The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has pledged to prevent anyone from taking control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Rivers State.

The former Governor of Rivers State warned that he would instigate a political upheaval in the states of any PDP governor who attempted to meddle in the party’s affairs within the South-South region.

On August 23, PDP governors gathered in Taraba State to address the ongoing crisis within the party in Rivers State and reaffirmed their backing for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, through a statement delivered by its Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, called for a reevaluation of the party congress results to reinstate Fubara’s leadership position in the state.

During the state congress held at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike called on the PDP governors to avoid interfering in the party’s matters in Rivers.

He said, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody.

“I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see, you take.

“Because I heard they got some money from a signature bonus, and so their heads are getting big that they will put a hand in my own state. Prepare because I have the capacity to do the same thing in your state.

“Whether you are from Bauchi, I don’t give a damn; whichever state you are from, as far as I know that you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and you will never sleep in your state.”

The Rivers PDP has been facing turmoil due to the rift between Wike and his former successor, who did not attend the congress.

Present at the event with the minister were current and former lawmakers from both federal and state governments, previous council chairpersons, and other dedicated party members.

The All Progressive Congress Chairman (APC) in Kogi State, Abdulahi Bello, has called on the opposition to back Governor Usman Ododo‘s administration in advancing the state’s progress.

He issued this appeal in response to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding Ododo’s win in the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election.

Bello, in a telephone chat with our correspondent shortly after the court judgement, said “I feel elated for the Supreme Court verdict of today.

“It’s a demonstration of the court as the last hope of the common man. I will advise the opposition noise makers to put a stop to their noise and join hands with Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to move the state forward.”

Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, remarked in a statement following the verdict that the Supreme Court’s decision validated the people’s widely supported preference.

“With the needless distractions over, we are much confident that your impressive performance within the short period as attested to in all the nooks and crannies of the state, will even translate into a more historic and unprecedented transformation of Kogi,” he reiterated.

David Ijele, the spokesperson for the Muri/Sam Campaign Organization of the Social Democratic Party, stated in response to the ruling that the judiciary requires immediate reform to effectively uphold and safeguard democracy in Nigeria.

“We did our best, Nigeria system happened to us, the whole world knows the truth, and I think there is an urgent call for judiciary reform. If we don’t get our justice system fixed then sorry to say this; banana Republic will be better than Nigeria.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended its congratulations to Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, after the Supreme Court confirmed his victory in the 2023 governorship election.

The Supreme Court’s five-member panel unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by All Progressives Congress candidate, Timipre Sylva, challenging the election results.

In a statement released on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Governor Diri as a major triumph for democracy.

The statement read in part, “The verdict of the Supreme Court is another victory for Democracy, Rule of Law, and the expressed Will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP.

“Governor Diri’s re-election by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bayelsa State is a resounding testament in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding achievements in the delivery of life-changing citizen empowerment programmes and projects in the state.”

The PDP asserted that the affirmation of the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi States underscores a significant problem stemming from INEC’s faulty procedures and neglect of the 2022 Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines.

It stated, “The PDP, however, raises serious concerns about the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi states despite confirmed reports and evidence that the elections were heavily flawed and blatantly compromised, marred by widespread violence and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with certain unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The general melancholic disposition in Imo and Kogi States at the news of the judgment validates the concerns and views of our Party and majority of Nigerians that the results of the elections declared in the two States did not reflect the true aspiration of the people as expressed in their votes.

“The upholding of the governorship election in Imo and Kogi States further underscores a very serious challenge created by the blemished operation and violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines by INEC.

“The judgement also underlines the clamour and demand by our Party and Nigerians for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Law particularly concerning the declaration of results of election without due regard to issues and complaints arising from obvious violation of the provisions of the law and electoral processes.”

The PDP highlighted the importance of strengthening electoral laws and procedures to ensure that elections are determined by votes rather than by violence and manipulation, as witnessed in the Imo and Kogi governorship elections.

It continued, “Such a situation places a lot of pressure on the judiciary, which would have been avoided if the Electoral Commission had ensured strict adherence to the Electoral Act and Guidelines in the conduct of elections in our country.

“Our party restates its position that no candidate should be declared a winner of any election until all legal processes are concluded. This is to prevent the inclination to resort to self-help through the use of violence and manipulation to secure unearned victory, as witnessed in the Imo and Kogi states governorship elections.

“The PDP as a law-abiding Party, respects the decision of the Supreme Court despite our Party’s deep reservations and urges Nigerians to remain calm but determined in the collective quest to ensure the entrenchment of credible elections in our country.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the collection of permanent voters cards (PVCs) at ward level will start on August 22, 2024 ahead of the governorship election in Edo State.

