Politics
One Feared Dead, Four Journalists Arrested As Edo PDP Holds Parallel Primaries
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.
READ ALSO: PDP Primaries: Obaseki’s Men Emerge Winner Amidst Rumoured Parallel Elections
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.
READ ALSO: One Dead, Others Recused As Another Building Collapses In Lagos
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
INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra on July 17 and nationwide on Aug. 18.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.
Yakubu said that in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, the CVR exercise would be held at two levels.
He said the exercise would commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8 and end on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including the weekend.
READ ALSO: Anambra Governorship: INEC Publishes Final List, Announces Date For Campaign
“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra from other states of the federation or from one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so.
“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for replacement.
“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres.
“Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register,” he said.
The INEC chairman, however, explained that the online pre-registration option is currently unavailable.
READ ALSO: INEC Releases Details Of 16 Anambra Guber Candidates
Yakubu added that voter registration and compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.
“For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all states of the federation.
“The online pre-registration will start on Aug. 18, while the in-person registration will follow on Aug. 25.
“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all states and the FCT as well as the 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide,” he said.
Yakubu said the detailed schedule of activities would be released soon.
(NAN)
Politics
2027: Drama As Two ‘ADA’ Emerge In INEC’s List Of 110 Party Registration Bids
Two political associations seeking registration as political parties have submitted identical acronyms to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
According to Vanguard, the first is the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, being promoted by Chief Akin Ricketts and said to be one of the special purpose vehicles that the anti-Tinubu coalition is seeking to use as a platform in the 2027 general election.
While the Ricketts ADA is 109 on the INEC list, the other ADA, Advanced Democratic Alliance, is 110, the last one the list unveiled by the electoral umpire.
This second ADA has Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman as Protem Chairman and Zipporah Pius Miracles as Secretary.
READ ALSO: Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party
The Ricketts ADA has its national headquarters at Ground Floor, UAC Complex, Plot 273 Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street, CBD, Abuja, FCT.
Suleiman’s ADA has its national headquarters at 1 Frandriance Close, Off Oda Crescent, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, no fewer than 110 political associations have written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, seeking registration as political parties.
Politics
Damagum Is PDP’s Problem – Ex-Benue Gov Suswam
Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, on Wednesday declared that the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum, is the problem of the party.
Suswam, who insisted that Damagum is not a leader, said the party has been drifting downwards since he assumed the role of acting National Chairman.
Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former governor said, “There is no integrity in the leadership of PDP, I’m happy that Wike said it.
READ ALSO::
“I have consistently said that Damagum is not a leader. What has happened here is that after the meeting with INEC, a good leader would have met with the National Working Committee members to brief them before holding any press conference.
“Damagum has been the problem of the PDP since he assumed the acting National Chairman of the party. The party has been drifting downward, I have said this thing consistently.
“First and foremost, he breached the provisions of the constitution which said that he must act for a period and this position must go back to the North Central.”
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