabulele said he remained the authentic candidate of the party and asked whoever was aggrieved to seek redress in court.

Enabulele said the battle for the authentic AP candidate was between him and Kennedy Iyere, adding that it was an attempt to distract him from the bigger issue of governance.

 that had rendered the state post rate, assuring that he would not be drawn into that petty issue.

He advised whoever had the faintest idea that “he is the candidate of the party apart from me to first allow us to win the election and then seek redress in court. I am not going to be distracted from pursuing the desire to give the best of governance to Edo People.”

The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership is set to conduct a comprehensive post-election audit of the election.

The Chancellor of the Athena Centre, Osita Chidoka, in a statement on Wednesday, said the exercise was aimed at building on the success of its widely praised reviews of the elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.

He said the organisation had mobilised about 100 ad-hoc staff and volunteers to digitise results from IReV on election night, adding that findings would be published just days after the election and report ready before tribunal cases.

The statement read, “Building on the success of our widely praised reviews of the Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo governorship election, recognised for its depth, clarity and significant impact, the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership is set to conduct a comprehensive post-election audit of the Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024.”

He urged Edo voters, especially youths to come out and vote, adding, “Your voice will count. Be vigilant, shun vote-buying, violence, and hold your electoral officers accountable.”

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has urged members of the party’s recently dissolved National Working Committee (NWC), led by Julius Abure, to put aside their differences and collaborate with the National Caretaker Committee to rebuild the party.

Obi made this appeal through Datti Baba-Ahmed during the inaugural meeting of the caretaker committee held in Abuja on Tuesday night. He emphasized the importance of unity within the party as it navigates its restructuring phase.

The former governor categorically stated that it was the party’s constitution that led to the unseating of Abure following the expiration of his tenure, reaffirming the legitimacy of the caretaker committee’s formation.

Obi’s call for reconciliation comes at a critical time for the Labour Party as it seeks to strengthen its foundations and prepare for future electoral challenges.

Obi said, “Listen, my friend, no governor unseated Abure; the constitution unseated him. Abure’s time elapsed. Nobody unseated him. As of today, Abure is our good friend and a loyal member. We want him back in the fold; we have roles for him to play.

“We didn’t have crisis. We managed a transition that was a bit bumpy and that was it. I tell you, no other political party of our size could do that in the time and manner that we did.

“We are a political party who went all the way to the Supreme Court claiming our 10 million votes. They were only able to give us six million votes. So we are a force to contend with in Africa. What we’ve done has never been done before. When PDP came, they had the military. We had nothing.”

Obi noted that the opposition party was ready to repeat and surpass the feat recorded during the 2023 elections in 2027 by producing a majority in the National Assembly and winning the presidential seat in 2027.

Earlier, the chairman of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, assured party members of the committee’s determination to rescue the party from the current challenges and restore and rebuild it as a veritable alternative platform for Nigerians.

She assured the committee’s readiness to lead the party on the path of reconciliation within the short time of its assignment.

Usman stated, “We are on a rescue mission, not just for the Labour Party, but I tell you for our dear nation, Nigeria. The interest this committee has generated extends beyond party lines.

“The number of telephone calls I have received not just from Labour Party members, but people from other political parties who told me that if we get this thing right, we will walk together. So we have a huge task.

“Our party, by the grace of Almighty God, will become a platform for all disenfranchised and unhappy Nigerians. People who are not happy with the way things are going, we are going to be the platform for them by the grace of God. Therefore, we must view this as a significant national assignment.”

The Lagos police command says it has launched an investigation into a viral video of an officer involved in an altercation with an elderly woman.

POLICE COMMENCE INVESTIGATION INTO VIDEO OF POLICE OFFICER IN ALTERCATION WITH ELDERLY WOMAN

On Sunday, a video showing a police officer manhandling an elderly woman in her car began circulating on social media.

The officer was said to have demanded N250,000 from the woman which she refused to pay, before the altercation began.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, in a statement on Wednesday, condemned the action of the officer, noting that the inspector and his supervising deputy superintendent have been brought in for questioning.

Hundeyin said the incident took place in the Alagbado area of Lagos in the first week of September.

He assured the public that the investigation would be “swift, thorough and conclusive”.

“The command condemns the unprofessional conduct of the Inspector as it does not represent the ethics and operational standards of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement reads.

“The command equally assures Lagosians that the investigation will be swift, thorough and conclusive.

“We will ensure that the officers are disciplined as appropriate, and members of the public are updated accordingly.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed its intention to re-introduce and enforce the payment of the controversial Cybersecurity Levy on electronic transactions by Nigerians.

The CBN made this known in its Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 document released on Tuesday.

Naija News, however, observed, according to the document, that the levy has been reduced from the 0.5% earlier announced in May 2024 to 0.005% in the new guidelines.

The document read: “The CBN shall continue to enforce the payment of the mandatory levy of 0.005 per cent on all electronic transactions by banks and other financial institutions, in accordance with the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”

This move is in line with the provisions of the recently amended Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2024, and is aimed at bolstering the nation’s cyber security infrastructure.

The commercial banks and other financial institutions operating in the country are expected to deduct the levy from all electronic transactions by customers.

However, the CBN is yet to announce a date for the re-commencement of the charges.

It would be recalled that the CBN instructed banks in May this year to start the deduction of the cybercrime fee from customers’ transactions.

The development, however, generated widespread condemnation from Nigerians, who lamented the hardship they were already going through. Subsequently, the apex bank ordered banks to halt the charges.

The CBN directive follows an order from President Bola Tinubu for the suspension of the policy for proper review.