Security operatives have reportedly seized a huge parcel of money which was meant to buy votes at polling Unit nine Ward 10, Ikere local government area of Ekiti State in the ongoing governorship.
This led to disruption of the voting process for about 39minutes at the polling unit.

The Nation reports that voters who had hoped to collect money were said to have been disappointed with the action of the security agents.
It was gathered that the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were on routine patrol when they stormed the polling unit.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that vote buying was taking place Inside a house located behind Oisa Alada Hall,  where people were seen rushing in and out with their PVC to receive N7,000 payment from APC people' for their votes at  PU: 009, Ward: 02,  Ikere LGA

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The former Daily Sun correspondent in Abia State, Mr Chucks Onuoha, who was kidnapped on Tuesday has reportedly been released.
However, it is not clear whether a ransom was paid for his release as his abductors had demanded a ransom of N10 million.

His wife, Mrs Onuoha who confirmed the release of her husband, said he regained freedom early Saturday morning in Imo State.
According to her, "upon his release, he found his way to where he pleaded with people there to help him reach a place we went to pick him up."
She expressed appreciation to God and Nigerians who stood with the family throughout the ordeal. 
Meanwhile, a statement by his clan, the Ohuhu Welfare Union thanked all Ohuhu people "for their prayers for this family and numerous others including friends and relations who stood with the family in this trying moment".
The statement, signed by the President-General of Ohuhu Welfare Union, Sir Obi Aguocha, urged Ohuhu people to continue to pray for the peace of her motherland Ohuhu, Abia State and Nigeria in general.
He advised people to be conscious of their security.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Saturday, arrested some persons in connection with allegations of vote-buying in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
This followed allegations by the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Segun Oni, who said residents were being induced to vote for some political parties.

He said, “Some of my agents are worried for the fact that they alleged that there is vote-buying in Ado-Ekiti, Oye and other locations across the state.
“Although, we have captured those areas and we are awaiting what the results from there would be before taking necessary steps.”
Also, Kemi Elebute-Halle, the candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), claimed other political parties are inducing voters with money.
According to her, the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and SDP were buying votes with N10,000; N5,000, and N3,000 respectively.
Upon their arrest, the EFCC paraded some of the suspects at the Oke Ori Omi Area Division of the Nigerian Police Force.
The anti-graft agency said some of the suspects were caught with monies allegedly used to induce voters.
The operatives further raided another residence where some persons were caught with a book containing details of voters of certain voting areas.

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

A woman simply identified as Muyibat on Saturday burst into tears at a polling unit in Ekiti State for not receiving money after voting for the All Progressives Congress candidate during the ongoing governorship election. 
It occurred at Polling Unit 002, Ward 2, Sabo area in the Ijero Local Government Area of the state. 

Muyibat claimed to have not received any money for voting for the APC candidate, Biodun Oyebanji. 
Muyibat's mother was lamenting as well, accusing the APC of deception.  

This prompted the APC agent at the unit to send a man, identified as Lapo, to attend to them.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that vote-buying was taking place inside a house located behind Oisa Alada Hall, where people were seen rushing in and out with their PVCs to receive N7,000 payment from APC agents for their votes at PU: 009, Ward: 02, Ikere LGA. 
 

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Only Sowore put his hands to the plough!

The moment Buhari's government assumed power, it militarized our democracy and disabled the civic space, thereby subjecting dialogue, dissent or disagreement to a foreclosure.

Hence, the state rolled out its full arsenal of coercion, armed to the teeth, men (and a few women) of the secret police, elite squads of the police, with the army and air force everywhere to clamp down on civil demonstrations.

In fear of being apprehended, most civil rights activists, members of the opposition party, PDP, politicians and everyone with a voice quickly hibernated their opposition and maintained silence.

But one man dared the government with his full chest, led a #RevolutionNow nationwide protest against Buhari's incompetence, corruption, electoral fraud, bad leadership, economic woes, and called for his immediate resignation.

