A final-year student of Ambrose Alli University reportedly died after a celebratory sign-out motorcade following completion of exams. Reports said a vehicle lost control during risky manoeuvres, colliding with a truck.
The incident has renewed calls for safer student celebrations and stronger road-safety enforcement around campus communities.
2025-12-10
Punch Newspapers
2025-12-10
The ongoing #EndSARS movement has assumed a violent dimension in Edo State as people posing as protesters attacked facilities of Nigeria Police Force.
The protesters were accused of security facilities at Ugbekun Police Station, Oba Market Police Station and Idogbo Police Post in Benin, Edo State capital.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Nigeria Police Force explained that the extent of damage could not be ascertained at the moment.
It, however, said report indicated that “the protesters carted away arms and ammunition from the armoury and freed the suspects in custody before setting some of the facilities ablaze.”
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The bloody situation has led to an imposition of a 24-hour in the state by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
By this government’s directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who couldn’t move safely were asked to stay put till 4pm when calmness was eventually restored.
“Edo State Government hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice.
“The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, October 19, 2020.
“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #EndSARS protesters.
“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.
“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.
“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law,” Obaseki said, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.
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Also reacting to the ugly development in Edo State, Nigeria Police Force said it has swung into action, “doing everything possible at the moment to bring the situation under control, protect lives of innocent citizens and prevent further attacks on any other critical infrastructure in the state.”
The police called on parents/guardians to prevail on their children/wards to desist from acts of violence under any guise whatsoever.
Idowu Sowunmi
Obaseki Says Edo People Supported Him to Defeat Godfatherism
. Ize–Iyamu: I’m Studying Election Results
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has celebrated his victory at the Saturday governorship election in the state, saying the collective will of the people made it possible for his triumph over godfatherism.
Obaseki defeated his closest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polling a total of 307,955 votes against APC’s 223,619 votes.
He commended the people of Edo State and supporters of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their display of immense courage and support in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalisation as he emerged victorious in the Saturday gubernatorial election in the state.
Obaseki praised President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders who participated in the conduct of the gubernatorial election for ensuring a free, peaceful and credible poll in the state.
However, Ize-Iyamu has also commented on his electoral defeat, saying he’s studying the results along with other party members and would announce the next line of action soon.
Buhari Congratulates Obaseki as PDP Tells President to Sustain His ‘Newfound’ Democratic Credentials
Obaseki, in his appreciation message in Benin City on Sunday, said: “The great people of Edo State have spoken. They have spoken loud and clear. We thank God Almighty and give Him all the glory for this victory.
“Thank you, President Muhammadu Buhari, for defending our democracy and allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to perform their constitutional functions without interference.
“INEC and the security services have shown to Nigerians and the world that they are capable of conducting free and credible elections.
“Words fail me in saluting our teeming supporters who displayed immense courage in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalisation. The collective will of Edo people made it possible for this triumph over godfatherism.
“I am eternally grateful to my party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and my brother governors not only for giving me the umbrella during my political storm but for the hard work which has brought me back to office.
“Our success has reinforced my belief that there is nothing we cannot achieve as a people if we pull forces together and collectively call on God for support.
“I reiterate that working with my Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, we are committed to Making Edo Great Again. Thank you for your support.”
Atiku Celebrates Obaseki’s Re-election, Describes Victory as Independence from Godfatherism
But, speaking on his electoral loss, Ize-Iyamu appreciated his supporters for enduring what he described as many evils including being prevented from exercising their franchise during the Saturday governorship election in Edo State.
According to him, “I hereby thank and appreciate my teeming supporters, who have had to endure many evils including being prevented from exercising their franchise, for their support and determination during the election process.
“I assure you all that I am studying the results along with other party members and will announce the next line of action soon.
“God bless you all.”
Idowu Sowunmi
Idowu Sowunmi
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday recognised Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman, saying he has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned.
“The President has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman. Because he will always act in accordance with the law, the President will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.
“We urge the media to stop promoting manufactured controversies and to not give any further room for mischievous interpretations of the law on this matter.
“In addition to the President, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our Governors and the leaders of the National Assembly,” said a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in response to enquiry by some journalists.
More to follow…
All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged the flagbearer of the party in the September 2020 Edo election.
Ize-Iyamu, who has been touted as the preferred candidate by political observers was declared winner of the primary election by Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma after the end of the exercise on Monday.
Ize-Iyamu, a former 2016 Edo governorship candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was said to have won the direct primary election with a total of 27,838 votes to defeat Dr. Pius Odubu who scored 3,776 and Osaro Obazee who got 2,751 votes.
