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COVID-19 may spread through droplets and airborne particles, US CDC warns

Seun DUROJAIYE
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COVID-19 may spread through droplets and airborne particles, US CDC warns

CORONAVIRUS is airborne and commonly spreads “through the droplets and airborne particles that are formed when a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed.

In its updated guideline, CDC averred that “There is growing evidence that droplets and airborne particles can remain suspended in the air and be breathed in by others, and travel distances beyond 6 feet (for example, during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes). In general, indoor environments without good ventilation increase this risk.”

In its article, “How COVID-19 spreads,” updated on September 18, the US agency said  it was still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.

The CDC reiterated that COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about six feet).

It added that how easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary.

“Airborne viruses, including COVID-19, are among the most contagious and easily spread. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.”

The Centre explained that virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious.

In general, the more closely a person with COVID-19 interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread, it said.

In the guideline, the CDC says that indoor environments without good ventilation increase risk of transmission, adding that keeping a distance of at least six feet is necessary, while promoting the use of face masks.

Public health experts and scientists have also argued about the possibility of COVID-19 to be airborne.

“When it comes to COVID-19, the evidence overwhelmingly supports aerosol transmission, and there are no strong arguments against it,” says Jose-Luis Jimenez, a Professor of Chemistry and a fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Identified as a third potential pathway of transmission, it has been submitted that COVID-19 can spread through aerosols, also known as airborne.

As more and more countries are opening up their economies due to the flattening curves of COVID-19 there are fears that there may be rise in cases as a result of the airborne nature of the virus.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has restricted public gatherings to not more than 50 persons in enclosed spaces, advising that physical distancing measures and other non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are enforced.

Nigeria at the moment has recorded over 57,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 while it has continued to relax some of the measures put in place against the disease.

While the Federal Government allowed partial opening of religious centres in the country, the NCDC directed that children and people aged 60 and above should avoid worship centres for the time being.

According to the guidelines posted on its website, the NCDC said “Holy communion should be packaged in disposable wraps. Drinking water points, public toilets and sales outlets must be closed for now.”

This is coming barely two weeks after the Federal Government lifted the ban on religious  centres and other public gatherings.

Atiku, wife fingered in trillion dollars global corruption case

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Atiku, wife fingered in trillion dollars global corruption case

THE International Consortium of Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) has mentioned Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice-president and one of his current four wives, Rukaiyatu Abubakar in a trillion of dollars global corruption case.

The ICIJ together with PREMIUM TIMES and 108 media organizations conducted the investigation by keeping tabs on Politically Exposed Person (PEP) in over 170 countries to expose how trillions in tainted dollars flow freely through major banks, swamping a broken enforcement system.

Atikus’ involvement in the illicit financial flow case was revealed in the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) files.

As a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), Atiku Abubakar and his family members were part of the people placed under close watch by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency of the US Department of Treasury.

The FinCEN flagged some transactions linked to these PEP as suspicious during its surveillance on money movements within the international financial system.

The investigation which involved 16-month collaborative work with more than 400 journalists exposed how huge funds linked to Atiku may have been moved across international jurisdictions using shell companies.

The investigation also shows how files including a large number of suspicious-activity reports, SARs, filed by banks and other financial institutions to the US Government as required by the Bank Secrecy Act., with the total amount in suspicious transactions reported being $2 trillion ($2,099584,477,415.49).

According to the report, on March 5, 2012, Rukaiyatu Abubakar’s Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria sent more than $1 million to a company in the United Arab Emirates, Tanjay Real Estate Brokers.

The report says GTCN exists to “manage a blind trust” for Atiku Abubakar’s benefit, according to documents received by the U.S. Senate.

Habib Bank Limited in New York filed a suspicious activity report, citing Atiku Abubakar’s history of alleged corruption, after its Dubai office received the payment.

The bank’s Dubai branch explained to the office in New York that the payment was to buy an apartment and that the Dubai branch was “unaware of any existing relationship or affiliation between Tanjay and the Abubakar family.”