Who is this man? His name is Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore, knowing that the situation needs an urgent surgical revolutionary action, swung into action with his comrades. But two days before the planned nationwide protest, the DSS kidnapped him and slammed him with bogus charges.

But On 5 August, the #RevolutionNow campaign was unfurled with protests in 14 cities and towns across the country. Arrests and the brutalities synonymous with our police and military were employed against the protesters.

Today, as we approach the 2023 general elections, most Nigerians seem not to be aware of the enormous contribution of Sowore to our civic space and the freedom they now have to express their views and oppose the government.

At the peak of the government's militarized handling of our democracy, as a symbolic demonstration of their protest against autocracy and military-style repression, PUNCH (all our print newspapers, The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, PUNCH Sports Extra, and digital platforms, most especially Punchng.com) decided to prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s, Major General, and also refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.

Sowore, Ibrahim el-Zakzakky and his wife, former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, were all detained despite court orders granting them bail.

The National Assembly became very comfortable being a rubber stamp, while the judiciary did the biddings of the executive. The temples of justice, the court, was invaded and desecrated by the government's DSS.

But while in detention, Sowore spoke loudly. Scores of his supporters barricaded the National Assembly to voice opposition to the Social Media Bill before the National Assembly.

Instead of being deterred by Sowore's arrest and persecution, members of his RevolutionNow, TIB, AAC, triggered further the #RevolutionNow campaign and it became the spark around which the national structures for our civic space to be concretized.

More Nigerians became emboldened and joined the protests against the social media bill. The bill was introduced by Muhammed Musa, a senator representing Niger East, to regulate the social media.

If the bill had become a law, freedom of expression would have been tamed, Nigerians harassed and the voices of dissent on social media would have been reprehended.

Sowore was live in the National Assembly to give a befitting burial to the bill when he spoke against it at its public hearing.

Sowore has demonstrated capacity, doggedness and faith in the Nigerian project than any one of those vying for the office of president in 2023. When there was no election, he was visible and active.

Between 2019 and the next election, 2023, he remains the only one who proved that he is more interested in Nigeria than an election. In and out of season, he stood through tick and thin, fighting for the oppressed, detained comrades and for the cause of justice.

This is not the kind of man to overlook or ignore for others. But unfortunately, most electorates are often peer pressured voters and are sentimental.

If 2023 is everything about the reward for justice, equity, fairness, Sowore stands out from the rest of the candidates contesting for president.

Mention one who spoke loudly against electoral fraud, injustice, the murdering of Deborah, the illegal detention of Agba Jalingo, etc.

Fellow, Nigerians, these issues are pivotal to governance. And anyone who sat on the fence all along but now want to lead this country will always be questionable in character, unfair to us and politicized the institutions of our democracy.

Let's rethink these issues. Voting shouldn't be done with sentiments. Every ballot is a signal to what means so much to us. If we cast to a man because of his tribe, we will reap tribal war. If we give it to another man because of rave of a soothing nomenclature, we will reap idiocracies.

But if we give it to Sowore, it is a message to the values that he represents, which are: economic prosperity, civil liberty, faith in country, war against corruption, justice, peace in the land, security and everything that will make life meaningful to all Nigerians.

Nigerians, remember the man who fought for you. His name is Sowore. Vote Omoyele Sowore for president.

Martin White-Ufuah

  Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Martin White-Ufuah Disable advertisements : 

Achike Chude

"It was about the pidgins," he said to us by way of explanation. 
"The pidgins wouldn't fly," he said again. Perhaps he was under so much pressure from people who were so disappointed that, like an emperor, he had prophesied that President Goodluck Jonathan would lose the 2015 election because of the pidgins who refused to fly. 
They wanted Rev Fr Camillus Ejike Mbaka to discard the useless set of pidgins that couldn't do the simple task of flying. After all, what use is a bird that cannot fly? How could any man of God put the fate of a whole president of Nigeria on just these sets of pidgins?
"I tried, I tried" said the 'man of God' and the overlord of the Adoration Ministries in Enugu. "I got some other pidgins. I shooed them and harassed them into flying for President Goodluck Jonathan, but they wouldn't budge. Therefore, it means that the Lord has rejected Goodluck Jonathan as president of Nigeria for the second term."
And, President Jonathan's fate was sealed - as a result of those damned pidgins.

