Politics

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

Published

1 year ago

May 17, 2023

Editor

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

Edo Guber: Ex-Speaker Rejoins APC With Over 2000 Followers

Published

6 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

A Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Francis Okiye, rejoined the All Progressives Congress.

The former Speaker had resigned his membership of the People Democratic Party on May 10, assuring that he would announce his next political move in the coming days.

Speaking at a rally in Edo Central, he said that about 2500 people moved to APC in Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben.

He said, “About 2500 people from Labour, PDP joined the APC on Sunday. Prior to today (Sunday), we had met, discussed and asked Governor Godwin Obaseki led PDP government to address the issue of alienation, disillusionment and high handedness and despotic tendencies.

“Nothing has been done to address the issue, so we the “aborigine” PDP, have just given the Obaseki led PDP a red card.

When asked how his return to APC will help the party, he said, “My movement to APC will help the party and I will be simple with my analysis.

“In a democracy, votes matter. So my exit from PDP is a minus to the party whether anybody likes to interpret other wise. If they are Democrats, they will know that at least they have lost my vote not to talk of many others that moved with me to APC.

“With what happened today, they have lost a minimum of 500 votes and these 500 people also have people they can convince to work for APC.

“We will begin the house to house campaign soon and let people know why they must leave PDP and join in the APC. They musy vote a candidate that is humane and not business people who are in the state to make profit,” he added.

Politics

Atiku Hints On Supporting Obi For 2027 Presidential Race

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that if in 2027, the party decides that it is the South-East’s turn and selects Peter Obi as its candidate, he will readily offer his support.

“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” Atiku declared in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.

He added that a merger between the PDP and Labour Party is possible.

Atiku added that members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

The former Vice President mentioned that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Responding to questions about the meeting with Obi, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

On whether this will bring about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”

The former Vice President, who denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

On why he’s still in active politics, Atiku said, “Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

“It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

“My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”

Regarding his 2027 Presidential ambition, the former Vice President said “That would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

“Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

“It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.”

Last week, Obi held a private meeting with Atiku and some other PDP leaders in Abuja.

Obi also met separately with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, sparking speculation about a possible coalition for the 2027 general elections.

Obi was a PDP member until 2022, when he left to pursue his presidential ambitions with the Labour Party.

He finished third behind Atiku in the February 23 presidential election, which was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

Atiku blamed Obi’s departure from the PDP for his loss to Tinubu.

Analysts argued that Atiku’s 6,984,520 votes combined with Obi’s 6,101,533 votes could have secured a win against Tinubu, who received 8,794,726 votes.

Monday’s meeting marked the first public interaction between Obi and Atiku since the election.

Social media and online platforms were flooded with viral photos of Obi’s meetings with the three PDP figures on Monday.

In 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together on the PDP ticket but were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

However, due to internal conflicts, Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019, left the PDP and ran as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Politics

JUST IN: Ex-PDP Deputy National Chair, Oyedokun Defects To APC

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, has resigned his membership of the party and announced defection to the All Progressives Congress.

Oyedokun, a notable personality within the political circle in Osun State and beyond, said he decided to dump the PDP after consultation with his loyalists.

He said he would be joining APC, where his experience, efforts, and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.

His resignation letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP through the ward, local government and state chairmen of the party obtained late Thursday further read, “As a functional member and leader of PDP (Ward 13, Jagun/ Osi-Bale Ode, Odo-Otin South Local Government, Osun State,) whose high electoral productivity and value have been credibly and positively acknowledged in my ward, across the local council, state and country-wide for the enhancement of the fortune of the PDP, I have the honour (though with pain) in announcing the renunciation of my membership of the party on principle, having observed that the ideals of we, founding members, had been sorely contaminated.

“In taking this step which is not even without due consultation with my teaming loyalists in the PDP, I have consequently decided to shift my allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where I believe my experience, efforts and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.”

Oyedokun’s defection to the APC is coming at the time the aspirant he supported during the 2022 Osun governorship primary of PDP, Mr Dotun Babayemi is also moving to the national ruling party.

Osun APC said on Wednesday that Babayemi and his supporters would be dumping PDP and joining the party at a rally scheduled to be held in Osogbo on Friday.
PUNCH