NEWS
Off Season Elections: INEC Reschedules Kogi Guber To Nov 18
Following prevalent mischief by political actors, which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the processes for the Kogi State gubernatorial election on Saturday, the umpire has rescheduled the elections till November 18, 2023.
The umpire offered an update on the Kogi situation in a statement on Sunday, in which the National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, assured the Kogi electorate that their wishes would be respected and the extant laws abided by.
The statement, which is available on the INEC’s verified X handle was issued under the subject, ‘Update on the Suspension of Election in Some Locations in Kogi State’.
He said, “In line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh election will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units.”
However, the umpire’s decision is subject to some parameters including the marginal principle.
“The decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle,” he added.
The INEC wrote, “Further to our Statement yesterday, we have received an update from our Kogi State office regarding the suspension of election in some locations in the State where result sheets were completed before the commencement of voting. The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).
“We received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi (5 Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward), Ajaokuta (5 Polling Units in Adogo Ward), Okehi (1 Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward) and Okene (5 Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward). Results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs.
“However, in the case of Ogori/Magongo LGA, only the result of Oshobane Ward II with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters has been collated. Election in the other nine Wards (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters remain suspended. In line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh election will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units.
“The decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle.
“However, this decision is without prejudice to our avowed commitment to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate its assurances to voters in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes respected.”
NEWS
Kano Police Warn Residents Of Imminent Terror Attack Threats
The Kano State Police Command has warned residents of a potential terror attack, targeting public gatherings in strategic locations across the state.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, disclosed that intelligence reports indicated suspected terrorists were planning to carry out attacks.
“The Kano State Police Command, in liaison with other security agencies, has received intelligence reports of suspected terrorists planning to launch attacks on public gatherings in strategic locations within Kano State.
READ MORE: Savannah Energy Provides Unaudited FY 2024 Trading Updates
“In response, we hereby urge residents to exercise caution and avoid crowded places and environments until further notice as a preventive measure to enable security operatives to identify and dislodge possible attackers,” the statement read.
To address the threat, the police command has enhanced security arrangements across the state. SP Haruna revealed that specialized units, including the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) teams, have been deployed to strategic locations and are on high alert.
“A team of experts from the command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear units have been deployed to strategic locations and are on high alert.
“The unit can be contacted through: 08169884988 or 07067157218 for report of suspicious persons or item(s),” Haruna stated.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the command through the designated hotlines.
“The command remains committed to protecting lives and properties as well as maintaining law and order in Kano State.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation of the good people of Kano State and urge everyone to remain vigilant. Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in ensuring public safety,” the statement concluded.
NEWS
Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun Land Disputes: Osun Constitutes A 100-Member Boundary Resolution Committee
In the bid to resolve the incessant land disputes between the communities of Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has constituted an enlarged 100-member high powered land crisis resolution committee in which each of the affected communities has 25 representatives, and the state government represented by 25 members.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made the disclosure in a statement in Osogbo, on Friday.
He revealed that the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Adetunji Olanipekun Larooye is the Chairman of the Committee, while a retired judge of Osun State Judiciary and Chairman, Osun State Boundary Commission, Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe, would serve as the Co-Chairman.
According to Alimi, Gov Adeleke put in place the Committee with a view to bringing a lasting end to the incessant land disputes among the three affected communities.
ALSO READ: Leadership Newspaper Backs Adeleke For Second Tenure, Names Him ‘Gov Of The Year’
It was gleaned from the statement that there were four other traditional rulers on the panel, including His Royal Majesty; Oba Abioye Oyebode, the Olokuku of Okuku, His Royal Majesty; Oba Adams Iyiola Bamidele Yusuf, the Oloba of Oba Oke, His Royal Majesty; Oba Adekeye Oyedare, the Oloyan of Oyan and His Royal Majesty, Oba Akeem Ogungbamgbe,The Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha.
Other members are Umar Abba Mohammed, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ayoola Kehinde, Osun State Director, Department of State Services( DSS) Brigadier General, Aliu Mohammed, Commander E.C.C, Ede, Sotiyobo Igbalawola, Osun State Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps( NSCDC), Anthony Chikezie, Commander, Immigration Service, Osun State, Adekunle Omoyele, Osun State Commander, Amotekun Corps, and Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Security, Barrister Dare Ojo.
Also on the enlarged Committee, where members are enjoined by Gov Adeleke to bring in their wealth of experience to bear on the highly critical assignment, are the Chairman, NBA Osogbo branch, Yemi Abiona, Esq; the Chairman, NBA, Ikirun, Niyi Akinsola, Esq; the Chairman, NBA, Ile Ife, Tope Olajoko, Esq; the Chairman, NBA, Ilesha, Raymond Oki, Esq; Others appointed to serve on the Ifon- Ilobu- Erin Osun Peace Resolution Committee are; Soladoye Abioye, the Surveyor General of Osun State – Dr Sodiq Olohunde, Office of Chief of Staff to the Governor, Marufat Adekemi Bello, Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Justice – Femi Ogundun,- Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Govt and Chiertincy Affairs, Dr Fritz Mobolaji Olaoye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning.
Completing the list of the Committee members are Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, Osun NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Osun Civil Society Coalition and Comrade Saka Mao, a Public Affairs Analyst
The statement has it that Gov Adeleke, will on Tuesday, the 28th of January, 2025 perform the swearing in ceremony of the 100-member enlarged Ifon, Ilobu, Erin Osun Land Crisis Resolution Committee, at the Multi purpose hall of Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere Osogbo by 11:00am.
NEWS
Okpebholo Moves To End Indiscriminate Parking, Gridlock In Edo State
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has charged the Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Control Management Agency (EDSTMA), Engr. Stainless Ijeghede on indiscriminate parking and traffic gridlock, especially in market areas.
According to a statement in Benin City on Friday, by Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, his principal gave the charge while decorating Ijeghede with his new rank as the head of EDSTMA.
He noted that while addressing the new Managing Director and his personnel at the Exco Chambers in Government House, Gov Okpebholo pointed out that the agency should do its job well by ensuring free flow of traffic across the state.
He called on Ijeghede and men of the agency to ensure they checked indiscriminate parking of vehicles and buses, especially in market areas.
“Edo State belongs to all of us and whatever we are doing, we should do it with care not to harm anybody. I appeal to EDSTMA to ensure that the city is well kept because whenever I drive round town, I see vehicles everywhere as the city is not well kept.
“This is your primary assignment. You should ensure the city is well kept as vehicles park indiscriminately and they are causing obstruction. Traffic is not flowing as it should and it is causing serious gridlock. Is it that you are not doing your job well?
ALSO READ: Leadership Newspaper Backs Adeleke For Second Tenure, Names Him ‘Gov Of The Year’
“Is it that you are not doing your job well or because you have a new leader that is why traffic is not flowing, or because you don’t know your job?
“You people should wake up and keep the state clean. Make sure that vehicles are parked well especially in the market areas. Monitor markets very well as these areas are looking really unkempt with vehicles and buses parked indiscriminately, causing traffic gridlock. Edo people are worst hit. They suffer from this. Ensure free flow of traffic so that the people will be happy,” Governor Okpebholo emphasized.
The EDSTMA boss, thanked Gov Okpebholo for the opportunity to serve the people of Edo State and assured him of the loyalty of the agency.
He added that his men will do their job professionally and ensure that the is free flow of traffic across the state.