News

Edo Poll: ‘It’s Display Of Lack Of Accountability, Impunity,’ NERG Reacts To APC, PDP Candidates Failure To Attend Debate

Published

10 months ago

September 16, 2024

The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has reacted to the failure by the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo and his Peoples Democratic Party’s counterpart, Asue Ighodalo to show up at a governorship debate slated for today, September 15, 2024, saying it is “a demonstration of lack of accountability.”

NERG, in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) had scheduled a debate for governorship candidates of political parties ahead of the September 21 election.

It was an avenue for political parties’ candidates to tell the whole world and Edo people what they have in store for them but unfortunately alone candidates of the Labour Party, Barr. Olumide Akpata, People’s Redemption Party, Patience Ndidi and Action Democratic Congress, Derek Izedonwmen showed up at the debate at NUJ Press Centre, Benin City.

In his opening remarks, representative of the NERG, Eddie Emessiri, said that the both candidates who failed to show up at the debate displayed to Edo people that they have no regard for them, urging Edo people “not to forget this act of disregard.”

Emessiri, who said Edo people deserve leaders who respect them, said those “who are willing to stand before them and be judged on their ideas and policies, noted that the people do not need “leaders who believe they can rig their way to power or coast through without being accountable.”

The NERG representative who stated “we cannot stand by and allow this culture of impunity to thrive, noted that “the fact that these candidates are willing to avoid scrutiny speaks volumes about their disregard for the democratic process and the importance of your vote.”

He added: “They believe that election outcomes are pre-determined by other means, not by the will of the people, and that is both dangerous and shameful.

“The electorate deserves better. We, the people, deserve leaders who are willing to engage, to explain, and to answer tough questions-not to hide behind their handlers and spin doctors.

“This debate, and any debate, is not just a formality-it is a cornerstone of democracy. It is an opportunity for you, the people, to evaluate the candidates, to understand their policies, and to make informed choices. But when candidates refuse to participate, they rob you of that opportunity, and in doing so, they undermine the very foundation of democracy.

“So, to those who have chosen to stay away from this debate, I say this: This Edo off season election will make or mar our drive to entrench democratic ideals in Nigeria. You have disrespected the people of Edo State. You have demonstrated a lack of accountability, and in doing so, you have shown that you are not ready to lead.

“We will not forget this act of disregard. And I urge the people of Edo State not to forget it either, because democracy thrives when the electorate is informed, engaged, and unafraid to demand better from those who seek to lead.”

Emedsiri also blamed media handlers of these candidates whom he said “rather than preparing their candidates to stand before the people, to articulate their policies, to demonstrate leadership and communicate effectively, these professionals advise them to avoid debates altogether. Are they truly trained journalists and broadcasters?”

Up Next

OPINION: ‘I am Here to Plunder’ [Monday Lines]

Don't Miss

BREAKING: 281 Inmates Missing From Custodial Centre After Borno Flood – NCoS

Comments

News

LASG Lists Five Council Roads For Completion By Year-end

Published

8 minutes ago

July 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has announced the scheduled completion of five major road projects in the Alimosho Local Government Area by the final quarter of 2025.

The development, the government noted, reaffirmed its commitment to infrastructure development and improved connectivity in the state’s most populous district.

The listed projects include the rehabilitation of the Ijegun-Ijagemo Road, construction of the Ile Eja network of roads, comprising Ile Eja, Olaiya, Ajibola Hassan-Alhaji Mustapha, Olu Adeyanju, with a bridge, and Rabiatu Ogedengbe, as well as the Akesan-Igando Road.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the sites on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, noting that the projects aligned with the state’s broader connectivity and transport master plan.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the roads being developed with complementary infrastructure, such as drainage, walkways, and street lighting, are key to reducing travel time, improving connectivity, and making life easier for residents.

He urged the contractors to maintain high standards and ensure timely delivery.

“Local community leaders lauded the state government for the projects and called for the extension of the Ijegun-Ijagemo Road to connect with the LASU-Ojo Expressway, to further enhance regional access.

“The Managing Director of the construction company handling the 5km dual carriageway at Ijegun-Ijagemo, Alex Tang-Li, reaffirmed his team’s commitment to delivering the road and completing it with modern facilities by November.

“The road projects are expected to ease the burden of traffic congestion in the Alimosho axis and support economic activity in the areas,” the statement said.

News

Bauchi Committed To Ensure Accurate Demographics In Nigeria – Mohammed

Published

1 hour ago

July 24, 2025

Editor

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has expressed the state government’s commitment in ensuring accurate demographics in the country.

Mohammed stated this during a one day sensitisation and capacity building workshop on demographic dividend for Commissioners, Head of Agencies and Traditional Leaders organised by the state Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination.

Represented by Mr Aminu Hammayo, the Secretary to the State Government, Mohammed explained that the state has been taking a great stride to key into the road map on harnessing demographic in Nigeria.

This, he said, was to strategically highlight critical demographic trends and invest in policies that promote reproductive health, education, employment and entrepreneurship, governance and youth participation.

According to him, this is in line with the 2030 agenda for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which depended on the availability of vital data on population and gender at all levels to identify strategic approach and priorities in designing interventions for measuring progress towards harnessing the dividends of the youthful population.

The governor, who said that the workshop was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), appreciated the fund for their commitment to the partnership with the State since he reached out to the Resident Representative in 2022.

“They did not only respond but have remained consistent, their indefatigable efforts to ensuring women and young people are empowered to live life to the fullest is commendable and appreciated.

“Our government is committed to working closely with development partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure multisectoral partnership in harnessing the potential of its vibrant youthful population.

“I urge all heads of agencies, traditional leaders, private sector, academia and all relevant stakeholders to commit to this event to intensify accountability through evidence-based programming towards harnessing the demographic dividend of Bauchi state,” he said.

Also, Hajiya Amina Katagum, the state Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, said the state was deliberate in its programme towards harnessing its demographic dividend.

She explained that it was the ministry’s mandate to ensure that interventions conducted by respective MDAs translates to an overall development of Bauchi Population, in line with the National Road Map and the governors development plan.

Earlier, Deborah Tabara, representative of UNFPA, said since the rollout of the roadmap to harness demographic dividend through investments in young people in 2017, UNFPA has been carrying out advocacies.

She added that these advocacies were to strengthen national and sub-national capacities for programming to accelerate the harnessing of demographic dividend for sustainable development.

“So far, eight states have customized the roadmap for harnessing their
demographic dividend.

“We are excited that Bauchi State has also keyed into this initiative since 2023 when we had a similar meeting like this with MDAS,” she said.

News

Delta Scholarship Board Boss, Agediga, Set To Bury 104-year-old Mother

Published

2 hours ago

July 24, 2025

Editor

Chairman of Delta State scholarship/Bursary Board, Shadrack Agediga, is set to bury his 104 years old mother, Mama Binkayai Enerekremi.

Until her death, mama Enerekremi, was the Amakosuere of Sokebolou community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to the burial arrangements, service of songs would be held on 24th July, 2025, in her home town Sokebolou, while social wake-keep and reception would be held on 25th July, 2025 in the same community.

Interment Service would be held at BEAUTIFUL GATE ZION, SOKEBOLOU on 26th July, 2025.

Mama is survived by 3 Children, 22 Grand Children, 24 Great Grand Children, 2 Great Great Grand Children.

Though late, mama’s legacy still rings around him and others.

Agediga, therefore, invites the general public to join him to give his late mother a last respect.