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

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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.

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” 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.

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Ijaw Not Biafra, Count Us Out Of Your Planned Attack Military, INC Warns IPOB

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The apex socio-cultural organisation of Ijaw worldwide, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has warned pro Biafran group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, to desist from dragging Ijaw nation into its alleged plan to attack military formations in Bayelsa and Delta states over the Okuama and Igbomotoru invasion.

The INC handed down the warning while reacting to an alleged plan by the Simon Ekpa led faction of the IPOB to attack military personnel and declare a sit-at-home in Delta and Bayelsa States over what they termed ‘targeted ethnic’ cleansing in both states by the Army.

Ekpa in a trending video, had directed that all roads leading to Delta and Bayelsa States be shutdown to mourn those allegedly killed by the Army at Okuama and Igbomotoru communities in Delta and Bayelsa respectively.

He stated that IPOB will avenge the alleged killing of innocent people of Biafra in the aforementioned states, and declared that nobody in military uniform should be in Biafra region, as they should be considered as terrorists.

READ ALSO: ‘How Nigeria Can Achieve N10 Trillion Revenue From Knowledge Assets’

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But President of the INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba who spoke with Vanguard on Friday in Yenagoa said there was no time Ijaw ethnic nationality consented to be part of Biafra Republic and dissociated the Ijaw from the planned attack by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

He said the INC had earlier made known its position on the unfortunate incidents that occured in Okuama, Delta State and the invasion of Igbomotoru in Bayelsa and that the military authorities should be allowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the sordid incidents.

Prof Okaba described as unacceptable the threat by IPOB at this time while efforts are on to unravel the perpetrators.

His words, “The INC has severally condemned the killing of the 17 military officers in Okuama and we have also cautioned the invasion of Okuama and Igbomotoru communities as well as decried the deaths of innocent citizens in these communities.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Family Sacks Kanu’s Lawyers Ozekhome, Ejiofor

“We are particularly concerned about the IPOB reference of these affected communities as part of Biafra and that they are coming to avenge the invasion of these communities because they are part of them.

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“We wish to emphasize that these communities are ljaw communities and we disassociate ourselves from the planned attack on the military authorities in the region.

“This nefarious plan is not in our interest as a people. The ljaw nation has not solicited the support of IPOB and any other group whatsoever to address its cause for self determination.

“The Federal Government should take serious note of our position and deal decisively with any group that is planning to turn our environment into a battlefield.

“Finally, we are calling on Ijaw all over to remain calm, vigilant and focused.”

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Doctor Visits, Examines Nnamdi Kanu In DSS Custody – Ejimakor

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The Department of State Services, DSS, has allowed the personal doctor of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to visit and examine him.

Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, made this known via X on Thursday, adding that the struggle to get this done started last year.

Ejimakor added that the legal team also met with the IPOB leader, with an assuring message that they would not relent.

READ ALSO: INEC To Publish Edo Gov Candidates’ Credentials Saturday

He wrote, “The jinx is finally broken. Today, a very competent doctor, personally chosen by Onyendu #MNK, met and examined him.

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“It wasn’t easy, counting from last year when this should’ve happened. The indomitable #MnkLegalTeam also met with MNK today. It’s tough but we must not relent.”

In the past, Ejimakor had criticised DSS operatives over their refusal to allow Kanu access to an independent medical practitioner.

During his last court outing, the IPOB leader said he was suffering from congestive cancer, adding that the DSS was not taking his health condition seriously.

READ ALSO: Founders Of LP, Trade Union Veterans Urge Abure To Resign

Meanwhile, in another post on Friday, Ejimakor berated the Nigerian army for releasing more than 300 Boko Haram suspects.

The lawyer said it was ironic for the security agencies to detain a person demanding a sovereign state, and free terrorists.

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Recall that on Tuesday, the Defence Headquarters said it released 313 Boko Haram suspects to the Borno State government on the orders of the Federal High Court.

Reacting to the development, Ejimakor wrote, “It’s an oxymoron for the Army to declare someone wanted for seeking a separate State and turn around to free HUNDREDS of terrorists, all in the same week.

“It’s another stark evidence of the horrendous injustice that is responsible for the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

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‘How Nigeria Can Achieve N10 Trillion Revenue From Knowledge Assets’

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Stakeholders, including government officials and experts, have outlined a bold vision for Nigeria’s economic future, aiming to achieve N10 trillion in revenue from knowledge assets.

At the end of a summit convened by Research for Impact, Knowledge-Economy, and Sustainable Development (RIKE-SD), and organized by the West and Central Africa Research and Education Network (WACREN) in Abuja on Thursday, discussions centred on the pivotal role of research, development, and innovation in driving economic growth and prosperity.

Abike Dabiri, Chairperson of the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s intellectual capital.

She said, “Without data, without research, without developments, we cannot grow. Mr. President himself has stressed the need for research, development, and innovation.

READ ALSO: FULL NAMES: Mamu, 14 Others, BDCs Indicted For Terrorism Financing

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“You need to grow, and you cannot grow without research and innovation. We have a wealth of talent, and what we aim to do with this group is to collaborate with the diaspora community to harness that talent and the enormous resources we possess as Nigerians.

“Our greatest asset is not even the oil, but the talent and resources we have at our disposal.”

Similarly, Prof. Elias Bogoro, former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), highlighted the centrality of research in a knowledge economy, pointing out Nigeria’s robust government support for fostering research and innovation.

He stated, “When we talk about a knowledge economy, research is at the core. Nigeria is no exception. The government recognizes this and demonstrates strong involvement, facilitation, and support through the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.”

READ ALSO: Economic Hardship: Oyebanji Unveils N12bn Economic Relief Programme

Former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jomo Osahor (retd), emphasized the importance of creativity and independence in research, stating, “Research and development are essential for the growth of every nation because it requires creativity and innovation. Relying solely on foreign ideas is not necessary.”

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Mustapha Popoola, Executive Director of RIKE-SD, emphasized the significance of institutionalizing research, development, and innovation across sectors.

He outlined plans to launch a coordination platform for Research, Development, and Innovation in Nigeria.

He explained, “Just like what happens in other countries when there are presidential pronouncements, it is not a matter of waiting to be asked to act.

“Mr. President, in his wisdom, has emphasized the need for us to institutionalize research, development, and innovation across the board.

“Therefore, our primary goal is to effectively utilize the development innovation toolkit to analyze the presidential priority areas, which amount to eight key focus areas.

“When we engage think tanks, they analyze the situation scientifically and socially, using various methods to determine the optimal solution.

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“So, when we discuss generating an additional N10 trillion in revenue for Nigeria through knowledge assets, research outcomes, innovation, and foreign direct investment facilitated by RDI platforms that we are collaboratively developing.”

The summit, supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), UK, aimed to strategize on leveraging Nigeria’s intellectual capital for economic growth.

 

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