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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced dates for the conduct of governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

In a statement on Monday signed by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, INEC said the Edo guber poll will be held on September 21, 2024, while that of Ondo will take place on November 16, 2024.

Noting that this is as provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), INEC said that election into the said offices would hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of` the last holder of the office.The latest date for Election to the office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October 2024 while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025.

“Similiarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires the Commission to publish Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.”

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections.

According to the statement, “The Governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024.”

“Party primaries will hold from 1st – 24th February 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 4th March 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 24th March 2024.”

“The final list of candidates will be published on 23rd April 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024.”

The statement stressed that in Edo Governorship election would hold on Saturday 16th November 2024.

“Party primaries will hold from 6th – 27th April 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 29th April 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 20th May 2024.”

Stating that the final list of qualified candidates would be published on 18th June 2024, the statement emphasised that campaign in public by political parties would commence on 19th June 2024 and end 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024.

Ogun State government on Tuesday said that it has cancelled celebrating the 63rd Independence Day scheduled for Sunday, October 1st

This, according to a statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, was in tune with the directive of the federal government to have a low-key celebration this year.

The decision by the Federal Government to have a low-key celebration according to the statement was to reflect the mood of the nation with the government urging citizens of the state to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.

The statement partly reads, “Following the directive of the Federal Government that this year’s Independence Day Celebration should be low-key, the Ogun State Government has cancelled all arrangements in respect of the anniversary on October 1st, 2023.

“The decision by the federal government is to reflect the mood of the nation. The state government enjoins citizens of the state to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.

“It is the strong belief of the government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun that the supplications of the people at this crucial time will be answered by God.

“We seek the understanding and cooperation of all and sundry as we observe a low-key independence anniversary this year, believing that better times lie ahead of us as a people”.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday observed a moment of silence for the late Afrobeats singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, who died two weeks ago aged 27.

The lower chamber paid the tribute at the beginning of an executive session at the resumption of plenary in Abuja.

Following a motion of urgent importance by the member representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mr Babajimi Benson, the House further resolved to monitor the investigation surrounding his death and royalties accruing to him.

Benson called for a review of relevant laws guiding the entertainment industry as well as copyright laws, while expressing concerns about the contracts and agreements that entertainers are compelled to sign.

Gunmen have reportedly shot three students of the Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and abducted one female student.

Leading reporters learnt that the incident occurred around 8:00pm on Monday, September 25, 2023.

The students, who sustained gunshot injuries, were said to be receiving treatment in a hospital.

The abducted student, simply identified as Ajoke, is an ND II student of Science Laboratory Technology.

Details Later……

The federal government has declared Wednesday, September 27, 2023 as public holiday the commemorate the Eid-ul-Maulid celebration.

Eid-ul-Maulid celebration signifies the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In a statement which the permanent secretary of the ministry, Oluwatoyin Akinlade, issued on his behalf, minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, congratulated muslims for witnessing this year’s occasion.

The minister admonished muslims to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified.

The minister urged Nigerians to embrace hard work and peaceful dispositions to fellow citizens irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity.

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has backed down from his earlier threat to punish civil servants who were found culpable of receiving double salaries after the governments salary automation uncovered 935 person’s fraudulently being paid for the past ten years.

The governor stated this while reacting to the pleas of the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkwo Emeke in Emekukwu of Owerri North Local Government Area.

Uzodinma who was a guest at the 65th birthday anniversary Sir Jude Ejiogu told the parish priest that the civil servants who are complaining of not being paid didn’t tell the full story.

He pointed out that workers that have not been paid their salaries and arrears are those the automated salary scheme caught receiving double salary for past ten years.

He said: “I was delighted to have worshipped at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkwo Emeke in Emekukwu of Owerri North Local Government Area for the Thanksgiving Mass of Sir Jude Ejiogu as he marks his 65th birthday anniversary.

“The words of the Parish Priest are valuable resources that I have noted and shall continue to improve on the level of progress we have recorded so far in the development of our dear State. However, I took time to address some observations highlighted by the Parish Priest, an eloquent man.

