The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally granted Asue Ighodalo, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, and his party access to inspect materials used for the September 21 election.

Ighodalo is challenging the victory of Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect.

Okpebholo, a serving senator, won the election with 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo who polled 247,274 votes.

However, the party said it was denied access to the materials when it made an attempt to inspect them on Monday. The inspection of election materials is one of the prerequisites in challenging any electoral result in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, Anugbum Onuoha, resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Edo, said the allegation that INEC refused the PDP from inspecting the election materials is false.

Onuoha said inspection of election materials is a fundamental right of all parties involved in election petitions.

“I wish to inform the public that the inspection of the election materials, including the BVAS devices, has been formally scheduled to take place tomorrow, October 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the INEC Headquarters in Edo state,” the REC said.

‘WIN FOR DEMOCRACY’

In reaction to INEC’s decision, Anthony Aziegbemin, chair of PDP in Edo, said INEC’s decision allowing the party to inspect the materials is a “win for democracy”.

“I want to thank all those who came out to protest in support of Ighodalo’s quest to reclaim his stolen mandate,” he said.

“While I have lost faith in the Police and INEC, who I believe colluded with the APC to steal the election, I have absolute confidence in the judiciary.

“They will do right by the people of Edo State and uphold their decision to elect Asue as their governor.”

The chair said they are confident of defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the courts.

Governor Dauda Lawal, on Tuesday, mourned the death of officers of the Community Protection Guards killed in an ambush in the Tsafe area of Zamfara State. A group of bandits ambushed the security personnel on Monday at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the Tsafe local government area.

Governor Lawal, in a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, described the attack as a barbaric act committed by dispersed bandits on the run. He commended the bravery of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards and other troops for their sacrifice to protect people’s lives. “I received the unfortunate report of an ambush by bandits yesterday in Tsafe local government area, during which nine of our brave Community Protection Guards were killed.

“The guards ambushed and killed are Nasiru Aliyu, Jabiru Hassan, Abdullahi Dangude, Bashar Bawa, Mu’azu Musa, Anas Dahiru, Anas Yakubu, Lawali Yunusa, and one other. “The bandits’ ambush on our guards is a cowardly act, as they were dispersed and on the run due to sustained troop onslaught across the state. “The troops will continue the renewed onslaught to defeat bandits in the state and the entire region. “I want to take this opportunity to extend my condolences on behalf of the government and people of Zamfara State to the families and loved ones of our brave guards.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. “My government is committed to providing all necessary support to the families of the frontline guards who lost their lives.”

President Bola Tinubu has directed Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police, to restore security and maintain peace, law and order in local government secretariats in Rivers state.

The president’s directive comes amid the destruction of some LGA secretariats in Rivers state by suspected hoodlums.

The incidents occurred after the swearing in ceremony of newly elected LGA chairs and their deputies in the state.

Prior to the incidents, the IGP had ordered the immediate withdrawal of policemen from the 23 LGA secretariats.

Announcing the development, Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers state, said the IGP’s directive “is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions”.

But in a statement on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, Tinubu ordered the police to safeguard government facilities from vandalism.

“President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately,” the statement reads.

“While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions.

“President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.”

Tinubu also called on Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, political leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

He urged all political actors to “de-escalate the situation” and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions.

He expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state, stressing that, “self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy”.

“The judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception,” Tinubu added.