The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi have traded words over an alleged plot to burn down the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

On Sunday, Isaiah Ijele, a director in the SDP governorship campaign council, said security should be beefed up around the INEC office in Lokoja because there is a plan to burn it down.

“We are calling on the relevant security formations to swing into action to prevent the burning down of that office and to secure all the Electoral materials used in the just concluded Gubernatorial election in Kogi state,” Ijele said.

“They want to burn down the building housing those sensitive materials on the guise of a fire outbreak and with the aim of damaging all evidence of rigging.”

But the APC governorship campaign council said the SDP was engaging in propaganda.

“No amount of propaganda can help their baseless, senseless, unsubstantiated claims after their scorecard at the poll was at complete variance with their boastful pre-election posture,” Kingsley Fanwo, spokesperson of APC campaign council, said on Sunday night.

“They have resorted to attacking INEC and everyone except themselves. Such is the sorry state of a party and its candidate who lack the political pedigree to challenge the politically rooted APC in Kogi.

“Despite their intimidation in some parts of the state, INEC conducted a credible, free and fair election and the security agencies also ensured that the votes of the people counted.”

Fanwo commended residents of Kogi for voting for Usman Ododo, governorship candidate of the APC in the November 11 election.

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo, has officially announced his intention to run for the governorship election in the state.

Shaibu officially announced his intention in a televised announcement on Monday.

The Edo governorship election is slated for September 21, 2024.

Shaibu said he will be competing for the Edo governorship ticket on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“When Edo was created in 1991, our brilliant leaders fully aware of our ancestors destiny names us the heartbeat of the nation,” he said

“That was not an ordinary slogan. It was a call to destiny one that we must collectively achieve. As your deputy governor in the last seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with our amiable governor, his excellency, governor Godwin Obaseki, to lay a solid foundation for the progress in Edo state.

“Under our administration, we have seen remarkable achievements and milestones but there’s still much work to be done.

“When Edo was created in 1991, our brilliant leaders fully aware of our ancestors destiny names us the heartbeat of the nation,” he said

“That was not an ordinary slogan. It was a call to destiny one that we must collectively achieve. As your deputy governor in the last seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with our amiable governor, his excellency, governor Godwin Obaseki, to lay a solid foundation for the progress in Edo state.

“Under our administration, we have seen remarkable achievements and milestones but there’s still much work to be done.

“I’m aware of the needs by the greater Edo people for a more inclusive government; a government of Edo people, by Edo people, and for Edo people. A government of individuals who have been there and know the pains and wishes of an average Edolite.

“Since my foray into politics, three decades ago, I have lived among you. You have loved me as your own son. I felt your pain at close quarters; sat with the elders to benefit from their wealth of wisdom.

“Led the youths in many struggles for their rights, visibility and freedom. Learnt the intricacies of modern governance and built adequate service capacity.”

Enumerating his achievements as Edo deputy governor, Shaibu said his campaign will be built on five pillars vital to the development of the state.

“I’ve fought the good fight for you my people. Along the way, suffered humiliation and enjoyed many moments of victory. But I’m thankful in all things. I’ve been pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, badly hurt but not destroyed,” he added.

“I resonate with the tireless and irrepressible spirit of Edo people, by the grace of God, nothing and no one can stop us.

“After all, I be original Edo son. One hundred percent home boy. This is why today, I stand before you with great conviction resolved as I declare my intention to run for the office of the governor of Edo state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming 2024 elections.

“I am confident, with your support, we can take Edo state to even greater height. My fellow citizens and party faithful, our campaign will be built on five core pillars, each vital to the transformation and prosperity of our beloved state.

“We’ll govern with transparency, accountability and establish a culture of trust between the government and the people.

“This declaration is not just a political affair, it is a call to destiny, a call to become the heartbeat of this nation not just in words but in deeds. I humbly seek your support, trust, nomination in this upcoming election.”

The Kogi governorship election petition tribunal has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide certified copies of materials used in the conduct of the November 11 off-cycle election in the state.

The tribunal asked the electoral umpire to provide the materials to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) within 48 hours.

The materials include Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result sheets for Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Ogori-Magongo, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Kogi and Bassa LGAs of the state.

Ado Birnin-Kudu, chairman of the tribunal, gave the order on Saturday following two ex-parte motions filed on November 19 by the SDP and Murtala Yakubu-Ajaka, its governorship candidate.

John Adele, lead counsel to SDP and Ajaka, told the court that efforts made to obtain certified copies of materials used in six LGAs of the state from INEC was futile.

“Time is of essence in this matter, and that was why we filed the motions to your lordship to help to salvage the situation,” Adele said.

“Each time we approached INEC since November 13, its officials failed to avail us with even one of the electoral materials for which we requested.

“We believe that if your lordship grants our application, INEC will do the needful to enable us to prosecute this case within the time limit.”

The tribunal also ordered INEC to allow SDP’s forensic experts to examine some electoral materials.

“The order is in compliance with Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and with the Electoral Act (2022),” NAN quoted Birnin-Kudu as saying.

“INEC is hereby ordered to produce all the documents being sought by the plaintiffs within 48 hours to enable proceedings to go smoothly and without hitches.”

The tribunal adjourned the case to November 29 for submission of report of compliance by INEC and continuation of the hearing.

The SDP and Ajaka are challenging the victory of Usman Ododo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

INEC declared Ododo as winner of the November 11 election with 446,237 votes, while Yakubu-Ajaka came second with 259,052 votes.