News

Edo Guber: INEC To Introduce New Innovation To Ensure Credible Poll – Professor Yakubu

Published

5 years ago

August 28, 2020

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said that in addition to the card reader authentication, it is going to deploy another innovation called the “Zip with Z-file.”

Professor Mammood Yakubu, INEC National Chairman made the disclosure in Benin City, capital of Edo State while addressing staff of the Commission.

He explained that the Zip with Z-file, is a tablet with a camera, which at the end of voting and sorting out of ballots, will take a picture and transmit same to a dedicated portal for everyone to view the polling unit result live and direct.

His words, ” The Z-file is a tablet with camera that captures the entire voting exercise in every polling unit. It function in such a way that at the end of the process after voting has been concluded and sorted out, the ballots counted, the picture of the form ECFA would be taken and transmitted to a dedicated porter so that Nigerians can view the polling unit results live and direct by those closed to the polling units.”

He said the innovation was deployed at the Nasarawa State Central Federal Constituency by-election, adding that before the declaration of results, Nigerans were able to view the few clean results of the polling units.

“It was a great enhancement of the previous elections and this is the major election after the Nasarawa state by-election, so Edo will set the pace for the conduct of other major by-elections and we look forward to a successful not transmission but availability of ECBA for public views on election day.”

The INEC boss admonished staff of the Commission on the need to be neutral in all their doings during the exercise stressing, “Neutrality and professionalism is very important as we are not supporting any political party or the candidate and we are not against any political party or the candidate either.

“Our concern is the intergrity and transparency of the process. The choice of who became the governor of Edo State is entirely in the hand of Edo people and we are going to protect the process”, he said.

stressing the importance of opening the polling unit early because the period of election has been adjusted in compliance with the the COVID-19 protocols.

He also told the staff the importance of opening the polling unit early, pointing out that he wants Nigerians to find officials and materials waiting for them and not the other way round hence since the issue of logistics have been addressed.

“We have adjust the opening time from 8am to 8:30; and the closing time from 2pm to 2:30 pm. I am confidence you will not let the commission down.

“We were here four years ago and the lesson we learnt is that we must be able to speed the process and declared the result on time because the longer it take the more it become problematic to manage it. So we must get logistics right”, he declared.

The other number of innovation, introduced by INEC, he said is the policy of conducting election under COVID-19 pandemic.

To address this, Prof. Yakubu said the Commission has made the wearing of mask compulsory and the use of hand sanitizers even as it has made provision for that.

Additionally, he said provisions have been made for infrared termometre at the collation centres and also working to extend it to polling units.

According to him, “Request had been made to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to avail the Commission about 3,000 infrared thermometer for polling units and voting points.

“But on our own we have made provision for 192 ward collation centres and when PTF is able to avail us, we will extend it to the collation centres in the 18 local government and state collation centre.

“You are required to manage the polling unit in a manner that we have not been doing before as the cubicle would be demarcated in a manner that will give two metres distance between voters since it is going to be accreditation and voting simultaneously.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. John Alalibo Sinikem, said training of adhov staff, online application is still ongoing.

Noting the further their preparations for a credible election in the state, Dr. Sinikiem however, decried the budget cut for the election.

At the end of the meeting, there was tour of INEC offices and facilities in the state.

News

Tenebe Threatens To Suspend Edo Commissioner Who Fails To Wear Asiwaju’s Cap

Published

24 minutes ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

Chairman of the All progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has said that any Commissioner sent out of the State Executive Council meeting for not wearing Tinubu’s signature cap would be suspended from the party.

Recall that Governor Monday Okpebholo had, during the Inauguration of the last batch of Commissioners, to wear the cap whenever they attend Exco meeting.

Tenebe in a television interview and monitored by our reporter said it was an act of indiscipline and insubordination for any Commissioner not to obey Okpebholo’s directive.

He said any impediment for Edo APC not to achieve 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027 would not be tolerated.

