News

Edo Poll: INEC National Commissioner Colluding With APC, Oshiomhole To Subvert Edo Electorate Will, PDP Alleges

Published

5 years ago

September 4, 2020

It must be bad dream of whosoever imagine it – Commissioner

Another ploy by PDP, Governor Obaseki to distract Nigerians – APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has alleged that Dr. Mustapha Lecky, national commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is colluding with the APC and its former national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to subvert the will of Edo electorate in the forthcoming September 19 governorship election.

Mr. Chris Nehikhare, publicity secretary of the party in the state, while briefing newsmen on Friday in Benin, noted that to perfect the alleged plan, “Polling Officers (PO), who are supposed to be serving National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members have been changed and Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu are nominating people.”

Nehikhare further alleged Lecky has skewed the election process to ensure it favours one party, “whereby the final list released for training of the adhoc staff has a ratio of 10:1, between the APC and all other parties”.

Nehikhare continues, ” Dr. Lecky, working with Oshiomhole and the candidate of the APC, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is disrupting the process for the engagement of the various Ad-hoc staff to be used by INEC in the polls.

” The time-honoured tradition which mandates that all political parties involved in the electioneering process submit names of persons to be used as Ad-hoc staff is being abused by Dr. Lecky and his collaborators in the APC.

” The Polling Officers (PO), who are supposed to be serving National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members have been changed and Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu are nominating people, most of whom are not youth corps members, to fill these positions to actualize their plans to rig the election

” The Supervisory Polling Officers are also being engaged by Dr. Lecky to serve the interest of the APC.

” For the Collation Officers (CO), Dr. Lecky has been influencing the engagement of persons, with personal ties with Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu, to rig the election in favour of the APC during the polls and undermine the electoral process.

” Dr. Lecky, we have gathered, is working within the INEC to get its officials to cheat the system.

” It is unfortunate that the APC has lost the hope of getting elected through the ballot and are working with Dr. Lecky and others in the INEC to subvert the will of the people”.

While expressing confidence in INEC as an institution, Nehikhare called on INEC leadership to review the process of selecting their officials and request that Dr. Lecky excuse himself from the process.

“While we have confidence in the INEC as an institution, we are calling on them to rein in Dr. Lecky and his likes, in order to have an election that would uphold the will of the people and one that they can be proud of.

“We hereby call on the INEC leadership to review the process of selecting these officials and request that Dr. Lecky excuse himself from the process as his activities have been revealed to be threatening the integrity of the process, which will taint the outcome of the election,” Nehikhare concluded.

However, in a swift reactions via phone, Dr. Lecky denied the allegation, just as he described it as false and not true.

“It is false and not true; I am not party to that. It must be bad dream of whosoever imagine it,” the National Commissioner reacted

In his reaction, APC publicity secretary in the state, Chris Azebamwan, said his party has not and cannot delve into the affairs of statulory body such as INEC.

This is a phantom and imaginary transaction, I can tell you authoritatively that the APC has not and cannot delve into the affairs of a statutory body recognised by the electoral law to conduct elections in this country.

” This is another ploy by the PDP and Governor Obaseki to distract Nigerians and Edo people from the matter at hand. Obasek is the outgoing governor, he should be preparing his handover notes instead of misleading the people because he is aware of his obvious imminent defeat so there is no truth in this frivolous allegation”.

In his reaction, Victor Oshioke, media aide to Oshiomhole said his principal is busy hence he has no time baseless allegations.

He said, ” Oshiomhole is busy selling the Simple Agenda manifesto to the Edo people and has no time to spend reacting to irresponsible, frivolous, baseless daily allegations coming from the PDP. It is now obvious to any objective observer that PDP has nothing to tell Edo people about Godwin Obaseki’s wasted 4 years as governor. This is qhy they have relocated their campaign to the PDP secretariat where their Publicity Secretary reels about daily press statements of unimaginable scenarios onout hhe coming election.

“PDP is known for rigging so they know all the ways they rig previous elections. The only way Comrade Adams Oshiomhole knows to win election is through campaigns based on what the candidate will do if he is elected.

“This is exactly what APC is doing right now across the state. As we speak, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu , Mallam Gani Audu, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and all APC stakeholders in the state are in Edo Central campaigning. Does that look like people planning to rig elections to you? The election of 19th September 2020 will be decided by Edo people with their votes, not by press releases of baseless allegations.”

News

W’Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles Edge Rwanda 1-0 To Revive Qualification Hopes

Published

56 minutes ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

In a high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria secured a vital 1–0 victory over Rwanda, breathing new life into their qualification hopes.

The only goal of the match came in the 51st minute when Tolu Arokodare capitalized on a loose ball in the penalty area, slotting it past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to give Nigeria a crucial lead.

The first half ended goalless, with both teams cautious in their approach. Nigeria’s defense, marshalled by Calvin Bassey, held firm despite Rwanda’s tactical shifts in the second half.

