The meeting which started by 10:30am, was presided over by the Coordinator-General of the Left movement, Leftist Omobude Agho.

The Coordinator-General, task Comrades to sustain the rules of the movement by keying into the principles of humanity, rather than the principle of tribal bigotry, religious sentiment and partisan politics. These three agents of darkness are one of the greatest enemy of mankind, he advised that humanity should override other interest.

Today’s lecture:-

HOW TO HOLD THOSE IN AUTHORITY ACCOUNTABLE.

Authority sighted from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as Amended.

Chapter II

FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY.

Sec 13. Fundamental obligations of the Government.

It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this chapter of this Constitution.

Sec 14. The Government and the people.

Subsection 1, The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice.
Subsection (2) It is hereby, accordingly declared that –

(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority:

(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and

(c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Leftist Omobude Agho, haven’t sighted the aforementioned authorities, he emphasised on the need for citizens to take advantage of it. To start demanding for accountability and transparency from elected savants from their local, state and federal level immediately. Until the people start to participate in governance situations will continue to get worsened, Citizens were given mandatory order to hold any elected representative accordingly, that, is their right to do so, not a privilege. The Coordinator-General employs Comrades to take this as a duty, Citizens should be responsible by paying their taxes to the authority.

A three man body of an inquiry to look into the activities of CSP Muhammad Abubakar, the OC Anti-Vice, currently serving in the Edo State Police Command on his dealings with the members of the public were inaugurated, Leftist Osaze Edigin serve as the Chairman.

The World Human Rights Day, which is Tuesday, 10th December 2024, and the line-up events surrounding it were also discussed.

Five committee were revamp in today’s meeting, namely:-
(1). Police Affairs & Welfare Committee.

(2). Health & Public Safety Committee.

(3). Prisons Affairs & Welfare Committee.

(4). Education Committee.

(5). Drugs & Narcotics.

The Coordinator-General, reminded Comrades at the conclusion of the lecture, that the governor is only elected to respond to the needs of the people through legislators.

Questions were asked and answers were provided accordingly by the Coordinator-General.

Edo Civil Society Organisations is a formidable human rights network of the Left movement, the network advocates for good governance, social justice and human rights.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

THE MASSES HOUSE
6B, Obakhavbaye Street, Adjacent Opposite Spirit & Life Bible Church,
off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street,
Benin City,
Edo State.

Website:
www.edocso.org
Email: info@edocso.org
Twitter: @alutaedocso
Facebook Page: Edo Civil Society Organisations

08133733554.
07047637552.
08071448219.

The Coordinator of Ekpoma Study Center (EDOCSO), Leftist Omokhomion Judith Iguehi in company of her executives paid unscheduled visit to the Esan West Local Government Chairman, Honourable Collins Agbogun in Ekpoma, at the Council headquarters. Although they insisted on seeing the council boss, after waiting patiently for about five hours.

The Council boss received the Comrades in his office, they both interface on issues burdening on double taxation and the alleged extortion/illegal detention facility by the newly inaugurated committee on drugs.

Leftist Omokhomion Judith Iguehi, raised her concerns on all the aforementioned issues one after another, based on the complaints from Citizens before the Council Chairman, Honourable Collins Agbogun.

(i). Shop owners who attached POS to their shops due to the current economic hardship are coerced to pay additional tax for POS, outside other Levi’s they have made to the state and local government authorities, such policies are anti-human and of double standards, that such act do not reflect true democratic system.

(ii). The alleged extortion by the anti-drugs committee and their mode of operation. The Coordinator freaked on the way and manner they carried out their operations without National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials, which is entrusted with such responsibility by law is worrisome, detaining Citizens, suspected to be dealing on drugs in the local government facility instead of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) detention facility, is very unconstitutional, infringement of rights., This should be discouraged with immediate effect without further delay.

Honourable Collins Agbogun, responded to all the issues raised by Comrades bit by bit, haven’t expressed the various challenges faced by the council, the Council boss thank Comrades for the visit and hopes for a better collaboration between his office and the civil society. Though his explanation was not convincing enough in some of the issues put before him, Comrades promised to monitor the situation on the ground and continue to interface with the Council authority. Edo Civil Society Organisations is a formidable human rights network of the left movement, whose network spread across thirteen states, including Abuja in Nigeria. Our three cardinal points are Promoting Good Governance, Social Justice and Human Rights.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

THE MASSES HOUSE.
6B, Obakhavbaye Street,
Adjacent Opposite Spirit & Life Bible Church,
Off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street,
Benin-City,
Edo State.

Website: www.edocso.org
Email: info@edocso.org
Twitter: alutaedocso
Facebook Page:Edo Civil Society Organisations

PRO-EDOCSO
08133733554.

Coordinator-Ekpoma
08067280162.

Secretary-General
08071448219.

The meeting which started by 10:55 am, was presided over by the Coordinator-General of the network, Leftist Omobude Agho.

The Coordinator-General expresses his concern deeply on the untold hardship experience by Nigerians and other national issues in this current administration
led by President Ahmed Tinubu, whose slogan is RENEWED HOPE.

Leftist Omobude Agho emphasised on the need for Nigerians to desire knowledge to avoid intimidation and embarrassment, he advised Comrades to be a spark of light in their various domains.

The Coordinator-General made it clear that the network is not a problem solving organisation but a research base that will equip you with knowledge to build capacity. He advices Comrades to attend regular meetings and training workshops to fortify themselves at all times.

Questions were asked and answers were provided accordingly by the Coordinator-General.

Edo Civil Society Organisations is a formidable human rights network of the left movement.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

THE MASSES HOUSE
6B, Obakhavbaye Street, Adjacent Opposite Spirit & Life Bible Church,
off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street,
Benin City,
Edo State.

Website: www.edocso.org
Email: info@edocso.org
Twitter: @alutaedocso
Facebook Page: Edo Civil Society Organisations

08133733554.
07047637552.
08071448219.

All comrades and the general public are cordially invited to attend the monthly General Assembly (G.A) of the left movement, scheduled to hold as follows:

DATE: Saturday, 12th October 2024.

TIME: 10am prompt

VENUE: THE MASSES HOUSE.
6B, Obakhavbaye Streetl, Opposite Spirit & Life Bible Church,
off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street,
Benin City,
Edo State.

Know your right, you know yourself.

Signed
Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

Website: www.edocso.org
Email: info@edocso.org
Twitter: @alutaedocso
Facebook Page: Edo Civil Society Organisations

08133733554.
07047637552.
08071448219.

You will recall few months ago, Mrs Betty Otimenyin accused Leftist Omobude Agho, the Coordinator-General of Edo Civil Society Organisations of cyber stalking/defamation of character. In respect of a publication written on the reign of terror on Ugbineh Community in Ovia Northeast local Government Area of Edo State by one Dominic Edobor, a former Okaghele. The publication necessitated her to institute the aforementioned case before Honourable Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court 1, holding in Benin-City.

The case was for hearing on Monday, 7th October 2024, in the Federal High Court 1, is shocking to notice the plaintiff and her prosecution counsel never showed up at the point the case was called. The led counsel to the defendant, Barrister U.L. Osa-Uwagie raised concern and asked the honourable court to strike out the case, he sighted his authority from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) replying on Section 351, Non-appearance of complainant.

Although it was a heated argument between Honourable Justice B. O. Quadri and Barrister U.L. Osa-Uwagie through several authorities sighted, the presiding judge denied the motion raised by the defending counsel. The presence of heavily armed police personnel were seen within and around the court premises.

The case was adjourned to 26th November 2024, for hearing.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

08133733554.
07047637552.
08071448219.

THE MASSES HOUSE.
6B, Obakhavbaye Street Adjacent Spirit & Life Bible Church, Off Oba Market Road, Benin city.

Email: info@edocso.org
Website: www.edocso.org
Twitter: @alutaedocso
Facebook: Edo Civil Society Organisations.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE AFTERMATH OF EDO 2024 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION ISSUED ON THE 26TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2024.

We again appreciatively welcome you most distinguished members of the fourth realm of the estate, affiliate groups across the state and citizens present in this occasion of our press briefing.

It has been a long journey for us as a civil society coalition in ensuring Edo state have its governorship election fairly, credibly and transparent going by the different activities we embarked on in the three senatorial districts of the state. It was a tedious task for us that we had to do for the progress and development of democracy in nigeria and our dear state in particular.

When we launched our sensitization campaign christened ‘EYES ON THE BALL’ we meant every word of it as our focus were on achieving fair, credible and transparent electoral process devoid of rigging, violence-free election, non-partisanship of security agencies and the umpire, tackling of vote buying and selling which is the major ingredient that compromises election in Nigeria recently.

As a civil society network that has its members at the grassroots level across the state and peopled by Nigerian citizens who are residents in Edo state, we need not subscribe to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Election Observer’s status which to us is mechanical and teleguided. Our members who are voters alongside other citizens performing their civic rights at different polling units fed our Situation Room with details of happenings per time. There are no better reports or information from anywhere else than that from the people and voters.

INEC OFFICIALS AND OPENING OF POLLS

It was recorded that the arrival of INEC officials and materials were early in most polling units while it arrived late in a few other units.
The down pour on that election day played a significant role in the arrival and late opening of polls. There was very minimal report of any trouble or difficulty with the BVAS machines throughout the voting period.

ELECTION VIOLENCE

This menace seemed to have been brought to non existence, maybe due to the consistent sensitisation or because of the heavy presence of a very well prepared security troops that filled the state as at the election period as promised by the IGP. It’s also cheering to note that, no single life was recorded anywhere to have been lost on election day.

VOTE MERCHANDISING

The polls were opened without violence as voters took their turns to vote,
However, in several units, vote buying and selling became a common sight, Security personnel didn’t act in enforcing the law against such an act.
Votes were freely sold and bought by the two major political parties between the sum of ten thousand naira (N10,000) and twenty thousand naira (N20,000) or even far less depending on the location or environment.
All these were carried out in a very agreeable and peaceful atmosphere. In some cases, some voters returned home without casting their votes when they couldn’t get a satisfactory bargain from the buying of the votes.

VOTERS’ APATHY

Voters’ APATHY was observed in most of the polling units across the state, apart from the rains in the earlier hours of the election day that could play a significant role too, a large percentage of citizens which could be estimated to be up to 30% of voting class Nigerians have developed cold feet which is evident in the number of accredited number of voters of that day against the number of last sets of PVCs collected alone before this election.
It could aslo be ascribed to total lack of confidence in our electoral processes, the magical malfunctioning of INEC in distorting voting figures after citizens have put in so much efforts, time and personal resources, and maybe fear of the huge number of security personnel deployed for the election.

This aspect of our democratic electioneering evolution is becoming more worrisome by every election and may get far worse in the coming days where citizens will completely abandon their PVCs and leave the voting to be done by INEC and our security agencies, if not checked now and dealt with.

ELECTION AND INTEGRITY TEST

It should be noted that, at the close of polls in some voting centres like Garrick Memorial School on Ekehuan road in Oredo and Western Boys high School in Ikpoba Okha, security agencies forcefully moved INEC officials and materials to INEC headquarters for coalition which is against the usual process, whereas In the proper order, collated results are moved from units to local government collation centre from where it will be moved to INEC headquarters for final collation and announcement.

While these collation abnormalities were going on, over 70% of results from polling units have already been received and registered in the INEC IREV portal by officials of INEC.
It was also shocking to observe that party agents and accredited observers were barred from entering the INEC headquarters to monitor the materials that were brought in by the heavily armed soldiers and other security agencies who had barricaded the entire area, which event raised protests around INEC headquarters.

This action of the security agencies and INEC gives room for suspicion, compromise and partisanship that makes the election not to pass the integrity test and leaves a taste in posterity.

FINALLY

We want to use this medium to congratulate the governor and the deputy governor elect, Sen.Monday Okpebholo and Hon.Dennis Idahosa for the victory at the poll. We want to enjoin all aggrieved parties to seek redress through all legal and constitutional means without resorting to self help.

While we call on INEC the electoral umpire to explain to Edo voters how it arrived at the discrepancies between the figures recorded and posted on its IREV portal by its staff and its eventual announced results on Sunday night.

AND appeal to the Inspector General of police as a matter of urgent security importance to reinstate a date for the resumption of our suspended local vigilante known as ESSN whose suspension was due to the election which is now concluded.

With special thanks to all our supporters during this very tensed and tasking Edo state governorship election, all Leftists across the state and members of the press.
This briefing brings us to the official shutting down of EDOCSO 2024 election situation room.

May God and our ANCESTORS bless you all richly as always, thanks for coming and have a nice day ahead.

Leftist Omobude Agho
Coordinator General.

Leftist Godspower Okumbor
Secretary General

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) invites members and the General Public to our second press conference on our observations/recommendations on the forthcoming Edo Gubernatorial Election scheduled for this Saturday 21/9/2024.

DATE: Friday, 20th September 2024.

TIME: 10:00AM Prompt.

VENUE: (THE MASSES HOUSE).
6B, Obakhavbaye Street. Adjacent, Spirit and Life Bible Church,Off Oba Market Road BeninCity.

Members of the Public can reach out to (EDOCSO) SITUATION ROOM on pre-election, election and post election reports and feedbacks.
on these numbers;
08133733554.
07047637552.
08071448219.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

WEBSITE: www.edosco.org
email: info@edocso.org
TWITTER: @alutaedocso
FACEBOOK PAGE: Edo Civil Society Organisations.

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), Election Situation Room Cordially invites all Comrades and the general public to engage the gubernatorial candidates in the forthcoming Edo election.

Members of the General Public can reach out to the Edo Civil Society Organisations, SITUATION ROOM on these numbers-

07047637552,
08071448219.

DATE: Saturday, 14th September 2024.

TIME: 9:00AM, Prompt.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

08133733554.

THE MASSES HOUSE.
6B, Obakhavbaye Street,
Adjacent to Spirit and Life Bible Church, Beside Former Eco Bank, Off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street.
Benin-City.

WEBSITE- www.edosco.org

EMAIL- info@edocso.org

TWITTER- @alutaedocso

FACEBOOK PAGE- Edo Civil Society Organisations.

BE OUR GUEST…

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), Election Situation Room Cordially invites all Comrades and the general public to engage the gubernatorial candidates in the forthcoming Edo election.

Members of the General Public can reach out to the Edo Civil Society Organisations, SITUATION ROOM on these numbers-

07047637552,
08071448219.

DATE: Saturday, 14th September 2024.

TIME: 9:00AM, Prompt.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

08133733554.

THE MASSES HOUSE.
6B, Obakhavbaye Street,
Adjacent to Spirit and Life Bible Church, Beside Former Eco Bank, Off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street.
Benin-City.

WEBSITE- www.edosco.org

EMAIL- info@edocso.org

TWITTER- @alutaedocso

FACEBOOK PAGE- Edo Civil Society Organisations.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday, 11th September 2024, assured stakeholders in Edo State of the commission’s readiness for the 21st September 2024, gubernatorial election.

The INEC boss appealed to stakeholders in Benin to cooperate with the commission and the security agencies, to enable them conduct a violence free and credible election.

The INEC boss promised to Mop Up uncollected PVCs, deploying the BVAS machines for voter’s accreditation and for upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Leftist Omobude Agho, the Coordinator-General of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the Edo State governorship election is free, fair, and credible.

Leftist Omobude Agho, tasked Prof Yakubu Mahmood to use this election as an opportunity to redeem the commission image under his leadership.

EDOCSO, through its Coordinator-General, emphasised on the success of the Edo gubernatorial election would significantly impact public trust in INEC’s ability to conduct credible elections in the future.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that 35,000 police officers will be deployed to provide security for the Edo governorship election and 8,000 military and other sister security agencies would be deployed to manned the waterways, as well as the entry and exit parts of the state.

All local securities in Edo State should refrain from participating in the Edo election. Activities of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), which have been suspended, remain suspended from participating in the security arrangement for the governorship election slated on the 21st September 2024, in the state. The IGP said this during the stakeholders meeting with political parties and civil society organisations.

The IGP assured that the police would ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act and other relevant laws to provide a conducive environment for peaceful conduct of the election. He emphasised, if anyone caught with weapons during the election will be treated as a common criminal.

The IGP said, the task of securing voters and election materials rested squarely on the police, who will be supported by other national security agencies to ensure credible election.

INEC boss urging, that all hands must be on deck to make the job of conducting elections easy, he pointed out that election is a multi-stakeholder activity, although INEC, had a role to play, this must be complemented by all stakeholders.

The stakeholders present were unanimous in their appeal to INEC to consider an extension of PVCs collection, three-day extension was granted, based on collective agreement, from Friday, 13th to Sunday, 15th September 2024.

In attendance were the chairmen of political parties, gubernatorial candidates, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media.

The commission appeals to all registered voters to seize the opportunity to collect their PVCs. In line with their policy, no collection by proxy will be allowed.

Contributions were made by critical stakeholders, questions were ask and answers were provided accordingly by the organisers.

Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

08133733554,
08076851206,
08035183816.

THE MASSES HOUSE.
6B, Obakhavbaye Street, Adjacent to Spirit and Life Bible Church,
Beside Former Eco Bank, Off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street, Benin-City.

WEBSITE- www.edocso.org

EMAIL- info@edocso.org

TWITTER- @alutaedocso

FACEBOOK PAGE-
EDO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS.