Politics

PCV Collection: Edo LP Raises Alarm Over Attack On Members, Fingers PDP

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2023

The Edo State chapter of Labour Party, LP, has raised the alarm that its members and supporters who turned out to collect their Permanent Voter Card, PVC, are being intimidated and attacked across the state by thugs the party alleged sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

INFO DAILY had reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had raised similar alarm of disruption of collection of PVCs in some centres and intimidation of its staffs by thugs yesterday, Saturday, January 7.

The state Publicity Secretary of LP, Comrade Sam Uroupa, who confirmed the attack in a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Sunday, said the thugs invaded various collection centres, attacked LP members and supporters who were on queue to collect their PVCs and warned INEC staffs not to attend to anyone until their members (PDP) have all collected theirs.

Uroupa who said he also witness one the attacks and he consequently received the beating of his life, added that the thugs are not just attacking LP members, but also destroying billboards belonging to Labour Party candidates.

His statement reads in part: “Report reaching the Edo State Labour Party from some PVC collection centres says that thugs allegedly sponsored by PDP are attacking and preventing Labour Party members from collecting PVCs.

“According to the report, the thugs specifically warned the INEC officials that if their PDP members have not collected, no body else will be allowed to get their PVC.

“In ward 6 Ikpoba Okha LGA, some PDP thugs allegedly led by one Apostle by name invaded the PVC collection exercise and beat up the people when they observed that majority of those on the queue are Obedient members.

” It was suspected that these were the same people who carried out the attack on LP secretariat at Ugbekun ward 7 Ikpoba Okha LGA some time in December last year to forcefully take over the office.

“In ward 9 Ogheghe Health Center, Ikpoba Okha LGA, the situation was not different as the PDP thugs in the community distrupted the exercise chasing everybody, including the INEC staffs and made away with the PVCs to prevent LP members from collecting.

“Though it was reported that they later returned the PVCs but the exercise could not continue again as the INEC staffs were apprehensive of their own safety.

“Similarly, in Oghede ward 10 Ovia North East LGA, the LP chairman was attacked by PDP thugs and his cellphone was destroyed during the PVC distribution exercise. The same PDP leaders and their thugs succeeded in taking the INEC officials to an hotel where it was suspected that some PVCs were handed over.

“In Oluku ward 6 Ovia North East LGA, the ward chairman suffered the same fate as he was attacked by hoodlums suspected to be PDP thugs.

“At some other locations it was heavy gun shots to scare people away and cause panic.

“Because the PDP have seen the handwriting, they resorted to violence against members of our great party the LP. As we speak, at Egor, over 50 (fifty) mini campaign billboards of our House of Assembly candidate for Egor constituency, Hon. Derrick Uhunmwagho has been destroyed and taken away by the PDP hired thugs because they are afraid of going into the election with all our candidates,” the statement added.

The Publicity Secretary who said Labour Party and its teaming supporters would not be deterred by intimidation, adding that the party is determined to “deliver Nigeria from the evil grip of APC and PDP, we are not going to lose focus on our rescue mission.”

“Nigerians have suffered enough in the hands of these two parties, our economy is in shambles and security of lives and property is totally zero,” he added.

While calling on the security agents to intervene, Uroupa added: “We want to use this medium to appeal to well meaning Nigerians, the security agencies, all Edolites and the general public to please call the Edo State PDP to order.”

Efforts by INFO DAILY to reach the Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state proved abortive as his cellphone number was not going through.

Politics

2027: Bauchi Speaker Responds To Call To Join Guber Race

Published

20 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has responded to those calling him to declare interest in the 2027 governorship race, saying it’s not the right time considering the fact that a lot of works are to be done.

Recall that Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, during a press conference held earlier this week, urged the Speaker to consider contesting for the top seat, citing his experience and achievements in public service.

Responding to the call in a statement made available to INFO DAILY, the Speaker, who appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the coalition, however, maintained that governance and the fulfillment of his current mandate remain his immediate priority.

“While we sincerely appreciate the compliments and support expressed by the Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, we believe that now is not the appropriate time to declare interest in any political position, including the 2027 gubernatorial race,” he said.

He added, “This is not the time. There is still a lot to do. Our primary focus at this moment is on representation and governance, serving the interests of our constituents faithfully.”

The Speaker stated that when the time is right to pursue such political ambitions, it would be done transparently and in consultation with party leaders, political allies, and the people of Bauchi State.

“We hold a mandate entrusted to us by our constituents, and it is our duty to act in their best interests,” he noted.

He urged the coalition and supporters to continue praying and supporting his efforts in delivering impactful governance.

“Our commitment remains to serve with integrity and to prioritize the welfare of our constituents above all,” he said.

Politics

Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.

“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”

The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.

Politics

Rivers LG Administrator Appointed By Ibas Resigns

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

The administrator of the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Goodluck Ihemnacho, has resigned.

Ihemnacho is one of the administrators appointed by the state Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), for the 23 LGAs of the state.

The resignation was contained in a letter dated June 20, 2025, addressed to the state sole administrator and obtained by our correspondent.

In the letter which has flooded the social media space, Ihemnacho said his resignation was informed by his desire to return to the private sector.

The resignation letter partly read, “I humbly write to your noble office to convey to you my resignation as the administrator, Ahoada East LGA.

“My sincere gratitude goes to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada East for finding me worthy to serve as Ahaoda East LGA from 11th day of April 2025 to 20th day of July 2025.”

Meanwhile there are speculations that Ihemnacho resigned to pave the way for him to contest the forth-coming LG elections in the state, though this has not been verified.