Governor Godwin Obaseki has labeled the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21 as a “do or die” affair.

This comes in the wake of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) refusal to sign a Peace Accord for the election.

Obaseki’s remarks followed allegations against the police, who, according to him, are favoring the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Advertorial

He accused the police of detaining ten PDP members, including an LGA chairman, without adequate justification or evidence.

During a visit from Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Obaseki expressed concerns about the current electoral climate.

He highlighted the disparity between the 2020 election and this one, noting increased tension and what he perceives as an environment being actively sabotaged by those meant to uphold the peace.

Advertorial

Obaseki criticized the APC for allegedly planning to leverage federal power to influence the election outcome.

He claimed that recent developments included the deployment of armed police units to intimidate and arrest PDP members.

At the PDP’s grand finale campaign event in Oredo Local Government Area, Obaseki defended his administration’s record, contrasting it with his predecessor’s tenure.

He praised improvements in pensioners’ conditions and youth employment, asserting that Edo State has become one of the safest in Nigeria.

Advertorial

He urged voters to support the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the upcoming election.

“This election is a do or die. You must decide whether you want to continue with the progress we have made or revert to a state of insecurity and mismanagement,” Obaseki declared.

Earlier, Obaseki had welcomed top APC officials to Edo State for the concluding campaign event of Senator Monday Okpebholo, which saw high-profile attendees including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Dr. Afam Obidike, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, has challenged recent statements made by Dr. Nonye Soludo, the wife of the state governor, regarding low immunisation rates in the state.

Contrary to Soludo’s assertion, Obidike reported a 15 percent increase in childhood immunisation coverage from 2022 to 2024, arguing that Anambra does not have a low immunisation uptake.

Advertorial

According to Obidike, the state has exceeded the national benchmark of 90 percent for three key vaccines this year: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (113 percent), measles (95 percent), and yellow fever (94 percent).

The state government aims to achieve 100 percent coverage and has made childhood immunisation a top priority, recognizing its importance for child development.

Obidike clarified that the term ‘low immunisation’ referred specifically to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which faces widespread hesitancy nationwide.

Advertorial

He indicated that Soludo’s comments were misinterpreted and did not reflect the broader immunisation efforts.

In August, Soludo had urged mothers at the 2nd Anambra State Women Health Summit to prioritize immunisation for their children, emphasizing its role in preventing lifelong illnesses.

Dr. Uju Obiagwu from the World Health Organisation also expressed concerns about decreasing immunisation coverage in Anambra.

Advertorial

However, Obidike emphasized that Anambra has made significant strides in increasing immunisation rates, partly due to enhanced community education, house-to-house campaigns, and improved access to hospital deliveries.

He reported that the state now boasts one of the lowest under-five and maternal mortality rates, attributing this success to the provision of free antenatal and cesarean services.

The commissioner also noted that previous outbreaks of measles have been managed effectively through improved vaccine availability and targeted outreach.

Advertorial

He highlighted that Anambra has seen no cholera cases this year, despite a broader cholera outbreak, further showcasing the effectiveness of their health initiatives.

Obidike reiterated the state’s commitment to achieving comprehensive immunisation coverage and addressing any gaps in public health outreach.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to return to Abuja on Sunday following his official visit to China and a brief stay in the United Kingdom.

Tinubu embarked on his overseas trip on August 29, departing Nigeria for Beijing after a stopover in Dubai.

His visit to China, which commenced on September 1, involved high-level discussions with top Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Advertorial

These talks led to the signing of five key Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Nigeria and China, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Among the MOUs signed were agreements on joint efforts to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, peaceful applications of nuclear energy, and human resource development through the Global Development Initiative.

Additional MOUs focused on media collaboration between China and Nigeria, including partnerships between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Advertorial

Notably, Nigeria also reached an agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct the 68 km Lagos Green Rail Line, connecting the Lekki Free Zone to Marina.

Another significant project is the $1 billion iron ore-to-steel development in Kogi State, which was formalized during the visit.

President Tinubu also engaged in bilateral discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and attended a banquet hosted by President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan, coinciding with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. During his speech at FOCAC, Tinubu, as ECOWAS Chairman, underscored the need for multilateral collaboration to promote global peace.

Advertorial

Before concluding his visit to China, Tinubu met with Nigerian expatriates, emphasizing the significance of his administration’s reforms in fostering infrastructural improvements across Nigeria.

After his visit to China, Tinubu traveled to the United Kingdom, where he met with King Charles III to discuss global climate change challenges and potential collaborative solutions.

The President is expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday, resuming his duties in Abuja.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has urged voters in Edo State to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

Speaking at the APC’s final campaign rally in Benin City, Shettima emphasized that Okpebholo is the right person to lead Edo State towards progress.

Advertorial

He praised the senator as a strategic thinker and a man who understands the needs of the people.

“Edo State requires a leader who can unite the state and deliver a functional system that benefits everyone, regardless of tribe, religion, or profession,” Shettima stated.

Highlighting the economic reforms under the current administration, Shettima pointed out that the increased revenue allocations to states would empower the incoming Edo State government to implement impactful projects.

He assured the people of Edo that Okpebholo’s leadership would foster a new era of growth and development, using the additional resources wisely for the state’s advancement.

Advertorial