News

Edo Guber: APC Conniving With BEDC To Cut Off Power Supply To Election Collation Centre, PDP Alleges

Published

5 years ago

September 17, 2020

It’s A Cheap Blackmail – BEDC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has raised the alarm over alleged connivance between the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to cut off power supply to election collation centres across the state this Saturday so as to compromise the September 19 election results.

The party also alleged that some APC chieftains from Lagos, in connivance with the party chieftains in the state are planning to deploy private jets and helicopters to move money from outside the state to rig the poll in favour of the APC.

Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, disclosed these in Benin on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in preparation for the election.

According to Nehikhare, ” We are alerting BEDC and its management that we are aware of their plot and Edo people would vehemently resist the role of cooperates in attempting to undermine their will in this election.

” We also want to use this medium to call on the National Electricity Regulatory Company (NERC) to sanction Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), if they go ahead with orders issued by the management, which is in bed with the APC, to cut off power supply to the collation centres across the state at critical times on Saturday, September 19, with a view to compromise the election.

On the allegations of some APC chieftains deploying private jet, Nehikhare has this to say, “The leadership of the APC in Edo State, has gone a step further from the inciting broadcast by sending down helicopters and private jets loaded with money in an attempt to buy our state and annex it as a part of his fiefdom.”

While calling on INEC, observers and other stakeholders in the electoral process to take note of this move and ensure necessary actions are taken to avert the sinister plot to subvert the will of Edo people, the PDP Publicity Secretary urged Edo people vote the party candidate in the September 19 election.

However, in his reaction Public Relations Officer, BEDC, Mr Tayo Adekunle said the allegation was not true, adding that it is a mere blackmail.

He said, ” It is a cheap blackmail. There is no iota of truth. The BEDC is a business entity that is apolitcal”.

Also in a swift response to allegations of APC planning to use private jet to convene money to the systa, John Mayaki, APC governorship candidate spokesman poured ice-cold water on what it called “wild, reckless and panicky allegations.”

Mayaki declared: “To start with when you’re faced with total and crushing defeat, you suddenly begin to see anyone and everyone as your enemy.”

He said Nehikhare’s desperate resort to primitive blackmail against Tinubu was because the APC chieftain was spot on, pointing out Obaseki’s “serious democratic crimes”.

“Is it not true that Obaseki subverted the overwhelming majority of Edo legislators from carrying out their duties? Are those legislators from Lagos? Are they not Edo sons barred from their work by a desperate and thoughtless governor? Did the whole world not see Obaseki and his thugs pour gravel to block off the Edo State House of Assembly and remove the roof, in cynical destruction, which they claimed was repair? “ Mayaki queried.

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.

News

‘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.

News

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.