Metro

Edo APC Primary: Pro-Idahosa Protest Rocks Benin, Edo NUJ Chairman Reminds Them Of Attack On Journalists

Published

5 months ago

February 26, 2024

There seems to be no end in sight to the crisis birthed by the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as pro-Dennis Idahosa, a purported winner of the primary, took to the street of Benin to protest what they termed ‘no primary election conducted.’

The protesters who marched to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, said the results announced by the Governor Bassey Otu-led committee at the rerun primary were the same results announced by a Returning Officer during the February 17th primary.

Recall that at the governorship primary conducted by the party on February 17th, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the governorship primary committee announced Hon. Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary, while Dr. Stanley Ogbeuaja announced Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the primary.

This created division and protest within the party which led to the National Secretariat of the party calling for a rerun primary in the state.

But taking a protest to the secretariat of the NUJ, leader of the protesters, Hon. Harrison Okpemen, while reading a communique, said the “primaries of 22nd February, 2024 did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.”

According to him, “aspirants were not given equal opportunities of being voted for by party members at the designated centers at the wards that make up Edo State.”

He added: “The party members present to vote did not have their votes cast recorded by any known office of the party’s National Secretariat. Quite clearly the result sheets used for the announcement of results were completed in the National Secretariat of the party as it did not flow from the reality on ground in Edo State.

“The said primaries of 17th and 22nd February, 2024 were not conducted by open secret ballot by APC as required by relevant provisions of APC constitution and the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo is not only unlawful, but a crass violation of the APC constitution.”

Receiving the protesters, Chairman, NUJ, Edo State council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, said though their complaints would be reported, the attack on journalists by party members during the 17th February would not be overlooked.

Alenkhe, who said he wouldn’t have ordinarily welcomed them to the NUJ premises as a result of the attack, reminded them to tell their leaders that the ultimatum given to the party has expired.

He said: “I wouldn’t have welcomed you here but as our job requires, we must do needful.

“You will all recall that during your party primary, some journalists were attacked by your party members. Their equipment were destroyed. We gave ultimatum to your party, and the ultimatum has expired. I want to remind you to tell your party leaders that we will take action.

“I want to say that we demand unresolved apologies from your party once again. Your party should buy all equipment destroyed, and their medical bills.”

Related Topics:#edo poll Edo APC Edo Guber

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Metro

Policeman Shot, Three Arrested Over Land Dispute In Delta

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Police operatives from the Okpanam Division, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested three police officers who allegedly encroached and supervised the destruction of the properties in the community.

It was gathered that the property belonged to Ogbeozoma tenants in the land area in a dispute between the Ogbeozoma quarters of Okpanam and Akpoma quarters Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

A source, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press, disclosed that when the people of Ogbeozoma received information that some people were destroying their properties, they mobilised to the site.

He said, “On arrival, they were confronted by the officers, as other people who came with them for the operation, took to their heels.

“In the process, one of the police officers the Ogbeozoma people brought, identified as Inspector Sanni Taiwo, was shot and was rushed to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

“The arrested officers claimed they were attached to the CTU Base 44, Force Headquarters, Abuja, while the driver of one of the payloaders was also arrested.

“They were sent by a popular hotelier from the South-East origin but based in Asaba.”

As of the time of filing this report, the three officers and the payloader driver had been transferred to the police command headquarters, while the two Hilux vehicles and two payloaders recovered from the site were parked on the premises of Okpanam Police Division.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to our source, included two guns and some live cartridges.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwanda Olufemi, told PUNCH Metro that he was in Abuja for the IG meeting and was yet to be briefed.

Metro

JUST IN: 8 Children Rescued From Accident In Kogi

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Eight school children have survived a motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

An Eyewitness account told DAILY POST that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja.

DAILY POST gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja.

It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children.

Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued.

The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday.

As of 5:17PM, efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

Metro

Church Members Protest, Disown Faction Promoting LGBTQ Rights

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gombe State have protested against a factional group accused of promoting LGBTQ rights and regionalization.

The members made the bold stance against the recognition of LGBTQ rights during a protest that took place at the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area of Gombe State.

Protesters, carrying placards rejecting LGBTQ and regionalization, stated their commitment to a unified church and their opposition to what they deem as “unholy acts.”

Yohana Wesley, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria UMC, stated that the factional group’s refusal to adhere to established procedures led to the decision to disown them.

Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry of Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, noted that the disagreement over regionalization and LGBTQ issues was the root of the contention between the two groups.

Bishop John Schol, representing the Council of Bishops from the United States, attempted to reconcile the factions and unify all church members.

However, his remarks were met with resistance from the protesters.

Schol clarified that regional decisions on same-sex marriage would be respected, with no imposition from the global church, but the protesters remained steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ recognition.

The traditional and majority group in the church deem LGBTQ acts as unholy, and their protest stated their strong stance against any recognition of such rights within the church community.