Politics

2023: Intimidation, Apathy Mar Polls In Edo

Published

3 years ago

March 18, 2023

Editor

Unlike the presidential and national assembly elections in Edo State where voters turned up in large numbers as early as 7:30am, the March 18, 2023 state assembly election was characterized by voter apathy.

Edo is one of the states that holds gubernatorial elections in the off-season, so only the house of assembly election was held in the state.

Areas that INFO DAILY visited and observed low voter turnout were Emokpae Primary School, Oredo 4, units 19-28; Oba Market, Ward 4, Units 1 to 6; Garrick Memorial College, Ward 1, units 6 to 12, all of Oredo Local Government Area of the State and Ward 7, Ward 1 to 59 in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area all in Benin City.

In addition, all strategic locations in Benin City were under heavy security as joint security agents search for vehicles carrying out important duties.

The units that INFO DAILY visited were Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha in Benin City, the ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, came early but the turn out was poor.

Many attributed the apathy to a lower-than-expected presidential election result, while some attributed the low voter turnout to voter intimidation with key stakeholders.

For example, at Emokpae Primary School, Oredo Ward 4, Ward 19 to 28, findings by INFO DAILY revealed that voters were intimidated by a political party at the school gate.

The political thugs allegedly demanded that any member of the unit who was not going to vote for a particular party leave the area, preventing many from voting for the candidate of their choice.

Speaking to INFO DAILY, a member of an Edo Civil Society Organizations who did not want to be named for security reasons confirmed that many eligible voters were intimidated from voting at Emokpae Primary School.

“Yes, you can see that many people sitting here did not vote. They were asked not to vote if they know they are not voting for PDP. But I have voted because I know how to act in this situation,” he said.

Emokpae Primary School, Oredo Ward 4, Unit 19 to be precise is where Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki voted.

Helena Emokpae, who also spoke at Garrick Memorial College (Ward 1), said many people refuse to vote because the candidate they expected to win the presidential election did not win, so they lose interest.

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”