News

Poll: Chief Of Defence Staff In Edo, Assures Peaceful, Free, Fair Gov Election

Published

11 months ago

September 18, 2024

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, during a courtesy visit at the Government House, in Benin City, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

…says President Tinubu has mandated us to ensure a fair, credible process

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Wednesday, assured that the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with its sister security agencies, would ensure a free, fair, credible, and peaceful gubernatorial election come September 21, 2024.

The Chief of Defence Staff gave the assurance when he and other top military officers deployed to the state on election duty, met with Governor Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

General Musa, who noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces were in the state to support and make sure the election was peaceful, called on political actors in Edo not to raise tension in the state because of the election.

He said, “I am delighted to be here and my visit here today is to bring peace. Having watched unfolding events on TV and tension within the State, I usually want to come a few days before any election to preach peace.

“As Nigerians, we should learn how to do things properly as there is no need to raise tension because of the election; it’s not necessary. We have seen how other Countries conduct elections peacefully as people will be working, and doing their normal things while elections are on. I wonder why ours seem to be different.

“I want to assure you that members of the Armed Forces are here to support you in this election and make sure that it’s peaceful.

“Our mandate from Mr. President is that the Edo Governorship Election should be peaceful, free, fair and credible. This is what we are here to do; everybody you see here is here to ensure that it’s done. That is the mandate from Mr. President.”

He further stated, “This is why I am here to see the troops and address them critically for them to understand the importance of free, fair and credible elections in Edo State. We give you the assurance that none of us are going to take sides as we would ensure that there is peace in Edo State.

“Nobody is to take sides. Whoever is the person that is popular and the people want, the people should be able to elect such a person but not the person imposed on them. I can guarantee you. We have done it in other States in the past three elections, we want to do the same here. You would have noticed that it went well and we want to do the same here. The days of impunity are over; election is not war. People should not die because they want to elect a leader.”

Commending Governor Obaseki for his government’s developmental strides, the CDS added, “I congratulate you on all your efforts and things you have done for Edo people. I have served in Edo State and the State has been part of me. I thank you for all you are doing and the warm reception.”

Governor Obaseki, who was delighted to receive the Chief of Defence, said the visit was very reassuring to the people of the State.

He said, “I want you to help me thank your men in Edo State. Since the resumption of the GOC, he has been very supportive in terms of security in Edo State. A few weeks ago, we went to commission an army operations base in Ehor which has stabilized security in the Benin Auchi axis.

“We had approval to build another in Sobe which has reduced drastically the incident of kidnapping and banditry around that axis. We are writing to you through the GOC for approval for the third base along the Northern border between Edo and Kogi State where we are still having incidents.

“The Chief of Air Staff has been kind enough to collaborate with them to set up a FOB towards the Okada axis. This tells you the level of support and cooperation that we have been receiving from your men.”

He continued: “I am glad you are here today because some of the political actors don’t seem to understand the national security implications of this Edo election. The way some people have conducted themselves, it’s quite on becoming of people who swore to oath.

“Politicians can behave the way they like but members of the security agencies should give the public assurances and confidence. We are not asking for any favour but saying that Edo citizens should be free to go to the polls to express themselves the way they wish, and we will accept the outcome of a properly conducted poll.

“But when you have a situation where citizens are being intimidated by men in uniform, it’s not acceptable. Last night, I was woken up at 3 am that some policemen at Edo Central were trying to arrest people. I got a call again this morning about a Sienna Bus with a mandate to come and arrest people.

“We have people arrested and taken away from Edo to Abuja, instead of trying those they claimed to have committed a crime in Edo. The people arrested and taken to Abuja have been detained for more than two weeks on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police.

“When we confronted the IGP in Edo, during the Peace Accord signing, he said they were arrested for murder but when they were finally charged to court, the charge read possession of firearms.”

He further stated, “As I speak, we have our people arrested and being detained in Suleja, Niger State, because they don’t want them to participate in the election on Saturday. When you create situations like this, it results in a lack of trust and confidence.

“When an opposition candidate is campaigning with a police helicopter in the State, then I don’t think it’s fair as they are not creating a level playing field for all candidates.

“Sir, if it’s possible to appeal to the IGP because we know what EndSARS protests caused the people of Edo State in terms of rebuilding the burnt-down police stations

“We received a lot of information and when we pass it across to the relevant authorities they fail to act. We have intelligent reports of arms movement and thugs being housed in hotels but nothing is being done.”

“We don’t want an election that will lead to loss of lives because it’s not necessary. Once citizens feel they are not being treated fairly by the instrument of the state, you will see the kind of tension and violence that can occur in an election. Your presence here today is reassuring. There can’t be a better assurance as you understand the national security implications of this election,” Obaseki added.

News

FG Predicts Heavy Rainfall, Flood In Seven States

Published

7 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Federal Ministry of Environment on Saturday predicted possible flooding in seven states and 25 locations across Nigeria.

The ministry, in its flood alert warned that heavy rainfall expected between August 23 and 24 could lead to flooding in the listed areas.

The alert was signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Bokani.

He further directed residents of communities along the flood plain from Jebba to Lokoja to evacuate immediately as the River Niger’s water level continues to rise.