“In the course, I admonished our people for blackmailing the government without coming forward with the actual truth of events. The automation of salary payment to civil servants uncovered a lot of discrepancies on the path of the workers, especially those who had hitherto earned double salary from Government.”

The governor added, “Nevertheless, I have rescinded the Government’s initial decision of prosecuting offenders, and we will commence the process of a resolution to enable those in that category receive their salary.”

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service has expressed that it intercepted materials used for the production of explosive devices, cannabis sativa, and other contrabands with a duty paid value of N1.6bn between July and September.

A statement signed on Monday by the Public Relations Officer of the zone, Jerry Attah, the acting Customs Area Controller in charge of the zone, Kayode Kolade, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the government warehouse, in Benin City, Edo State.

Noting that nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures during the period under review, Kolade frowned at the spate of smuggling in the zone, said N54.2m was recovered by the zone from demand notices raised based on some infractions noticed, as they raked in a cumulative sum of N1.6bn during the period.

“Other contrabands seized included 417 sacks of cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp weighing 9; 194kg and 627 compressed parcels of the same Indian hemp one kg each totalling 627kg, nine sacks of explosives’ raw materials (fertilizer, device cables, and superpower90 chemicals) 50kg each; 1,329 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice 50kg each,” he said.

“Five cartons of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine 100mg, containing 1000 bottles; 1 unit of armored bullion van; 761 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing; 883 cartons of various unregistered/expired medicaments, including tramadol, 100 cartons of various wines; 5,737 pieces of used pneumatic tires; 335 cartons of smuggled foreign tomato paste; 300 cartons of foreign spaghetti, among others.” Kolade narrated.

The area controller stated that the contrabands were intercepted at different locations under the jurisdiction of the zone.

According to him, “The rice was intercepted along Calabar/Akwa Ibom axis and Okada/Benin Expressway, the 417 sacks and 627 parcels of Indian hemp were intercepted at Okada-Benin and Ewu-Auchi Expressway respectively. 761 Jumbo bales of used clothing mostly concealed in trucks and buses were intercepted along Umeikaa/Aba Road and Okada-Benin road.” he explained.

“The five cartons of DSP cough syrup with codeine, and 883 cartons of unregistered medicaments were intercepted along Benin/Asaba/Onitsha Expressway while the armored bullion van without customs documents and end users certificate was intercepted along Okada/Benin Expressway. 100 cartons of wine and 335 tomato paste were intercepted along the Ewu/Ibilo axis, and 5,737 pieces of used pneumatic tires were also intercepted along Cross River waterside and Okada-Benin Expressway,” he said.

He lamented over the smuggling of explosives adding that the country has continued to grapple with the challenges associated with insecurity.
Kolade warned smugglers to desist forthwith in the interest of humanity or have the law to contend with.

The controller however warned all economic saboteurs who plan to use the ember period for their nefarious acts to have a rethink as the service will make sure they count their losses.

“No amount of distraction will stop us from carrying out our statutory responsibilities not even in the face of attacks we encountered this month by some sponsored elements,” Kolade said.

According to him, “Based on prompt intelligence and sting operation, the rice was intercepted along Calabar/Akwa Ibom axis and Okada/Benin Expressway, the 417 sacks and 627 parcels of Indian hemp were intercepted at Okada-Benin and Ewu-Auchi Expressway respectively. 761 jumbo bales of used clothing mostly concealed in trucks and buses were intercepted along Umeikaa/Aba Road and Okada-Benin Road,” he explained.

“The five cartons of DSP cough syrup with codeine, and 883 cartons of unregistered medicaments were intercepted along Benin/Asaba/Onitsha Expressway while the armoured bullion van without customs documents and end users certificate was intercepted along Okada/Benin Expressway. 100 cartons of wine and 335 tomato paste were intercepted along Ewu/Ibilo axis, 5,737 pieces of used pneumatic tyres were also intercepted along Cross River waterside and Okada-Benin Expressway,” he added.