Habib Bank reported the transactions because they “crossed multiple high-risk jurisdictions” and because “public sources revealed that there have been numerous investigations of Abubakar … linking him to corruption allegations.”

SARs reflect the concerns of compliance officers and are not necessarily indicative of criminal conduct or other wrongdoing.

The Abubakars didn’t respond to an ICIJ request for comment sent to Atiku Abubakar’s spokesman.

It would be recalled that Atiku’s name was also mentioned in the Halliburton Bribery Scandal as well as in the much publicised Panama papers.

Delta Govt demotes 41 teachers over examination malpractice

Lukman ABOLADE
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Delta Govt demotes 41 teachers over examination malpractice

DELTA State Government has demoted 41 secondary school teachers in the state over their involvement in examination malpractices in the 2019 West African Examination Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Patrick Ukah, Delta Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education made this known in a statement adding that the demotions are part of recommendations by the State’s Examination Ethics Disciplinary Committee.

“They are to suffer deferment of promotion by one year and banned from the supervision of any school examination for a period of three years,” Ukah said.

“I have directed the Post Primary Education Board to implement the deferment of promotions by one year for the 41 affected teachers.”

He added that principals and examinations officers of 13 public secondary schools and one private school have also been issued letters of warning in connection to examination malpractice.

“The principals and examination officers of 13 public secondary schools and one private secondary school indicted for examination malpractice are to be issued with letters of warning by PPEB to desist from acts of negligence,” the Commissioner said.

Examination malpractice is a serious challenge in  the Nigerian education sector and has continued to grow secondary schools.

An ICIR investigation had revealed how Bachel College, a private secondary school in Lagos State with the aid of its teachers and WAEC officials cheated in the 2019 examination.

In 2018,  Kogi State Government banned 47 schools from presenting candidates in the 2018 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) after disqualification by WAEC.

Rosemary Osikoya, Kogi State Commissioner for Education, said the disqualification was due to their habitual involvement in examination malpractice.

Earlier in February, WAEC also delisted 37 schools in Benue State over allege3d examination malpractice, according to the Dennis Ityavyar, State Commissioner for Education,

He added the State Ministry of Education has also concluded plans to demote the 37 principals of the affected schools as part of measures to ensure sanity in the system.

Nigeria’s monthly oil sales revenue drops by 75 per cent – NNPC report

Amos ABBA
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Nigeria’s monthly oil sales revenue drops by 75 per cent – NNPC report

NIGERIA’S crude oil sales revenue dropped by 75 per cent in July and the country recorded $55.29 million as proceeds as against $219.58 million realised in June.

According to the records released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Government’s crude oil export lifting revealed that its crude oil sales proceeds improved from what it was in May when the country recorded $120.50 million sales but dropped by 75 per cent in July.

After the collapse in global crude oil prices and demand due to COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria’s crude oil revenue has been nosediving, falling from $336.65 million in January to $281.14 million in February, $184.59 million in March and $148.86 million in April respectively.

However, the rise in oil prices in recent months particularly as witnessed in July can be attributed to the production cuts implemented by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPE), and its allies as well as the gradual reopening of many economies.

“A total export sale of $84.63 million was recorded in July 2020, decreasing by 66.95 per cent compared to last month. Crude oil export sales contributed $55.29 million of the dollar transactions compared with $219.58 million contributions in the previous month,” the NNPC stated in its latest monthly report.

Brent crude which Nigeria’s oil benchmark stood at $41.65 per barrel as of 12:00 pm Nigerian time on Monday.

The crude oil price was $70 per barrel in January before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which crashed the prices between March and April.

Oil and gas account for about 50 per cent of the Nigerian government revenues and over 90 per cent of export earnings, which represent only about 10 per cent of the country’s GDP.

“A total export sale of $84.63 million was recorded in July 2020, decreasing by 66.95 per cent compared to last month,”  the NNPC report further revealed.

