The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has levelled serious allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the conduct of the Edo governorship election.

Speaking at a press conference in Benin on Sunday, Fintiri, the chairman of the Edo PDP campaign council, claimed that agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were denied access to the INEC office before the collation process.

The governor further alleged that the collation of results was violently disrupted in several local government areas, raising alarms about the integrity of the election.

As the situation unfolds, the PDP is demanding accountability from INEC and urging for a transparent and fair collation of the election results, emphasizing the need for every vote to count in line with democratic principles.

According to him, “In Edo South, local government collation processes were stopped in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor and moved illegally to the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin on the instructions of an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), in complete breach of the statutory collation process.

“Affected party agents and representatives were then ordered to converge on the INEC State Headquarters in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area for the completion of the collation exercise.

“Upon arrival, agents of the PDP were not allowed into the INEC State Office for the exercise. On the other hand, agents of the APC were allowed unfettered access into the INEC premises to participate in the collation process. This was also in breach of the Electoral Act section on neutrality, as well as the rules and regulations published for these elections.”

The Adamawa governor added that at about 9 pm, “senior officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accompanied by the police, stormed the Etsako West LGA collation centre and began shooting indiscriminately.”

“As a result of the attack, the council vice chairman was left in a critical condition from a shooting injury. Because of this assault, the expected results from Wards 7 and 11 were not delivered.

“At the INEC state office, a 2km barricade was created by the police to cordon off access, thereby restricting movement in the area”, he said.

Fintiri reeled out some local government results, emphasizing that his announcement did not override the electoral umpire’s authority.

He added that the figures were those received from party agents.

“I did not announce results, I only informed the public of the exact figures from our collation agents that was ongoing before INEC disrupted the process… INEC should be accused of violating the Electoral Act, not me,” Fintiri said.

He said, “It took the protest of Governor Obaseki, who made an entry to the state INEC office and registered the displeasure of the PDP with the irregularities of the collation process, for things to move forward.

“We thereby demand a restoration of the collation process in accordance with the Electoral Act and the INEC rules and regulations for this election.

“Any other illegal and unlawful action going forward will be a violation of the will of the people and abuse of the Electoral Act.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is currently leading in the Edo State governorship election race.

Naija News recalls that the Edo State gubernatorial election was held across the South-south State on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday announced the results from 16 LGAs.

According to the results announced so far, Okpebholo secured 244,549 votes, while Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, garnered 195,954 votes.

Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, got a total of 13,348 votes.

Meanwhile, the electoral umpire has announced a 3-hour br to await results from the final two local governments.

Collation is set to resume at 5 p.m.

See results released from 16 Local Government Areas:

Etsako West LGA

APC: 32,107

LP: 2,116

PDP: 17,483

Total Accredited Voters: 54,304

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Etsako Central LG

APC: 11,906

PDP: 8,455

LP: 381

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Etsako East LG

APC: 20,167

PDP: 9,683

LP: 604

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Owan East, LG

APC: 19,380

PDP: 14,189

LP: 446

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Orhionmwon LG

APC: 16,059

PDP: 14,614

LP: 556

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Ovia South-West LG

APC: 10,150

PDP: 10,260

LP: 849

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Esan North-East LG

APC: 10,648

PDP: 12,522

LP: 194

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Esan Central LG

APC: 10,990

PDP: 8,618

LP: 418

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Egor LG

APC: 16,760

PDP: 14,658

LP: 1,966

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Akoko-Edo LG

APC: 34,847

PDP: 15,865

LP: 2,239

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Esan South-East LG

APC: 8,398

PDP: 14,199

LP: 98

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Ovia North-East LG

APC: 13,225

PDP: 15,311

LP: 1,675

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Uhunmwonde LG

APC: 8,776

PDP: 9,339

LP: 769

#EdoDecide2024

Edo Official INEC Results:

Owan West LG

APC: 12,277

PDP: 11,284

LP: 201

#EdoDecides24

Edo Official INEC Results:

Esan West LG

APC: 12,952

PDP: 11,004

LP: 342

#EdoDecides24

Edo Official INEC Results:

Igueben LG

APC: 5,907

PDP: 8,470

LP: 494

#EdoDecide2024

Election Observers have raised concerns about the transperency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Edo election.

