News
Edo Ex-militants Applaud Ize-Iyamu’s Empowerment Plans, Assure Him If Support
Published
5 years agoon
By
Editor
Thousands of former militants from Edo State have commended the empowerment plans outlined in the manifesto of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and promised to support him in the Sept. 19 Governorship election in the State.
They made this promise on Thursday in a meeting with the candidate in Benin City where they were led by a former militant, Chief General Don Ben.
Speaking on behalf of the group, General Don Ben said the empowerment plans outlined in the SIMPLE agenda manifesto of Ize-Iyamu are reflective of their desires and if implemented, will engender peace and proper social integration across communities in Edo State.
READ ALSO: Jegede Clinches Ondo PDP Ticket, Battles Akeredolu In Oct Poll
He berated the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to fulfill his promises to the people, especially the Ijaws living in the creeks.
General Don Ben accused the Obaseki-led government of neglecting his people, a ‘wicked’ development which he claims motivated them to commence community awareness advocacy to canvass votes for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu following a careful study of his manifesto and affirmation of his noble intentions and previous records of achievement.
In response, Pastor Ize-Iyamu thanked the group for their support and especially commended Don Ben for providing effective representation for his people.
READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Group Hails Ize-Iyamu’s SIMPLE Agenda, Vows To Galvanize Young Voters For His Election
He assured them of his readiness to roll back the poor policies of the ‘insensitive’ Obaseki-administration and replace them with people-focused policies and schemes targeted at empowering the youths and creating gainful opportunities for positive and economically rewarding engagements.
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News
Why We Refused To Vote, Opted For Football – Lagos Youths
Published
37 minutes agoon
July 12, 2025By
Editor
While election officials and stakeholders made repeated calls for civic participation in the ongoing local government polls in Lagos, some young residents of Alausa, Ikeja, chose football over voting.
Between 9am and 2pm on Saturday, during the peak of the electioneering process, groups of youths were seen at three different spots in Alausa engrossed in football matches instead of heading to polling units.
When approached by our correspondent, many of them cited a lack of trust in the electoral outcome as the reason for staying away from the polls.
“You can’t force me to vote. I chose to play ball, and why will I vote?” said Ayomikun Ola, one of the youths.
READ ALSO: What May Change As Lagos Tenancy Bill Passes Second Reading
Another young man, Opeyemi Omoemi, was blunt in his response: “We all know that it’s the APC that wins all, as usual. So there is no need for me to disturb myself.”
Wasiu, also found on the field, said, “Bro, there is no need. I am satisfied with the football than the vote.”
Bayo, who joined the game, explained that he was underage. “I haven’t clocked 18, that’s why I didn’t vote. The best is to play football,” he said.
A young woman, Seriki Ganiyat, attending to customers at her shop nearby, said she could not afford to leave her business for the election.
READ ALSO: LASIEC Releases Validated Candidates’ List Gor Lagos LG Polls
“It’s not necessary. I have children to feed. Imagine if I had to leave my shop to go and vote. What for and what will my children eat this night?” she asked.
Their views reflect a broader pattern of low voter turnout and widespread apathy observed across many polling units.
At Polling Unit 003, Ward 7, only 61 out of 1,000 registered voters had voted as of 1:05pm.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Vote Counting Begins In Yaba
Similarly, at PU 007 of the same ward, only 30 people had cast their ballots by 1pm., while PU 031 had recorded just four voters out of 29 by 1:12 p.m.
At PU 026, only one voter had shown up out of 21 registered. PU 027 recorded just five votes from 62 registered voters by 1:43pm.
In Ward F, PU 011, 45 voters turned up from a total of 908. PU 085 had no votes cast at all by 1:45pm, despite having four registered voters.
Ward C’s PU 004, with 913 registered voters, recorded just 30 ballots as of 1:47pm. At Ward F, PU 036, only 50 out of 986 had voted by 1:51pm.
(PUNCH)

Vote counting has officially commenced at Polling Unit 024 in Ward B, Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos, marking the winding down of the 2025 local government election across the state.
However, the conclusion of the poll has been overshadowed by a pervasive low voter turnout, raising questions about the exercise’s overall impact.
“The lack of voter enthusiasm could impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the exercise,” an election observer noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by many watching the democratic process unfold.
READ ALSO: Lagos Police Deploys 30,000 Officers For LG Polls
This concern comes as officials at Polling Unit 002, located in the same Ward B, continued to await the arrival of voters even as counting began elsewhere.
Despite a generally peaceful atmosphere reported across various polling units, voter turnout remained significantly low in many parts of Yaba.
At Ward F, 012, situated along Iwaya Road, voting was still ongoing as of press time, with officials describing the turnout as notably lower than anticipated.
READ ALSO: LASIEC Releases Validated Candidates’ List Gor Lagos LG Polls
Similar reports echoed from other sections of Iwaya, where Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission officials observed a sluggish pace of voting activity throughout the day.
In contrast, Ward G at St. Timothy College presented a more active scene, with multiple polling units—including 001, 002, 003, 004, and 005—conducting voting in an orderly manner.
This provided a glimpse of the organised process, even amidst the broader challenges of voter engagement.
Election observers, while commending the largely calm and disruption-free process, reiterated their concerns that the palpable lack of voter enthusiasm could indeed impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the local government elections.
LASIEC officials have continued their efforts to encourage eligible voters to come out and cast their ballots before the scheduled close of voting at 3pm.
(PUNCH)

The traditional ruler of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Ovie Macaulay Popo Ovbagbedia, Uhurhie-Osadjere II, also known as the Ohworode of Olomu, has passed away.
The official announcement was made at the royal palace in Ovwor-Olomu by the kingdom’s spokesperson, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN), who was joined by members of the Olomu Traditional Council and the late king’s family.
As part of the tradition, the announcement was accompanied by cultural rites, including a performance from Ema dancers and the firing of 21 cannon shots to symbolise the king’s journey to the afterlife.
READ ALSO: Bill To Establish Federal Oil And Gas Hospital In Delta Scales Second Reading In Senate
Following customs, all markets within the kingdom are to remain shut, and no burial or marriage ceremonies will take place during the mourning period. Shops may only open partially.
A one-month mourning period has been declared, from July 12 to August 12, 2025.
During this time, all chiefs of the Olomu Kingdom are required to wear black armbands on their left arms and are not allowed to wear the traditional red Olomu chieftaincy cap, as a sign of respect for the late king.
In remembrance, a five-minute silence was held to honour the monarch, who began his reign on May 20, 2023.
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