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Ondo Guber: Learn From Lapses In Edo Election, Make Correction, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Cautions INEC

Published

10 months ago

November 15, 2024

By Joseph Kanjo|Akure

Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to correct the “generally acknowledged lapses” in the last Edo State governorship in the Ondo State election scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 16, 2024.

The Situation Room, a coalition of civil society organisation, in a pre-election statement signed by Yunusa Ya’u, Convener, Nigeria Situation Room, and Mimidoo Achakpa, Co-converner, Nigeria Situation Room, said since INEC has acknowledged the lapses and has promised to learn from the lessons gathered from the Edo election, it should show the willingness and capacity to live up to that promise.

Speaking further on the election, the coalition of civil society organisations urged INEC to ensure that polling units open on time, warning that delay can disenfranchise voters and undermine the credibility of the election.

“Inefficient logistics, such as election officials arriving late or being misdirected, have hammered previous elections. INEC must ensure vehicles and personnel are adequately briefed on their routes to avoid delays. INEC should also ensure that materials already deployed to the RACs and super RACs are moved to the polling units,” the situation room advised.

The added: “The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is expected to function optimally based on the report from the Mock test. INEC must ensure that the trained personnel are readily available to handle technical issues swiftly, ensuring that voters are not disenfranchised due to faulty equipment.”

The Situation Room further urged INEC to ensure that people with disability and other vulnerable persons like pregnant women and aged are accorded priority attention at polling units.

The coalition of civil society organisations said INEC must “ensure that the collation process is transparent and venues are made accessible to observers and fully lit to avoid the incidents that happened in the Edo election where collation of results in some wards were done in darkness or relocated to the local government centres.”

Speaking on security, the Situation Room, while appreciating the Nigeria Police Force for its assurance of providing adequate security during the election, called on security agencies to be visible without intimidation and be professional and accountable.

It further appealed to security agencies to provide adequate security in polling units, collation centres, and for the transportation of election materials.

“We equally call on security agencies to be vigilant while manning the entry points to polling units to apprehend would-be hoodlums commissioned to disrupt the election process. We insist on transparency during collation, and any form of exclusion of accredited agents and observers must be avoided to ensure trust in the process.”

News

INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

41 minutes ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

6 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

16 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.