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Election: Crisis Rocks Edo NLC As Government Attempt To Impose Candidate

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2023

… Members Stage A Walk-out

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State council’s election bid for Tuesday, February 7, was disrupted with A scuffle as a front line contestant for chairmanship position, was disqualified in the process of conducting the election.

Trouble started when during a pre-election business meeting one of the contestants for chairmanship position, Comrade Lazarus Imokhai Adorolo, the current Chairman of NULGE in Edo State was told he had been disqualified.

Nonetheless, normalcy was still maintained in the hall until when members were asked to move motion ɗissolving the Odion Olaiye-led executives by the National Delegate for the election and representative of NLC National President, Comarde Mike Olanrewaju.

After this, Comarde Olanrewaju was addressing members of the NLC in Edo State when the disqualified contestant politily approached the National Delegate, Comrade Olanrewaju for a one or two comments before the election, but his request was turned down which resulted to exchange of words and consequently, a free-for-all, making members in the hall to scamper for safety.

But Comarde Adorolo union -NULGE and 19 other unions, while arguing that the election should not hold, insisted that there’s already a count injunction, adding that he should be told why he was disqualified.

It took the intervention of operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to restore normalcy to the hall, after which Adorolo union, two other contestants for the position of chairman alongside their unions and 16 others staged a walkout.

Addressing the press after his union and 18 others staged a walkout, Comarde Adorolo said despite meeting all the constitutional requirements, he was told he had been disquilified, adding that he was not told reason why he was disqualified.

He added that before now he had been pressured by some functionaries of Edo State Government, but he had insisted that if he must steped down, then the candidate sponsored by the government too must step down for new persons to show interest.

“Five persons showed interest in the chairmanship but one was called to Government House to write his withdrawal, which he did. There are pressures from government for people to step down.

“I was also approached by one of the government functionaries to step down but I insisted that it is not about me but the process, if I should step down, then government candidate too should step down, then let neutral persons come in, but they said no,” he added.

On his disqualification, he said: “I picked the form, filled it as required by law, and submitted, and no one invited me for a screening exercise; no body invited me for an oral chats; no body told me anything, only for me to get here, I was told that they screened my credentials and I was disqualified.

“When you are screening credentials, there are procedures, for instance, if the screening committee discovered any discrepancies, everyone expect I should be called for questioning, but this didn’t happen.”

He also accused the national body of NLC led by Comrade Joe Ajero of compromise, saying the present leadership of NLC is worse than INEC.

He said: “We are aware that the national leadership of NLC under Comarde Ajero has compromised, because Tuesday last week, we held a SEC meeting and thugs were brought into the hall to invade the secretariat of NLC in Benin. We did write a petition to the national leadership of the NLC calling for immediate intervention but till this moment, we have not heard from them. Ajero accused INEC of corruption after the just concluded election but unfortunately he is worse than INEC”

He continued: “Of course I told the returning officer that he has compromised too. He called me and said we should do a single line up, and I told him it’s not a bad idea but let the two parties meet. He eventually opened up to me that my group was only given the position of an auditor, but I told him that cannot happen.

“Of course, I should be given the opportunity to make one or two remarks about the disqualification but he said I cannot talk. So, we have to stage a walkout. We are not participating in the election.

“We have already gone to court. The NLC headquarters was served a court paper this morning that we are in court with them. So, if we are in court with them on this election, it is unacceptable to conduct any election. It is contempt of court.”

He, therefore, called on the national leadership of the NL C to re-addess the Issues in Edo State.

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Osun, Imo, Kano Lead As INEC Reports 2.3m New Voter Registrations

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday released the new voter registration figures totaling 2,316,232 nationwide, showing wide variation across the states, with Osun topping the list.

INEC reiterated in its notice that “registration is suspended in Anambra State until after the governorship election on 8th November 2025 in line with Section 9 (6) of the Electoral Act 2022,” leaving the state without figures in the latest update.

INEC described the update as part of its ongoing effort to maintain transparency in the continuous voter registration process, stating that the figures represent “completed online and physical registration for Week 12.”

According to the commission, Osun posted the highest total with 185,089 completed registrations, followed by Imo with 143,386. Kano recorded 132,290, while Sokoto reached 123,320.