Achike Chude
But the 'Lord' did not leave us an orphan. Where there is a tree, another one would stand in its place, says an old African proverb. 
Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka knew that we had another tree chosen by 'God'. 
"Buhari will be president," he noted with religious pomposity and spiritual superfluity. And as he spoke of the virtues of the incoming Muhammadu Buhari, those who had been appalled by the failures of Goodluck Jonathan and his PDP were lifted in spirit and were fervent in their praise and adoration of God almighty for delivering them from the hardship of Jonathan's government and into the bliss and paradise of Buhari's APC. 
If only they knew that they were moving from Jonathan's frying pan, into Buhari's hell fire. 
And we had thought that the man from Adoration Ground who had helped usher in the disaster of the past seven years in our country would be hiding his head in shame. We had thought that he would be in repentance mode for wittingly or unwittingly trying to make God out as a liar. 
We know that God does not lie, cannot lie!
But man does! Ever so often. 
The man from Adoration Ministries had told a lie that has cost us dearly. It was just like number '15' who was so sure that he was destined to be number 16 in the order of the politics of our country. He scored zero in the APC presidential primary. 
At least he and his congregation are 'wearing the zero like a badge of honour'. They told us so themselves, through the man in the eyes of the storm himself, Tunde Bakare.
But not Mbaka! The other day he was quarrelling with Laurel and Hardy (Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu). They were not happy that Father Mbaka was abusing the government of their principal, Muhammadu Buhari for being a failed president. Now, these two presidential spokesmen who were once his allies are accusing or implying that he might not be a true prophet after all - after they had benefited from his prophecy.
This is the strange world of the prophets.  First, Mbaka prophesies that President Muhammadu Buhari is the saviour of Nigeria, then he states that Buhari is a failure. 
This time around, he is going after Peter Obi for being stingy. He has once more, put on his prophesying cap to say that stingy persons don't become presidents. Like a highway robber, he once held Peter Obi to a ransom at his Adoration ground to publicly declare how much he will give 'God'. The 'man of God' forgets that we too have an idea about scriptures. We know that God likes a cheerful giver and prefers the gift given in secret. 
But Camillus Ejike Mbaka forgets or is not aware that Nigeria has been unwholesomely fraternising with 'generous politicians' for sixty years after independence. Unfortunately, their generosity has led to ruination for Nigeria, dilapidated hospitals, bad roads, a broken down university system, etc. Most importantly, their generosity does not go beyond their families, criminal friends, and perverse political collaborators and allies. Their generosity has ensured that the country's once-thriving real sector has virtually shut down with millions of our youths roaming the streets in frustration, and becoming a threat to us all. The consequence is insecurity everywhere.
People are looking for a revolution because they know that we cannot continue like this. This is becoming the revolution. Any politician that can massively mobilise the youthful population around ideas, beliefs, and principles is creating a revolution. If these great number of young people on social media and the streets are willing to coalesce around such a person with ideas without financial rewards because they are acting based on conviction, then it is a revolutionary situation - especially based on our antecedents.
Webster's dictionary describes a revolution as:
'A political upheaval in a government or state characterised by great change'. 
'The removal and replacement of a government, especially by sudden violent action'.
'A sudden, vast change in a situation, a discipline, or the way of thinking and behaving'.
Suddenly, we are beginning to see a sudden, vast change in our way of thinking and perception of our present political problems. Will it translate to a radical transformation of political leadership in 2023? No one knows. Tomorrow is pregnant, very pregnant. A lot of work still needs to be done. Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, says that it is in the hands of the youths. After all, they outnumber all of us 3 to 1. They must seize this moment which might never come again in this shape and manner. Peter Obi, the 'stingy' man with government money, could be the means and vessel of that movement towards sanity in our country. Who knows? 
As for Rev Fr Camillus Ejike Mbaka, he might have been a true prophet a long time ago. But it would appear that the spirit has left him and he is not even aware of it. A word from his beloved scriptures might yet help to restore him to his former glory:
“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing … Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.” (Ezekiel 13:3-6).
At one time or the other, we have to sit back, and do an introspection on our past and present. Such reflections are imperative and help to redeem us from ourselves. The Director of Adoration Ministries also needs to do this, so that people would see anew, the Fr Ejike Mbaka they once knew. Once he is able to do this, then apologies will no longer be necessary.
As for Peter Obi, 'the stingy', Nigeria needs serious stinginess with the public purse so that the needs of ASUU can always be met and our students remain permanently in school. We need his stinginess to ensure that our hospitals are properly equipped and funded. His stinginess is crucial for building and rehabilitation of our roads as well as providing employment for our youths.
But he must first spend 'reasonable' money for his campaign.
Thanks, Fr Mbaka, for unwittingly making us realise that certain kinds of stinginess are a virtue. 


