Head, INEC Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mr Timidi Wariowei, told newsmen in Benin that the PVCs arrived at the commission’s office on Nov. 30.

Wariowei said that counting and sorting of the PVCs were currently ongoing to ascertain their actual number.

“We have just received the last tranche of PVCs for Edo. The commission had earlier promised Nigerians and in particular, Edo people, that the last batch of PVCs would be ready by November end.

“And on Nov. 30, the PVCs arrived at the Edo office of the commission.

“As you can see, the electoral officers from various local governments are counting and sorting the PVCs to get the actual number received.

“After the exercise, the cards will be taken to the local government areas for collection,” he said.

Wariowei disclosed that as at Nov. 20, the number of uncollected old PVCs stood at 483,796, out of which 12,351 had been collected, leaving a balance of 471,445 in the office.

He stated that the number of the new PVCs received as at Nov. 20 was 44,036, out of which 21,638 had been collected, leaving a balance of 22,398 in the office.

The INEC official also said that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would arrive at the state any moment from now.

“As we speak, our officials are at Benin airport, waiting to receive the BVAS which we are going to use for accreditation on the day of election.

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A statement by Mr Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy to Gov. Godwin Obaseki announced this in a statement on Thursday in Benin.

According to the statement the curfew is now to commence from 4p.m. to 6a.m. daily, starting from Friday, Oct. 23, and would be reviewed after 72 hours.

Osagie urged citizens to adhere strictly to the new directive.

He reassured that the Gov. Obaseki-led administration remained committed to the security of lives and property.

He further enjoined Edo people go about their normal businesses and return home before the commencement of the curfew.

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The protesters converged at Ugbowo Main gate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) junction, Ugbowo road, on Tuesday.

Our correspondent reports that youths came out, as usual, to mount roadblocks in solidarity with the EndSARS protesters requesting a change in governance in the country.

They said their movement is about restructuring the country.

Etisosa Idahosa, a protester, said that Nigerian youths want their voices heard in matters of change and restructuring.

“We want good jobs. I graduated with first class from UNIBEN ten years ago. I don’t have a job. I run home lessons for children. I want a change. I want a job,” he said.

Gladness Eloghosa said that Nigeria has good resources which have been badly managed.

“Let’s join hands to build our country. We are better than many countries. Let the change begin with us as citizens.

“I am proud to be a Nigerian that is the reason I am out today to carry out this peaceful protest and ensure that change comes,” she said.

It was reported that the protest in the state have reduced due to resistance from police.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, was unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

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The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Osarodion Ogie, who announced the setting up of the panel in a statement, said that the panel had 90 days within which to complete its assignment.

He said that the panel was constituted in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian youth, as articulated in the demands of the #EndSARS protesters.

Our correspondent reports that the panel is chaired by Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe, while Mrs Joyce Ugbodaga, will serve as secretary.

Other members of the panel were Bishop Feb Idahosa, representing the clergy; Francis Osayi (ASUU); Mr Osahon Obasuyi (National Youth Council); Prest Aigbokhian (Civil Society) and Mrs Uloaku Uzamere (National Council for Women Society).

The panel also has Mr Pius Efofan (NANS); Pius Okpere (#EndSARS Movement); Kola Edokpayi (#EndSARS Movement); Mrs Felicia Monyei (Ministry of Justice) and a representative of the security agencies as members.

Ogie listed the terms of reference of the panel to include: to receive complaints and petitions from the general public, particularly victims or relatives of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings.

According to him, the panel is also to recommend measures, including compensation and restitution, investigation and prosecution, as the circumstances warrant.

Others were to advise on compensation or restitution to the victims, or where the victim had been killed, to the family of the victim, based on condition which shall be clearly laid out by the committee and ensure that compensation was paid within 14 days of the decision to compensate.

The SSG said that the panel would additionally recommend and direct the state Attorney-General to immediately prosecute all persons responsible for the various crimes committed.

The panel was expected also to recommend measures to forestall reoccurrences in the future and make any other recommendations to government in furtherance of its mandate.

Ogie, who said, that all hearings would be open to the general public, urged all interested persons to send their complaints, petitions and suggestions to the panel.

“The Edo government fully subscribes to the ideals of the #EndSARS movement, which is driven by the desire for a new Nigeria, where no man or woman will be oppressed and where all can realise their potentials.

“The reform and repositioning of the Nigerian Police Force is an integral part of this move.

“We call on the Federal Government to speedily intervene and take immediate and concrete measures to strengthen the Nigerian Police Force.

“The Federal Government should also ensure that all officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force conduct themselves in a humane and efficient manner, in line with international best practices,” he said.

