
FEATURES
Mother Of Three Reveals How Breastfeeding Her Husband Made Him Healthy And Brought Them Closer
AFOLABIA woman from the United States, Rachel Bailey, 30, has revealed that she breastfeeds her husband.
According to Bailey, the practice has made them closer and also improved her husband, Alexander, health.
The couple started the act in 2017 and have not look back since then.
According to Daily Mail, Bailey’s husband initially began drinking Rachel’s breastmilk to help her when she was over-lactating while nursing their children.
The couple insist that it’s ‘not a kink for them’ and that they aren’t embarrassed by it because ‘nothing bad has come from it all’.
Bailey said, “It’s a bit of a taboo subject, but we wanted to share it because we don’t think it’s bad and we aren’t ashamed.
“When my middle child, Aria, now six, was breastfeeding, I went away on a cruise with Alexander.
“However, I forgot my breast pump and was badly engorged for two days.
“I was in so much pain and I was scared about getting an infection, so we decided that my husband was going to try drinking the milk to relieve me.
“We were nervous about the idea of him breastfeeding from me but as soon as we did it, we realized it was perfectly fine.”
Rachel said it was ‘an instant relief when Alexander latched on’.
“On top of that, it has also created a more special bond between us which we never would have had if we didn’t start this,” she added.
When she was producing the most milk shortly after giving birth, he was drinking her milk ‘three to four times a day’.
The Kano State High Court, under the leadership of Chief Judge Justice Dije Aboki, has issued an order restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, from proceeding with renovations at the Nassarawa mini palace.
The court granted the injunction following a motion exparte filed by the plaintiffs/applicants, which include the Kano State government, the Attorney General of Kano State, and the Kano State Emirate Council.
The plaintiffs were represented by Rilwanu Umar Esq. and three other legal counsels.
In the court order, Justice Aboki directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo regarding the structural and architectural design of the palace until the motion on notice is heard and determined.
Reports had previously indicated that Emir Bayero began a facelift of the mini palace, showcasing a prototype of the planned renovations.
This development follows Bayero’s dethronement by Governor Abba Yusuf while he was away from the state, which led to the reinstatement of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who subsequently moved into the Kofar-Kudu palace.
Upon his return, Bayero was relocated to the Nassarawa mini palace, where he has continued to conduct court activities despite the ongoing legal battle over the palace renovations.
However, the court order reads, “That an order of Interim injunction is hereby made restraining the Defendant, his agents, privies, or anyone acting under the instruction and command of the Defendant in whatever manner from further demolishing, renovating, repairing, reconstructing and refurbishing the property known as Gidan Sarki Nassarawa situated along State Road, Kano pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice before this court.
“That an order is made directing parties to this suit to maintain status quo in respect of the structural and architectural design of the Res pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed before this Honourable Court.
“Plaintiffs/Applicants to serve the Originating Process, Motion on Notice and other subsequent processes in this suit on the Defendant via substituted means to wit, by Pasting and or leaving same at the frontage of the Property Gidan Sarki Nassarawa or give the said Originating Process and other subsequent processes to any Adult aide of the Defendant in the property known as Gidan Sarki Nassarawa situate along State Road, Kano.
“That the case is adjourned to 2/10/2024 for hearing of the motion on notice@
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress led by Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Imo Governor Hope Uzodima; Cross River Governor Bassey Edet Otu, Ondo Governor Lucky Oyedatiwa and Nassarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule were in Benin City yesterday, vowing to take over power from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Addressing supporters at the University of Benin Indoors Sports Complex, Ugbowo Campus, Shettima said Edo State needs a strategic thinker, builder and a man with a compassionate heart that can lead his people aright.
He said intelligence is not determined by the size of the head but one’s ability to solve problems that affect the people.
He added he had absolute confidence in Senator Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, to deliver the dividends of democracy to people of the state.
Shettima urged the people to come out and vote for the candidates of the APC on September 21.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, also said he believes in Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, to deliver on their electoral mandate.
He said he doesn’t need somebody who can speak “grammar” but one who can perform.
Akpabio said Okpebholo as a senator had been living up to his billings in the Senate, stressing that there is no doubt about his ability to deliver the dividends of democracy at all.