 

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Achike Chude Disable advertisements : 

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi'ites have condemned the alleged persecution and attack on Muslims by Indian authorities, describing it as unacceptable.
In a letter dated June 17, 2022, issued by Dr. Dauda Nalado on behalf of the Academic Forum of the Movement and addressed to the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, the IMN warned the Indian government against all forms of discrimination against Muslims in the country.

The group told the Indian government that making derogatory remarks against people’s beliefs and religious personalities is not freedom of speech, but rather an "immoral comportment and a crime capable of inciting hatred and violence across the globe".
IMN pointed out that disrespecting Islam and Muslims in India is tantamount to
disrespecting Islam and Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe. 
The letter read in part, "On behalf of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement under the leadership of his eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H); we write to protest against the ongoing persecution of Muslims in India by the Indian authority.
"The news reaching us here in Nigeria through mainstream and social media revealed that Muslims are systematically being attacked by Indian security agents through unlawful arrest, detention, and demolition of houses as a result of their action and reaction concerning a derogatory remark made on Islam. 
"We would like to draw the attention of the Indian Government that derogatory remarks on people’s beliefs and religious personality can never be considered as freedom of speech, but rather an immoral comportment and a crime capable of inciting hatred and violence across the globe.
"Islam respects human beings irrespective of their beliefs. Qur’an (6: 108) Allah (Ta'ala) says: And do not insult those whom they worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge.
"It is pertinent to inform the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria that disrespecting Islam and Muslims in India is also disrespecting Islam and Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe. We, therefore, demand the end of derogatory remarks on Islam and attacks on Muslims in India.
"We also demand the end of lynching and all forms of discrimination against Muslims in India. We would continue to study this situation and demand justice for Muslims in India."
 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been fingered in vote-buying in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
At Polling Unit 009, Oisa Alada Hall, Ward 02, Okeruku in the Ikere Local Government Area, inside a house located behind the Oisa Alada Hall, men and women including elderly people were seen rushing in and out with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to receive payment for their votes.

An election observer told SaharaReporters that before going inside, a slender woman putting on a black round neck t-shirt collected their PVCs and took them in before permitting them to go in.
Confirming the vote buying to the observer, some of the beneficiaries who refused to disclose their identities said that they were given the sum of N7,000 each by APC members inside the house.
Similarly, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, the former Deputy Governor to the former Governor Ayodele Fayose, of the PDP, was caught on camera beside a house along the road leading to a polling unit located close to the palace of Ogoga Ikere Kingdom.
The former deputy governor was seen, directing a man who carried a backpack filled with money to give some security officials including the police who surrounded him in a circular form, some persons, an unconfirmed amount of money.
According to an observer who made the information available to SaharaReporters, the security personnel who left their duty post at Oisa Alada Hall, Polling Unit 009, Ward 2 Okeruke, and ran after Olusola-Eleka when he passed by them with some thugs, later got some amount of money and shared among themselves.

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Due to the failure of the newly-introduced Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) machines, at Unit 011, Ward 9, Oko Oro Ekiti, Ijero LGA, many voters have been stranded for hours and unable to vote in the ongoing governorship election in Ekiti State. 

