Politics

2023 Poll: One Election, Many Violence, As Families Lament Woes In Edo

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2023

2023 Poll: One Election, Many Violence, As Families Lament Woes In Edo

THE much anticipated 2023 General Elections may have come and gone, but the scars still lingers three months after in many families in Edo State, following alleged attacks and counter attacks on members of their families.

The elections which came with its pre-hype expectations were characterised with violence in some areas of the state, ranging from ballots snatching to voters’ intimidations by thugs suspected to be loyal to different political parties involved in the elections.

Suspected pre-elections killings were also not left out, as some families members also lamented and cried for justice for their loved ones who were allegedly attacked, killed over their support for their parties.

Prior to the elections, many political analysts including this writer never gave the Labour Party (LP), a chance as it was widely believed that the party was just in name and without structure, hence, it was not expected to make significant impact in the elections.

But one thing that baffles many event observers not just in Edo State alone but across the street was the strong belief exhibited by members and supporters of the Labour Party, who keep believing that their party will pull major upset in the elections.

Their stand for the party as well as their aggressive membership mobilisations drive for the Labour Party exhibited by supporters of the LP pitched them against the other interested political parties, who may have viewed their actions of canvassing votes particularly for the LP’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi especially with the Obidient movement slang in their lips as threat to their candidates.

One of the 2023 pre-election casualties was the family of one Okoeguale, Mr. Okodugha and Mrs. Elizabeth Okodugha, who reportedly lost two of their loved ones Mr Okodugha Aged 61 and his wife Mrs Elizabeth Aged 55. (husband and wife) on February 20, 2023 to suspected political assassins in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state.

The husband and wife as well their son, Lawrence Okodugha, who disappeared for fear of being killed along with his parents whereabouts is causing fear amongst family members.They were scooped to have been strong pillars of support for the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the Edo Central Locality.

Mr and Mrs. Okodugha’s alleged assassinations according to family sources could not be unconnected with their refusal to jettison their support for the Labour Party for one of the major political parties’ (name withheld) who contested the elections in the country.

A family source who simply identified herself as Dorothy, wept profusely at every interval while speaking to this writer, alleged that some persons who she claimed belongs to a certain political party had few weeks before the elections approached the two deceaseds with a monetary offers, apparently to woo them to their party, but the offer was rejected by the deceased couples.

Another of casualties of the Presidential election was A 33-year-old graduate of Mythological Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo,was allegedly shot dead by suspected political thugs during the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Edo.

The deceased, simply identified as Festus Idahosa, was reportedly shot dead alongside three others when some unknown gunmen attacked a polling unit at Ogheghe, a suburban community in Oredo Local Government Area of the state, where he went to vote.

Speaking shortly to journalists after laying the deceased to rest, his Uncle Kenneth Aigbe, said Idahosa left his residence at Nomayo, Upper Sakpoba area to Ogheghe at ward 5, unit 9 where his voting center was located.

Aigbe said he was shocked when he received a call that his nephew, Idahosa, was shot dead, lamenting that the Mythological Engineering graduate was an entrepreneur and has concluded plans to study in the UK for his master’s degree programme.

According to him, “I was called at about 8:pm that he was shot dead where he went to exercise his franchise.

“He left home to cast his vote at Ogheghe Ward 5, Unit 9 and since that day, I have not been myself as it has been a very terrible experience”.

While further lamenting Festus’ death, the uncle, however, appealed to the Federal and Edo State Governments, as well as security agents to arrest and bring the Killers to book.

A friend of the deceased, David Jaja, and his elder sister, Eunice Imatitikua, described Festus’ death as sad and hard to believe.

They commended the deceased for his patriotic tendency, especially after leaving his abode in Port-Harcourt to Benin to cast his vote.

It would be recalled that Festus Idahosa, left his base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to vote in his hometown in Benin City.

