Allafrica Post

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said the lapses in the Osun state re-run elections has put a serious question mark on the electoral process, raising concerns about the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The group in a statement issued regarding the rerun conducted by The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the election was heavily policed in a manner that created heavy tension and apprehension among voters. The Situation Room noted that despite reports of early arrival of materials and INEC officials in most Polling Units (PUs) where the rerun elections were conducted, it was difficult to confirm how the voting process started, as media and election observers were denied access during the early part of the day, especially in Orolu local government area. The Situation Room which monitored the rerun election conducted by INEC in seven polling units of Osun State, stated that reports from Orolu indicated incidents of intimidation, harassment of media pers...

Workers in Edo state observed full compliance to the warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to demand implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the country. Federal and State government department, parastatals as well as agencies were all under lock and keys with Union officials standing by to ensure nobody entered as observed Observed at The Nigerian Observer and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in the state capital. Some private establishment were opened for their day to day business, excluding financial institutions which were noticed opened their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for customers, but not their main banking Halls. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official in one of the state government agency advised the federal government and organised labour to "come to agreement" on a new wage for workers to avoid further strike. However, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo state chapter, Mr Emmanuel Ademokun express...

Senate Deputy Whip and member representing Edo North Senatorial district (APC) Senator Francis Alimikhena has vowed to retire Engineer Abubakar Momoh of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) from active politics in the 2019 Edo North Senatorial election. The Deputy Whip of the Senate who was recently accused of non performance by Hon Momoh, a PDP Senatorial aspirant, made the vow in a statement signed by His Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Benjamin Atu. In the statement dated September 27 2018 and made available to journalists, the federal lawmaker expressed confidence that an end has come to Momoh's Political career. "We made Momoh whatever he is today and we are ready to unmarked him and retire him from active politics in the fourth coming Edo North election. "We cannot continue to give political consideration to people who cannot make gains with the trust of the people. "Since the inception of Democracy in 1999 till date Hon. Abubak...

The Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Mr Francis Alimikhena has threatened to sue a Non-governmental organization, Tracka for "accusation" over non implemention of constituency projects. The federal lawmaker made the threat known in a telephone chat recently with The Nigerian Observer in reaction to Tracka's findings in communities Mr Alimikhena said the projects will be implemented. The Senator who spoke through his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Benjamin Atu said the lawmaker only implemented projects requested and that would be of "immense" benefit to his constituents. According to him, "They can be arrested and charge to court for wrongly accusing Nigerian Senators because those they are accusing have their manifestos and promises they made to their people, they know the peculiar problem of their people and base on those problems they made promises and delivered. "It is wrong of any age...

The people of Edo North Senatorial District has accused the Senator representing the area, Francis Alimikhena of exclusion from the planning of budget as well as implementation for the area since elected in 2015. The Constituents who revealed this in their separate reactions on the Senator's performance, further accused Alimikhena of lack of transparency and accountability since assuming office in the Red chamber. The Senate Deputy Chief Whip had embarked on different projects in locations across some local government areas in the constituency, including the empowerment of youth through the provision of tricycles, motorcycles, generators, sewing machines. An indigene of Ayogwiri in Etsako-West local government area of Edo state, Mrs Asana Bello said people in her community have not felt the impact of a representative at the Senate. "You will not even see him call for a town hall meeting for the people to speak their mind on what they need before bringing what they do n...

Following the recent cult related killings at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Network of Civil Society groups in Edo state (EDOCSO) has charged security agencies to ensure perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book. The Group which made this known on Monday in Benin city, also called on the State Government to take necessary steps to prevent a re-occurrence of the killings. The Group's spokesperson, Leftist Osazee Edigin in a report asserted that with the ability to detect crime, security agencies should step up their operations as their sole responsibility is to protect the lives and properties of citizens. "The security agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property, which also involves the ability to detect crime, should step up their operations in ensuring that the perpetrators are made to face the wrath of the law. Government at all levels should see the protection of citizens’ lives and property as a major component of the...

Madam Nafisatu Arelu had bought a brown new 25KVA electricity generating set while she waits under the scotching sun at a roadside motor park at Irele. She bought the generator after the 15KVA engine she was using could no longer power her newly acquired refrigerator. Before the elderly Madam Arelu finally got a taxi heading towards are direction in Oke-Odo, she was reluctant to speak on the blackouts as she said she had given up hope of electricity restoration to the area after years of darkness. "How long do we continue to protest to government that we do not have light for years now? Will they say they do not see us on television, listen on radio or read about our darkness in newspapers? My son I am tired, the generator is even better than wait for BEDC", the soft spoken grandmother said. There are millions of 'Madam Arelu' in Irele, Oke-odo, Ilaje and Okiti-pupa Local Government Areas of Ondo State who had resorted to the use of generator as alternative ...