One of them is Abigail Alofe, a 90-year-old woman. She told SaharaReporters that she had been at the polling unit for over 3 hours, stranded and hopeless. 

Similarly, an old man who identified himself as Steven Ajayi, chairman of the polling unit, confirmed to SaharaReporters that due to the failure of both fingerprints and facial recognition features of the BIVAS machines, many eligible voters have been denied the chance to cast their vote. 


"The machine is not working at all, both facial and fingerprints. It denied many people the chance to vote. I am one of them. There are many people.

"I want to vote," the old man said emphatically when asked what he wanted in such a situation. 

BIVAS is said to capture three stages of the voting process: it acts as the Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) during voter registration and performs voter accreditation on Election Day.

BIVAS is said to combine fingerprint and facial authentication to ensure the true identity of a prospective voter. Therefore, BIVAS performs the functions of both the Smart Card Reader and Z-Pad, as it is designed to ensure fingerprint authentication during the accreditation of voters and eliminate any need for the filing of incident forms.


SaharaReporters earlier reported that voting had commenced in most polling units in the state. 

Sixteen candidates are on the ballot at 2,445 polling units. They include Oluwole Oluyede of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Kemi Elebute Halle of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Olabisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); former Governor Segun Oni, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Ranti Ajayi from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
 

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

A 105-year-old voter in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, Mrs Felicia Fayomi, has charged whoever would emerge the winner of the election to represent the general interests of the people of the state by ensuring peace, economic prosperity and fighting against poverty.
Fayomi, who is said to be one of the oldest voters in the ongoing exercise made the charge after casting her vote at Polling Unit 6 Ward 2 in Ifaki-Ekiti.

While expressing joy for having exercised her civic right as she had ever wanted, she also charged the possible winner of the poll to work on reducing the cost of living in the state.
PUNCH reports that the woman, who was brought to the polling unit by one of her granddaughters, danced after casting her vote.
According to her, she was happy to be alive to exercise her right at the ongoing election.
She said, “I am happy today. I wanted to vote and I have just done that.” 

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The leader of a criminal gang terrorising Anambra State, Lion Group known as 'Double Lion', has been killed.
The state police public relations officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, who confirmed the killing of the terror gang leader, said he was neutralised by another rival criminal gang that also terrorises the state.

SaharaReporters gathered the incident took place during a burial ceremony in the Ihiala area of the state on Friday.
It was gathered that the two rival gunmen had been terrorising Okija, Ozoubulu, Oraifite, Ukpor and Iseke and were responsible for several killings and abductions outside the ones carried out by Fulani militias.
A viral video seen by SaharaReporters on Saturday shows that the gunmen had stormed the burial ceremony on the claims that they were not 'settled' (given money before the event). 
The unknown gunmen were however ambushed by the Ihiala security outfit, already stationed in and around the burial area.
In the ensuing gun battle, so many casualties were reportedly recorded on the part of the gunmen.
“They started shooting without knowing that security men had been stationed at all the entrances. So they took the battle to them in all directions, and there was no way to escape. There were mass casualties against the unknown gunmen,” a voice in the video was heard saying.
Some other sources were reported to have said that when the shooting became so intense, backups were mobilised from neighbouring Okija and Amorka security outfits, who reportedly joined in reinforcement.
The voice note further pointed out that the gunmen were not members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as there was nothing to show they were their members.
“They have been operating in the name of ESN but they are not,” the voice said. 
Confirming the incident, the Spokesman for the Anambra Police Command, Tochukwu, said the police were not involved, adding that the two groups were criminal gangs that had been terrorising the state.
The PPRO said, "The information is that two rival criminal gangs were fighting. Of course, recently the state has been having security problems, especially as it regards attacks on ceremonies and government infrastructure. And our men were deployed and we are strategically involving strategy to address these security issues as they emerge. 
"So what happened yesterday (Friday) according to information before me is that two rivalry criminal gangs had a clash in Ihiala which resulted in one of them neutralising the gang leader of another, popularly known as "Double Lion" who held a group called "Lion group" that has been terrorising the state.
"According to eyewitnesses, the shooting was between the lion group and another group he didn't mention their name, and before our men got there, the groups had already left the scene, and the lion group had made away with the corpse of their leader."
"But the situation is under control now because our men have been intensively doing patrol there to ensure peace. There is no arrest made so far," he added.  

