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Edo Guber: Police Force Obaseki Out Of INEC Office
In the early hours of September 22, 2024, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki quietly stormed the State Collation Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adawawa, Benin, to protest the governorship election results, even though the official results had not yet been announced.
Obaseki, a key supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, sneaked into the INEC premises around 2 a.m., under the cover of darkness.
He proceeded to the first floor of the building, where the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, is located.
However, the REC did not attend to Obaseki, who quietly remained near the office to monitor the situation.
Unofficial reports indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was leading in the polls, with results from all 18 local government areas pointing to a likely APC victory. The official collation of results was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
Governor Godwin Obaseki eventually left the INEC office at 4:45 a.m., amid jeers from top politicians present at the electoral commission’s headquarters.
He left without speaking, briefly glancing back as he made his way out.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, who was overseeing security for the Edo election, was present with a heavy police presence to maintain peace and order.
While Obaseki remained inside the INEC office, APC national secretary, Senator Basiru Ajibola, also arrived at the premises, reportedly acting on credible information about the governor’s presence.
Speaking with reporters, Ajibola criticised Obaseki’s actions, accusing him of behaving unprofessionally.
Ajibola, former senator for Osun Central, was joined by APC National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Victor Giadom; Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chair of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Edo APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Dennis Idahosa, who represents Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives; Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe; and other prominent politicians.
He emphasised that the APC was not concerned about the collation of results but insisted that INEC officials must remove Governor Obaseki from the premises.
He pointed out that the governor was not an accredited party agent and had no legitimate reason to be at the electoral commission’s office.
Ajibola described Obaseki’s presence as suspicious, raising concerns that it could undermine the democratic process in Edo.
Ajibola further argued that Governor Obaseki’s presence at INEC’s state headquarters in Benin was an abuse of office and an act of self-help, which could incite lawlessness.
He emphasised that any grievances should be addressed through judicial means, if necessary. Ajibola commended Mba for his intervention, as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police respectfully requested the governor to leave the premises.
Obaseki, however, was reportedly still holding onto the results from the September 19, 2020, governorship election, treating them as if they were the yet-to-be-collated results of the September 21, 2024 election.
Ajibola criticised Governor Obaseki’s presence at INEC’s state headquarters in Benin, calling it an abuse of office and a form of self-help that could lead to lawlessness.
He stressed that if the governor had any grievances, there were legal channels to address them, praising the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, for politely asking Obaseki to leave the premises.
Ajibola pointed out that Obaseki was still holding onto the results of the September 19, 2020, governorship election, claiming them to be part of the yet-to-be-collated results for the September 21, 2024 election.
The first episode of drama occurred around 11 p.m. on September 21, 2024, when PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, and PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, arrived at INEC’s Edo state headquarters, where the State Collation Centre is located.
However, armed security operatives prevented them from approaching the main gate, let alone entering the premises. The security officers deemed their presence unnecessary and described it as an act of desperation, especially since the PDP had a state collation agent who could have raised any protests on their behalf.
The Edo State Chairman of the APC, serving as the party’s collation agent, appeared relaxed and smiling as he entered the state collation centre.
For about an hour, he engaged in discussions with friends and political associates from various parties.
Meanwhile, security operatives refused to grant access to the PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie; and PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, barring them from entering INEC’s state headquarters in Benin.
At around 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director-General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council of the PDP, and a former Majority Leader of the Edo House of Assembly, led a protest at the main gate of INEC’s headquarters, joined by other PDP members.
They expressed concerns that the governorship election was being manipulated in favour of APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo. Despite their protests, security operatives also denied them access. Iduoriyekemwen claimed that the PDP was on the verge of victory but accused some APC leaders of attempting to tamper with the final results, undermining the will of the Edo electorate.
The director-general of the PDP campaign also accused the APC leader in Edo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, of attempting to manipulate the election.
Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the APC and ex-governor of Edo State (2008-2016), currently represents Edo North Senatorial District.
The director-general further alleged that Comrade Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Edo Deputy Governor and former House of Representatives member, was involved in the misconduct.
Both Oshiomhole and Shaibu were accused of thumbprinting ballot papers to reduce the gap by which the APC was leading.
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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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