Gov. David Umahi

By Chukwuemka Opara

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has lifted restrictions placed on public burials, wake-keeps, weddings, conferences, meetings, festivals, religious services, among others in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that restrictions were placed on such activities in the state since March, due to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic across the country and the globe.

The lifting of the restrictions was contained in a statement signed by Mr Uchenna Orji, State Commissioner for Information and Orientation and made available to NAN on Sunday.

Orji said that the measure was in furtherance to the states post COVID-19 economic recovery plans.

Its also in the exercise of the powers conferred on the governor by the states Coronavirus and other Dangerous Disease and Related Matters Law 005 of 2020 and other relevant laws.

It is also subject to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 protocols and other directives of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, he said.

The commissioner said that closure of public places such as event centres, bars worship centres, educational institutions, public parks, night clubs, cinemas among others had been lifted.

All restrictions on conduct of business and commercial activities are hereby rescinded.

Regulations on wearing of facemasks, hand washing, use of hand sanitisers, observance of social distancing among others, are still in force in public places, events and gatherings, he said.

He further disclosed that the governor charged security agencies and public office holders especially Chairmen of Local Government Areas and Coordinators of Development Centres, to enforce subsisting regulations.

These are regulations contained in the proclamation hereof, in the interest of the safety and health of our people, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Edo poll: Gov. Obaseki salutes Buharis neutral stance

By Monday Ajogun

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring fairness in the just-concluded Edo governorship election.

Obaseki stated this on Sunday while addressing journalist in Benin.

The great people of Edo have spoken. They have spoken loud and clear. We thank God Almighty and give him all the glory for this victory.

We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for defending our democracy and allowing INEC and all the security agencies to perform their constitutional function with any interferance.

INEC and the security agencies have shown Nigerians and the world indeed that they are capable of conducting a free and credible elections.

The collective will of Edo people made it possible to triumph over godfatherism. We thank you all. I am eternally grateful to my party, the PDP, and other governors, not only for giving us the umbrella, but for the hard work that ensured victory.

Our success has reinforced the fact that there is nothing we cannot achieve as a people, if we put forces together and collectively call on God for support.

I reiterate my declaration to you today that working with my deputy, Philip Shaibu, we are committed to making Edo great again, He said.

Earlier, the governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, had thanked INEC and all the security agencies for making Edo election free and fair.

Let me first of all thank the entire people of Edo for all the support given to us since the campaign and after the election till today.

We also want to thank all the members of the PDP campaign council for their collective efforts in achieving this great success, Wike, who chaired the PDP campaign council, said.

Source: NAN News

Edo 2020: Gov. Okowa congratulates Obaseki on re-election

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has joined other governors in congratulating his Edo counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, on their re-election.

Obaseki, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was announced the winner of Saturdays governorship election in Edo by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 307,955 votes to defeat his main challenger, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu of All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 223,619 votes.

Okowa gave the congratulatory message in a statement by Mr Olisa lfeajika, his Chief Press Secretary on Sunday.

He described the re-election of Obaseki as the confirmation of the will of the people, while calling on Nigerians to always stand for good leaders as Edo people just did for Obaseki.

Okowa said that the people of Edo, across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, spoke loudly and clearly in their reaffirmation of the choice of Obaseki as their governor.

Okowa, who is the Chairman of South-South Governors Forum, said that with the re-election of Obaseki, the entire region was now being ruled by the PDP.

Let me congratulate my brother Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, on their victory in the Sept. 19 Governorship Election in Edo.

It is heart-warming to see you re-emerge as Governor of Edo against all odds and I am grateful to the people of Edo for shunning the entreaties of retrogressive forces who were deviously-bent on subverting the wishes of the people.

Let me also thank INEC for being truly independent as required by the laws of our land.

The most significant aspect of this victory is the peaceful outcome of the election as Edo people proved pundits wrong by ensuring that the elections were devoid of violence, he said.

Felicitating with the PDP on the victory, Okowa said, Let me also congratulate our great party, the PDP and the Chairman of the PDP, the National Campaign Council and Governor of Rivers, Mr Nyesom Wike.

He also congratulated other members of the PDP campaign council for their efforts which led to the victory of the party in Edo.

The brotherhood displayed by the governors of the PDP and other party members towards the re-election of Obaseki is what the country needs to take the nation to greater heights in 2023.

Going forward as a nation, we can only develop further if the people are allowed to choose their leaders at all levels without any hindrance.

It is therefore a clarion call on INEC to continue to do the right thing as an unbiased umpire.

On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you my brother Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and your Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, on your resounding re-election by the resilient people of Edo who displayed honour, dignity and courage.

It is my prayer that God will grant you wisdom, knowledge and the needed resources to attend to your campaign promises to the people, he said.

Source: NAN News

Edo Election: Residents congratulate Obaseki

By Ruona Isikeh

Edo residents on Technical College Road in Benin, have congratulated Gov. Godwin Obaseki over victory as Governor of the state.

