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[JUST IN] Edo Poll: Drama As PDP Declines Signing Of Peace Accord

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

Editor

There was mild drama today September 12, 2024, at the signing of the Peace Accord ahead of the Edo State governorship election schedule for September 21st, 2024.

The convener of the Edo State Peace Accord, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah had mounted the podium, and the Master of Ceremony was calling political parties alphabetically for the signing but when it got to the turn of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a mild drama ensued.

State chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Azeigbemi and the party governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo mounted the podium, and Azeigbemi picked the paper to be signed, waved it and muttered ‘we will not sign this document; we will not sign this document,’ and in the process was asked to leave the podium by Bishop Kukah.

He then stepped down from the podium and as he was moving back to his seat, Chairman of the Peace Accord who also doubles as one of the witnesses, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar beckoned on Azeigbemi and the party candidate and in the process inaudible words were exchanged.

After all parties present had signed, the witnesses to the Peace Accord comprising INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd.) were called to the podium to sign.

When it was the turn of Abubakar to sign, he asked the Master of Ceremony to call the PDP chairman and the candidate to come up and sign but they were not forthcoming, so, Abubakar himself handled the microphone and requested the PDP to come and sign but they were not forthcoming.

After waiting for an estimate of a minute and a few seconds on the podium, Abubakar handled the microphone and said: “When I arrived in Benin yesterday, I was with the governor and he frantically told me there are conditions that must be meant before the PDP will sign the Peace Accord. So, when the PDP chairman came up here, I was expecting he was going to mention these conditions before everyone here.”

At this juncture, Azeigbemi rushed up to the podium and stood beside Abubakar with the intention of speaking, but he was denied to speak as the retired General told him it was too late to speak.

No few than sixteen political parties were in attendance to sign the Peace Accord.

The Convener, Bishop Kukah said Edo is important to the committee and the nation hence being in Benin and signing the Peace Accord.

Kukah who said peace is an essential foundation on which development is built, urged all parties involved to play by the rules and implement what they have signed.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.