News
Edo Poll: CSO Opens Situation Room, Charges EFCC To Go After Vote Buyers
Published
1 year agoon
By
Editor
…Urges INEC On Credible Election; Security Agencies To Play By The Rule
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to go after politicians strateging to buy votes in order to subvert the will of the people in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
EDOCSO also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.
The civil society group further called on security agencies including the “military not to take part in the rigging plans as been recorded previously or putting the lives of citizens in exacerbated fears and uncertainty.”
In a press conference held in Benin City today, September 3rd, 2024, Coordinator-General, EDOCSO, Leftist Omobude Agho, said as a civil society organisations, they will not sit down and watch, while the will of the people is being subverted in the forthcoming election.
READ ALSO: Edo Poll: PDP Groups Plan Free Transportation For FCT Voters
Leftist Agho, who was flanked by other executives of the organisations during the press conference, said to monitor the election for fairness and credibility, EDOCSO has opened a Situation Room at their secretariat on 6b, Obakhavbaye Street, Off Oba Market Road, Masses House, Benin City.
Agho, while calling on members of the public to utilise the opportunity to report any issue on the election, said the Situation Room has commenced 24 hours operation from day, September 3rd, 2024.
He added: “We therefore insist that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) give Edo people assurance by its actions and activities that, it is ready to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo state,
while calling on our security agencies, the Nigeria police force, DSS, NSCDC and the military not to take part in the rigging plans as been recorded previously or putting the lives of citizens in exacerbated fears and uncertainty.
“We hope that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission can for once wake up to one of its major responsibilities by channeling its energy chase after vote buyers and sellers during this election which is more of national sabotage than chasing after ‘yahoo boys’.”
READ ALSO: Edo Poll: INEC Rules Out PVC Collection By Proxy
He continued: “The Election Situation room will run from today 3rd day of September 2024 till post-election days. The Election Situation Room will be a 24-hour service aimed at receiving real time reports from our members and members of the public for instant analysis, assessment and reporting.
“Our phone numbers, Whatsapp numbers, social media handles, email and website will be utilized in receiving and responding to reports during pre-election, election and post-election happenings respectively.
“Our mantra for the Election Situation Room is christened ‘EYES ON THE BALL’. If we see it, we will not just report or say it, WE WILL SHOUT IT by all means until the world hears it.”
READ ALSO: Easy Steps To Link NIN With MTN, Airtel, Glo, Other Lines In 2024
On pre-election violence, Agho said: “We have noted that instead of political parties to go about their campaigns and selling their manifestos to the people for informed decisions on election day, they have imbibed a sad tradition of the use of vile and bile words against party candidates. They are expected to strictly stick to issues and ideologically based engagements that will better the lot of the people.
“Verbal attacks must be discouraged as it is capable of breeding bloody violence and eternal hate among supporters, instead we encourage that Manifestos must be compulsorily documented and freely made available to citizens for record and reference purposes. Candidates are expected to speak to issues and stop playing to the gallery during public outings and should call their online supporters to order as the verbal attacks are becoming more worrisome these days.”
He, therefore, urged all concerned stakeholders in the election to play by the rule of the game, threatening that as a civil society groups, they will not hesitate to embarrass anyone found wanting in this regard.
You may like
INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo
Edo Election Tribunal Chairman Sues For Cooperation As Sitting Commences
Rights Groups Fume Over Killing Of Ex-Edo NLC Chairman, Give Police 48 Hours Ultimatum
Edo Poll: Election Observers Petition ICPC, Demand Arrest Of INEC Officials
Edo Election Tribunal: APC’s Allegation On Smuggling Of Electoral Materials Into Our Office Baseless – INEC
Edo Election Tribunal: Political Thugs Clash, Sporadic Gunshots Near INEC Office Hinder Materials Inspection
News
Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X
Published
8 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.
The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.
According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.
“Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.
READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X
Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.
“In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”
READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book
Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.
“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.
In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.
News
Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead
Published
9 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.
Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.
READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi
“A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.
“Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”
Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.
READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra
Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.
Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.
This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.
Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.
News
Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management
Published
11 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.
Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.
Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”
But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power
He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.
According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”
“The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.
“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down
Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.
“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”
He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”
He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”
- ADC Will Take Over Aso Rock, Lagos Govt House In 2027 — Aregbesola
- Nigerians Who Have Broken Guinness World Records
- What To Know About Albania’s AI Minister, Diella
- Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X
- Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead
- Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management
- Israel-Palestine Conflict: Nigeria, 141 Countries Endorse Two-State Solution
- Five Soft Skills Every Graduate Must Have In Today’s Job Market
- 2027: Details Of Jonathan, Peter Obi Meeting Emerge
- Start A Small Business In These 7 Steps
Trending
- Metro4 days ago
Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo
- News5 days ago
FULL LIST: FG Releases Approved Subjects For Basic, Senior Secondary Education
- News5 days ago
OPINION: When The Dead Can’t Rest In Peace
- News4 days ago
Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power
- Metro4 days ago
Tragedy As Traders, Ocha Brigade Clash At Onitsha Market
- Politics4 days ago
Warri Delineation: Ijaw, Urhobo Boycott CVR, Demand S’Court Judgment Implementation
- Politics4 days ago
BREAKING: INEC Recognises David Mark-led ADC Leadership
- Headline5 days ago
US Arrests Convicted Nigerian In Illegal Migrants Crackdown
- News4 days ago
Delta Govt Closes Six Unapproved Schools
- Headline5 days ago
PDP Dead, Buried, Controlled By APC – Dino Melaye