Three gubernatorial candidates have withdrawn from the Saturday’s election, in Ondo State after endorsing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The candidates made the disclosure during a solidarity visit to Aiyedatiwa by Dr Ajibola Falaye, the candidate of the Accord Party, who spoke on behalf of the three parties on Thursday in Akure.

The other two are the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Mr Jenyo Ataunoko and the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Olaide Rasheed Ibrahim.

The governorship candidate of the ADC Mr Adeyemi Nejo, had earlier declared support for Aiyedatiwa.

Falaye said their decisions to back the governor for Saturday’s election was based on observations of his longstanding commitment to public service, since his time as the deputy governor.

“We have been watching him, and his doors are always open to all. The state has been experiencing relative peace under his watch, which reflects his commitment to safeguarding the lives of our people.

“We see the infrastructural development that has taken place even within this short period. It is clear that the governor is actively working for the people.

“This Saturday, we will turn our commitment into votes. We will vote for continuity in Ondo State,” he said.

Responding, Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude for the endorsement, calling it a quality decision made out of goodwill by the candidates and their parties.

“I didn’t call for this, but I am grateful that my colleagues in the race have voluntarily identified with my mandate and are ready to mobilise their supporters to vote for the APC,” he said.

Edo Governor-Elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, announced on Monday the appointment of Mr. Fred Odianosen Itua as his Chief Press Secretary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointment,  the first of the incoming administration, would take effect on November 12, 2024, according to a statement signed by Okpebholo.

Itua is a distinguished journalist with a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Assistant Political Editor at The Sun Newspapers.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned opposition parties in Nigeria against getting too excited over the defeat of incumbent U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent U.S. presidential election, where former President Donald Trump secured a historic comeback victory.

APC insisted that President Bola Tinubu is on track for re-election in 2027, dismissing suggestions that the Nigerian electorate could replicate the U.S. trend of unseating an incumbent.

Trump, 78, was declared the 47th President of the United States on Wednesday after a surprise victory over Harris, becoming the oldest person to hold the office and launching a political comeback that reverberated around the world.

Reacting to the U.S. election, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described it as a “true test of democracy.”

Ifoh said it was interesting to see how the American voting public ignored the incumbency factor, which is still a ‘big deal’ in African politics, particularly in Nigeria.

Similarly, Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), also commented on the complex yet advanced nature of the U.S. electoral system.

Johnson questioned when Nigeria would end the era of tight-knit leaders using the power of incumbency and security apparatus to intimidate the opposition.

However, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed comparisons between the two nations’ electoral systems.

Ibrahim warned opposition parties against drawing premature conclusions from the U.S. election results, saying the electoral processes between the two countries are different.

Ibrahim noted that the incumbency factor doesn’t always work where the people speak with one voice, as witnessed in the victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari over the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, in 2015.

“With the way and manner this administration of APC is working assiduously, bringing in new reforms and changes that are painful initially, we will reap the gains and fruits in the long run,” The PUNCH quoted him as saying. “We expect to start seeing the fruits of these reforms right around the time of the election. That should be around 2026 and 2027. It is at that time people will start clapping for the party and the president.

“It will be almost impossible for someone to come from the outside, particularly an outsider that has failed the country before; an outsider that cannot contain its own crisis, to think of defeating the incumbent. It will be very difficult. The APC and the president are very much aware of this expectation and the shenanigans of the opposition.

“But it is not to say that the party and the president are sleeping. No, they are strategizing ahead. So, when we get to the bridge, we will see who has the strongest stride to cross it. And I assure you, the APC will not be found wanting. It will not be caught napping.”

Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election billed for Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has warned against violence and political interference.

IGP Egbetokun gave the warning in a statement signed by the spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday morning.

Egbetokun in the statement assured the public of the police’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 Local Government Areas (LGA), 203 wards and 3,933 polling units in Ondo State.

The IGP confirmed that comprehensive plans have been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.

“The deployment will see officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force (FID-STS), working in concert with other security agencies,” he assured.

“These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that all measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order.

“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.

“These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.

“The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election: they will face the full force of the law.

“The message is clear: those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.

“Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process.

“The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and in accordance with the highest standards of electoral integrity.”

 Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the Nov.12  swearing-in of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024.

Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.

The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.

At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.

Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.

Members of the cabinet  took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.

They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.

The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.

The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has said that 22,239 Police personnel would be deployed to Ondo State for next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Egbetokun who disclosed the stakeholders meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Akure on Thursday observed that the success of any important process like the forthcoming Governorship election depends on peace, order, and security.

Stressing that a breach of the peace or security can surely scuttle the success expected in the exercise, the IGP represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, Abiodun Olabisi called on stakeholders to discharge our various duties with security-conscious approaches.

The Police boss said: “The Nigeria Police and other supporting security agencies responsible for providing security in the forthcoming election have a responsibility to solidly synergize and work as a formidable team to identify and nip in the bud, all security threats, provide water-tight security at the polling stations as well as all the public spaces within the state.

“Security of the voters the electoral officials, the electoral materials and the general public will have to be effectively provided before, during and after the election. This can be efficiently achieved by concerted covert and overt operations by the synergized security agencies assigned for the election duties.

“In order to deliver adequate election security, the Nigeria Police, apart from additional manpower from sister agencies, is going to deploy a total of 22,239 officers for the exercise.”

Egbetokun urged political parties, contesting candidates and their agents to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully, in line with global best practices of democracy.

“All stakeholders should eschew violence, avoid the do-or-die approach, should not employ thuggery, and play the game according to the rules in the spirit of sportsmanship that will enable the loser to lose gallantly and the winner to be magnanimous in victory,” he said.

“It should be stated that violators of electoral laws run the risk of diligent prosecution. He that loses today may win tomorrow- there is always hope for the future.”

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who noted that the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election is of global interest, disclosed that sensitive election materials will arrive in the state next week Tuesday.

Disclosing that the mock accreditation in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas in the three Senatorial Districts of the State was successful, Yakubu clarified that machines used for the mock accreditation and the training of officials will not be used on Election Day.

He said the commission possesses sufficient machines for the election which have been configured for voter accreditation and the upload of results distinct from those used for mock accreditation and training.

“We have made arrangements for land and maritime transportation of personnel and materials. We have arranged for the delivery of sensitive materials for the election to arrive as early as Tuesday next week.

“We will invite political parties and other stakeholders for the usual inspection of the materials at the Central Bank here in Akure and throughout the movement of sensitive materials to the Local Governments and the ward centres.

“We have warned our staff that there will be consequences for dereliction of duty in any way or form. Tomorrow afternoon, I am going to address the staff, including the Electoral Officers from the 18 Local Government Areas.”