Police arrest armed political thugs
The police said they have apprehended political thugs and seized firearms during overnight operations in Edo State where the governorship election will be holding today, Saturday.
The police also pledged to tackle illegal weapons holders and disruptors of the electoral process in the state.
Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, made this known in a statement on Friday night, displaying some of the recovered firearms.
He gave the names of the arrested alleged political thugs as 43-year-old Edwin Obanor, and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old PDP member from Ugbogbo quarters, Igara Akoko, Edo
“The Nigeria Police Force has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to curb electoral violence in Edo State with the arrest of two political thugs, namely: Edwin Obanor, 43-year-old and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old PDP member from Ugbogbo quarters, Igara Akoko, Edo,” the statement said.
This online medium reports that residents of Edo State will be electing a new governor today, Saturday, 21 September, 2024.
The new governor will take over from Governor Godwin Obaseki who will step aside after the expiration of his 8 years administration.
Residents of Edo State will head to the polls today for the off-cycle elections to elect their next governor.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, hopes to reclaim power in the state following Governor Obaseki’s decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, back in 2019.
Edo was an APC stronghold before the crisis that emanated in the party forced Obaseki to dump the national ruling party to the main opposition.
In Edo, come Saturday, the electorate will vote for a new state leader as Governor Obaseki exits office after his two constitutional terms.
The leading contenders for Saturday’s election include Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.
CityNews reports that seventeen candidates are vying for the governorship position, with sixteen men and one woman in the running.
They include…
Action Alliance, AA, – Tom Iseghohi
New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP – Azena Azemhe Friday
All Progressives Grand Alliance – Osifo Isiah
All Progressives Congress – Senator Monday Okpebholo
People’s Democratic Party – Asue Ighodalo
Labour Party – Olumide Akpata
All People Movement – Ugiagbe Sylvester
All Peoples Party – Areleogbe Osalumese
Action Democratic Party – Kingson Akhime Afere
African Action Congress – Udoh David
Zenith Labour Party – Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena
Boot Party – Osirame Edeipo
Accord Party – Iyere Kennedy.
African Democratic Congress – Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen
Peoples Redemption Party -Patience Key Ndidi
Young Progressive Party – Paul Okungbowa Ovbokhan
Social Democratic Party – Aner Abdullahi Aliu
However,CityNews reported that ahead of the election, about nine of the above-mentioned political parties have unanimously endorsed and collapsed their structure into the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
CityNews Nigeria will provide situation reports from these states as events unfold.