A stray bullet was said to have hit Idahosa who hailed from Egbokor Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State and a mother of two, Elizabeth Owie, as they reportedly died on the spot, while one other victim was said to have died on the way to the hospital.

During the conduct of Edo State House of Assembly elections In Eresonyen Primary School at Uhuogua Community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, some Unknown Gunmen also invaded the voting center and carted away election materials.

The gunmen suspected to be political thugs invaded with a no numbered black Audi Car between 10 and 11:am when voting had commenced and carted away some of the thumb-printed booklets

Voters who saw the danger made attempts to scamper for their safety when they were stampeded, resulting in varying degrees of injuries sustained.

One of the caregivers of the IDPs, Pastor Evelyn Omigie who gave accounts of the incident, said the Eresonyen Primary School is part of Iguoshodin wards, where voters from the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and other inhabitants of Uhuogua community cast their votes.

According to Pastor Omigie, the gunmen numbering about four, shot sporadically into the air apparently to scare unsuspected voters, in order to disrupt the conduct of the March 18 state house of assembly election in Uhuogua Community.

Another casualty of the 2023 pre-election casualties was the family of one Okoeguale, Mr. Okodugha and Mrs. Elizabeth Okoeguale, aged 61 and 55 respectively who reportedly lost two of their loved ones (husband and wife) respectively, on February 20, 2023 to suspected political assassins in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state.

The husband and wife as well their son, Okoeguale Okodugha, whose whereabouts is causing fear amongst family members just now were scooped to have been strong pillars of support for the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the Edo Central Locality.

Mr and Mrs. Okoeguale’s alleged assassinations according to family sources could not be unconnected with their refusal to jettison their support for the Labour Party for a major political parties’ (name withheld) who contested the elections in the country.

A family source who simply identified herself as Ernest Okoeguale, wept profusely at every interval while speaking to this writer, alleged that some persons who he claimed belongs to a certain political party had few weeks before the elections approached the two deceased with a monetary offers, apparently to woo them to their party, but the offer was rejected by the deceased couples.

Politics

Presidency In Nigeria Should Be Five-year Single Tenure — Peter Obi

Published

9 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

Peter Obi, 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has advocated for a five-year single term for President in Nigeria.

Obi stated this in Bauchi on Friday when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

According to him, there shouldn’t be any second tenure for president, adding that instead of the four-year tenure, it should be five years as practiced in South Korea.

“I’ve said it and I want to say it again in this government house that if I have the opportunity, we should stop having a second tenure for president.

“It should be five years straight, so that people can come in knowingly they have a job to do.

“What people do now is to be president for one year and use the rest of the years thinking about their next tenure. We must stop it, let’s face the real job, do your own and go,” he suggested.

The 2027 presidential hopeful insisted that if elected as Nigerian president in 2027, he would only serve for one term, promising that he won’t spend a day longer than four years in office.

He added that if given the opportunity to serve Nigeria, he would ensure that every political party functions properly.

Obi said he would ensure that political parties were bigger than the elected officials.

“I want the party to be bigger than the president and the governors so that we can have orderliness,” he said.

Responding, the Bauchi state governor called on Obi to come back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the party as where he belongs.

Politics

How APC Can Be Defeated In 2027 – Peter Obi

Published

9 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has reiterated the call for collaboration and a shift in the nation’s political culture, particularly if the opposition intends to wrest power from the incumbent and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obi made the assertion on Friday during an official visit to the office of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.

He stated, “Your Excellency, let me continue to thank you for your warm reception and cordial relationship. I came to Bauchi to visit two schools of nursing, but beyond that, I came to meet my brother so we can talk about the problems of the people and how to solve them together.”

According to him, “To all of us in the opposition, it’s important that we work together. It’s no longer about us — it’s about our country. Our politics must change. It must be the politics of development, competence, capacity, and compassion.”

He stressed that working together is not about serving oneself but working for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians, saying that, “when we work together, things will be good and get better for the future.”