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

Some overzealous officers of the Nigerian Army fired gunshots at the palace of the King of Ifaki, hometown of Chief Segun Oni, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the ongoing Ekiti governorship election.
The incident occurred around 6.30 am on Saturday. 

Though the sound of gunshots signals violence, it was gathered that it was an indication that the king was awake. 
An eyewitness also said the soldiers were also engaging in "show of force, causing panic in the area". 
SaharaReporters earlier reported that voting has commenced in most polling units in the state. 
Sixteen candidates are on the ballot at 2,445 polling units. They include Oluwole Oluyede of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Kemi Elebute Halle of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Olabisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); former Governor Segun Oni, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Ranti Ajayi from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Mr Chuks Ibegbu has advised Igbo people to go back to the drawing board and re-strategise instead of continuing weeping over the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election.
Ibegbu, the immediate past spokesman for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said, "Blaming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, is not a solution too as he is not a politician."

Ibegbu noted that instead of lamentation, there are Igbos who are still in the presidential race and need their support.
"Some Igbos including myself are still in the presidential race. What Ndigbo should do now is to summon all remaining Igbo presidential candidates and align them to consensus and agreement on how to realise the project. It's still feasible and realisable," he said.
Ibegbu stated this in a statement on Saturday, titled: "Stop weeping Ndigbo. Go back to the drawing table. Obiozor should summon an Igbo unity meeting". 
He, however, noted that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi is very strong and has "hurricane support and other Igbo presidential hopefuls are keenly watching the unfolding tsunami which hopefully will favour Ndigbo and of course Nigeria."
"We cannot allow political brigands to determine our fate again," Ibegbu noted.
Ibegbu advised Prof Obiozor to immediately summon an Igbo stakeholders' meeting in Enugu to resolve all issues in Ohanaeze.
"Let all stakeholders meet urgently and stop apportioning blames. But we must stop lamenting," he said. 
Ibegbu disclosed that he has picked Hajia Amina Bello, a political scientist from Adamawa State as his vice presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a man suspected to be an agent of the All Progressives Congress for alleged vote-buying in the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State.
The agent was nabbed at the polling unit located at Ola Oluwa Grammar School, Ilawe road, Ado Ekiti.

A twitter user, @ayoolarichard90, wrote, “EFCC nabbed an alleged APC agent for vote buying… Happening live at Ola Oluwa grammar school along Ilawe road Ado Ekiti.”
Earlier today, a former governor of Ekiti State and Gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party had made allegations of vote buying while speaking with journalists.
He stated this after casting his vote at 006, Ward 4, Ifaki 11, Ido-Osi local government area.

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Segun Oni, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the ongoing governorship election in Ekiti State says residents are being induced to vote for some political parties.
Oni disclosed this shortly after casting his vote at polling unit 006, Ward 4, Ifaki 11, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state.

The former governor who was accompanied by his wife and son voted around 10:22 am. When asked about the situation reports he had been getting from his agents across the state, he said, “Some of my agents are worried for the fact that they alleged that there is vote-buying in Ado-Ekiti, Oye and other locations across the state.
“Although, we have captured those areas and we are awaiting what the results from there would be before taking necessary steps.” 

WATCH: Vote Buying Ongoing In Ado, Oye And Other Locations - SDP Candidate, Segun Oni#EkitiDecides2022 #EkitiDecides
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/vzbzHDtlI6 pic.twitter.com/Rjv6yQaK7z

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 18, 2022

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The National President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Southern Kaduna, Awemi Dio Maisamari, has confirmed that the military helicopter which arrived during the bandits’ attack on villages opened fire on the youths of the village who engaged the bandits.
The helicopter reportedly attacked Maikori youths in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, June 5.