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Obaseki’s directive is contained in a statement by Mr Osarodion Ogie, Secretary to the State Government.

According to the statement made available to the our reporter on Monday in Benin, the curfew will take effect from 4 p.m. on Monday.

“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters.

“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.

“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.

“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order. Therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.”

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Obaseki made the remarks on Wednesday in Port Harcourt when he led some political leaders of the state on a thank you visit to Governor Wike at the Rivers Government House.

He also stated that a major pillar in his electoral victory had been God, who crowned the efforts of all his supporters.

According to Obaseki, the Edo electoral victory strategies were hatched in Rivers.

He noted the commitment of Gov. Wike in ensuring electoral victory for him by relocating to Edo, in spite the needless attacks from the opposition.

“After I was pushed out of my former Party, this house was the first place I sought solace. You took me in as a brother, out of the storm, changed my clothes and gave me food to eat.

“It was in this house, the Campaign Council met to work out the key strategies that led us to victory.

“You mobilised people across the country. You moved to Benin, went through the humiliation and attacks. You supported us and we won.

“It will be a sin against God if we do not come to say thank you. Even if the victory we are celebrating is from God. He has used people like you to make it happen,’’ Obaseki said.

In his response, Wike said his support was informed by the fact that Gov. Obaseki was courageous and fearless.

According to him, standing against forces of godfatherism is not easy, but Obaseki made himself available to protect the interest of the Edo people.

“Our work would have been difficult if he did not make himself available. I cannot support a lily-hearted person. Gov. Obaseki was firm.

“It is not easy to fight godfatherism. But he has the interest of Edo people at heart. Together, we have conquered,’’ he said.

Wike also said that he had been calling for unity within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform that Obaseki won the election.

He said that when Obaseki joined the PDP he pushed for all interests to be considered.

“That position paid off because the Party went into the electoral battle as a united family and clinched the victory.

“I did not want any division. I insisted that it will be good we are all together. This will make it easy to go into the electoral battle and win.

“I thank you my brother, Obaseki, for carrying everybody along in the Party. Edo people are also looking up to you to forgive everybody.

“Forgive your political opponents. I am happy that today, South-South is under one political party. This will make for integration. We can speak with one voice in moving Nigeria forward. This is the sweetest electoral victory I have ever witnessed,” he said.

The wife of the Edo governor, Betsy Obaseki, who presented souvenirs to Wike and his wife, Justice Suzzette Wike, at the occasion, said that the items would serve as symbols that would strengthen the existing friendship.

According to her,“we have to remain as one to attain the desired plans of God’’.

The Edo governorship poll was held last Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020.

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The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Petroleum Resources, Effuru, announced the result after its collation in Benin on Sunday afternoon.

Obaseki polled a total of 307,955 votes to defeat the closest rival and the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who scored 223,619.

A total of 14 candidates participated in the contest which had the total number of accredited voters for the election at 557,443 and total valid votes votes as 537,407.

The rejected votes were 12,835 and the total number of votes cast was 550,242.

Prof. Rim-Rukeh announced that Obaseki, having scored the highest number of votes was therefore declared the winner of the election.

Obaseki won in 13 of the 18 Local Governments Areas of the state, namely, Orhionmwon, Igueben, Owan West, Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan West, Esan Central, Esan South East, Esan North East, Uhumwode, Egor, Ovia North East and Ovia South West.

At the collation centre the Collation Officer for Etsako Central, however, disclosed that an INEC official was shot and another INEC staff member was injured on the face.

He noted that both of them were battling with their lives in an undisclosed hospital.

It was reported that there were records of invalid votes in some polling units across the 18 local government areas.

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The commission is expecting election results from the remaining five local government areas.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Mr Johnson Alalibo, announced Prof. Akpofure Rem-Rukeh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Petroleum Resources, Effuru, Delta, as the Returning Officer to announce the results.

Alalibo declared that the results from 13 local government were ready for collation.

“This is final stage of the election and I urge you to be calm, if you have any protest we will recognise you to speak,” he said.

The results as declared by the collation officers:

Igueben Local Government- APC 5179, PDP, 7870. Registered voters 46838, accredited 13404, total valid votes 13179, rejected votes 212 and total vote cast 13 382

Esan North East Local Government- APC 6556, PDP 13579. Registered voters 84241, accredited 20825, total valid 20369,rejected 361, total votes cast 20730.

Esan Central Local Government -APC 6719, PDP 10,694. Registered voters 55569, accredited 17931, total valid votes 17672, rejected 242, total votes cast 17914

Ikpoba-Okha Local Government – APC 18218, PDP 41030. Registered voters 310073, accredited 61731, total valid votes 60052, rejected 1378, total votes cast 61430.