They include Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa

According to them “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process. We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.”

They added: “In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.

“We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centers. We wish to emphasize that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”

Some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel some polling units results in line with the Electoral Acts.

The CSOs, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa, in a joint statement, on Sunday, slammed personnel of Nigeria security agencies deployed in Saturday’s Edo governorship election for unprofessional conduct.

The Edo Governorship election observer groups added that there are reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers.

It read: “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process.

“We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.

“In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.”

The statement added: “We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centers. We wish to emphasize that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”

Nigerian-British professional boxer, Anthony Joshua, has ruled out quitting boxing after his fourth loss on Saturday to Daniel Dubios.

Naija News reported that Anthony Joshua was knocked out in the fifth round by Daniel Dubois to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title.

Speaking at a post-match conference, the Nigerian-British boxer, when asked if he would fight in 2025, said he took a shot at success but came short.

“You are probably asking if I still want to continue fighting.. of course I want to continue fighting.

“That is what I said, we took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now – are we going to run away or are we going to live to fight another day?

“That is what I am, I am a warrior, and also before I finish, we have to give credit to our opponent, Daniel.”

Joshua also added that the fifth-round punch of the 27-year-old Dubios knocked him out because of a few mistakes he made.

He, however, explained that he has learned from his mistakes.

“Even though when I sign up to fight opponents I don’t really like them in my head anymore, but now it is done, I take my hat off to him and say well done to him and his team.

“And also thank you to my team as well for the way they prepared me, there were a few mistakes in there but that is the name of the game, fine margins will cost you at the top level,” Anthony Joshua added.

World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and British boxer, Tyson Fury, has disclosed why Nigerian-British boxer, Anthony Joshua, did not make it past the fifth round in Saturday’s match.

Naija News reported that Anthony Joshua was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, during the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight match on Saturday.

The 34-year-old Joshua, has, however, ruled out quitting from boxing after his fourth professional defeat.

However, speaking to journalists after the Wembley match, Fury advised fans not to be harsh on Joshua. He noted that Dubois was younger.

Fury explained that despite being ruled out by many, Joshua put up a strong fight during the match.

“He did a very good job and fair play to young Dan. Everybody wrote him off, you know. Coming here he was the world champion and everybody treated him like he was a bum and he showed what he is made of and it’s very good for him, fantastic, fair play.

“It’s heavyweight boxing, it happens, you get knocked spark out, it could’ve been me, in the heavyweight division that is what happens, one punch from being smashed, knocked out,” the British boxer said.

Speaking on what led to the loss, Fury continued, ‘I think what went wrong, for Joshua, is what always goes wrong in heavyweight boxing, a good right-hander on the end of the chin, and that was it.“

A former governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomole, has denied the allegation that the All Progressives Congress has already stock-pilled money to buy votes of the people during the election.

Oshiomole who is also the senator representing the Edo North Senatorial District of the state, also said he had not received any report of violence from anywhere across the state, as the election was ongoing.

Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his votes on Saturday at Iyamho, Ward 10 Unit 01 in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, the former governor said the voting had been going on peacefully.

The former governor said, “It is laughable when I hear this kind of allegation. You have been did you see anywhere where they are sharing money? People turned out in large numbers to vote for us because they wanted good government. During our campaign, people came out to see me not because I wanted to give them something but because of what I have done for them while I was in the office as the governor.

“All structures that I have put in place 12, 13 years ago are still there but the ones put up by the present administration, in one year, they are washed off. So our people have seen the difference. Some people do tell me that since I left the government, they haven’t seen the real presence of government in their communities.”

The Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, on Sunday morning alongside members of the Peoples Democratic Party, protested the just concluded governorship election at the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He also said that the Peoples Democratic Party would protest the outcome of the polls, which he said, was being skewed in favour of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

While journalists and some party agents were waiting at the Conference Hall in the INEC office for the announcement of the results, protesters numbering about 20 stormed the entrance gate of INEC.