The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, said Governor Godwin Obaseki had been insensitive to the plight of people of the state and there is nothing to write home about on his eight years in office as the governor of the state.
The party’s national chairman, Umar Ganduje, said the state had been mismanaged for the past eight years, marred by insecurity and unemployment, and it was time for them to take it back by voting for the APC.
Okpebholo said he would employ 5000 teachers within his 100 days in office as governor of the state.
He assured market women of soft loans to boost their businesses and promised to build primary healthcare centers in the state’s 192 wards.
Senator representing Edo North senatorial district and former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has publicly asked for forgiveness from Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, for any past wrongs during his tenure as governor.
The lawmaker spoke during a goodwill message during Igbinedion’s 90th birthday celebration on Saturday in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Oshiomhole acknowledged Igbinedion’s support when he was elected as governor of the state, stating that he wouldn’t have emerged as the winner of the election without the support.
He continued, “I have always looked for one opportunity to say to the Esama of the universe that I am sorry for any of the things that I said knowingly or unknowingly or any of the things that I did that a son should never have done to a father.
“On your 90th birthday, I ask for your forgiveness, and I pray that you grant it.
“I want to publicly acknowledge your support for me in 2007 and 2008, without which I might never have become the governor of Edo State.”
DAILY POST reports that the lawmaker is apparently seeking support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state.
Oshiomhole has been building bridges to ensure that the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo is elected next governor of the state.
[DailyPost]
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday called Saturday’s governorship poll to elect his successor as a do or die affair for his party, the PDP.
Speaking at the party’s rally held at Garrick Playground, opposite Ekenwan Campus of the University of Benin, Governor Obaseki said: “This election is do or die. If they do, we will die.
“Next week Saturday by this time, vote for the PDP to become the next governor.”
He said his immediate predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, performed poorly.
His words: “When I took over office, our pensioners wore black on Labour Day. But today, they wear white.
“When I took office, our youths had no jobs, but today don’t they have jobs? After eight years, is Edo not one of the safest in Nigeria?”
We’II protect votes with our blood – PDP Chairman
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Illiya Damagum, vowed that members of the party were prepared to defend PDP’s votes in the election with their blood.
He said the election would be a test for democracy.
“To INEC, I say we don’t want that midnight results announcement. We will be vigilant and make sure that it doesn’t happen,” he said
“And, we know they will rig the election. This is not a threat, but we are very serious and we will defend our votes with our blood and everything.
“To the citizens of this country, please watch the election of Edo, it will be a test for our democracy. If they miss it here, it means they are looking for anarchy. We know they will attempt to do so, but we will resist them.”
We won’t allow rigging, Atiku warns
Atiku warned that rigging would not be allowed in the election.
“If you remember four years ago they threatened us, didn’t they do that? They said they won’t allow us to win in Edo State,” he said.
“But what did we show them, we showed them that Edo State no be Lagos,’ didn’t we do it?
“So this time again, we are going to show them that ‘Edo no be Lagos.’ They can’t steal votes here, therefore, protect, defend, escort your votes.
“Make sure your votes are entered, make sure your results are announced, of you do that no Jupiter will come and change your votes.”
Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Bala Muhammed, said that contrary to speculations of division among PDP governors, they remained united.
The party’s candidate Asue Ighodalo said Obaseki has laid the foundation for the development of the state and he would continue from where he stopped.
PDP stalwarts at the rally included Governors Mohammed of Bauchi State,Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State,Senator Aba Moro, Chief Tom Ikimi, members of BOT, members of the State House of Assembly, House Representatives, among others.
Many filling stations in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, have shut down due to high cost of sourcing petroleum products from third party marketers other than the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Investigation reveals that some filling stations in the city that sell petrol to the people at prices between N1300 and N1350 were the ones that lifted the products at costs more than NNPC control prices.
In an interview, the Executive Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Aba branch, Mazi Oliver Okolo, said that the NNPC had not supplied petroleum products to their members in the past three months.
He said the NNPC had been selling the products to some suppliers, who indirectly sell the product to the IPMAN members at exorbitant prices.
Mazi Okolo said, “Our members now lift petrol at high costs and sell to motorists and other users at high cost,” adding that if the refineries were working, people would buy petrol at an affordable prices.