In his response, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, openly invited the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the opposition must unite to rescue Nigeria from the current administration’s failings.

Bala Mohammed commended the former Anambra State governor for what he described as a “new brand of politics” centred on constructive engagement, people-focused governance, and oversight.

According to him, “Your Excellency, my brother, we are really delighted by the new lease of life you bring to Nigerian politics,” the governor said in the presence of journalists, stakeholders, and members of Obi’s Obidient movement.”

He commended Peter Obi’s legacy in health and education and acknowledged his past performance as a two-term governor and the clarity of his vision for Nigeria and Nigerians.

Bala Mohammed stressed that, “You have spoken on two critical areas — health and education. We know your passion and what you did in Anambra State. This is the kind of insight and roadmap we need for Nigeria.”

He reiterated that leadership must go beyond seasonal politics and lip service, insisting that Nigerian politicians must demonstrate knowledge, empathy, and planning.

“Politics is not about sharing rice during Sallah or Christmas. It is about understanding where the shoe pinches and acting accordingly,” the governor added.

Bala Mohammed further stressed the need for the opposition to come together, warning that disunity only serves the interests of the ruling party.

According to him, “Nigerian politics cannot be done with ego, differences, or personal interests. The opposition — PDP, ADC, SDP, LP — must come together. We must harmonise our interests in the interest of the people of Nigeria.”

He stressed that the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration is failing to address the country’s pressing economic and social problems.

“There is no budget, no plan — everything is about politics. We must come together to confront this Goliath and take Nigeria to the promised land with strategy and compassion,” he said.

He stressed that, “I told you earlier, and I’m saying it again publicly — we want you to come back to PDP. That’s where you belong. Don’t go anywhere else.”

Bala Mohammed assured Peter Obi of his support and called for a collaborative effort to present a united front that can challenge the ruling party and provide a better future for Nigerians.

Politics

2031: Prophet Predicts Kwankwaso, Akpabio Ticket

Published

10 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

A prominent Cleric and founder, Prayer Foundation Network with branches across the 31 local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Prophet Francis Udo, has revealed the political permutations of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State after the exit of President Bola Tinubu, in 2031.

Speaking in an interview with The Punch in Uyo, the state capital, Udo, disclosed that God has revealed to him in a dream that the former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would succeed President Bola Tinubu, when the power baton returns to the North in 2031.

According to him, “The current Senate President, senator GodswillAkpabio, as God showed me, will become the Vice Presidential running mate to Kwankwaso.”

He predicted that “very soon, Kwankwaso will move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, where he will transmute and be made to run as Vice President to Tinubu, before transmuting to Presidential aspirant, candidate and ultimately, the next President.”

He also stated that “in the vision that God showed up me, the current Chief Of Staff to President Tinubu, in the person of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamilla, will become the next Senate President, while the current Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, will be the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

The fiery cleric from EssienUdim Local Government Area, in the same vein, disclosed the future political arrangements in Akwa Ibom State,after the expiration of Governor UmoEno’s second term, saying he Eno would be the next Senator from the Uyo Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District).

He said Governor UmoEno, will have clash of interest with the current Secretary to the State Government, Prince EnobongUwah, who is also from the same Senatorial District, as the two will be looking forUyo Senate seat, but would be resolved as Uwah, would be nominated as the next Deputy Governor to the current Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), ObongememEkperikpeEkpo who will become the governor of the state in 2031.

“EkperikpeEkpo, the Minister of State Petroleum (Gas Resources), God has shown me, will be the next Governor of Akwa Ibom in 2031, when governorship will be zoned back to IkotEkpene Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North West).

“He will be deputised by the present SSG, Prince EnobongUwah; mark my words, that is what God has shown me,” he stressed and thanked his prayer group for commitment to fervent prayers for God revelations.

The Prophet also thanked the Dr. Victor Antai, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Director of Projects for effectively representing the state on the board and “for using the position, not as political tool but to better the lot of the state and the people.”