Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, has dismissed Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, special assistant on forestry (central senatorial district), with immediate effect.

According to a statement issued by the press secretary to the governor, the dismissal followed allegations of bribery and intimidation against Ewenla by some timber merchants in the state.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa also ordered a probe into the activities of those saddled with the responsibility of managing forest reserves in the state, noting that a replacement for Mr. Ewenla will be announced in due course,” the statement reads.

“The Governor urged all political appointees to conduct themselves in line with the provisions of the law and rules guiding their duties.”

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.”