The report stated that crude oil export sales contributed $55.29million of the dollar transactions compared with $219.58m contribution in the previous month.

It, however, said between July 2019 to July 2020, crude oil and gas transactions indicated that crude oil and gas worth $3.91 billion was exported.

The report stated that the federation crude oil and gas lifting were broadly classified into equity export and domestic, and are lifted and marketed by the NNPC while the proceeds are remitted into the Federation Account.

“Equity export receipts, after adjusting for joint venture cash calls, are paid directly into Federation Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria while gas export sales amounted to $29.33 million in July,” the report read.

“Domestic crude oil of 445,000 barrels per day is allocated for refining to meet domestic products supply. Payments are effected to Federation Account by NNPC after adjusting crude and product losses and pipeline repairs and management cost incurred during the period.”

The NNPC lifts crude oil and gas on behalf of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the proceeds are remitted into Federation Account, according to the report.

Edo Election: Report that Ize-Iyamu congratulated PDP, his opponent’s party is FALSE

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Edo Election: Report that Ize-Iyamu congratulated PDP, his opponent’s party is FALSE

THE Punch newspaper on Sunday, September 20, 2020, reported that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the just-concluded Edo State gubernatorial election has conceded defeat and congratulated the People’s Democratic Party  (PDP), his major opponent’s party for winning the election.

Edo, a state in southern Nigeria held it governorship election on Saturday, September 19, 2020.

The Punch Newspaper in the now-deleted news published on their website and archived here stated that Osagie Ize-Iyamu has admitted that he lost the election and has congratulated his main opponent’s political party.

“The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship Election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has admitted that he lost the election.

“Ize-Iyamu agreed that the Peoples Democratic Party won the election and he has since congratulated the opposition party.

“Reacting via his Twitter handle, Ize-Iyamu wrote, “Edo people has decided, we thank you all! Congratulations to the opposition party! They have won! Election no be war. It’s time to work more harder for the next 4 years. Congratulations,” the news read in part.

The news was also shared on the verified Twitter and Facebook page of the Punch newspaper.

The Punch newspaper, one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, has over 3.5 million followers on Twitter and over 1.5 million likes on Facebook.

The news shared on its Facebook page  had over 452 comments, 553 shares and 1700 likes as at 4:16pm September 20, 2020 before it was deleted.

THE CLAIM:

That Osagie Ize-Iyamu has accepted defeat for the 2020 Edo governorship election and has congratulated his opponent’s party, the PDP.

Screenshots of the archived news report by the Punch newspaper

THE FINDINGS:

The FactCheckHub findings revealed that the Punch newspaper, in writing its report, relied on a tweet from a fake Twitter account (@ize_osagie), masquerading as belonging to Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate in the Edo election.

The media house wrote the news based on what was obtained from the parody account with the username @ize_osagie.

The real Twitter account belonging to Ize-Iyamu is: @PastorIzeIyamu and the last tweet on the account as at when the Punch newspaper did its report was tweeted 24-hours ago when Ize-Iyamu was casting his vote.

This account: @PastorIzeIyamu is the only Twitter account linked to the official campaign website of Ize-Iyamu.

The fake account also have a website linked to it. However, after clicking the link, it gives an error information that the website does not exist.

Screenshot of the error message displayed on the website linked to the fake Twitter account.

Although, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday afternoon (September 20,2020) declared Godwin Obaseki of the PDP as the winner of the Edo State gubernatorial election but Pastor Ize-Iyamu was yet to react to the development as at the time the Punch newspaper published the report, thus making the claim FALSE.

LEFT IMAGE: Screenshot of the fake account | RIGHT IMAGE: Screenshot of the authentic account.

Ize-Iyamu eventually reacted to the INEC’s announcement, saying he is studying the results and would decide on his next line of action.

He tweeted: “I assure you all that I am studying the results along with other party members and will announce my next move soon.”

