The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a clean sweep in the Edo State local government elections, securing all 18 chairmanship positions and the 192 councillorship seats contested across the state.

The results were announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), Mr. Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, during a press briefing in Benin City.

According to the EDSIEC chairman, the elections were successfully conducted across the state’s 18 local government areas and 192 wards, with accreditation, voting, counting, collation and declaration of results carried out in line with the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law, 2022, as amended in 2026, and other relevant electoral guidelines.

He officially declared the APC winners of all the chairmanship and councillorship positions after the conclusion of the collation process by the commission’s returning officers.

Aifuobhokhan expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, commending returning officers for carrying out their responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the law.

He acknowledged that although minor operational challenges were recorded in a few locations, they did not substantially affect the credibility or overall outcome of the exercise.

The EDSIEC chairman also lauded Governor Monday Okpebholo for providing what he described as an enabling environment for the commission to carry out its constitutional mandate.

He further commended political parties, candidates, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, security agencies, election observers, the media and members of the public for contributing to the peaceful conduct of the election.

Aifuobhokhan urged political actors dissatisfied with any aspect of the process to seek legal redress through the appropriate channels provided by law.

He also congratulated the newly elected chairmen and councillors, charging them to regard their victories as a call to selfless service, accountability and inclusive grassroots governance.

The EDSIEC chairman disclosed that certificates of return would be presented to the successful candidates on Monday.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that 12 political parties participated in the election, while major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), boycotted the poll.

Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has expressed concern over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must restore public confidence in its ability to conduct free and fair elections.

Speaking during an interview on Mic On with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, the human rights lawyer alleged that the electoral commission, under its current leadership, has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to credible elections.

According to Odinkalu, the trajectory towards the 2027 general election raises concerns that electoral outcomes could be predetermined rather than decided by voters.

He argued that election manipulation has remained a recurring feature of Nigeria’s political history, warning that if reforms are not implemented, future elections could lose their democratic essence.

“INEC does not have to go through the charade of an election. They can simply write the results,” Odinkalu said, maintaining that his comments were based on what he described as observable trends in the country’s electoral process.

The former NHRC chairman also cited recent elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), arguing that they raised questions about the electoral commission’s commitment to transparency and credibility.

Beyond the electoral process, Odinkalu cautioned against the proposed establishment of state police, warning that the initiative could be exploited by state governments for political purposes instead of improving internal security.

He expressed fears that governors could deploy state-controlled security structures to influence elections, insisting that similar concerns have been documented in previous government reports on policing reforms.

To support his position, Odinkalu referenced the M.D. Yusuf Presidential Commission on Police Reform and the Parry Osayande Committee Report, arguing that both highlighted the potential risks associated with decentralising policing without adequate safeguards.

He also recalled the creation of the Bakassi Boys vigilante group in Anambra State, warning that institutionalising state-controlled security outfits without strong oversight could produce similar consequences.

Odinkalu urged stakeholders to prioritise electoral integrity and security sector reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is aware that some members of his inner circle sell government appointments and access to the Presidency.

Adebayo made the allegation during an interview with Symfoni TV, where he criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as poor governance, corruption and weak institutional oversight.

According to him, it is evident that the President is aware of the alleged activities of some of his principal aides and has failed to address them.

The SDP presidential candidate also described the current administration as a “clearing-and-forwarding government,” alleging that corruption has become deeply entrenched while the National Assembly has failed to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities.

He further criticised the Senate, claiming it had abandoned its constitutional role of checking the excesses of the Executive.

Adebayo’s comments come amid ongoing public debate over bribery allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The allegations were made by the Director of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his appointment.

The Presidency has denied the allegations, describing them as unfounded.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations surrounding the reported bribery and forgery claims involving officials connected to the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Initiative (PFIPI).

As of the time of filing this report, presidential spokespersons had not publicly responded to Adebayo’s latest allegations.