Maisamari, who narrated the details of the incident where at least 32 persons were killed, in an interview with Nigerian Tribune said the bandits arrived in an army uniform with a large number of motorcycles but they were resisted by the youths of the village who engaged them in a gun battle outside the village.
However, while the battle was on, a military helicopter arrived and rather opened fire on the locals, forcing them to retreat, and giving the bandits the opportunity to enter the village.
The ADA National President said that bandits had been going from village to village in the community attacking, kidnapping, killing and rustling cattle.   
He said, “The latest attack was on the 5th of June, 2022. The attack happened in a village called Unguwar Gamo on a Sunday afternoon. People had come out of church service and were relaxing when a large number of bandits arrived on motorcycles with AK-47 rifles. They started shooting and chasing people into the bush.
“We have been living with incidents like this but the situation is getting out of hand. We cannot understand why people would indulge in such barbarism.
“Before the latest attack, there was an attack in April on Takura village, near a railway station. We are getting fed up.
“Recently, bandits attacked Unguwar Gamo, Dogo Noma. Then they went to Unguwar Sarki, all in the same area. When the neighbouring villages realised that they were going from village to village, they decided to take precautions.
“The bandits went to Maikori village but the people were prepared for them. They hid their women and children in the bush. The young men stayed behind and defended their village. When the bandits came, they engaged them outside the village.
“No, they didn’t. But when the exchange of fire was going on, a helicopter arrived at the scene. We thought the security agents operating the helicopter should have a proper aerial view of the environment and distinguish between the two sides engaged in the fight. We expected the helicopter to recognise the terrorists who are always in army uniform with a large number of motorcycles. Some of them were wearing black clothes and holding AK-47 rifles.
“We expected that the security agents would definitely know who were terrorists and who were locals trying to defend themselves. But to our utmost surprise, the helicopter opened fire on the natives.
“So, the natives were now faced with combined fire from the bandits and the helicopter. That forced the locals to retreat and flee. In the process, some got injured. That was when the terrorists entered and destroyed the village. Today, only a handful of structures are still standing in the village.
“There is still tension. People have fled their homes. Inhabitants of settlements along the roads from Kachia to Crossing, to Idon to Kufana to Mararaban Kajuru, have relocated because of the onslaughts of these bandits.
“Most of the displaced people are staying with relations and friends whose villages are not affected. We don’t have a culture of relocating to schools, as others do, and wait for the government to come and assist us.”

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

Agents of a-yet-to-be-identified political party have been captured in a video sharing foodstuff to voters.
According to the video shared by Daily Trust, the hungry voters were seen struggling to Spaghetti, sugar and other food items at PU 019, Ikole North, Ikole Ekiti.

SaharaReporters had reported that voting had commenced in most Polling Units.
16 candidates are on the ballot at 2445 polling units.
They include Oluwole Oluyede of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Kemi Elebute Halle of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Olabisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); former Governor Segun Oni, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Ranti Ajayi from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

WATCH: Party Agents Entice 'Hungry' Voters With Foodstuffs in Ikole Ekiti

🎥: DailyTrust#EkitiDecides2022 #EkitiDecides
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/vzbzHDtlI6 pic.twitter.com/8iJ2Mq3cDk

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 18, 2022

  Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command, Zone 5, on Saturday, arrested the manager of a multinational telecommunications company, MTN, in Benin City for allegedly forging call logs in an attempt to frustrate police investigations into an abduction and assault case involving some Nigerian Army personnel.
The senior official was said to have repeatedly refused to honour police invitations to explain over 65 errors/discrepancies in the call logs that the company released to the police in the course of the investigation into the abduction of Sylvester Ekpemokan, whose illegal detention resulted in his death.