He therefore called on the federal government to make the 21 NNPC refineries in the country functional to reduce the sufferings of the people.
In his reactions, a member of the National Executive, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Godfrey Chukwunyere, said NNPC sell petrol to mega stations, major marketers and the independent petroleum marketers at different high rates in addition to the inexperienced personnel handling the affairs of the corporation
Chief Chukwunyere who called for the total over haul of the petroleum sector, appealed to the federal government to prevail on the NNPC to sell the petroleum products at uniform prices to make things easier for the people.
[Punch]
…as NNPCL projected to lift product at N960/980, sell to marketers at N840/N850
*N130 under-recovery in new arrangement
*Plan will reduce pressure on Naira – Edun
*Oil Corporation deploys 300 trucks, vessels to refinery
*We await clarity on pricing mode – Depots’ owners
It was learnt that the NNPCL, as the sole off-taker of petrol from the refinery, is projected to lift the product at N960/N980 per litre and sell to marketers at N840/N850 to enable Nigerians to get it at between N857 and N865 at the pump at filling stations.
However, whether uniform product prices would apply at filling stations nationwide was unclear.
As of yesterday, petrol sold at N855 per litre at NNPCL retail stations in Lagos and it was the cheapest anyone could buy the product while major marketers sold around N920.
At independent marketers’ outlets, the price was over N1,000.
Elsewhere across the country, PMS sold for more than N1,200 per litre.
Negotiations
Sources said the new arrangement from the NNPCL and Dangote Refinery negotiations, spanning more than one week, would allow Nigerians to get petrol at between N857 and N865 per litre and represents an average under-recovery of about N130 to NNPCL.
President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand by a Presidency source, made it clear to the negotiating parties that “the price at which petrol would be sold to Nigerians should not be such that would place heavy financial burden on them while dealing with the new reality of the prevailing price”.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has, meanwhile, expressed optimism that the deal would reduce the pressure on foreign exchange (FX) demands and shore up the value of the Naira – presently, between 30% and 40% of FX demands go into the importation of PMS.
Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, who confirmed the readiness of the company to start lifting petrol today, told Sunday Vanguard, yesterday: “NNPC Ltd has started deploying our trucks and vessels to the Dangote Refinery to lift PMS in preparation for the scheduled lifting date of September 15th, as set by the refinery.
“Our trucks and personnel are already on-site, ready to begin lifting. We expect more trucks, and the deployment will continue throughout the weekend so we can start loading as soon as the refinery begins operations on September 15, 2024.”
300 trucks
Soneye hinted that at least 100 trucks had already arrived at the refinery for the petrol lifting, adding that the number of trucks could increase to 300 by Saturday evening.
On his part, Executive Secretary, of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Olufemi Adewole, said: “We have been lifting diesel (AGO) and aviation fuel (jet fuel) and we look forward to lifting petrol (PMS).”
On pricing, he said: “We await clarity in respect of the pricing mode, and once that is clarified, we’ll do the needful towards meeting the energy needs of Nigerians.”
Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, yesterday, said the structuring of the NNPCL, Dangote Refinery deal in Naira would assist in reducing pressure on the local currency.
A statement by the Director of information and Public Relations in the ministry, Mohammed Manga, stated: “In a landmark move towards reducing pressure on the Naira, eliminating unnecessary transaction costs, and improving availability of petroleum products, the Federal Government has successfully initiated the sale of crude to local refineries as well as corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira.
“The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, disclosed this today in his office in Abuja shortly after the Technical Sub-Committee meeting on the sale of crude oil to local refineries in Naira.
“Represented by the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, the Minister announced the completion of all agreements and modalities for the implementation of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval on the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira.
“Recall that the FEC under the leadership of Mr. President approved the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira.
Pressure on Naira
“This initiative will help reduce pressure on the Naira, eliminate unnecessary transaction costs, and improve the availability of petroleum products in the country.
“Since then, the implementation committee chaired by the Hon. Minister of Finance and the technical committee have worked intensely with NNPCL and Dangote Refinery to fashion out the details of the modalities for the implementation of the FEC approval.
