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Kogi LG election to hold Oct. 19 – KOSIEC

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The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced Oct. 19 for the local government election to occupy chairmanship and councillorship seats in the state.

Announcing the date at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Chairman, KOSIEC, Mamman Nda-Eri, also released the timetable for the electoral process.

Nda-Eri said the announcement was made in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“KOSIEC is established under Section 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is also empowered by the Kogi State Government, via the Local Government Elections Law 2004, and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“I, hereby, formally present the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government (LG) election in Kogi State.

“The LG election has been scheduled for 19th of October 2024 by the grace of God,” Nda-Eri said.

According to him, the collection of forms by political parties will be from Aug. 5 to 12, while the conduct of primaries including dispute resolutions is scheduled from Aug. 13 to 23.

He added that Aug. 26 will be the last day for the submission of forms, while verification of documents will be held between Sept. 4 and 12.

“Campaigns by political parties will commence on Sept. 13 and end on Oct. 17, while the election will be held on Oct. 19.

“We, diligently, prepared this comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities to ensure a transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.

“We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.

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“As such, we present the detailed timetable and schedule of activities to you all as critical stakeholders for your review and approval.

“We appreciate your continued support and collaboration to the successful organisation and completion of the 2024 local government election in Kogi State by the grace of God,” he said.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), leaders of various political parties and other stakeholders at the meeting commended the commission for the presentation.

The stakeholders unanimously hailed the Supreme Court judgment granting full autonomy to the local government as the third tier of government, adding it would engender grassroots development.

Amb. Idris Muraina, Chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), and Miliki Idris, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), called for full compliance with the guidelines as stated.

They urged the citizens to take ownership and monitor the process from beginning to end to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Mr Bala Bodinga, Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, promised the corps’ readiness to provide security support at all stages of the electoral process.

According to him, NSCDC Commandant, Kogi State Command, CC Paul Igwebuike, is committed to making good the promise. (NAN

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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Reactions trail Edo tribunal judgement

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Mixed reactions have continued to trail the tribunal’s judgment affirming the election of Gov. Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

It dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Reacting to the judgment, the Edo chapter of the PDP expressed disappointment with the ruling delivered by the three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.

Chris Nehikhare, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said the party was waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment before making further decisions.

“PDP is disappointed with the judgment of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel.

“As a party, we are waiting for the Certified True Copy. We will study it and decide on our next course of action,” Nehikhare said.

Mr Aslem Ojezua, a former PDP chieftain who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was unsurprised by the tribunal’s decision, as the petition lacked merit.

“What I expect now is for Ighodalo to congratulate Okpebholo and join hands in solving the problems confronting our people and communities,” Ojezua said.

He added that the verdict was clear, highlighting the distinction between legal and sensational issues.

Chief Dan Orbih, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), said the tribunal had spoken, and they could not question its ruling.

Orbih stated that PDP would now focus on bringing back members who left during the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.

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He emphasised that efforts would commence to rebuild the party in Edo State following the election setback.

Orbih blamed the PDP’s struggles on former Gov. Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of driving members away from the party.

“Unfortunately, the former governor brought distress, division, and disaster to the PDP.

“Today, I did not see his face among those at the tribunal, waiting for the judgment outcome.

“As it stands, lawyers will study the verdict and make a decision after a careful review of the well-established ruling,” he said. (NAN)

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Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Confirms Monday Okpebholo as Governor

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially recognized Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate governor of Edo State.

In a series of three judgments, the tribunal rejected petitions submitted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, and Accord Party.

The tribunal determined that the PDP did not present any witnesses to substantiate its claims of overvoting.

Specifically, the PDP failed to bring forth polling unit agents from the locations where they alleged electoral discrepancies occurred.

Furthermore, the tribunal noted that among the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the primary witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy for the PDP, had no involvement in the election’s execution.

Additionally, the tribunal remarked that the BVAS evidence submitted by the petitioners was inadequately presented.

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