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PDP Governorship Primary: Aspirants Step Down For Obaseki

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Aspirants under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State have formally all stepped down for the incumbent governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki.

Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon, Engineer Gideon Ikhine, and Engineer Ogbeide Ihama had all showed interest to contest the governorship election under the platform of the PDP before Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki joined them after he was disqualified by the state governorship Screening Committee of the APC.

Though the aspirants publicly declared that they were stepping down for Obaseki while making their speeches when they were called upon to speak, the PDP Primary Committee led by Balla Mohammed of Bauchi State still went ahead to conduct the primary which kick started around 6:00pm.

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READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Court Authenticates Ize-Iyamu’s APC Membership

In his speech, Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon said he decided to step down for the unity of the party, just as he said the visions and missions of Obaseki are inline with his.

He noted that his stepping down for Obaseki was occasioned by the governor’s boldness to fight godfatherism, which according to him he too stands against.

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“Today, I decided to step down for Obaseki for the unity and progress of our party. I decided to step down because our governor was able to fight godfatherism, and we don’t want it anymore in Edo State and Nigeria in general. I am stepping down for Obaseki because his visions and missions are inline with mine. He is a hard working governor and I want the good work to continue”, Imasuagbon said.

READ ALSO: 15 Political Parties To Participate In Edo Guber Election, Says REC

On his part, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama stated that he decided to step down for the progress of the party and that the party has been out of power for good 12 years, so it worth it stepping down for a person who returned the party to power.

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He thanked Obaseki for returning the party to power after 12 years of absent in government house, Edo State.

In his speech, Engineer Ikhine said he stepped down for Obaseki because he believes in the governor for his good works.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: APC Crisis: Buhari Backs Giadom

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Recall Ikhine in a press conference few days ago had declared that he was stepping down for Mr. Governor and consequently collapsed his structure across the state to that of Godwin Obaseki.

Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Governorship Primary Committee, Senator Balla Mohammed of Bauchi State said all the contestants are people of good repute going by their political pedigrees.

He stated that the party had learned from their past mistakes and ready to do the right thing, just as he described the PDP as a tested and trusted party.

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He said the party is well structured and has internal democracy unlike other party wherein such is noted respected.

READ ALSO: Obaseki’s Reign In APC Was Hell, ‘We ‘ll Never Pray For Such’, Says Party Chieftain

” We are tested and trusted party. The PDP is where you enjoy internal democracy, just as you will see very soon. We may have internal rancour but I want to tell you that we resolve such amicably within ourselves without it escalating. We have learnt our lessons, so, we can’t afford to dwell in such rancor”, Balla declared

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UK High Commissioner Concludes Anambra Visit, Urges Transparent Election

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The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has completed a two-day visit to Anambra State, meeting with political and security leaders to discuss preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The visit comes just weeks before the election, scheduled for 8 November.

During his stay, Montgomery held talks with Governor Charles Soludo, gubernatorial candidates, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the state Commissioner of Police, and representatives from civil society organizations.

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READ ALSO:Transgender Woman Jailed For Deceiving Man About Gender In UK

According to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja on Thursday, the discussions centered around the technical and logistical preparations needed to ensure a smooth election.

Among the key topics were securing the 5,720 polling units across Anambra, addressing voter turnout concerns, and managing the security situation across the state’s 21 local government areas, the statement noted.

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Speaking at the end of his visit, Montgomery emphasized the importance of a transparent and peaceful electoral process.

READ ALSO:INEC Accredits 121 Observers For Anambra Governorship Poll

“Our focus is solely on the electoral process itself – that it should be transparent, peaceful, inclusive, and enjoy the confidence of the Anambra people.

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“We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. I encourage all eligible voters to exercise their democratic rights and to engage peacefully in the election,” he said.

The High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK’s continued support for Nigeria in strengthening its democratic institutions and promoting good governance, stressing that the UK would remain a committed partner in the lead-up to the election and beyond.

