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PDP Women Protest and Demand Edo Election Justice

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More than two weeks after the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State, the women’s wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken to the streets in a peaceful protest, rejecting the outcome of the election and demanding the declaration of their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as the rightful winner.

The women, dressed in black to symbolize their mourning, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of stealing their candidate’s victory and handing it over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The protest, which drew a large crowd of women, took place across several major streets in Benin City.

The protesters carried placards with bold inscriptions, calling for the removal of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner and accusing INEC of colluding with the police to manipulate the election results in favor of the APC.

Messages on their placards included phrases such as “Edo PDP won the election, but INEC and police colluded to change it” and “INEC sack Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner.”

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The women also marched to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council, seeking media attention for their cause.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Hon. Stella Okoro, a former chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, expressed the deep disappointment and frustration felt by the PDP women.

She claimed that their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the legitimate winner of the governorship election but was denied his mandate through what she described as a conspiracy between INEC and security forces.

Okoro stressed that the protest would continue until justice was served, adding that the women were determined to fight for the restoration of their stolen mandate.

“We are here today at NUJ to express our feelings, our pain,” Okoro said. “We are troubled because our mandate was stolen.

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Edo people came out to vote for Asue Ighodalo, and now we, the mothers of Edo, are out here in black, mourning the injustice done to us.

We are not lions and tigers; we voted peacefully. Give us back our stolen mandate.”

She further alleged that the APC candidate had used intimidation tactics during the election, including deploying soldiers and police to arrest and harass PDP supporters.

“Our people were intimidated, arrested, and taken to Abuja. Some were held at the State CID. We fought hard to bring them back.

Despite all this, Edo people still voted for Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie, but their victory was stolen.

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We will not rest until INEC gives us what is rightfully ours. The Almighty God is hearing our voices,” she added.

Also lending her voice to the protest, Lady Meg Agbokhai, the Oredo Women Leader of the PDP, vowed that the party’s women would do everything within their power to reclaim the mandate given to Ighodalo and Ogie.

She stressed that the PDP had worked tirelessly during the campaign, visiting all 192 wards in Edo State to rally support for their candidate.

According to her, the overwhelming turnout of voters on election day was proof that the people had chosen Ighodalo as their next governor.

“We are not violent people,” Agbokhai said. “We do not have lions or tigers; human beings came out to vote for the PDP.

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We toured the entire state and worked hard to earn the trust of the people. Now, we are calling on INEC, the police, and everyone involved to give us back our mandate.

We labored for this victory, and we will not allow it to be taken from us. Edo people are mourning, and we will continue to cry out until justice is done.”

The protest by the PDP women has drawn attention to the controversies surrounding the Edo governorship election, which has been marred by allegations of electoral malpractices and manipulation.

The women’s demand for justice reflects the growing discontent within the PDP, as party members continue to call for a review of the election process and a fair outcome for their candidate.

The protest also highlights the role of women in political activism, as they have stepped forward to lead the charge in seeking justice for what they believe was a stolen mandate.

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Northern Leaders Reject Ganduje’s Call to Back Tinubu in 2027

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and other key northern figures have pushed back against a call by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje for the North to hold off on contesting the presidency until 2031.

Ganduje made the statement while hosting a delegation from the Tinubu Media Centre and the Tinubu Northern Youth Forum at the APC headquarters in Abuja. He argued that since former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, served two terms, it would only be fair for President Bola Tinubu to complete eight years as well.

However, northern leaders strongly disagreed. ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, dismissed Ganduje’s stance, calling it an attempt to impose loyalty in a way that does not reflect democratic values.

He made it clear that voters cannot be pressured into supporting a candidate. “What he said is just his opinion. Voters will decide whether to accept, reject, or modify it.

In 2015, people were sold promises of anti-corruption and other things, only to realize later that they weren’t true. Then, in 2023, ‘Renewed Hope’ was introduced, but for many, that hope is now turning into a nightmare,” he said.

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Labour Party Confirms Peter Obi as 2027 Presidential Candidate

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The Labour Party has confirmed that Peter Obi will once again be its presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made it clear that the next election won’t be an easy ride for President Tinubu.

“Tinubu won’t have it easy in 2027. We are bringing Peter Obi back to show how serious we are,” he said.

Arabambi also addressed the recent departure of actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo from the party.

He dismissed Okonkwo’s exit as a relief, claiming the former spokesperson was never truly loyal to the Labour Party and had been working in favour of the APC and President Tinubu.

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“We wish Kenneth Okonkwo well, but his resignation is good riddance to bad rubbish. He should stop talking about the Labour Party,” Arabambi added.

He further dismissed claims of a leadership crisis in the party, insisting that the Labour Party is not in turmoil and will remain a strong force ahead of the next election.


 

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APC Governors Oppose CBN’s February 10 Deadline for Old Naira Notes

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In a recent development, governors from Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have voiced their opposition to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) February 10 deadline for the old N200, N500, and N1,000 naira notes to cease being legal tender.

The governors argue that the policy’s implementation has led to significant hardships for Nigerians, particularly in rural areas where access to banking services is limited.

The APC governors have expressed concerns that the scarcity of the new naira notes is disrupting daily life and economic activities. They highlight that many citizens are struggling to access cash, which is essential for their livelihoods.

In response to these challenges, the governors have sought a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the implications of the policy and to advocate for an extension of the deadline.


 

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