Lagos followed at 109,693; the Federal Capital Territory at 106,855, and Borno at 106,376. Kogi registered 91,573; Jigawa, 88,209; Zamfara, 84,268; and Katsina, 80,425. Kaduna recorded 78,282; Kebbi 74,159; Delta 72,311, and Ogun 71,091. Niger posted 69,739; Akwa Ibom 65,446, and Oyo 64,561.

Adamawa recorded 49,853; Kwara, 47,241; and Yobe 46,986. Rivers documented 57,251, placing it above many mid-range states, while Benue had 42,557, and Bayelsa had 38,627. Bauchi recorded 36,166; Ekiti 32,096; Gombe 31,542, and Nasarawa 30,348.

Ebonyi followed with 28,310; Edo with 27,130, and Plateau with 24,077. Taraba recorded 17,803; Enugu 16,304; Ondo 16,012; Cross River 14,559, and Abia 12,297.

The CVR is scheduled to end in August 2026. Since the exercise began on August 18, 2025, states in the South-West, particularly Osun and Lagos, have consistently led in registration numbers.

Recent updates indicated a rising trend in participation from northern states, driven by intensified mobilisation efforts.

Community-based organisations, religious leaders, and local officials in several northern states have been actively promoting voter awareness and encouraging eligible residents to register.

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Netizens Seek Probe Of Assassination Attempt On Yerima

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Nigerians were last night divided over the report that Navy Lieutenant Ahmad M. Yerima narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja, with many now questioning whether the incident happen exactly as described.

Initial reports from multiple news platforms claimed Yerima was trailed by two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates, prompting a high-speed chase and a “tactical manoeuvre” that allegedly saved his life.

The report quoted military sources who said the vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at about 6:30p.m.

The source added that the matter is under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that further details are being withheld so as not to compromise the process.

The development comes days after Yerima, while on duty with other security personnel, engaged in a tense confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The clash, captured on viral videos, sparked widespread public debate and prompted intervention from the Presidency, which subsequently halted the demolition exercise at the site.

But as the story spreads, so do doubts. Critics argue that the details remain vague and rely heavily on Yerima’s personal account, with no confirmed CCTV footage, eyewitness statements, or official security briefings to back the claims. Some security analysts say the descriptions sound “too cinematic,” raising the possibility of misinterpretation or exaggeration.

Adding to the skepticism is the timing of the report, coming just days after Yerima’s viral confrontation with Wike over a halted demolition exercise. While social media users have tried to link both events, officials insist there is no evidence connecting Wike or any political figure to the alleged chase.

Already, military veterans nationwide have criticised Wike for verbally insulting the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yerima. Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer faced any punishment.

Many others want clarity: Was the officer truly targeted, or is this a case of panic amplified by public emotion and online speculation? Investigators are yet to provide answers.

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FCT Police Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt On Naval Officer Yerima

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The FCT Police Command has dismissed publications circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who engaged in a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land in Abuja.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, SP Josephine Adeh, said no such incident was reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory.

Adeh advised the public to disregard the information as false and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic.

“For the safety of all residents, the Command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police Division. You may also reach the Command Headquarters through our emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08068587311 for prompt response,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle, Yerima will not be punished for any offence concerning the confrontation with Wike, which was captured in a video.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, monitored in Gusau by The Guardian, the minister dismissed public assertions that the soldier might face disciplinary action, noting the incident was being exaggerated.

The video, which surfaced on Tuesday, showed Wike in a heated exchange with Lt. Ahmed Yerima at a disputed land site in Abuja.

The minister was seen trying to defuse tension between the security operatives and the soldiers present at the location.

Matawalle explained that the Defence Ministry values mutual respect between civil authorities and the military, adding that the matter has been resolved without any need for punitive measures.

In the video, the FCT Minister was heard demanding to see the approval granted to the landowner, insisting the development must have official authorisation.

In other news, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to compel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to apologise for using uncomplimentary comments against a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

While saying that the Minister was lucky not to have been shot during his confrontation with the soldier, the senior lawyer, however, stressed that both parties erred in law.

This is even as he faulted the Federal Government’s move to have former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, serve the remainder of his prison sentence in Nigeria.