“Due to the rise in the water level of River Niger, communities on the flood plain from Jebba to Lokoja are advised to evacuate,” he said.

The states and communities expected to be affected include Benue State (Abinsi, Agyo, Gbajimba, Gogo, Makurdi, Mbapa, Otobi, Otukpo, Udoma, Ukpiam); Borno State (Briyel, Dikwa, MaiduKamba; Gombe State (Bajoga, Dogon Ruwa, Gombe, Nafada); Kebbi State (Gwandu, Jega, Kamba); Nasarawa State (Agima, Keana, Keffi, Odogbo, Rukubi); Niger State (Lapai); and Yobe State (Gashua, Gasma, Potiskum).

On Friday, the National Emergency Management Agency urged residents in high-risk flood plains to evacuate to safer and higher grounds.

The states at high risk according to the agency are Kebbi, Niger, Kwara states that share borders with Benin Republic.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the agency’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel.

The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, also directed all NEMA offices covering communities along the River Niger to intensify advocacy and mobilization for flood preparedness following alerts of rising water levels in the upstream of the river in the Republic of Benin.

“In an urgent directive conveyed to the operations offices, Mrs. Zubaida Umar instructed them to sensitize communities to remain vigilant and advise residents in high-risk flood plains to evacuate to safer, higher grounds, especially those in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states that share borders with Benin Republic.

“She further urged the State Governments of the identified high-risk areas to support their Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in activating contingency plans and preparedness measures to mitigate the potential impact of this year’s flooding.

“The Director General reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to ensuring coordinated actions to safeguard lives and livelihoods along the River Niger,” the statement noted.

News

‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book

Published

7 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised the Nigerian judiciary, saying it has been “deeply compromised” and that corruption among judges has turned courts into “a court of corruption rather than a court of justice.”

In his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo laments the steady decline of the Nigerian judiciary’s integrity, warning that justice has become commodified in Nigeria.

“The reputation of the Nigerian judiciary has steadily gone down from the four eras up till today. The rapidity of the precipitous fall, particularly in the Fourth Republic, is lamentable,” Obasanjo wrote.

He expressed concern that the judiciary’s decline poses a significant threat to the nation’s stability.

Obasanjo recounted an incident where a governor showed him six duplex buildings belonging to a judge who allegedly acquired them from money made as chairman of election tribunals. This anecdote, he said, illustrates the depth of corruption in the judiciary.

The former president also accused Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, of undermining the electoral process since 2015.

“No wonder politicians do not put much confidence in an election which the INEC of Professor Mahmood Yakubu polluted and grossly undermined to make a charade,” he said.

Obasanjo further alleged that politicians believe the outcome of election disputes depends on the will of tribunal judges, court of appeal judges, and supreme court judges.

“No matter what the will of the people may be, the Chairman of INEC since after the 2015 election had made his will greater and more important than the will of the people,” he added.

Moreover, Obasanjo directly accused the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of colluding with the judiciary during his election cases.

“Buhari threw caution to the wind, no matter what had transpired between him and the judges who did his bidding. In his election cases, financially, he topped it up with appointments for them no matter their age and their ranks,” Obasanjo alleged.

The former president concluded that the current state of the judiciary and electoral system in Nigeria is alarming, saying, “After a false declaration of results, making losers winners and winners losers, the victim of the cheating is advised to go to court, which is a court of corruption rather than a court of justice.“

News

Sanwo-Olu Unveils Leather Hub, Eyes 10,000 Jobs

Published

7 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art leather processing and manufacturing hub in Mushin, projected to create 10,000 direct jobs and generate over $250 million in annual export turnover when fully operational.

In a press release sent to PUNCH Online, the governor said the facility was formally inaugurated on Saturday by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her three-day official visit to Lagos.

He added that the hub was named in her honour to recognise her grassroots initiatives in social investment and economic empowerment, with 70 per cent of its employment slots reserved for women and youths.

The hub is equipped with modern machinery to support Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs), enabling mass production of shoes, bags, belts, packaging materials, and other leather products.

It is designed to ease production bottlenecks, scale operations, and position Lagos as the leather logistics capital of West Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tinubu described the hub as a “trailblazing project” aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to diversify Nigeria’s economy through industrialisation, manufacturing, and innovation.

The Lagos State Leather Hub in Mushin, formally commissioned by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, 23 August 2025.
“Leatherwork is a traditional craft that has stood the test of time. This facility will empower artisans, scale up leather goods production, and enable them to compete confidently in both local and international markets,” she said, urging entrepreneurs to dedicate themselves to excellence and continuous learning.

Sanwo-Olu said the project would provide training and start-up support to over 150,000 artisans, boost the local economy, attract investments, and strengthen trade links with fashion districts, e-commerce platforms, and future rail services.

“Hides and skins that once left our shores unprocessed will now be transformed here in Lagos into world-class footwear, garments, and accessories proudly stamped ‘Made in Lagos, Made in Nigeria’,” the governor said.

He pledged to expand the facility through transparent regulation and continuous infrastructure upgrades, adding: “True dividends of democracy are best felt when they reach the cobbler in Mushin, the tanner in Oko-Oba, and the young fashion designer in Yaba.”

Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said the hub would lower production costs and raise quality standards, positioning Lagos-made leather products for dominance in both local and export markets.