A Nigerian man has previously complained of how officers of the Nigerian Army had allegedly detained his driver, Ekpemokan, since August 2021 over a claim that he hit a military man’s car.
Ekpemokan went to work on August 10, 2021, precisely and did not return, after the military men abducted and kept him in their guardroom in Benin City, Edo State.
He said after making several efforts, he realised that his driver had been detained at the guardroom at the Nigeria Army Headquarters, 4 Mechanised Brigade, Benin.
According to him, one of the soldiers identified as Valentine, who ordered his driver’s detention, had asked him to bring N40,000 to facilitate his driver's release.
The man said the soldier was eventually arrested after it was revealed that he wanted to extort money from them.
He said the Nigerian Army thereafter promised to facilitate his driver’s release but nothing was done.
The man said he later reported the matter to the police who started an investigation after his complaint.
He, however, said efforts to apprehend the military men behind the case proved abortive after MTN allegedly forged the call logs required to facilitate the investigation.
The man claimed the call logs were deliberately forged to exonerate the army personnel involved in the matter. Meanwhile, Ekpemokan had died in detention.
But in a recent development, a source told SaharaReporters that the MTN Manager has now been arrested. 
According to the source, there were over 65 errors/discrepancies in the call logs that MTN released to the police in the course of the investigation.
"The police who had earlier expressed dismay at the manner the call logs were forged, invited the MTN manager for his explanation but the manager refused to honour several police invitations.
"The call logs MTN released to the Nigeria Police Force exonerated the suspects despite several witnesses and overwhelming evidence against them. 
“The call logs have over 65 errors, in several instances, the major suspects were at three different states at the same time i.e. hour, minute and seconds.
”MTN call logs stated that Uche Collins was in Kaduna, Benin and Niger states at the same hour, minute and second.
“Another MTN subscriber, Rasheed was in Edo, Delta and Ogun states at the same hour, minute and second, even the owner of the bus, which official records of Army Headquarters 4 Mechanized brigade stated was inside the brigade but MTN call logs stated that he was at Igueben Market in Esan land. 
“All the call logs of the four MTN subscribers were forged to exonerate the suspects.
“We are begging the Nigerian public, Human Rights Organizations, and Nigerians to take this matter as a matter of utmost national importance. 
“MTN assumed that the Nigerian institutions are weak and have refused to apologise nor explain why they forged the call logs to exonerate the abductors of the bus driver who has been an MTN subscriber for many years. MTN cannot try this in South Africa, Nigerians must rise against this evil by MTN." 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has confirmed he is in talks with the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Kwankaso said this in an interview with BBC Hausa.
The former Kano State governor Kwankwaso and Obi are exploring the possibility of cooperation in the 2023 elections, in terms of a possible merger between NNPP and LP.

Kwankwaso said, “We are really talking to Peter Obi, or at least saying that the committee is working to look into the matter (and cooperate with him), and friends and family are coming to talk to us about it.”
He noted that their collaboration was especially important as the All Progressives (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had not fielded an Igbo vice-presidential candidate.
SaharaReporters had on Friday reported that Dr Doyin Okupe, the former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said he was the running mate to Obi.
Okupe had stated this on Friday in an interview with Channels TV, adding that his name had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission by the party.
Okupe had said, “I’m standing in as the vice-presidential candidate of the party. Labour party has submitted my name as the VP of the party. Our idea is to bring up the largest political coalition ever in the history of Nigeria because we are facing two giants; the APC and the PDP.
“We cannot work alone, we need to put up a coalition and it is important for us to ensure all stakeholders are carried along. The choosing of VP candidate is an electoral process which does not stop until the process ends. We believe that the Labour Party coming to rule Nigeria is essentially going to be about young Nigerians.
“I’m willing to put down my back so young people can come to the top. The decision of LP to use Okupe is to comply with the Nigerian constitution.”

  Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Voters in Ekiti State have trooped out to exercise their franchise in deciding who becomes the new governor of the state. 
The election is being contested by 16 candidates. 

However, the race is believed to be between the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, Abiodun Oyebanji; Peoples Democratic Party, Bisi Kolawole; and Social Democratic Party, Segun Oni. 
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived at various polling units as early as 8am to commence the exercise. 
While security personnel have warned against violence in the election, Civil Society Organisations enjoined the electoral commission to ensure the exercise is credible and hitch-free.

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements :