INEC extends voting time in Edo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of voting hours in areas of Edo State where the process started late.

According to reports, logistical challenges and rainfall delayed the commencement of voting in several parts of the state.

INEC officials and materials arrived late at Ward 1, Unit 3 in Ewohimi, Esan North Local Government Area, where Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, eventually cast his vote.

Ighodalo, who arrived at the polling unit at 10:30 a.m., expressed disappointment over the delay. “As you can see, INEC officials and materials just arrived, and they are well over two hours late,” he said.

He added, “Well, we are still within the allocated time for voting; let us see what we can achieve between now and the close of voting hours.”

Ighodalo also called for fairness, stating that voting hours should be extended by the amount of time lost.

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In a statement issued on Saturday, Mohammed Haruna, a National Commissioner for INEC, confirmed that voting time had been extended in the affected areas.

“The Commission continues to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja,” Haruna said. “Our monitoring shows that while voting commenced early in many polling units, there were reports of late starts in some areas.”

“To ensure no voter is disenfranchised, we reiterate that in line with our regulations and guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last person in the queue, who arrived by 2:30 p.m., has voted.”

He also noted that INEC had instructed its office in Edo State to ensure adequate power supply in the affected polling units or ward collation centres through the use of back-up electric generators.

INEC extends voting time in Edo

Thieves in govt can’t deliver good governance – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that politicians involved in corruption cannot deliver good governance.

Obasanjo made the remark during a virtual address at the memorial lecture of Denis Joseph Slattery, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The lecture, organised by the Old Boys’ Association of St. Finbarr’s College, honoured the late Irish-born missionary who came to Nigeria in 1941.

The former president condemned political leaders with questionable integrity, referring to them as “thieves,” and emphasized that they are incapable of providing just governance.

“You cannot expect thieves to give good judgement in favour of the owner of the property,” Obasanjo said.

Thieves in govt can’t deliver good governance – Obasanjo

Hardship: No free beer parlour anymore, Tinubu tells Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain patient despite the high cost of living, stating that the country can no longer expect “a free bowl” without addressing its economic challenges.

The President made this remark during a visit from former Nigerian lawmakers at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

Tinubu acknowledged the hunger in the country but emphasized that there is no “free beer parlour,” using the metaphor to highlight that real development requires time and effort.

He further stressed the need for the government to stay focused on nation-building and restructuring the country’s financial system.

“Look at us. Agriculture that is the main thing. People say we are hungry.  

“Yes, I understand that. But we cannot just take a free bowl. We must work hard. We’ve sustained twenty-five years of democracy this year, we don’t want to keep the people hungry and angry. But we say be patient. 

“There is no free beer parlour anymore. We will retool and rebuild or nation through your cooperation,” Tinubu said.

More Insights

Speaking further, the President also bemoaned the fact that the country missed past opportunities to develop its infrastructure, education and other social amenities.

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According to him, while Nigeria was experiencing a boom in economic growth, the leadership at that time failed to develop critical sectors in the country, leading to infrastructure deficit, dilapidated school facilities, among others.

Tinubu mentioned that this the major reason the country now struggles with its current economic challenges, leaving millions to battle with high cost of living as well as the crisis of out of school children.

“No one will do it better than us. Having travelled the world and see developed countries donate themselves to collaboration, inclusiveness and financial structure.  

“Yes, there is hardship. But how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high production? We neglected our communities. We neglected the geese that lay the golden eggs. We forget to even give them common decent standard of living. We forget to educate our children.  

“Go and look at the schools, they are all ramshackle.  Education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn.  

“We can continue to complain from now till eternity that the school enrollment is low. Did we even do anything to encourage that education progresses. We must ask ourselves. It’s a matter of conscience,” Tinubu added.

What you should know

Food inflation has become an increasingly worrisome issue in the country as many Nigerians battle with the rising price of food items in the marketplace.

According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation stands at a staggering 37.52%.

Meanwhile, while the government has declared a state of emergency on food security in the country, the prices of food items continue on an upward trajectory.

In addition, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), projected that around 26.5 million Nigerians will be at risk of hunger in 2024.

Hardship: No free beer parlour anymore, Tinubu tells Nigerians