Politics

One Feared Dead, Four Journalists Arrested As Edo PDP Holds Parallel Primaries

Published

4 years ago

May 23, 2022

Four journalists were on Monday arrested at the venue of the primary for Edo South Senatorial seat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benin City.

The Journalists, namely: Sunny Ohioze of AIT and his cameraman, Deborah Coker of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Ogbom of ITV for allegedly covering parallel senatorial primaries.

They were covering the primary conducted by the faction loyal to Dan Orbih, Vice Chairman, South-South of the PDP when they were arrested.

Unconfirmed reports say one of the PDP delegates was allegedly shot dead at the venue of the primary conducted by the Orbih faction.

It was gathered that the four journalists were arrested by the police on order of the head of the Edo Security Network and were taken to the Command, Intelligence Rapid Response Squad at Oko Central in Benin where they were interrogation and detained for over five hours before they were left off the hook.

Deborah Coker, one of the journalists arrested lamented: “We were arrested, detained for about five hours and interrogated on trump up accusations that we went to cover a parallel primary. We were interrogated on why we went to cover a parallel primaries and who invited us to cover it after which we were whisked away by the police.”

Confirming the incidents, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, SP Bello Kontongs, admitted that the journalists were arrested by his men but were later released.

He, however, did not disclose why the pressmen were arrested, as he said he was not in town so he didn’t bother to ask the reason the journalists were arrested.

On the report of death of one of the delegates, the PPRO said no death was reported and if there was one his office has not been briefed.

Meanwhile, the primary conducted by the Obaseki’s faction held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in. Benin City, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen polled 113 votes to defeat the incumbent, Senator Matthew Urhoghide who garnered 103 votes.

Ogbeide Ihama was returned unopposed in senatorial primary conducted the Dan Orbih faction where they were reportedly attacked.

In Edo North, Pascal Ugbome got 140 votes to defeat Tony Ezekiel and Wilson Osigwe who got 11 and 47 votes in Dan Orbih’s faction respectively, while in Obaseki’s faction, Mrs. Victoria Edelokun was returned unopposed.

In Edo Central, Clifford Ordia was returned unopposed in Obaseki faction. While Mike Onolememen defeated Friday Itulah with 123 to 17 votes in Orbih’s faction.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

6 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

6 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

6 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.