THE VERDICT:

The claim that Osagie Ize-Iyamu has accepted defeat for the 2020 Edo governorship election and has congratulated his opponent’s party, the PDP is FALSE. The Punch newspaper, in writing its report, relied on a tweet from a fake Twitter account (@ize_osagie), masquerading as belonging to Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate in the election.

Obaseki salutes Edo people, says, ‘You have spoken loud and clear’

Vincent Ufuoma
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Obaseki salutes Edo people, says, ‘You have spoken loud and clear’

 

GODWIN Obaseki, Governor of Edo State  and winner of Saturday’s governorship, has hailed the people of the state and supporters of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for their display of immense courage and support in the face of threats  that saw him winning the election.

Obaseki also commended the resilience of the people in the face of  intimidation and brutality during the election.

Obaseki defeated his closest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polling a total of 307,955 votes against the latter’s 223,619 votes.

The governor in his appreciation message in Benin City, capital of Edo State on Sunday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as for ensuring a free, peaceful and credible poll in the state.

“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,” Obaseki said.

“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.”

According to him, 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, Philip Shaibu, we are committed to Making Edo Great Again. Thank you for your support,” he added.

No victory is sweeter than this – Atiku celebrates outcome of Edo election

Seun DUROJAIYE
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No victory is sweeter than this – Atiku celebrates outcome of Edo election

ATIKU Abubakar, former vice president and one-time presidential candidate has described Godwin Obaseki’s victory in the just concluded governorship election in Edo State as the sweetest.

Obaseki, incumbent governor of Edo State and candidate of  the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the election with 307,955 votes against Osagie Ize-Iyamu of All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 223,619, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a congratulatory message shared on his official Twitter page, Atiku stated that Obaseki’s victory symbolises an end to godfatherism in Nigerian politics, adding that the people of Edo State have shown resilience.

“There is a new dawn in Edo State, and the hard-won victory of Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki is not just a victory, but a Declaration of Independence from the anti-democratic forces of godfatherism and militarism,” he said.

“No victory could be sweeter than this, and I heartily congratulate the Governor and the good people of Edo state for their resilience in the face of the forces arrayed against them.”

“Edo has a rich history as the centre of Black civilisation, and to this, she is adding a new record as the bastion of Nigerian democracy. This double whammy of ancient and modern glories is a testament to a people who have for centuries set the pace as a beacon of light on the African continent.”

The former vice president also thanked the Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, thanking for the role he played in promoting peace during the election.

“I also seize this opportunity to thank His Royal Highness, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Ewuare II, for the fatherly role he played as a neutral catalyst for peace,” he said.

“That this election was, by and large, free from violence, is a testament of the long and effective shadow he casts over his domain.”

While reiterating that a new dawn is set in the democratic culture of Nigeria, Atiku the people of Ondo State to follow suit.

“And to the good people of Ondo state, my message to you is that freedom from the oppressive grasp of godfathers and external forces that seek to dominate your will and eviscerate your treasury, is possible. Edo has done it. You can do it too!

“There is a new wind of democratic change now blowing all over Nigeria. The forces of despotism, nepotism, and interlopers cannot successfully withstand this force,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his congratulations to Obaseki.

While urging Obaseki to “show grace and humility in victory,” Buhari reiterated that he was committed to deepening the country’s democracy through the process of free and fair elections.

Buhari congratulates Obaseki on re-election, reiterates commitment to free, fair elections

Vincent Ufuoma
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Buhari congratulates Obaseki on re-election, reiterates commitment to free, fair elections

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded governorship election in the state over his re-election.

The President in  a statement issued by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,  on Sunday,  commended the process and outcome of the election.

While urging Obaseki to “show grace and humility in victory,” President Buhari reiterated that he was committed to deepening the country’s democracy through the process of free and fair elections.

“My commitment to free and fair elections is firm, because without free and fair elections, the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak,” he said.

“I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.”

The president added that “Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with.”

