The Kano chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has suspended Abdullahi Bichi, secretary to the state government; and Muhammad Diggol, the state’s commissioner of transportation.

Announcing the development on Monday, Hashimu Dungurawa, NNPP chair in Kano, said the suspension was sequel to multiple complaints from ward and LG leadership.

“The duo were suspended because they disrespected the party and its leadership — the party cannot tolerate actions that undermine its leadership and structure,” Dungurawa said.

“After receiving formal complaint letters from their wards, and upon confirmation of the allegations by the local leadership, we had no other option but to take this decisive step.”

Sulaiman Dambatta, NNPP chair in Kano north, also defended the allegations against the officials.

The suspension of the duo comes 11 days before the Kano LGA elections which has been slated for October 26.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a petition to challenge the outcome of the Edo state governorship election.

Anthony Aziegbemi, chairman of the PDP in Edo, said the party will be victorious at the tribunal.

Aziegbemi spoke in Benin City, the state capital, on Monday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the September 21 governorship election in Edo.

Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who got 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came a distant third with 22,763 votes.

The PDP chairman in Edo assured party members and people of the state that their mandate would be returned by the tribunal.

“We have filed our petition before the election tribunal on behalf of Edo people despite not being allowed to inspect the election materials,” he said.

“Be rest assured, the journey to reclaim our mandate has begun, and by the grace of God, your mandate will be returned.

“We know many of you, and indeed Edolites would have been wondering why we have not engaged you after the saddest day in the history of Edo state.

“The day when your mandate and right to freely choose your leaders for the next four years were stolen from you, following the exemplary performance of our governor, Godwin Obaseki.

“We are here to let you know that your vote will eventually count. You stood firm, faced intimidation, accepted their inducements, and still voted for the PDP.

“Your resolve is a testament to your desire for true democracy in Edo state.

“The unthinkable then happened; your votes were discarded. You were violated, and they thought they could silence your choice.

”We want you to know that we will stand with you all the way, ensuring your voice is heard and your vote is respected.“

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the inspection of election materials used in the Edo governorship election indefinitely.

The postponement was sequel to a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the commission’s secretariat in the state.

The electoral commission initially fixed the inspection for Wednesday after the PDP alleged it was prevented from inspecting the materials on Monday.

Thereafter, INEC fixed Thursday for the inspection following an objection by the APC.

The party alleged that the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) were brought to INEC’s secretariat in vehicles owned by the Edo government, adding that it did not get enough notice before the inspection was to commence on Wednesday.

Goodluck Osaretin, one of the representatives of the PDP, described APC’s objection as “desperation to prevent us from inspecting the BVAS machines”.

“We are not surprised by what is happening,” Osaretin said.

Gunshots could be heard and that forced INEC to postpone the inspection of election materials indefinitely.

Inspecting the election materials is a prerequisite for the PDP to file its case at the Edo governorship election tribunal.

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