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Edo Guber: Violence Will Escalate COVID-19, INEC Warns

Published

5 years ago

September 10, 2020

Says PTF Has Provided 3000 Thermometer

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Thursday warned that violence of any form may undermine COVID-19 protocols during the September 19 Edo governorship election.

The Commission expressed worry the situation could lead to spread of the virus.

INEC Chairman, Mahmud Yakubu gave the warning at the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 briefing, Thursday, in Abuja.

He noted that such irregularity may complicate the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the INEC Chair, violence may not only disrupt the election but also lead to further spread of the pandemic.

He said: “I will like to appeal to all parties and candidates and all those involved in the electoral process to eschew violence. In the context of COVID 19, violence will not only disrupt the election, it will also complicate the nation’s response to the health emergencies.”

He however assured the Commission is fully prepared and ready for the conduct of the election and would fully comply with the COVID-19 protocols.

Responding to whether the Commission can assure a violence- free poll, Yakubu explained that “we can only assure of efforts we are making that there is no violence.”

He added: “We have identified eight protective measures ranging from mandatory use of face mask, physical distancing, use of infrared thermometers

“It is mandatory to wear face mask or face covering without which the voter will not be allowed to vote. Face covering will be sufficient for the voter to be accredited and to vote.

“Voters are required to maintain physical distancing. The Commission introduced two-queues, one outside the polling area and the other inside the polling area.

‘’Within the inner queues, voters must maintain the mandatory two meter distance from each other and we clearly mark this in one of the bye elections.

“Voters showing symptoms must obey all directions from officials to stop other voters from been infected.”

He also explained that INEC has produced its policy in Braille for virtually impaired voters who may not be able to read it’s flyers and posters.

“All these steps are in the realm of planning but the true test of the plan is the actual implementation. We are going into Edo next week, assured that we have test run our preparations for voting under the COVID 19”.

The INEC boss disclosed that the PTF had provided 3,000 thermometers to deploy to polling units in Edo state.

(NATION)

Related Topics:#Edo governorship election #INEC Edo 2020

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Edo To Dredge Ikpoba River For Revenue, Flood Control

Published

7 minutes ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Edo State government has proposed the dredging of Ikpoba River to curb flooding and exploring potentials for enhancing revenue generation in the state.

The state Commissioner for Mining, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, disclosed this when he led a delegation on an inspection of the river in Benin City.

According to him, the initiative was to find a lasting solution to the incessant challenges of flooding and river overflow on the busy road.

He added that his team was on the ground to assess the condition of the river to get a firsthand observation of its impact on communities near its bank.

Also speaking, Director of Mining in the ministry, Mr. Omoruyi Ihianle expressed the state government’s determination to turn challenges into successes.

He stated that the primary objectives of the project were to generate revenue for the state government through mining and to mitigate flooding in the host communities.

“As a government, we have found a way of converting our challenges until success.

“As a result of the silted river channel, the host communities have been suffering from flooding, hence the Edo State Government is stepping in to desilt while raising revenue for the State Government,” he said.

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JUST IN: Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Peter Rufai, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper, has died.

Waidi Akanni, a former teammate and associate, confirmed the legendary goalkeeper’s death to TheCable on Thursday.

Rufai, affectionately nicknamed Dodo Mayana, died at 61 after a reported battle with long-term illness.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria also announced the demise of the former goalkeeper on the team’s official X account.

“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the post reads.

“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”

Rufai is regarded as one of the best football goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced. He was the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper when Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He also represented Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US and the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Rufai had over 60 caps for the Super Eagles over the course of a decade with the team.

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AMCON Sells Ibadan DisCo For N100bn

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has announced the sale of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for N100 billion.

AMCON’s Managing Director/CEO, Gbenga Alake, disclosed this at a media parley on Thursday.

Apart from IBEDC, AMCON also manages other distribution companies, including the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company.

Alake said, “Today, I announce to you that Ibadan DisCo has been sold. When we came in, it had already been sold, but we renegotiated the price and got almost double of what it was initially going to be sold for.”

Regarding ongoing legal issues, Alake stated, “We have sold it, and whatever is still happening in court, we will face it.”

However, officials of IBEDC did not respond to inquiries about the sale.