A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), has observed voter inducement at polling units (PUs) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel,” the group said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

The statement was co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.

“The price of votes ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs.

“In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,” the group said.

The group, however, acknowledged the arrest of the alleged two vote traders in George Idah Primary School, Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.

The Situation Room commended the peaceful conduct of voters and urged them to remain calm throughout the process.

The Situation Room is made up of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), YIAGA Africa, are TAF Africa.

Others are Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (formerly Alliance for Credible Elections, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), DIG Ebonyi, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), Life And Peace Development Organization (LAPDO), Rural Youth Initiative, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) and Josemaria Escriva Foundation.

The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, says low voters did not turn out for the Edo State governorship election that held on Saturday.

He stated this in Benin City during an interview on Channels Television as the results started trickling in after the conduct of the off-cycle poll.

He described the situation as sad and disappointing, noting that most young people appear on the ballot.

“Majority of those who are actually on the ballot are young people, and it is just sad to see that there are not too many young people that showed up to cast their vote,” he said.

“If they did, perhaps we would have recorded higher turnout levels. You go to a polling unit of about 1,700 voters, you will see just a hundred or 200.”

Earlier, Yiaga Africa said its agents observed incidences of vote buying and polling unit disruption during Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

The group in a statement said it deployed 300 stationary and 25 roving agents to observe a representative sample of polling units across all 18 LGAs in Edo.

It noted that the observers were monitoring the results collation process at the LGA and state levels.

“Yiaga Africa observers reported incidents of vote buying in Ikpoba/Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West and Uhunmode LGAs. APC and PDP party agents were seen bribing voters with cash (N10,000) at the Igueben – Idumoka Pri School polling unit (12-10-03-004) Ward 1 in Igueben LGA,” the statement read.

“Party agents for APC and PDP were also seen handing out cash (N10,000) in Enikaro – Enikaro Primary School IX Polling Unit (12-11-07-009) in Ugbekun ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA.

“Voters halted the accreditation and voting process in the Ikpoba—Army Children XI polling unit (12-11-01-011) in Iwogban/Uteh Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA because INEC officials arrived without the official stamp.

“At Ebua Market Square in Uhunwode LGA, an altercation between APC and PDP supporters over alleged bribery led to the suspension of voting and the destruction of the voting cubicle. Political thugs also disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA.”

Edo residents went to the polls on Saturday to elect who govern them for the next four years.

There are 17 candidates in the race for the Edo governorship seat, comprising 16 men and one woman.

Among the leading candidates are Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 2,629,025 voters registered to cast their ballot.

Yiaga Africa has reported that the ongoing off-cycle governorship election in Edo State experienced instances of vote buying.

Their Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology and Watching the Vote (WTV) initiative indicated that some voters were offered N10,000.

This is contained in the mid-day election statement on the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election presented on Friday by Dr. Aisha Abdullahi and Samson Itodo, Chair of the 2024 Edo Election Mission and Executive Director, of Yiaga Africa respectively as well as other board members including Prof. Nnamdi Aduba, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Cynthia Mbamalu and Dr. Asmau Maikudi.

“Observers reported incidents of vote buying in Ikpoba/Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West and Uhunmode LGAs. APC and PDP party agents were seen bribing voters with cash (N10,000) at the Igueben-Idumoka Primary School polling unit (12-10-03-004) Ward 1 in Igueben LGA.

“Party agents for APC and PDP were also seen handing out cash gifts (N10,000) in Enikaro- Enikaro Primary School IX Polling Unit (12-11-07-009) in Ugbekun ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA,” the statement said.

The Yiaga Africa commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and security agencies for their swift action in arresting suspected vote-buyers at polling units in Egor and Oredo LGAs.

The statement said that as of 1:40 pm, the Yiaga Africa WTV Data Centre received 16 verified critical incident reports primarily relating to the late opening of polls; four PUs that failed to open as reported in two PUs in Egor, one in Esan South East, and one in Etsako West.

It also listed delayed commencement of voting due to BVAS Malfunction in Ayogwiri Town Hall, Ayogwiri PU, of Uzairure South East ward in Etsako West LGA, adding that as of 1pm, voting had not commenced in the PU.

On disruption of voting, the statement said that voters halted the accreditation and voting process in the Ikpoba -Army Children XI polling unit (12-11-01-011) in Iwogban/Uteh Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA because INEC officials arrived without the official stamp.

While at Ebua Market Square in Uhunwode LGA, an altercation between APC and PDP supporters over alleged bribery led to the suspension of voting and the destruction of the voting cubicle, political thugs disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA.

The statement among other recommendations urged security agencies to enhance their presence in PUs and wards where delays occurred due to the late arrival of INEC officials to prevent political thugs from exploiting the situation to compromise the process, especially if the process extends into the night.

An attempt by a 59-year-old man to commit suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge has been foiled by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command has foiled

The spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed this in a statement said the man identified simply as Yemi, attempted to jump into the lagoon from the bridge on Friday, September 20, 2024.

According to the PPRO, the man said he was overwhelmed by challenges.

“At about 1200hrs today, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) bike riders on routine patrol on the Third Mainland Bridge prevented a man from jumping into the lagoon. The man, one Yemi, aged 59 of Ilasa, Lagos stated that he was overwhelmed by challenges,” the PPRO stated.

“Commander RRS, CSP Shola Jejeloye has counselled the suspect and has directed he be kept in protective custody pending the arrival of his family members.”

Barrister Asue Ighodalo, the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised the alarm over alleged voting buying in the ongoing election in the state.

Daily Post reports that Ighodalo made the allegation shortly after casting his vote at ward 1, unit 3, at Okaigben Idinrio in Esan South-East LGA.

He alleged that some political parties are buying votes with N15,000 and B20,000.

“The worst is that they go round trying to buy votes. They buy votes for N15,000 and N20,000.They are trying everything to subvert the process,” he said.

Ighodalo, who expressed optimism that he will win the election, noted that his major priority is to move the state forward.

“We are not comfortable with the little shenanigans that is going on particularly from the APC guys.

“There are rumours that they are trying to undermine the election process. Many of them have been caught with ballot papers, PVC’s.

“The Nigerian military has made me proud. They have taken charge and have shown great responsibility. They have shown that they can protect the people and I am extremely proud.

“We are not worried. We have spent ten months talking to people, telling them what we will do for them if they elect us.

“The people believed us and have accepted us all over the state. I don’t know the magic anybody will perform.

“I believe INEC will deliver a free and fair election until they prove otherwise. We will win hands down in this election,” Ighodalo added.

He also alleged that some chieftains of the PDP were arrested in Uromi.

“We are not happy with what is ongoing on in some places but we will remain confident. One of our supporters was arrested at Uromi by some people with security outfit.

“No one should carry a gun into a polling unit. It’s against the law. It’s against the regulation. You see people behave indiscriminately, oppressing and trying to intimidate our folks. It won’t happen. We can’t be intimidated.

“How come it’s only PDP supporters that have been arrested? Everyday you see APC supporters doing imaginable things. But nobody arrests them. Nobody investigates them.

“The person arrested was at his polling unit trying to be accredited. He was queuing up trying to be accredited. Authorities should create a free and fair playing field. This is getting too much, particularly from the Police Force,” he added.

Monalisa Stephen, the Nigerian actress and content creator, has opened up about her experience in an abusive relationship.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, she stated that she did not initially recognise the abuse until she was physically assaulted.

"You can be abused whether you’re fat or not. When I got the first slap, I was shocked. What led to the slap wasn’t even worth it. I was dazed. The experience was unexpected, and I felt really bad because this was someone I trusted. Even though he was below my league, I lowered my standards to date him.

“This person kept beating me and humiliating me. I asked him, ‘Why do you keep doing this to me?’ and he said his friend told him that people like me need to be ‘bent’ so he could dominate me. That made me see some men in a different light.”

She added that though many people think that public figures don’t have problems, reverse is the case.

She also stated that some people, including those who come to date them, see popular individuals as targets.

Davido, the Afrobeats star, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of “incompetence” in the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Edo.

On Saturday, residents went to the polls to elect a successor to Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is completing his two-term tenure of eight years.

Seventeen political parties are participating in the election, with the major contenders being the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP).

The key candidates include Monday Okpebholo (APC), Asue Ighodalo (PDP), and Olumide Akpata (LP).

During the election, there were reports of vote-buying and the presence of political thugs at some polling units.

Ighodalo also accused the police of voter intimidation.

“One of our supporters was arrested by men in mufti carrying guns. Nobody should carry a gun to a polling unit; that’s against the law and regulation,” he said.

Davido, who recently expressed enthusiasm for the election and supported Ighodalo, criticised INEC, labeling it “the most dangerous institution in Nigeria” and “very incompetent”.

He also urged the commission to enhance its operations, adding that the world is watching the unfolding events in the state.

“The most dangerous institution in Nigeria @inecnigeria,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Very incompetent @inecnigeria fix up! The world is watching #Edodecides.”

The singer continued his tirade against the electoral body on X. He also revealed why he is interested in the state election. 

“My mom is from Edo for those wondering why I’m interested in the election … but we as Nigerians should be concerned sha .. @inecnigeria shame on you I know how many times I had to come in here and rant before they got it right in Osun ! It’s really bad . God help us,” he wrote.

The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has won his polling unit.

Obaseki had after casting his vote said commended the electoral process at his polling unit. He commended voters who came out to vote despite the heavy rain experienced in the state.

His words: “You can see despite the inclement weather people have turned out in their large numbers. You can see the enthusiasm.

“It is not mid-day yet and the ballot box in my polling unit is already full. And so clearly that tells you that people are very interested because they have been mobilized. And have been very interested in this election. This is why I am not surprised.

“For now I am glad with what I see, the process in my units has been smooth. I hope the collation process will be the same. It will be peaceful and the results will be counted and there will be no destruction.

“I am glad with the extent of military presence in the state. As you know the federal security agencies have taken over the state. I am not the Chief Security Officer of the state, the Inspector General of Police, IGP is the Chief Security Officer”.

On the other hand, the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Olumide Akpata has lost his polling unit.

He pulled 32 votes against PDP that got 41. At polling unit PU11, Ward 06, Oredo LGA, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, garnered 19.

Recall that Akpata had advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that what he experienced at his polling unit was replicated all over the state and allow the peoples’ vote to count.

According to him “The process went well, I want to hope that this is the experience of every Edo voter, but I’m not going to make that assumption standing here, I want to wait for feedback from my agents across the state, its 192 wards, 4500 polling units.

“We are hopeful that this will be the experience of every Edo voter and I am calling on INEC that the playing field should remain level, nobody should be given any undue advantage, all of our agents should be allowed into collation centres, the agent of all parties, nobody should be hindered, prevented from going into the collation centre, so that we can all witness the process, and be able to confirm that it was done in the manner as provided by law, the electoral act and the constitution.

“So, INEC has no excuse, this is an off-cycle, and they have the luxury to deploy their resources.

“All eyes are on INEC, the entire country is on INEC, and we are hoping that they will do a good job.

“It left to see if the heavy deployment of security personnel to Edo is for the people or the certain individual”.

Frank Mba, a deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), says there has been a large voter turnout in the Edo state governorship election.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Mba, who is in charge of security for the election, said he witnessed a large voter turnout at some polling units visited.

“We’ve visited a couple of polling units, and so far, so good; we’ve seen a large turnout, but there are the places where the turnout was quite low,” Mba said.

The DIG also said the security situation during the election has been encouraging.

“For us, our major concern is the all-round security of the elections, and I am so far encouraged and impressed,” he said.

“In areas where we’ve received minor complaints, we’ve risen up to the challenge, and we’ve been able to fix those ones.

“We are still out to continue monitoring, and we are optimistic that all will end well.”

Seventeen candidates are battling for the votes of 2.2 million electorates in the race to succeed Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor of Edo.

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) are the major contenders in the election.

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s daily consumption of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, reduced to about 30 million litres after subsidy removal.

Tinubu spoke on Friday during a meeting with a group of former lawmakers at the State House in Abuja.

He said although Nigerians are complaining about the current “petroleum crisis”, the country must achieve PMS security.

“Yes, we have fuel in the ground. But do we have the capacity to bring it up before we refine and distribute? Have we examined alternative sources of energy with all that the world has given to us?” he asked.

“When I resumed, I said the subsidy was gone. There was no subsidy in the budget handed over to me. I can’t be creative and look for magic lamp to create a budget. And ever since, we maintained that position.

“From several millions of litres (of petrol), now we are down to 30 something. We are now knowing the true consumption of how much we are taking.

“We are not here and we should not be here. And I know you are not one of them, the smugglers. Look at the prices across the countries — Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nije, Benin Republic to Ghana – check the prices.”

On July 18, 2023, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said petrol consumption fell to 46.38 million litres per day in June, from the average daily consumption of 65 million litres, largely due to the removal of subsidy.

‘SUBSIDY PREVENTED NIGERIA FROM INVESTING IN HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS’

Due to the subsidy cost, the president said Nigeria was unable to equip hospitals and build new classrooms.

“If we are spending this money on ourselves, I believe we will get better return, happiness, and development programme, even if we invest it in our infrastructure,” he said.

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu said the petrol subsidy regime is over.

Almost three months later, TheCable reported that Tinubu was considering a “temporary subsidy” on petrol as crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates soared.

However, Ajuri Ngelale, former presidential spokesperson, said there was no reintroduction of subsidy.

Also, on January 3, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited denied the return of petrol subsidy, saying it had been removed entirely.

However, on April 15, Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, said the federal government is spending more on petrol subsidy than before.

TheCable also reported on August 19 that Tinubu approved a request by NNPC to utilise the 2023 final dividends due to the federation to pay for the petrol subsidy — but NNPC denied the existence of petrol subsidy.

However, on the same day, the national oil company said the federal government owes it N7.8 trillion for petrol subsidy.