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Peace Accord Fallout May Affect Edo Voters’ Turnout – Itodo

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The Executive Director of pro-democracy group, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, says Thursday’s Peace Accord fallout may impair voters’ turnout in the September 21, 2024 governorship poll in Edo State.

“What has happened today will further escalate the tension,” Itodo said on Thursday.

“When you have this crisis of confidence, you just give voters so much fear that their votes will not count next week.”

“There is a crisis of confidence in Edo State as it stands,” the YIAGA boss said. “The stage has been set for all forms of post-election disputes.”

He said the peace committee should lower the temperature of tension in the state and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun should call the stakeholders to a meeting and address their concerns.

Though 17 political parties fielding candidates in the poll like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP), among others, signed the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led peace pact in Benin City, the state capital, on Thursday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shunned the pre-election ritual.

General Abubakar, former Head of State, said PDP chieftain and outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki said the party won’t sign the peace pact over some allegations levelled against the police.

PDP Chairman in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, also stormed out of the peace pact venue in protest on Thursday. He told journalists on his way out that a member of his party who doubles as Esan West Local Government Area Chairman, Collins Aigbogu, was picked up by the police days ago and had not been released.

“Gentlemen of the press, if it were you as a political party, would you in good conscience sign that Peace Accord? That will be very dishonest,” a furious Aziegbemi said.

Commenting on the dramatic episode in Edo, Itodo said “this is the first time that a political party won’t sign a peace accord” in about a decade.

He urged the PDP and its candidate to sign the accord to de-escalate tension in the state.

According to Itodo, there are fears about the election as politicians are preparing for a showdown.

He warned that if the environment is not safe, voters won’t come out to vote on D-day.

Itodo appealed to security agents and the electoral umpire to conduct themselves in an impartial and unbiased manner.

Itodo said, “I want to call on the IG and the police to invite the stakeholders to a meeting giving the sensitivity of this particular issue and address some of the concerns that they have raised but to also call on the actors on the other side that they need to sheathe their swords, and come to the dialogue table.

“If their (politicians’) concerns are addressed, they should go back to their supporters not to embrace violence.”

He said a lot can be done before the election to boost the confidence of voters.

The forthcoming governorship election in the state has top contenders including PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, LP’s Olumide Akpata, and APC’s Monday Okpebholo.

Ighodalo, former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), secured the endorsement of the incumbent governor, who shunned his deputy and party man, Philip Shaibu. Shaibu and former governor Adams Oshiomhole have pledged their support for Okpebholo.

Over 2.6 million registered voters are to decide the next governor of the South-South state.

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Imo State Government Announces New Appointments to IROMA

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Owerri, Imo State – The Imo State Government has announced the appointment of new members to the Imo State Road Maintenance Agency (IROMA).

According to a statement signed by Hon Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved the appointments.

Ekwutosblog gathered that Barr. Kingsley Ononuju has been appointed as the Chairman of IROMA, while Engr. Egbuka Edwin will serve as the Managing Director. Barr. Chikodi Onyeanwuna has been appointed as the Secretary of the agency.

Other members of the agency include Dr. Emeka Enyinnaya, Engr. Ikenna Anyasodo, Harrison Amaechi Ejianya, Engr. Nwaobi Williams C., and Pascal Ojiaku.

The new appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the agency, which is responsible for maintaining and improving the state’s road network.

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Jeremiah useini Abachas bossom friend is dead, the iroko of middle belt has fallen

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The news of the passing of General Sani Abacha’s close friend has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. This departed leader was not only a dear friend to General Useni but also a trusted ally and associate of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

General Useni, a renowned military strategist and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has lost a trusted confidant and partner in the corridors of power. The two shared a bond forged in the heat of battle and the intricacies of statecraft.

As a close associate of General Abacha, the late leader played a significant role in shaping the country’s history during a tumultuous period. His counsel and guidance were invaluable to General Abacha, and his passing marks the end of an era.

As the nation mourns the loss of this iconic leader, we offer our condolences to General Jeremiah Useni, his family, and the entire nation. May the soul of the departed rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations.

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EWI-IN-COUNCIL ORDERS SUSPENSION OF SHARI’AH ARBITRATION PANEL IN ADO EKITI

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The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Saturday, ordered the dissolution of the Sharia panel set up at the Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti in the interest of peaceful coexistence and law and order in the community.

Adejugbe spoke in Ado Ekiti during a meeting he held with the chiefs and indigenes of the community and the Chief Imam and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere; and other Muslim leaders in Ado Ekiti over tension in some quarters over the sharia panel issue.

This came barely two days after the state government said that the existing legal structure in the state did not recognise the Sharia Court or Sharia Arbitration Panel.

The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata, (SAN) had spoken in reaction to news reports stipulating the first public sitting of a Shari’ah Panel in the state which resolved two marriage disputes.

He had said that the legal structure in Ekiti State (i.e. Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal and High Court) had been handling issues relating to Islamic, Christian and traditional marriages and inheritance without any rancour or agitation.

Adejugbe said, “Based on this Sharia issue, I summoned the Chief Imam and his lieutenants, members of the Ewi-in-Council, the president of Ado Progressives Union and Ado sons and daughters to discuss the matter because it is a sensitive issue.

“We all listened and it appears they set up a committee at the Central Mosque with the intention to listen to disputes. According to them, they have good intentions and it was an internal arrangement that has nothing to do with any external person or somebody influencing them.

“I told them the mood of the nation will not allow such to happen now, that they should revert to how the founding fathers of the mosque had been settling disputes in the past without setting up a committee.

“I told them that there is no need for the committee and they should dissolve the committee henceforth. That is the decision of the Ewi-in-Council and that is the position of all Ado sons and daughters.

“The panel stands dissolved. If we should allow such committees, the Christians too will want to set up committees in their various churches, the traditional worshippers too and before you know it, it will lead to crises.”

Speaking earlier, the Chief Imam, Kewulere, who confirmed setting up the committee, which he said had resolved a marriage dispute and adjourned on a second matter, dismissed all insinuations that it was set up for sinister motives.

Kewulere, who said that Muslims and adherents of other religions had been enjoying cordial relationships, said, “Basically, the committee is to look into matters of inheritance in the interest of our members.”

He dismissed insinuations that it was to create crisis and he dismissed any external influence or link.

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