“I am glad to announce that all agreements have been completed and loading of the first batch of PMS from the Dangote Refinery will commence on Sunday 15th September. From 1st October, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385kbpd of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery to be paid for in Naira.
“In return, the Dangote Refinery will supply PMS and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid for in Naira. Diesel will be sold in Naira by the Dangote Refinery to any interested off-taker. PMS will only be sold to NNPC; NNPC will then sell to various marketers for now.”
The agreement, according to analysts, was expected to ease the severe shortage of petrol across the country and probably bring the price which has skyrocketed recently down.
The UK government has announced a significant increase in the financial requirements for international students, effective from January 2nd, 2025. This marks the first adjustment to the financial thresholds since 2020, reflecting rising cost-of-living expenses across the UK.
Under the new rules, international students will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses for up to nine months. The financial requirements vary depending on whether students plan to study in London or outside of the capital:
- Studying in London: Students will now need to show evidence of having £1,483 per month, up from the previous £1,334, representing an 11.2% increase.
- Studying Outside London: Students must prove they have £1,136 per month, up from £1,023, reflecting an 11.1% increase.
These adjustments aim to align the financial requirements for international students with the maintenance loans available to domestic students, with the last financial review taking place in 2020.
To meet the new financial threshold, students intending to study in London for nine months or more will need to show a total of £13,348 in savings, based on the new monthly requirement of £1,483.
Reports confirm that the UK government made these changes to keep pace with inflation and rising living costs. The increased financial requirements are intended to reflect the growing cost of living in the UK, ensuring that international students can support themselves during their studies.
Controversial artist, Portable has announced the birth of his daughter with his fourth baby mama, Ashabi Simple.
The singer took to his Instagram page to share the good news with his followers.
He expressed his gratitude to God for the successful birth of the newborn.
According to Portable, he is welcoming his third female child.
Portable wrote, “ZAzuu With hearts full of joy, we welcome our third princess to d world, thank you GOD for not shaming us, eyitayo Alhamdulilahi. God bless you my woman I fly with you forever @ashabi.mohsimple_ Mummy @fitilamihan_atandaogo iya new born baby Akoi Blessings my beautiful princes welcome to the world Ọmọ OGO OGO Ni God bless BADMUS family”.
Nigeria will soon introduce a Digital Travel Certificate (DTC) to enhance border security and improve the travel experience in line with global best practices, announced Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Minister of Interior.
Tunji Ojo made this announcement during the closing ceremony of a two-day capacity-building workshop on advanced passenger information/passenger name record (API/PNR) solutions for Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel. The workshop was organized by Newworks and led by specialists from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The Digital Travel Certificate (DTC) will be a digital version of a traveller’s identity, potentially replacing traditional passports. It will include the traveller’s facial image, biographical data, and security features validated through the issuing authority’s public key infrastructure. This initiative aims to streamline and secure international travel by facilitating easier verification of travellers’ identities and vaccination statuses.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that introducing the DTC is part of a broader strategy to modernize border control and enhance security. “We are not stopping here. Once we deploy the API and PNR, we will move on to implementing the Digital Travel Certificate,” he said. He also expressed readiness to collaborate with IATA and other global partners on additional border control solutions.
The Controller General of the NIS, Kemi Nana Nandap, highlighted the significance of the training, noting that it was the first of its kind. “This specialized training for API and PNR will make our borders more secure, enable target-based clearance at airports, and enhance our ability to monitor cross-border crimes,” she said.
Nandap commended the minister for his leadership in advancing these technologies, which had been in planning for nearly 14 years without success. The new systems will allow faster and more seamless passenger clearance and provide better foresight regarding who enters the country.
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has doubled down on his threat to instigate anarchy and unrest in states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike and Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State have been at daggers drawn over the political control and structure of the state.
Amid the virulent power tussle, the PDP governors forum declared their support for Fubara against the minister.
Exasperated by the governors’ position, Wike had threatened to put fire in the state of any governor who interfered in the political crisis in Rivers State.
However, featuring on Channels TV Politics Today, Wike said he had not changed his position on his threat to the governors, saying heaven would not fall.
“I said it to the governors forum and I repeat without any apologies to anybody anywhere. Heaven will never fall, in fact; if heaven falls there will be peace.