INEC disclosed this in a statement which it shared on its official X account on Tuesday afternoon.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded arrangements to make Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) available for collection by registered voters at 210 designated centres in Edo State,” the statement read.

According to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who spoke at the Commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioner (RECs) held in Abuja on Monday, August 19, all the PVCs have been printed, delivered to the commission’s office in Benin city and handed over to electoral officers who will facilitate the collection process.

Yakubu said the first level of collection will take place in all the 192 wards in Edo State between Thursday, August 22 and Monday, August 26 from 9am to 5pm daily including the weekend.

Thereafter, the second level of collection will continue in all the commission’s 18 Local Government offices in the state from Wednesday, August 28 to Sunday, September 8 between 9am to 5pm daily including the weekends.

Detailed information about the dates and location of all the centres have been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms.

Giving the background, Prof. Yakubu recalled that following the conclusion of the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo and after the clean-up of the register, the commission published the figures of new registrants for the two States.

“For Edo State, 119,206 new voters were registered. In addition, 8,847 voters transferred their registration from other States of the Federation to Edo State while 46,171 voters transferred their registration within the State i.e. from one part of the State to another,” he said.

“As provided by law, the commission has updated the records of 4,808 voters that applied for correction of names, addresses or dates of birth from previous registrations and also replaced 5,406 lost or damaged PVCs.

“Put together, 184,438 voters of various categories were served by the Commission during the last CVR in Edo State. They will be issued new voters’ cards (PVCs).”

To pave the way for a seamless collection of the PVCs, INEC said it has developed a register containing, among other information, the names and photographs of the 184,438 voters.

The register has been uploaded to the Commission’s website (http://inecnigeria.org/?page_id=13804) to facilitate easy identification and collection of the cards.

However, the INEC Chairman emphasised that policy of personal collection of PVCs by registered voters has not changed.

“The cards will not be distributed or collected by proxy so that they do not end up in the wrong hands,” Yakubu stated.

“We urge voters who took their time to register during the CVR to also take time to collect their PVCs in person and, most importantly, to come out on election day Day and vote for the party of their choice.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the register of voters to political parties in Edo State.

INEC disclosed this in a statement which it shared on its official X account on Tuesday afternoon.

“As part of preparations for the Edo State Governorship Election on September 21, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held an important meeting today, August 20, 2024, to present the voter register to political parties,” the statement read.

The event took place at the INEC State Head Office in Benin City and was attended by key stakeholders.

INEC National Commissioner overseeing Edo State, Professor Rhoda Gumus was present at the meeting and delivered a key address.

Gumus emphasized the critical role of the election in determining the future of Edo State, stressing that every vote counts and highlighting the need for all parties to uphold democratic principles.

Prof. Gumus also underscored INEC’s commitment to ensuring a credible and transparent process, urging political parties to work closely with INEC to guarantee a peaceful election.

She reassured stakeholders that the Commission has implemented various measures to ensure that the election is free, fair, credible and conducted in a transparent manner.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuaha welcomed everyone and emphasized the importance of transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral process.

Onuaha detailed the efforts made by INEC to ensure that the voter register is comprehensive and up-to-date, reflecting all eligible voters in Edo State.

He encouraged political parties to engage constructively and assured them that INEC would address any concerns promptly.

Dr. Onuaha concluded by reiterating INEC’s commitment to conducting an election that not only meets national standards but also upholds the confidence of the voters in the democratic process.

The Director of Voter Registry, Tunde Gafar gave a detailed presentation about the voter register.

Gafar discussed the demographics and distribution of registered voters across the state, helping political parties understand the electorate better.

He also talked about the new technology that will be used in the election to make it more efficient and reliable.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu.

According to news media, OyoAffairs, Omodewu died in the early hours of Monday, August 19, 2024 at the age of 61 in the United States (US)

“Barr. Omodewu was a seasoned politician and legal practitioner who served in various capacities in the Oyo State government,” OyoAffairs said

“He was a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and later served as Commissioner for Lands and Housing during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.”

Details of his death are unclear as at the time of filing this report but Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, Sharafadeen Alli has paid tribute to the late Omodewu.

Alli in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Oyo State APC Chairman.

Senator Alli in his statement described Omodewu’s death as a monumental loss to the APC and the entire Oyo State.

“Chief Omodewu was a man of integrity, wisdom and unwavering dedication to the progress of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State,” Alli said.

“His leadership was marked by a deep commitment to unity and the growth of the party, and his contributions to the political landscape of the state will never be forgotten.

“Chief Isaac Omodewu was more than just a party leader, he was a pillar of strength and a guiding light for many within our party.

“This is a great loss, but we take solace in the fact that he lived a life of service and left behind a legacy that will continue to guide us.”