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Edo guber election: PDP calls for immediate release of ‘arrested party members, supporters’

Published

7 days ago

September 21, 2024

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the release of its party members arrested during the governorship election in Edo state.

In a statement on Saturday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP national publicity secretary, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to “intimidate and suppress” the will of Edo people.

The PDP spokesperson urged voters in the state to remain resilient and defend their democratic rights at the various polling units.

TheCable had reported that two party agents — one of whom was identified as a PDP member — were arrested by the police before the commencement of the election.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demands for the immediate and unconditional release of voters, including PDP members and supporters who were illegally arrested by @OfficialAPCNg-ccompromised security operatives while peacefully queuing to vote in the on-going governorship election in Edo state,” the statement reads.

“The PDP states that this is part of APC coordinated plot in connivance with certain compromised police officials to harass, intimidate, and suppress the people of Edo state having realized that it has lost the poll.

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“The APC and their compromised police personnel should know that the game is up and that the people of Edo state will never be cowed to surrender in the face of aggression or terror. They have rejected the APC and nothing will make them change this resolve.

“The PDP charges the people of Edo state to remain resilient and continue to defend their democratic rights, votes and ultimate victory at the poll.”

Earlier, Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate of the PDP, alleged that police operatives were intimidating voters during the election.

Ighodalo, who spoke on Saturday at ward 1, PU 3, in Ewohimi, Esan south-east LGA, where he cast his ballot, alleged that one of the PDP’s supporters was arrested by police while attempting to vote.

“One of our supporters was arrested by men in mufti carrying guns. Nobody should carry a gun to a polling unit; that’s against the law and regulation,” he said.

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“But you just see people misbehaving, oppressing, and trying to intimidate our voters. We won’t be intimidated and oppressed.

“How come it is only PDP supporters that are being arrested? Every day, you see APC supporters doing the worst things imaginable; nobody arrests them, nobody even investigates them.

“The authorities should create a free and fair level playing field. It is getting too much, particularly from the police force or people that claim to be policemen. If policemen want to be politicians, they should retire.”

Related Topics:EDO GUBER ELECTION Edo State PDP

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17 killed in mass shooting in South Africa

Published

34 mins ago

September 28, 2024

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Seventeen people have been killed in a mass shooting in a remote South African town.

According to the BBC, the police said two homesteads in the town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, were targeted.

At least 12 women and one man were said to have been killed in one location, with three women and one man murdered in a second location.

An 18th victim is in critical condition in hospital.

The police said a manhunt for the perpetrators is under way.

Senzo Mchunu, the police minister, is expected to provide an update and visit the area where the attack occurred.

South African media report that the victims were preparing to attend a traditional mourning ceremony for a mother and daughter who were murdered a year ago.

They were packing goods and presents, including furniture, for the event when the attacked occurred on Friday night.

“The gunmen came and shot randomly, killing everyone. Women and children were also killed in the bloody shooting,“ the reports read.

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“This has left the community terrified.”

Officials are yet to determine the motive or make any arrests.

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Tinubu’s planned cabinet reshuffle won’t make any difference, says Buba Galadima

Published

3 hours ago

September 28, 2024

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Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), says President Bola Tinubu‘s planned cabinet reshuffle would not make any difference.

On September 25, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu “has expressed his desire to reshuffle his cabinet and he will do it”.

Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels TV on Friday, Galadima said reshuffling the cabinet would not curb food inflation.

Galadima claimed that the president intends to reward his cronies with the reshuffle.

“That (planned cabinet reshuffle) has nothing to do with me or any Nigerian. What is of importance to all of us is bringing down the harsh conditions of living and the buck stops only on the table of one man. That is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Galadima said.

“No amount of reshuffling can make a difference. As far as that team is only ‘job for the boys,’ nothing will come out of it.

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“Anybody that calls himself president or governor is responsible for their cabinet’s performance. He should be told that some of his appointees are more interested in their pockets than service delivery.

“I expected him to do better than this; and to hit the ground running.”

The NNPP chieftain asked Tinubu to find a solution to the country’s foreign exchange crisis “which has seen the naira performing abysmally”.

There have been growing calls from Nigerians and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet and remove underperforming ministers.

Tinubu’s policies have driven petrol prices to record highs and depreciated the naira to record lows since he assumed the reins on May 29, 2023.

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Israel claims Hezbollah leader killed in Beirut strike

Published

4 hours ago

September 28, 2024

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The Israeli military announced early Saturday that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a strike on Beirut.

“Hassan Nasrallah is dead,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani announced on X. Military spokesman Captain David Avraham also confirmed to AFP that the Hezbollah chief had been “eliminated” following strikes Friday on the Lebanese capital.