News

NCDC Alerts Nigeria As DR Congo Declares Ebola Outbreak

Published

1 hour ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following the confirmation of a new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

As of September 4, 2025, the DRC has reported 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, in the Kasai Province.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the agency will continue to monitor the regional and global situations as there are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, as of now.

However, the NCDC is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease, and it is working closely with relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Partners to strengthen preparedness and response measures in Nigeria.

Idris urged Nigerians to practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap under running water or using hand sanitisers. He also advised Nigerians to avoid physical contact with anyone showing symptoms of infection or an unknown diagnosis.

Additionally, individuals should handle animals with gloves and protective clothing, and cook animal products thoroughly to reduce the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission.

Furthermore, people should avoid direct contact with the blood, saliva, vomit, urine, and other bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed EVD cases.

The NCDC advises Nigerian citizens and residents to avoid all but essential travel to countries with confirmed Ebola cases. Those with recent travel history to affected areas who experience symptoms should promptly call the NCDC hotline (6232) or their State Ministry of Health hotline for assessment and testing.

They should also shelter-in-place to avoid further spread through shared transport systems and await dedicated responders for assessment and possible transport to a treatment centre.

The NCDC is strengthening surveillance across the country, including borders and airports, and enhancing laboratory capacities for quick testing of suspected cases.

Idris assured that the agency will continue to provide periodic updates on the situation as the Ebola outbreak in the DRC is caused by the Zaire strain, with a mortality rate estimated at 57%.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deployed experts to support response efforts, and the DRC has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.

News

5% Fuel Surcharge: What Nigerians Should Know

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

File Copy: Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele

Confusion has erupted online over a supposed 5% fuel surcharge under Nigeria’s new tax laws, with many fearing a sudden increase in fuel prices.

The chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, on Saturday through a post on X, clarified what is fact and what is fiction.

The controversy arises from the recent passage of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, which consolidates and harmonises previous tax laws.

Some social media posts suggested that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had introduced a new surcharge on fuel, sparking public concern.

Oyedele clarified: “The charge is not a new tax introduced by the current administration. The provision already exists under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act, 2007. Its restatement in the new Tax Act is for harmonisation and transparency rather than immediate implementation.”

According to Oyedele, the surcharge is meant to fund road infrastructure, an area that has historically suffered from underfunding.

Over the years, Nigeria’s road network has faced chronic maintenance challenges, resulting in potholes, travel delays, and higher vehicle operating costs.

Oyedele further noted that the surcharge is intended to create a dedicated, predictable funding source for road construction and maintenance.

Oyedele addressed key questions raised by citizens:

Will the surcharge start automatically in January 2026?

No. It will only take effect when the Minister of Finance issues an order published in the Official Gazette:

“The surcharge does not take effect automatically with the new tax laws. It will only commence when the Minister of Finance issues an order published in the Official Gazette as stated under Chapter 7 of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025. This safeguard ensures careful consideration of timing and economic conditions before implementation,” Oyedele stated.

Does it apply to all fuels?

No. Household energy products such as kerosene, LPG, and CNG are exempt. Clean and renewable energy products are also excluded to support Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.

Why maintain the surcharge amid economic hardship?

Oyedele explained that the fund is meant as a dedicated mechanism for road maintenance:

He said, “The surcharge is designed as a dedicated fund for road infrastructure and maintenance. If implemented effectively, it will provide safer travel conditions, reduce travel time and cost, lower logistics costs and vehicle maintenance expenses, which will benefit the wider economy. This practice is virtually universal with over 150 countries imposing various charges ranging between 20% to 80% of fuel products to guarantee regular investment in road infrastructure.”

Could subsidy savings cover road funding instead?

The Chairman of theCommittee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms said: “While subsidy savings will provide some funding, they are insufficient to meet Nigeria’s huge and recurring road infrastructure needs among other public finance needs. A dedicated fund ensures reliable and predictable financing for roads, complementing the budget and ensuring roads are not left underfunded.”

Does this contradict the tax reform objective of easing citizens’ burden?

Oyedele reassured: “The reforms have already reduced multiple taxes and removed or suspended several charges that directly affect households and small businesses, such as VAT on fuel, excise tax on telecoms, and the cybersecurity levy. By harmonising earmarked taxes, government is reducing duplication and ensuring a more efficient tax system.”

Why not remove the surcharge entirely?

He clarified: “Yes, the surcharge has been removed from the FERMA Act and incorporated into the new tax laws which are designed to provide a forward-looking legal framework for Nigeria. Keeping this provision in place within a harmonised legal framework ensures Nigeria is prepared to address critical challenges, such as sustainable road financing and even climate change impacts. It is not about immediate implementation, but to ensure the law provides a clear and effective framework for when it becomes necessary in the future.”

In summary, Oyedele stressed that the surcharge is not new, not immediate, and selectively applied. Its inclusion in the law is about transparency, preparedness, and sustainable funding for Nigeria’s roads, and it aims to address long-standing gaps in infrastructure financing.
(PUNCH)