“You mean as I sit as FCT Minister from Rivers State, the only person I can say I have no relationship with is the governor of Zamfara, I don’t know him; if I see him now I won’t know him.”
He asserted that the governors’ action was tantamount to violation of the constitution, saying he would not stand by and let that happen.
“I know all other governors and they know me and we have a relationship. You mean you want to violate the processes and constitution of our party.
“After your meeting, you came out on national television as chairman of the forum to read a communique that their brother in Rivers state – whether legal or not – and I’m sitting as FCT Minister from that state listening, and you expect me to fold my arms because you are a governor?
“You look at me and tell me that? Expecting me to fold my hand for everything to be well?”
Former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria is in a crisis with 38 million people on the verge of extreme hunger.
Obi berated the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress administration for engaging in wasteful spending which, according to him, had further worsened the living conditions of Nigerians.
He listed some of the wasteful spending of government as the purchase of a new presidential jet at $100m, N21bn for the renovation of the vice president’s lodge, and N15bn for the construction of the National Assembly clinic.
“You cannot ask people to fast while you are feasting”, Obi added.
Obi, who spoke during an interview with News Central TV, said the Federal Government must use its lean resources to address issues in key development areas such as health, education, poverty alleviation, and security.
“From all records, Nigeria has 38 million people on the verge of extreme hunger; we are the poverty capital of the world. The two most critical areas that are giving us the crisis are human insecurity and food insecurity. To deal with this, we need to invest in agriculture to solve hunger, unemployment, and inflation,” Obi said.
He hinted at the possibility of a merger with other opposition parties to salvage Nigerians from hunger and widespread insecurity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Edo gov poll: Political parties mobilising huge funds for vote-buying - may pay N20K per vote
AFOLABIThere are indications that the leading political parties in the Edo governorship election are ready to outdo one another in vote-buying to win the poll scheduled for next Saturday.
Our correspondents gathered that the parties had started amassing “war chests” in a desperate bid to compromise voters.
A highly credible source said the Edo poll could set a new record for vote-buying in the history of elections in the country.
“A vote could go as high as between N15,000 and N20,000. There are plans by agents of some of the parties to mop up voter cards. How they intend to use the cards is what nobody knows. This is why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission are being deployed for the election,” the source added.
Another source confirmed plans by the parties for what he called “heavy vote-buying”.
“I can confirm to you that the parties are ready to do whatever it takes to win this election and that includes paying as high as N20,000 for a vote.
“Unfortunately, doling out of gift items during campaigns has become entrenched in our political system with voters themselves mortgaging their votes for a ‘pot of pottage’. The voters are all partners in crime and what they fail to understand is that collecting gift items and cash from candidates and political parties makes them vulnerable.
“They will not have the moral justification to question the government if it fails in its responsibility to provide developmental projects in the state. After all, they (the electorate) have been paid upfront.
“Unless the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies work together to ensure that citizens are discouraged from selling their votes, this might be an election where the buying of votes becomes an all-time high,” the source added.
Another source urged INEC and security agencies to monitor the activities of parties and their agents on election day.
He said, “I have spoken to some members of two of the leading parties and they said that they are preparing to bring out cash to induce voters. So INEC and security agencies should be ready to combat this.”
Parties already paying voters
A frontline election monitoring organisation, Yiaga Africa, said both the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress had been inducing voters ahead of the election.
Yiaga expressed worry that the parties had abandoned the election mandate and resolved to induce voters with cash and materials.
The Media Officer of the organisation, Jennifer Dafwat, while speaking with Saturday PUNCH, said the group witnessed and documented political parties and politicians distributing cash, presents, and food items to entice voters.
“Election mandates are becoming less credible as a result of this sad trend. These incidents were primarily noticed or heard about in the Uselu market, Egor LGA, where market women received monetary gifts ranging from N1,000 to N2,000 from the APC and PDP parties during their campaign tours.
“Similarly, PDP campaigners gave wrappers to women who joined the campaign gathering in the Amiebonkhian community of Esan North East LGA. In the Ubiaja community of Esan South East LGA, PDP campaigners also gave several store owners shirts, caps, umbrellas, and as much as N2000,” she added.
The Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Conference of Registered Political Party, Samson Isibor, described the plans as unwholesome.
He noted that whoever bought votes did not mean well for the masses.
While admitting that it would be difficult for people to reject such offers due to economic hardship, he urged the electorate to vote their conscience.
He said, “What they are engaging in is transactional politics, where buying and selling of votes becomes the order of the day.
“We do not want politics to degenerate into this. Those who buy votes are not coming to serve the people. You don’t need to buy votes from the people you want to serve. All you have to do is sell your manifesto to them.”
PDP, APC, LP exchange tackles
The Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, told Saturday PUNCH that the APC had demonstrated a significant propensity for vote-buying.
Osadolor stated, “The APC has shown that they are not prepared for the election; they are gearing up for violence and vote buying. That is why they have not campaigned on issues but have instead relied on federal might.
“In contrast, the PDP is ready for this election and any future elections because we have done our homework and the people are with us. We also have the most credible candidate, and the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has achieved a lot, which will swing votes to the PDP.
“The APC has demonstrated a significant propensity for violence and has even recruited some members of the Nigeria Police Force into their scheme. We also know they are planning to engage in heavy vote buying, which will be resisted.”
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, also said the APC had shown signs it was not committed to a free, fair, and credible election.
He said, “Since it became evident that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is heading towards decisive victory, the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, have become desperate, resorting to violence and intimidation to undermine the will of Edo State voters. Reports indicate that the APC has set up a torture squad to abduct innocent Edo residents and take them to undisclosed locations.
“This use of violence and intimidation reveals that the APC and its ineffective candidate are intimidated by Dr Asue Ighodalo’s growing popularity in Edo State.”
Ologunagba also claimed that the APC was importing thugs from Imo State to assist in an election manipulation scheme.
He noted that residents were prepared to use every lawful means to confront and resist attempts to disrupt the governorship election.
But the APC dismissed the allegations, insisting that Governor Obaseki was plotting to rig the September 21 governorship election.
The National Publicity Director of the party, Bala Ibrahim, said, “The PDP has made a name in rigging. But because their rigging mechanism has been uncovered and defeated, everything about them falls around rigging. Now that they can not unleash their rigging tactics, they have refused to sign the Peace Accord.
“They have seen that the people are ready to protect their votes and won’t allow rigging; this is why they are making noise all over the place about arrest, rigging, vote-buying and others. This is even a sign that the PDP has lost grip and the real meaning and intent of democracy.”
Ibrahim denied that the APC had plans to buy votes, adding that the party lacked the means.
Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae, said his party had no reason to engage in vote-buying.
He said, “We are not in the business of buying votes and we don’t have any reason to do such. We are not paying for votes. Buying of votes is an electoral offence and we cannot be seen to be committing an offence when we are planning to win the election.
“The only party that will buy votes is the one that feels it has not been accepted and this is a wrong step to be taken by any political party that means well for the Edo people.
“We are a decent party, we have done so well in our campaign and the people have shown that we are accepted and are ready to demonstrate that on election day.”
The Labour Party Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, distanced his party from vote-buying, saying only the APC and PDP were known for such.
He said, “The APC and the PDP are the ones involved in vote-buying if what you heard is correct. That has been their practice, they also rig elections and are involved in other electoral malpractices. We are urging INEC and the security agencies to watch officials of these political parties closely, especially during the election.
“For the LP, we are not vote buyers and the people are with us. However, we are scared about this age-long practice they have been known for, that they have used to cripple this country and used to bastardise the electoral system.”
The Deputy Director General, Media, Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Olu Martin, said parties that did not have popular candidates engaged in the practice.
He said, “I can’t speak for other parties but it is not unusual in a democracy to see people trying to induce voters, especially for parties who don’t have popular candidates.
“For us in the PDP, our fellowship is organic, our candidate is known, our manifesto is clear, we have endeared ourselves to the people. We even have people who are donating to us and ready to mobilise people to go out and vote. They are even ready to give us money to run the campaign. If you buy votes, you now become like a social contractor hoping to recoup what you have spent. It is the people that will suffer.”
EFCC, INEC warn parties
The spokesman for EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said vote buying is an economic crime and the commission would not tolerate it.