The Nigeria Police Force is set to arraign the Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of forgery, impersonation and related offences.

Adeyemi, alongside two other defendants, is expected to take his plea on Tuesday in an eight-count charge filed by the police under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025.

The arraignment, initially scheduled for June 16, was postponed after Adeyemi was reported to be ill.

Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently adjourned the matter to allow the defendants to enter their plea.

According to court documents, the prosecution has listed several witnesses expected to testify during the trial, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, whose petition to the police reportedly led to the investigation.

Other witnesses include officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police investigators and individuals allegedly posted to work under Adeyemi at the purported agency.

The police also plan to tender documentary evidence, including the investigation report, Gbajabiamila’s petition, an alleged fake presidential appointment letter issued to Adeyemi, correspondence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, documents relating to accounts allegedly opened with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and records concerning the establishment and operations of the purported agency.

Investigators alleged that Adeyemi operated the organisation from an office located within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja before his arrest.

The case comes amid growing scrutiny over the activities of the alleged agency, which authorities insist was never legally established by the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged fictitious agency.

The President also instructed the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit its report within 30 days.

The Chairmanship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. Okechukwu Hyacinth Nneji, has called on eligible voters to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the September 26, 2026, local government election in Enugu State.

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has fixed September 26, 2026, for the conduct of chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 17 local government areas of the state.

Against this backdrop, Hon. Nneji urged residents of Nkanu West, particularly youths and first-time voters, not to miss the opportunity to register or update their voter information in order to participate in the forthcoming election.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Saturday, the NDC flag bearer described the Permanent Voter Card as the most powerful democratic tool available to citizens, stressing that meaningful change can only be achieved through active participation in the electoral process.

He encouraged those who had attained the age of 18, as well as those who had lost or damaged their voter cards or needed to transfer their registration, to visit designated INEC registration centres and complete the necessary processes before the deadline.

Hon. Nneji said the forthcoming local government election presents an opportunity for the people of Nkanu West to elect leaders who will be accountable, transparent and committed to grassroots development.

He reaffirmed his commitment to providing purposeful leadership if elected and urged the electorate to remain peaceful throughout the electoral process while supporting efforts to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged midnight arrest and detention of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Martin Aghaji, describing the incident as a disturbing violation of the rule of law and citizens’ fundamental rights.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Obi expressed concern over reports that security operatives allegedly stormed the 74-year-old professor’s residence in Independent Layout, Enugu, at about 2 a.m., arrested him in the presence of his visiting daughter and transported him to Lagos, where he was reportedly detained for three days before being informed that his arrest was a mistake.

The former Anambra State governor questioned the growing trend of security agencies resorting to force against law-abiding citizens, insisting that due process and respect for human dignity must remain the cornerstone of law enforcement.

According to Obi, Professor Aghaji was neither invited nor contacted before security operatives allegedly invaded his residence, stressing that every Nigerian deserves to be treated with dignity regardless of social status or profession.

He described the professor as an internationally respected cardiothoracic surgeon, accomplished academic and elder statesman whose contributions to medicine and national development have earned him widespread recognition.

Obi said it was unacceptable that after the trauma of being taken from Enugu to Lagos and held in detention for three days, the professor was reportedly told that his arrest had been made in error.

He warned that such incidents could further discourage professionals from remaining in Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country is already grappling with the migration of skilled medical personnel.

The NDC presidential candidate noted that the public reaction to the incident reflects growing concern over the conduct of some security agencies and underscores the need for professionalism, accountability and respect for fundamental human rights.

Recalling the earlier harassment of a medical doctor in Akwa Ibom State, Obi argued that the repeated mistreatment of respected professionals and innocent citizens weakens public confidence in state institutions and threatens the nation’s democratic values.

He therefore urged security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities with restraint, professionalism and full respect for the rights and dignity of every Nigerian.

Obi concluded by reiterating his call for a nation governed by justice, accountability and the rule of law, maintaining that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”