He said, “If you refuse to wear the cap as the governor has directed, we will suspend you. That is indiscipline and insubordination.

“We are doing it because we have made a promise that 3.5 million votes are guaranteed. Everybody has keyed into realising the 3.5 million votes.

“If, as a member of the APC, you got an appointment, you are supposed to be loyal to the President.

“We are expressing our loyalty to the President by wearing the cap. Those complaining are not members of the APC. We, in Edo, have made it clear. No Asiwaju cap, no Exco.”

News

Police Alert Public On Anonymous Bomb Threats In Edo

Published

31 minutes ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has alerted corporate organisations and members of the public to a wave of anonymous bomb threats being used by unidentified fraudsters to extort money.

The warning was contained in a public advisory issued on Monday by the Assistant Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem.

She said the command is investigating what it described as clear attempts to extort through fear and intimidation.

“The Edo State Police Command has observed a disturbing crime trend involving anonymous callers threatening individuals, business owners, and corporate organisations in Edo State, claiming that explosive devices have been planted within their premises.

“The callers then demand money, threatening to detonate the alleged explosives if their demands are not met. These acts are clear attempts at extortion through fear and intimidation, and the Command is actively investigating reported cases,” Ikoedem said.

In light of the development, the command urged members of the public to remain calm.

She added, “Do not panic or give in to any financial demands from such callers. The Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit is fully capable of detecting and neutralising explosives.

“Report all such calls or messages immediately to the nearest police station or to the Command’s Control Room via 08077773721 or 08037646272.

“Avoid spreading unverified information or causing unnecessary panic.

“Stay vigilant and report any suspicious persons, objects, or movements in your surroundings.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered the deployment of specialised units, including the EOD team, Intelligence Bureau, and Tactical Squads, to respond swiftly to any reported threats and safeguard the public.

The Command also confirmed it is working closely with telecommunication providers and other security agencies to trace and apprehend the perpetrators.

News

Edo State Government Pays Last Respect To Late NSCDC Commandant

Published

1 hour ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

The Deputy Governor of Edo State on Monday led the state’s government delegation to pay last respect to the late Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Edo StaSte Command, Agun Joseph

The delegation comprised of all the security heads in the state, associates, politicians, as well other security.

The event which took place in Festival Hall in Benin, the deputy governor of the state described the late commandant as a man who impacted positively in the lives of the people.

Idahosa said Joseph will surely be missed, not only by his colleagues, but hundreds of others who came in contact with him.

“Joseph was a man of man of exemplary leadership, a team player, and a thorough bred officer who shared intelligence with sister agencies during his service years.

“As a state and people, we appreciate the commandant for being an astute officer who displayed quality leadership, exemplified courage, fairness, and justice in matters of security and governance.”

“Through his leadership at the NSCDC in the state, he exemplified courage, integrity, and professionalism of the highest order.

“He was a man guided by fairness, justice, and a deep sense of responsibility and excellence, always adhering to global best practices in matters of security and governance.

“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to pay our last respects to a remarkable officer, a dedicated public servant, a loving husband, and a devoted father.

“A man whose life was dedicated to serving our dear state and nation with distinction and honour,” he stated.

On behalf of the Edo State Government, Idahosa extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues.

Addressing the daughter, and brother of the deceased who were physically present at the valedictory session, Idahosa said, “We share in your grief and pray that God grants you the strength to bear this painful loss.”

“Though Commandant Agun has departed this world, His legacy endures — in the countless lives he touched, in the officers he trained, and in the peace and stability he worked so hard to uphold.

“As we bid him farewell, let us honour his memory by rededicating ourselves to the ideals he stood for — integrity, diligence, and selfless service to humanity,” he stated.

Heads of security agencies present at the event were that from the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Immigration, Nigerian Correctional Service, NDLEA, and the FRSC.

It would recalled that until his death, Agun, 57, was the commandant of the state command of the NSCDC.