“We will not allow any kind of criminality in any form,” he stated.
“The same spirit and focus that we have been using to fight all other crimes, will be deployed be the commission to fight criminality including vote-buying.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the electoral body had asked security agencies to go after vote buyers.
“Therefore, it will be a big mistake for any political party to think that its members can engage in vote-buying on election day because law enforcement agents will move against them. I would strongly advise anyone thinking of doing it to have a rethink. Apart from the fact that vote-buying is an electoral offence, it will also go against the spirit and letter of the Peace Accord that the political parties and their candidates signed only on Thursday here in Benin City,” he added.
Obaseki raises the alarm
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor Obaseki, has alleged that INEC is working in cahoots with the APC to postpone the governorship poll on the eve of the election.
A statement on Friday said the governor spoke while addressing members and leaders of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
Obaseki, who had earlier refused to sign the peace agreement, noted that the country’s democracy was at risk.
He said, “They plan to postpone the election on the eve of the election to destabilise us. But whenever they postpone the election, we will win the election. It will be a long fight but we know it’s a struggle.”
“APC has not offered us an alternative. They have not campaigned on any meaningful thing we can hold them onto. They don’t have any credible candidate but all they boast of is federal might. They say they will write the results and we can go to court. We will not go to court because they can’t write the results. If they write the results, they will meet the consequences.”
Many women are growing increasingly fearful following the rise in cases of boyfriends killing young women for ritual purposes in different states.
The women view the killings as a reflection of societal failure, greed, and cruelty, leaving them feeling unsafe, even in public spaces.
One recent case involved a 25-year-old man, identified simply as Elisha, who was arrested on May 14 for allegedly killing his lover in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Similarly, Christiana Idowu, a female student at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was kidnapped and killed on August 19 by one Ayomide Adeleye, who had previously been accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend in 2018.
Other cases include the August 6 arrest of Fatai Mogaji in Lagos State for allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Opeyemi Shoyinka, to death, and the chilling murder of 19-year-old Damilola, a student at the Federal University in Lokoja.
Damilola’s killer, 20-year-old Jeremiah Samson, was arrested after dismembering and burying her remains in a shallow grave.
These violent incidents have caused widespread panic, particularly among young women in southwestern Nigeria.
A 22-year-old lady, Adenike Araoye, expressed fear about dating in light of the alarming rise in ritual killings.
“I am single, but I’m terrified of entering a relationship. The news of boys killing their girlfriends is terrifying. Good guys seem rare these days,” she said.
A student at the Osun State University, Mariam Oyebamiji, while speaking on general insecurity in the society, said, “I don’t want anyone to destroy my parents’ joy.”
Another lady, Oluwatobiloba Ajiboye, 30, also shared her concern over how easily women had become targets for ritualists.
She, however, urged women to be vigilant in relationships, pointing out that many relationships were based on deception.
“These killings show that some men never truly loved these women; the relationship was just a cover for their sinister plans,” Ajiboye said.
She also warned that materialism and dating fraudsters, often referred to as Yahoo boys, increased the risks for women.
Ajiboye attributed the rise in ritual killings to the harsh economic climate and societal pressure, which she believed had pushed many young men to seek quick wealth through deadly means.
Also, a journalist, Nafisat Oyedele, lamented society’s disappointing reaction to femicide, often blaming the victims instead of addressing the root cause.
“It’s heartbreaking to see so many femicide cases in Nigeria, yet society blames the victims. Girls are told to stay home, but even at home, they aren’t always safe. Many are killed by people close to them,” Oyedele said.
An activist, Titilope Adako, identified the killings as a form of gender-based violence.
She explained that some perpetrators enter relationships with the intent of using their partners for rituals.
Adako said, “The fact that intimate partners, who should offer love and support, are committing these brutal acts is a clear sign of societal failure.”
She also pointed out that the crimes were fueled by a toxic mix of superstition, desperation, and ignorance.
She explained that the belief that human sacrifice leads to wealth, combined with a lack of effective law enforcement, creates an environment where violence is normalised and criminals feel emboldened.
Adako added, “The lack of remorse shown by some of these killers highlights the severity of the issue.”