In commemoration of this year's World Alzheimer's Day, the Alzheimer Disease Foundation (ADF) on Friday staged a sensitization walk along major roads in Benin city, the Edo state capital, with a call to an end to stigmatization of sufferers. Alzheimer disease is a common cause of dementia, which symptoms include memory loss, difficulties with thinking and problem solving. Speaking during a stopover at The Nigerian Observer Head Office in Benin, The President of the foundation, Josephine Anenih said the disease is an abnormal protein that surrounds the brain cells. Anenih, while calling for an end to the stigmatization of sufferers noted that the protein damages internal structure of the brain, adding it usually result to day to day memory loss. The ADF President described dementia as "Progressive", and further added that the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age, asserting "a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk." She explai...

Igbokoda - In his bid to provide better representation for the people of Ilaje Constituency II at the Ondo State House of Assembly, Comrade Emmanuel Lebile has declared to run on the platform of Labour Party (LP) for a seat at the parliament. Comrade Lebile who asserted that the Constituency is poorly represented by those sent there in time past, made the declaration in a Chat With our correspondent recently in Igbokoda, the administrative Headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state. It would be recalled that Lebile  recently jettisoned his Local Government chairmanship ambition over Labour Party's lack of faith in the ability of Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODSIEC) to conduct credible local government polls. "I believe good legislation will put our people on the best pedestal for good governance. We must make laws that will create enabling environment for a new Ilaje", He said. Comrade Lebile also known as 'The Refor...

Crisis looms in Idokpa village in Uhonmwode Local Government Area of Edo state over chief priest (Ohen) position, as self acclaimed Chief Priest designate, Prince Osakioya Obasohan raises alarm over plans by unknown persons to “deny” him the ancestral throne. Prince Obasohan who raised the alarm during a chat with The Nigerian Observer in Benin city, appealed to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare ll to intervene to forestall impending crisis in the village. He asserted that the (Ohen Idokpa) throne is hereditary, and that as the eldest son to the former Ohen, Pa Odia Obasohan (now deceased), he deserve to succeed his late father to the Okhuaie Nu’Kpogie Shrine. According to the self acclaimed chief priest designate, the Oba of Benin had on 20th February 2018 in his palace looked into the matter, with a view to settle the dispute. He said, “what the Oba told us on that day in his palace was that he will verify the issue and after the verification he will call us to g...

"Hello oo, hello oo", is one loud scream that usually draw passersby attention at the popular Mission road junction, Oba Ovoramwen square in Benin city, the Edo state capital, adjacent the State's intra city temporary bus terminal. Many who have one or two activities to do in the city centre, especially around Oba market, Urhokpota hall, the National Museum, and bus terminal will attest to this Helloo o sound that has become a recurring decimal within these areas. The scream is not emanating from a record player, neither from a trader (or hawker) trying to woo prospective buyers to his or her wares, but that of a man holding a placard like a town crier mandated to announce the commencement of popular annual festival. The placard with various inscriptions like, "Solidarity 4 hawkers welfare in prisons", "Bring back our belongings", "average of 10 hawkers go to prison daily", "1 Nig?", "we shall overcome. Ed...

A former chairperson, Nigerian Women of Journalists (NAWOJ) Edo state chapter, Mrs Grace Umeh has described the relationship between the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Civil society groups as "inseparable". Mrs Umeh made the assertion over the weekend during the general assembly of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO) in Benin city where she came to seek the support of the group. Umeh who is vying for the position of National Treasurer in the forthcoming Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) elections also likened the relationship between both organisations as that of "Siamese twins". "This is one organization that I am so so proud to be identified with, in fact this is the voice of the voiceless, the voice of the masses", the former chairperson, NUJ Observer chapel added. While commending the group for the giant strides recorded, She however expressed appreciation to the EDO CSOs for their unflinching support and sues f...

Igbokoda (Ondo state) - As the summer lessons organized for secondary school students in Igbokoda, administrative headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo state came to a close last Friday, parents and beneficiaries has expressed appreciation to the sponsor. The After-School lessons which took place during the school holiday was put together by Comrade Emmanuel Lebile, a Chairmanship Aspirant for the council in the forthcoming local government polls in the state. A Junior Secondary School (JSS-2), Yemi Abisanbo who could not hide his joy, said he never expected to be engaged after his examination, as he usually play around with friends before the start of another academic session. "Our Uncle (teacher) first shared free books for us before we start the lesson, and I am happy to be learning this holiday, I even invited my friends we play together. May God bless the sponsor", Yemi said smiling. Also, Deborah Abe, a senior secondary school student ...