They also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for conducting a free and fair election in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, won the Edo 2020 Governorship Elections.

Miss Gina Osewenkae, a teacher, commended the electoral process in the state.

This is the most free and fair election in the whole of Nigeria. I am happy that it was free and fair.

I thank the people of this great state that came out in their large numbers to vote.

I congratulate the Governor of the state. We expect more from him for the next four years, she said.

Similarly, Me Ehisunwen Osayande, a trader, thanked residents of Edo for voting in the elections.

This election has taught the people of Edo to be sincere with their votes.

Majority of people voted their conscience. We commend the media and INEC for monitoring votes strictly, he said.

Mr Lucky Osagie, said the Edo election had taught Nigerians to defend and wait for their votes to be counted after elections.

Nigeria can have a free and fair election if godfatherism is put aside.

INEC did a very good job by monitoring votes strictly, he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Gov. Godwin Obaseki of the PDP winner of the Edo gubernatorial election.

Obaseki had, in a keenly contested election polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closet contender Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 223,619 votes, and 12 other candidates.

Source: NAN News

Voters in Edo election

Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Sorting and counting of votes in the Edo governorship election have begun in parts of Edo Central Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that some other parts in the state have concluded voting.

At Central Primary School, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Ward 6, units 1 to 5, counting had been concluded in some units and results have been declared.

At Central Primary school, Emu, Esan South East Local Government Area, Ward 5, sorting and counting were ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

Similar situation was observed at Ward 2 Unit 8, Ikeken in Esan South East Local Governement Area of Edo.

NAN further reports that the process was generally peaceful in all the wards visited.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Adeleye Oyebade in charge of Edo Governoship Evening Security Monitoring Team, has warned that nobody who violated electoral laws would go unpunished.

Oyebade said this on Saturday in Benin, after inspecting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office where the final collation of the Edo governorship election results would take place.

He said that while election was still ongoing, the security agencies appealed to the electorate and major actors not to cross the line, but do the needful.

He explained that the inspection was to further strengthen what was on ground, adding that minor issues that had been brought before the security agencies were being handled.

He noted that every security agency in the state under the banner of Inter Agencies Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), were all involved in the election security to ensure free, fair and acceptable results at the end of the poll.

He said that security agencies were committed to ensure that the election was conducted peacefully, adding that nothing was too much to sacrifice for the success of the election.

He, however, appealed to those who had yet to vote to go and do so, and also called for patience from the electorate as the process continues.

Speaking on the allleged shooting of an electorate at Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state and the alleged shooting at Oza, in Orhiomwon Local Government Area, Oyebade said that there was nothing of such.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (Left) Lagos Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (Right); Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat behind the Governor and others during the Governors tours of Igbosere High Courts in Lagos Island on Saturday (19/9/20)

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government on Saturday promised to transform the infrastructure of the judiciary sector of the state.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the promise during an inspection of Lagos High Court, Ikeja and Lagos High Court, Igbosere.

Sanwo-Olu said that the state government was committed to reforming the judicial sector and would change the face of court rooms across the state.

He said that adjudication would no longer take place in an unconducive environment.

The governor said that there would be total transformation of court rooms, buildings and other facilities for speedy dispensation of justice.

He said that the judicial officials, such as judges, lawyers and other workers in the court should operate in an ambiance environment for smooth justice delivery.

Sanwo-Olu said that his administration would continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State, adding that the judiciary arm would not be left out.

He said the Lagos State Government would set up a joint committee between the judiciary and executive to work toward putting in place a rebranded and renewed physical infrastructure in the judiciary in the week, month and years ahead.

The whole objective of the exercise (inspection to the courts) is for all us to continue our collaboration between executive and judiciary, understanding fully-well that we are all set up to serve our citizens.

And the only way we can serve is to ensure that all of us have the right ambience and have the right environment for that service to continue to happen.

Lagos State judiciary is prized as the foremost judiciary service in the country, not only with the number of judges that we have but the number of caliber of our judges.

Beyond that, is also to look at both the physical infrastructure and welfare of our judges, the governor said.

He said that as the infrastructure reformation begin, there would be a bit of displacement and inconveniences.

Sanwo-Olu pleaded with plaintiffs and complainants that come around the court premises, to understand and bear with the inconveniences of scaling up the physical infrastructure of the courts.

The press should help push out the communication effectively so that the public will know that it is for a better service.

At the end of the day, the people who come to use our court rooms must also have a feel of the new and refreshing atmosphere.

We will also be seeing a rebranded, renewed physical infrastructure in the judiciary in the week, month and years ahead, he said.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; the Secretary to the Government of Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Jaji; and the Chief Justice of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

La Liga

Unai Emery earned his first win as Villarreal coach after his side came from behind to beat Eibar 2-1 at home on Saturday in La Liga.

After being held to a disappointing draw by newly-promoted Huesca last week, Villarreal again fell behind at home to humble opposition.

Kike Garcia put Eibar ahead five minutes into the second half to again scare Emerys side.

