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Edo Election Tribunal: APC’s Allegation On Smuggling Of Electoral Materials Into Our Office Baseless – INEC

Published

11 months ago

October 11, 2024

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has described as “baseless, unsubstantiated, and entirely without merit” allegation made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Peooles Democratic Party (PDP) smuggled Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and voters’ registers into its Benin head office.

Recall that the APC had on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in the course of inspecting electoral materials used for the Edo State governorship election, drew attention of the Commission to its petition wherein its (APC) alleged that the PDP in both parties attempt to inspect the materials used for the Edo State governorship election on Wednesday smuggled BIVAS and Voters’ Register into the Commission’s Benin office.

State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, argued during both parties attempt to inspect the materials on Thursday that the petition should be addressed before commencing inspection of materials, which made INEC to postpone the inspection of materials, after promising to investigate the allegation.

INFO DAILY reports that the APC and the PDP have been at loggerheads over the inspection of electoral materials which the latter said it wants to use to flesh up its petition at the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal.

Reacting to the allegation in a statement titled ‘Response to the Petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo state Alleging Smuggling of BVAS Machines and Voters’ Registers into INEC Office Edo State,’ Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, said the Commission “thorough investigation into the allegations” shows that the allegation has no merit.

Onuoha, in the statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Benin, reiterated INEC’s commitment to maintaining and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

The statement reads in part: “INEC maintains a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, and at no time were the BVAS machines or voters’ registers compromised or unlawfully accessed by any political party or external entity.

“We fully understand the gravity of such claims, which is why the investigation was conducted with the utmost rigor and impartiality.

“As an institution charged with the sacred responsibility of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, INEC will not tolerate any form of malpractice or manipulation, and the integrity of all electoral materials remains fully intact.

“In light of these findings, we are in full compliance with the recent court order directing the inspection of electoral materials, including the BVAS machines and voters’ registers.

“INEC is prepared to facilitate this inspection process, ensuring transparency and adherence to the rule of law.”

The REC, while “appealing to all political actors to focus on the democratic principles that bind us and avoid actions or rhetoric that may undermine public confidence in our electoral system,” also urged “all parties to cooperate fully” during the inspection process.”

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News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

10 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.