Uhumwode Local Government- APC-5972, PDP-10022, ZLP-5 and YPP-2. Registered voters 73416, accredited 16741, total valid votes 16283, rejected 352, total votes cast 16635.

Egor Local Government – APC 10202, PDP 27621. Registered voters 219841, accredited 39709, total valid votes 38396, rejected 955, total votes cast 39351.

Owan East Local Government – APC 19295, PDP 14762. Registered voters 91769, accredited 34819, total valid votes 34246, rejected 515, total votes cast 34761.

Owan West Local Government- APC 11193, PDP 11485. Registered voters 61193, accredited 23294, total valid votes 22849, rejected 404, total votes cast 23253.

Oredo Local Government -AA-8, ADC- 160, ADP-256, APC-18365 and PDP- 43498. Registered voters 309968, accredited voters 64783, total valid votes 62578, rejected 1302 and total votes cast 63,880.

Esan South East Local Government -APC 9237, PDP 10563. Registered voters 73907, accredited 20274, total valid votes 19896, rejected 307, total votes cast 20203.

Ovia North East Local Government -APC 9907, PDP 16987. Registered voters 143009, accredited 28607, total valid votes 27437, rejected votes 934 and total votes cast 28371.

Etsako West Local Government -APC 26140, PDP 17959. Registered voters 158899, accredited 48846, total valid votes 44539, rejected 2828, total votes cast 47367.

Oredo Local Government- APC 18365, PDP 43498. Registered voters 309968, accredited 64783, total valid votes 62578, rejected 1302 and total votes cast 63880.

Esan West Local Government- APC 7189, PDP 17434. Registered voters 99983, accredited 25530, total valid votes 24880, rejected 579 and total votes cast 25459.

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The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, made this known at a webinar on Edo/Ondo Elections organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

The theme of the webinar was “Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage”.

Oyekanmi said that the commission was committed to providing a level playing field for all candidates and parties.

“We are not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process to ensure that materials get to the polling unit on good time.”

Oyekanmi appealed to journalists to be fair and objective in reporting the Edo and Ondo elections, adding that in spite of the utterances of political actors in Edo and the challenges, INEC was ready for credible poll.

He said that the commission had taken proactive measures to address security concerns.

“INEC is determined to conduct the election despite the current difficult circumstances.”

“Out of the 14 activities listed in the timetable released in February, we have carried out 12.”

“The only two left are the deadline for campaigns slated for Sept. 17 and the election proper slated for Sept. 19.”

“All the logistics needed for the election have been taken care of. The non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 18 local government areas of the state,” he said.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of ICP, said the key objectives of the webinar were to strengthen the capacity of the media to engage professional, ethical, issue-oriented, gender-sensitive issues.

Arogundade said it was also to improve their capacity on inclusive sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the electoral processes and elections.

Arogundade said the webinar was organised with a specific focus on the imperative of safety consciousness and conflict sensitivity in media coverage of the two elections because of the prevailing circumstances in the two states.

“In the area of safety, we are looking at how journalists could avoid getting in harm’s way in the course of their legitimate duties amid the general concern that the elections could turn violent as pockets of violence are already being recorded here and there particularly in Edo.

“We are also looking at how journalists could ensure their health safety in view of the fact that the two elections are taking place under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the area of conflict sensitivity, we are looking at how journalists could contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections by embracing the principles and guidelines of conflict-sensitive journalism,” he said.

Arogundade urged journalists in the two states and elsewhere to read and digest the Resource Manual on Elections and Democratic Accountability and the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.

“Both publications actually have chapters or sections that deal extensively with details of how journalists could be conflict-sensitive, avoid hate speech and be personal-safety-sensitive in the coverage and reportage of elections,” he said.

He reminded journalists that their main duty during elections was to relay the information that citizens would require to make informed choices.

“It is a duty we must not abdicate but which we have to undertake with the utmost sense of professional responsibility so as to set the appropriate pubic interest agenda as far as elections in Edo and Ondo states are concerned,” he said.

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Obaseki emerged candidate after two other aspirants, Mr Omeregie Ogbeide-Ihama representing the Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Mr Ken Imasuangbon finally stepped down from the race.

It was reported that one of the aspirants, Mr Gideon Ikhine, had on Monday stepped down for the governor.

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who was the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Committee, said that voting still took place in line with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act as well as acceptable democratic practices.

Mohammed said that that Obaseki polled 1,952 while 72 votes were declared invalid from the 2,020 total vote cast.

He said that the total delegates were 3,234.

It was reported that the result was declared by the chairman of the committee after it was confirmed by Independent National Electoral Commission officials as well as security agencies.

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