Tag: Edo 2020 - Page 2 - African News Today

I’m Not Being Pressured to Concede Defeat – Ize Iyamu

25Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

I’m Not Being Pressured to Concede Defeat – Ize Iyamu

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in last week’s Edo State governorship election, has refuted claims that he is under pressure from party bigwigs to concede defeat. Ize-Iyamu disclosed this on Thursday in a communique issued by his Director of Communications and Media, Mr. John Mayaki. he said the clarification became necessary due to media reports on the subject, urging the media to refrain from unconfirmed reporting. “I was shocked this morning when I saw reports saying I begged Obaseki to return to APC after the election. “I will restate that I never begged him to return after the election. I deliberately did not reply when I saw all that rumour on the social media with people tagging me in them. “Now, I saw another report in the m...

US lauds INEC, Security Agencies on Conduct of Edo Poll

24Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety, Security, Violence

US lauds INEC, Security Agencies on Conduct of Edo Poll

The United States has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies on their good outing during the Edo State governorship election last Saturday. This was contained in a statement by the US mission in Nigeria on Wednesday. The US also acknowledged the effort of civil society organisations in Nigeria for their role in promoting democratic principles and accountability during the poll. It commended the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Osagie, his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Edo electorates for their roles in ensuring peaceful conduct of the poll. In spite of the gains, the US expressed worry over reports of violence, vote buying and intimidation of the electorate and observers. ...

Wike is a Tool God Used for My Electoral Victory – Obaseki

23Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Wike is a Tool God Used for My Electoral Victory – Obaseki

Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has commended his Rivers State colleague Nyesom Wike for standing fearlessly with him while describing him as a vessel used by God for his victory in last Saturday's election. Obaseki said his former party (APC) rejected him but he was received and motivated by the Rivers State Governor who stood with him throughout the electioneering period. According to a statement released by the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, Obaseki spoke when he led some political leaders of Edo State on a thank-you visit to Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt. He acknowledged the efforts of Wike in ensuring electoral victory for him by relocating to Edo despite attacks from the opposition. He said: “After I was pushed...

INEC Issues Certificate of Return to Governor Obaseki After Re-election

22Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

INEC Issues Certificate of Return to Governor Obaseki After Re-election

Following his victory at the Saturday Edo poll, Governor Godwin Obaseki has been issued a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC presented the certificate to candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obaseki and bis deputy, Philip Shaibu today. Obaseki had scored 307,955 votes across the 18 local government areas of Edo state to overcome challenge from his closest opponent, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Earlier, the APC conceded defeat to Obaseki and described the poll as victory for democracy after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Appeal Court Constitutes Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Panel

22Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Elections, Judiciary, News, Nigeria

Appeal Court Constitutes Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Panel

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Monday constituted the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to handle petitions arising from the gubernatorial election in Edo State. The tribunal’s secretary, Sunday Martins, Esq., disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, in Abuja. According to the statement, the tribunal has been mandated to hear and determine petitions that may arise from the election. The statement reads: "The general public is hereby put on notice that the Honorable President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria - Hon Justice M.B Dongban has established the Election Petition Tribunal Secretariat and accordingly constituted a panel in respect of the Governorship Election conducted in Edo State. "The Honorable Chief Judge...

APC Accepts Defeat, Admits Edo Election Free, Fair

22Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

APC Accepts Defeat, Admits Edo Election Free, Fair

The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), yesterday conceded defeat to the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Godwin Obaseki after his declaration as the winner of the Edo Governorship poll. This was contained in a statement by Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni, titled, “Edo State Governorship Election: Victory for Democracy.” Buni congratulated Obaseki over his victory and affirmed to support the Federal Government to consolidate all the gains achieved The statement read, “Edo State Governorship election is over, the winner has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the person of the Mr. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the People Democratic Party. “We hereby congratulate the winner of the election, the people of Edo State and all ...

Governor Uzodimma Denies Rejecting Outcome of Edo Polls, Spending N3 billion

22Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Press Statement

Governor Uzodimma Denies Rejecting Outcome of Edo Polls, Spending N3 billion

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has debunked reports making the rounds that he rejected the results of the Edo State governorship election. The governor disclosed this through a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachukwu, also noting that the allegation that he spent N3 billion to support the campaign of APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Uzodimma dismissed the rumours as cheap lies sponsored by members of the opposition against his person. The statement read in part, “There is fake report trending on the social media, which claims that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has rejected the recently announced Edo State Governorship Election result. “It was claimed Governor Uzodimma spent N3 billion, while a fake Reuters report claims that he spent...

APC Bigwigs Meet Buhari Behind Closed Doors as Obasanjo, Kwankwaso Applaud Edo Poll

22Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria

APC Bigwigs Meet Buhari Behind Closed Doors as Obasanjo, Kwankwaso Applaud Edo Poll

The Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), National Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and Chairman of the Edo State Governorship Election Campaign Council, Abdullahi Ganduje, met with President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Their visit is believed to be connected to the defeat of the APC at the Edo State governorship election on Saturday. As the APC tries to fathom the rationale behind their poor outing at the Edo poll, more reactions greeted the governorship election, most prominent among them came from former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and a former Governor of kano State, Musa Kwankwaso. Reports say the governors departed the meeting through another route after the meeting held behind closed doors thereby e...

The Edo Example of Demystification of godfatherism in Nigerian Politics

21Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria

The Edo Example of Demystification of godfatherism in Nigerian Politics

The outcome of the Edo State governorship election has sent shock and excitement down the spine of many Nigerians depending on one’s political affiliation. But one fact that proponents of varying political factions tend to align with is the fact that a new order has been established, not just in Edo State or Southern Nigeria but across the country. One golden rule of exceling in politics in Nigeria has always been never to outshine the master but governor Godwin Obaseki has not just outshined his master nor only sent him into political oblivion, for the time being at least but demonstrated uncommon bravery and determination to faceoff against federal might. The victory of Obaseki at the poll on Saturday was a clear indication to political godfathers that the mandate to determine poli...

Tinubu’s Last-minute Video, Wike’s Sagacity and Other Reasons Obaseki Won Ize-Iyamu

21Sep

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Features, News, Nigeria

Tinubu’s Last-minute Video, Wike’s Sagacity and Other Reasons Obaseki Won Ize-Iyamu

When Governor Godwin Obaseki decamped from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on June 19, 2020, many political analysts cheered him for resisting the attempt by his former party to frustrate his political ambition. It was a tough call for him having gone through the hassles of the then prearranged screening exercise that saw him lose to his opponent in the just concluded election, Osagie Ize Iyamu. Governor Obaseki had raised an alarm prior to the screening that there were attempts by the hierarchy of the APC to disqualify him from the primaries to favor a candidate handpicked by the then national chairman of the APC. Although there were efforts to resolve the crisis between Governor Obaseki and Comrade Adams Oshiomole, both men decided ...