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PSC Promotes Over 400 Officers, Appoints New DIG For North-East

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The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Dankwara Mohammed, as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North-East geopolitical zone.

Mohammed replaces DIG Sahabu Abubakar Yahaya, who recently retired from service.

In a statement by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday, the Commission also approved the promotion of Commissioner of Police, Abibo Deinma Reuben, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

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READ ALSO:PSC Names Conference Hall After Ex-chair Arase

Eleven Deputy Commissioners were also elevated to substantive Commissioners.

The statement partly read, “The Commission also approved the promotion of CP Abibo Deinma Reuben from the rank of Commissioner to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

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“The Commission further approved the promotion of eleven Deputy Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Substantive Commissioners. They are Naziru Bello Kankarofi; Nendel Joseph Gomwalk; Tijani Olaiwola Fatai; Wilson Aniefiok Akpan; Morkwap Dongshal, and Abdullateef Ajape Yusuf. Others are Cletus Nwadiogbu, Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Taraba State; Ahmed Mohammed Bello; Abdulraheem Nurudeen; Patrick Daaor and Umar Mohammed Hadejia.”

Thirteen Assistant Commissioners were promoted to Deputy Commissioners, while 44 Chief Superintendents advanced to Assistant Commissioners.

READ ALSO:PSC Promotes 12 AIGs, 226 Other Senior Police Officers

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Similarly, 412 Superintendents rose to the rank of Chief Superintendents, with several Deputy Superintendents confirmed as substantive Superintendents.

The PSC chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, stressing that promotion in the police comes with higher responsibilities and expectations.

The promotions come amid a series of recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.

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PHOTOS: Obi Meets Commonwealth Chief In London, Urges Youth Empowerment

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A former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for deeper investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment.

This is as he noted that they are foundation for strengthening democracy and driving development across Commonwealth nations.

Obi made the call after meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, at the organisation’s headquarters in London on Thursday, October 16.

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Writing on X on Friday, Obi said the meeting — which he attended with his wife — focused on “promoting democracy, deepening the rule of law, expanding access to education, and empowering young people across Commonwealth nations.”

READ ALSO:Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

“With over 2.5 billion of the Commonwealth’s population under the age of 30, young people remain the organisation’s greatest asset and hope for the future,” Obi said.

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He stressed that for Nigeria, “a nation richly endowed with human and natural resources, meaningful investment in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship is key to unlocking the vast potential of our youth.”

“When properly equipped, our young people will not only drive national development but also contribute significantly to global progress,” he added.

Obi described youth unemployment as “one of the most pressing challenges of our time,” noting that solving it requires “intentional and practical action — through skills development, access to quality education, and the creation of an enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive.”

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READ ALSO:How Obi Surprised Me Early Morning with ‘Ghana-must-go’ Bag — Charly Boy

The Commonwealth Secretary-General who recently became the first African woman to lead the 56-member organisation, reaffirmed that her top priorities include “education, youth engagement, and employment creation.”

According to Obi, Botchwey “spoke passionately about the need to build inclusive societies that promote democracy, good governance, justice, and equal opportunity for all.”

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Her visionary, reform-minded leadership continues to amplify the voices of developing nations within the Commonwealth and inspire greater cooperation among member states,” Obi wrote.

READ ALSO:2027: Details Of Jonathan, Peter Obi Meeting Emerge

He quoted the Secretary-General as stressing that “empowering young people is not only vital to sustaining democracy but also indispensable to shaping a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for all Commonwealth citizens.”

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Obi described Botchwey as “a trailblazer whose dedication to education, youth empowerment, and democratic ideals strengthens the global Commonwealth community.”

“I remain confident that with leaders like her, the Commonwealth will continue to serve as a beacon of unity, hope, and shared progress for its member nations,” he said.

Meanwhile, checks by The PUNCH shows that the body is yet to issue an official statement on the meeting or related developments.

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