Meanwhile, an Acting Chairman of the party, Victor Giadom has distanced himself from the primary election held within the APC Edo chapter on Monday.
The letter dated June 18 and sighted by Echotitbits indicates that the erstwhile National Secretary of the APC, Giadom, who leveraged a court judgement in his favour to declare himself as the Acting Chairman of the party wrote to inform the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the exercise lacks authenticity.
Giadom had in the letter, which also copied the Inspector General of the Police, Director General of the DSS and Chairman of Edo APC, advised INEC not to lend support or recognition to the said primary election.
Read more in the letter below:
Idowu Sowunmi
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally reacted to the news in which the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court had ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as APC national chairman.
Reacting to the Appellate Court ruling on Tuesday, APC NWC, in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said: “Guided by advice from the party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the party’s Acting National Chairman.
“According to Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”
Read the full text of the statement below:
Senator Abiola Ajimobi to Serve as APC Acting National Chairman
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Guided by advice from the party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the party’s Acting National Chairman.
According to Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”
Hours to his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political supremacy battle between incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki and predecessor and National Chairman of the APC had gotten hotter with recent happenings in Edo state, supporters of both actors are not relenting in pointing out which side of the divides is right for wrong on the disqualification over certificate saga.
In a debate monitored by Echotitbits on TVC News channel, party chieftains loyal to Governor Obaseki and Oshiomhole disagreed over the issue.
Dr. Pedro Obaseki, a cousin to the embattled Edo Governor, accused Adams Oshiomhole of an attempt to “emasculate” and “disenfranchise” the people of Edo State.
Obaseki condemned Oshiomhole for “summarily orchestrating the disqualification of a sitting governor whom he (Oshiomhole) just less than four years ago said was the shining star in his own armour”.
Dr. Obaseki, who contested against his cousin, Godwin Obaseki in the 2016 APC governorship primary election described the decision of the Jonathan Ayuba-led screening committee to disqualify Edo Governor from participating in the primary election as upsetting.
“It is clear that Mr Oshiomhole who is the most biased umpire in the history of any political party in Nigeria had orchestrated the summary dismissal or disqualification of Mr Godwin Obaseki in the most spurious, the most unethical manner.”
During the debate, when the House of Representatives member representing Akoko Edo, Honourable Peter Apaktason mentioned how Dr. Obaseki, as a governorship aspirant in the primary election of the APC in 2016 described as unqualified and not to be trusted, his own cousin, Governor Obaseki, whom he contested against; Dr. Obaseki said:
“It’s a pity that my most Honourable has decided to be a little less factual this bright morning by turning this issue about me. It is not about me, it’s about the Edo people and I don’t want to start talking about him and casting aspersions on his person. That will be most dishonourable.
Dr. Obaseki berated APC National Chairman Oshiomhole for cooking “tales by moonlight” rather than concentrating on guaranteeing the progress of the party.
“Before he became National Chairman, APC had 27 states. Now if Godwin leaves APC today we would have dwindled down to 19. The same certificate issue was in 2016 a major issue. The PDP went to three courts, and all the courts exonerated Mr. Godwin Obaseki.”
In his attempt to discredit his cousin’s disqualification, the University lecturer said: “He’s talking about discrepancies when our national law, the electoral law made it clear in the last judgement passed in the case between Atiku Abubakar and our President was clear that all he needed to show was attendance up to secondary school level.
“And the University of Ibadan where he’s seeing discrepancies in the certificate came out to publicly in an unprecedented move to say this man went to our school and graduated. It is not the position of any of the parties to begin to question the veracity of his entry qualification when that entry qualification has not been rejected by the issuing authority” he said.
Dr. Obaseki lamented that Edo people who once had a governor that had no primary school certificate are being shortchanged by the conspiracy. ,
“I’m talking about Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, we all know that he had to set ablaze the Ministry of Education” he added.
On the other hand, Oshiomhole’s loyalist, Representative Peter Akpatason affirmed the decision of the APC screening committee to disqualify Governor Obaseki so as to “protect the interest of the party against what has become obvious in recent times”.
“When there are discrepancies in documents presented by candidates, a party stand the chance of loosing. Even after winning election, this is exactly what has happened in Edo state. And I think it is important that we look at the merit of the issue rather than sentiment” Akpatason said.
The Akoko Edo representative in the House of Representatives noted that: “The fact is that what happened in Bayelsa is the same thing that is happening in terms of defect of documents. That’s what it is. You protect the interest of the people by not allowing them to file out to go and vote for nothing, but ensuring that when they vote they are actually voting for a candidate that can stand the test of litigation”.