But the former Arsenal manager sprung a double substitution shortly afterwards and the changes paid dividends.

Gerard Moreno levelled in the 63rd minute and then played in Paco Alcacer, who rounded the goalkeeper to tap into the net from a tight angle in the 71st minute.

Pervis Estupinan should have grabbed a third goal in added time when he somehow fired over the bar on the rebound with the goal gaping.

Villarreal had to defend deep in the final minutes to see out the victory.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Pic.9. APC gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu casting his vote, during the 2020 Edo Gubernatorial elections at, Iguadodo Community in Orhionmwon L.G.A of Edo on Saturday (19/9/20).
05203/19/9/2020/Jimah Suleiman/TA/NAN

Some of the electorate who spoke with NAN in separate interviews commended INEC for adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols during the electoral process.

Mr Benson Ibizugbe said that he was impressed that the process was going on peacefully and violence-free.

Ibizugbe said INEC did a good job by conducting a peaceful election here.

There has not been issues of faulty equipment and they provided face masks for voters who dont have to make them eligible to vote.

An INEC observer, Ada Opkara, from Smile Africa, said that the voting process was seamless and commended the people of Ugboko ward for their peaceful conduct.

I resumed here at 7: 18 a.m. before the INEC staff resumed activities, from that time till now, about three hours later, everywhere is calm.

The electorate are cooperative and they are obeying the rules of COVID-19 and INEC officials, he said.

She expressed optimism that the peaceful atmosphere at the polling unit would continue throughout the voting process going by the presence of security personnel.

Another electorate, Mr Monday Erhabor, said that he was happy that there was no violence at the voting centre.

Everywhere is calm and peaceful, there is no violence, the security is tight and we are sure of a free and fair process, he said..

He stated this, shortly after he cast his vote at 11:48a.m, having joined the queue for hand washing at 10:24a.m.

According to him, to wait for one and half hours on the queue before exercising his franchise is a bit disappointing.

Given that this is a sole day election,I expected a bit more planning and preparation, and resources should have been put into this election.

During the last presidential election in my polling unit, there were two polling points which helped thep voters. You all are witnesses of how long this has taken.

The card reader is working very slowly, and this is the situation in all the major voting centres in Oredo Local Government area of the state as I speak.

In Garrick Memorial Secondary School, I understand that more than 500 voters are already stranded because they cant vote because of the slow processing of the card readers.

One would have expected that INEC will have deployed more card readers and more voting points in highly numbered polling centres, he said.

On the issue of vote buying at polling units, the governor said that the security agencies were not doing what they assured Edo people and Nigerians of, before the election.

The security agencies assured us that they wont allow anybody who dont have business of voting in a particular place to be there, but they are working on the contrary to what they promised us.

You can see cars parked with a lot of cash being disbursed to people and it seems to be normal practice, but we are not perturbed. People know what to do; cash cant buy their future, he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Adeleye Oyebade, in charge of Edo governoship election, has said nobody who violated electoral laws would be above the law.

Oyebade spoke after inspecting INECs office where the final collation and results of the Edo governorship election would be announced.

He said that the security agencies had appealed to the electorate and major actors not to cross the line, but do the needful.

He explained that the inspection was to further strengthen what was on ground, adding that minor issues that had been brought before the security agencies were being handled.

He noted that every security agency in the state under the banner of Inter Agencies Consultative Committee on Election Security were all involved in the election security to ensure free, fair and acceptable results at the end of the poll.

He said that security agencies were committed to ensuring that the election was conducted peacefully, adding that nothing was too much to sacrifice for the success of the election.

On the allleged shooting of an electorate at Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government area and the alleged shooting at Oza, in Orhiomwon Local Government Area, Oyebade said that there was nothing of such.

Source: NAN News

Edo Election: European Centre decries non-compliance to COVID-19 protocols

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), on Saturday said voters in Ologbosere primary school, ward 4 with 40 units and other polling units they visited were not observing the COVID-19 guidelines as stipulated in the INEC policy.

Mr Wilson Manji, the deputy project coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that although the voters were all wearing face masks but they did not maintain social distancing.

So far the election is going smoothly and calm. We are at Ologbosere primary in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state.

So far everything is peaceful and calm here. Just that the INEC staff just arrived at about 10a.m. and accreditation and voting started at about 10.30a.m. instead of 8.30a.m, he said.

According to him, the polling officers came with hand sanitisers and thermometers to check the temperature of every voter.

On his part, the Head, INEC Voter Education and Publicity, Timidi Wariowei, told newsmen at INEC office in Benin that most of the polling units and voting points started voting at 8.30a.m.

But we are aware that there are some few isolated cases that started 9.a.m. or after 9.a.m. because of some issues they needed to sort out.

From the reports we are getting, almost all the polling units have started voting, he said.

Wariowei, however, said he observed that the voters were all wearing face masks but did not maintain social distancing.

According to Wariowei, before I left the polling units I visited, I educated the people on the need to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 regulations by maintaining social distancing for the safety of all.

Source: NAN News