Iduoriyekemwen said the PDP was cruising to victory but information available to them showed that there were plans to juggle the final results that would not reflect the wishes of the voters.

He also alleged that the leader of the APC in the state, Adams Oshiomhole and reinstated deputy governor of the state Philip Shaibu were thumb printing ballot papers to close the gap with which the APC was leading.

We have information that the result is being skewed to favour Okpehbolo when it is clear that our candidate is coasting to victory.

“We will not accept this, we will contest it” he said at about 2:27 am when he led the protesters to the venue.

They were dispersed by the police shortly after speaking to journalists through the barricade.

PUNCH Online late Saturday night reporter that tensions were rising in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election as the INEC acknowledged a second complaint regarding discrepancies in polling unit results.

In a statement posted on its official X account late Saturday night, INEC assured the public of swift action, vowing to investigate allegations of incorrect figures being entered into result sheets.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that INEC has uploaded 90.33 percent of the results from the Edo governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is mounting pressure on Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to suspend the collation of results in Edo state.

The state governorship election took place on Saturday and result collation is ongoing in some LGAs.

In a statement, Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, said “intelligence” available to the party indicates that the APC wants the result collation of the governorship election suspended “to make way for the manipulation of the INEC portal and replace the real results from the units with fabricated figures in favour of the APC”.

The PDP said Asue Ighodalo, the party’s candidate, is taking an early lead in the election, adding that the APC is planning to invade collation centres with thugs to disrupt the process.

“Our Party has also been made aware that the APC is mounting pressure on the Military to withdraw from their positions so as to enable the APC convey its armed thugs to disrupt and manipulate the collation process,” Ologunagba said.

“The PDP in very strong terms cautions INEC and the APC to note that the people of Edo State already have authentic results from the Polling Units across the State and that any attempt by anybody or group whatsoever to alter the results will inflame the already charged situation with very severe consequences on perpetrators.

“INEC must not lose sight of the violent protest that trailed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari to alter the outcome of the 2023 Governorship election in that State which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials.

“INEC and the APC must note that any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election will provoke worse consequences as the people have indicated their readiness to use every means allowed in a democracy including legitimate physical confrontation, if necessary to protect their votes.

“The PDP charges the Electoral Commission to resist the pressure by the APC and ensure that nobody tampers with the results as obtained from the Polling Units.

“Our Party commends the military for its professionalism in defending our democracy in the Edo State governorship election and urges the Military High Command not to succumb to the pressure from the APC to withdraw from their posts and allow for the manipulation of the process.

“The PDP again charges the people of Edo State to remain at the Coalition Center in their numbers and monitor the collation process so as to ensure that their Will as expressed in the election is affirmed.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will investigate allegations of falsified polling unit results in the Edo governorship election.

In a post on its official X page on Saturday, the commission said the complaint is the second received out of the 4,519 polling units in the state.

“The Commission’s attention has been drawn to an allegation of wrong figures entered into polling unit result sheets in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election,” the post reads.

“This is the second complaint we have received out of the 4,519 polling units used for the election.

“The Commission will immediately investigate the matter and deal with any proven infraction.”

Earlier today, Obozuwa Josephine, a presiding officer of the commission, allegedly recorded more votes than accredited voters in Osholo primary school, Weppa ward, Etsako east LGA in Edo.

The total number of accredited voters according to the Form EC 8A filled by Josephine was 213 — but 406 votes were recorded as the total number of valid ballots cast.

Shortly afterwards, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the presiding officer.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP’s spokesperson, in a statement, alleged that Josephine allocated non-existent votes to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP also demanded the arrest and prosecution of members of the APC involved in the alleged falsification.

“The election result sheet for Osholo Primary School Polling Unit, Weppa in Etsako East Local Government Area shows that whereas 213 voters were accredited, Obozuwa Josephine criminally and fraudulently allocated 352 votes to the APC, 52 to the PDP and one to the LP, giving a total of 406 as votes cast,” he said.

“It is highly provocative that the INEC PO Obozuwa Josephine could be so compromised by the APC to audaciously and feloniously allocate unearned 352 votes to the APC above the 213 voters officially accredited in that Polling Unit.”