He commended the people of Edo State, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.

Obaseki in a keenly contested election defeated his fiercest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to claim a landslide victory.

He polled 307,955 votes against Ize-Iyamu’s 223,619 votes, according to the final results announced on Sunday in Benin City, capital of Edo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Apart from few reported cases of violence, the PDP and Civil Societies Organization have all adjudged Saturday’s polls to be peaceful.

Kano anti-corruption agency issues two- day ultimatum to deposed emir, Sanusi, to respond to land racketeering charges

Amos ABBA
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Kano anti-corruption agency issues two- day ultimatum to deposed emir, Sanusi, to respond to land racketeering charges

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has asked Muhammad Sanusi II, the deposed Emir of Kano, to respond to allegations of land racketeering against him in two days.

According to a report, the anti-graft commission in March, had requested Sanusi to appear before it for allegedly ordering the illegal sale of several hectares of land in the state.

It argued that the “proceeds of the sales remitted to the emirate council bank account can be traced to the companies of interest belonging to His Highness”.

In a letter dated September 8, the anti-graft agency said it was investigating “the management of pieces of land that were reserved as ‘GANDUN SARKI’ spread in many parts of the state” under the stewardship of the former emir.

It said the allegations against Sanusi breached sections 22, 23 and 26 of the state corruption law.

“Investigation revealed that all transactions for the sale of the landed properties belonging to the Emirate were done corruptly by the trio of Shehu Muhammad Dankadai (Sarkin Shanu), Sarki Abdullahi Ibrahim (Makaman Kano) and Mustapha Kawu Yahaya (Dan Isan Lapai) purportedly on behalf of Ado Bayero Royal City Trust Fund and allegedly on your instructions,” the letter read.

“Another issue that needs clarification from you is that at its 4th sitting dated the 8th June 2016, the Kano Emirate Council refused to approve the request to pay a foreign consultant (Messer Apple One Integrated Resources) the sum of N175,000,990.90 but you allegedly instructed the above-mentioned trio and members of Ado Bayero Royal City Trust Fund to directly without even channelling the proceed from the site and services programme of Darmanawa Phase II to the Emirate Council account and the sum was given to Dan Isan Lapai by the company handling the project of CityScape Properties Ltd. based on your alleged instruction for the settlement of the said consultant and another N220 million for an undisclosed entity.

“Moreover, the proceeds of the sales were N225 million from Countrywide House Ltd. in respect of Darmanawa Phase II 20 hectares, out of which N266 Million was moved on 1st August 2018 to Kano Emirate Council account upon which an instruction for the transfer of N185,163,996.02 to a private entity Harara Turnkey Project Ltd. on 6th August 2018 was issued and the transfer was effected on 7th August 2018.

Sanusi, was alleged to have approved the sum of N147,590, 000 be moved to a personal account belonging to one Sani Hamisu Umar between 8-10 August 2018 in four tranches of N46 million, N32 million, N48 million and N3.590 million respectively.

“Similarly, on 16th December 2016 the sum of N70, 0000,000 was deposited to the account of Harara Turnkey Project Ltd. which was subsequently transferred to Majeeda Farms Ltd. on the same day. The said company allegedly belonged to you and that it is being managed by your younger brother and Principal Private Secretary (PPS) in the person of Mujitaba Abba.

“Investigation further revealed that such entities afterwards channelled the proceed back into your personal account No. 2666482899 at First Bank an act which contravened Sections 22 and 23 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2668 (as amended).

“For example, Sani Hamisu Umar transferred N91,303,000 to your account on 25th October 2018, on 10 tranches. Also, on the 9th of November, 2018 transferred the sum of N2 1,500, 000 on 3 trenches to your account.

The commission said Sanusi’s response which is expected to be received by the anti-graft agency after two working days was in the spirit of fair hearing.

“The Commission, therefore, deemed it appropriate in the spirit of fair hearing to invite your attention to respond to the allegations raised in this letter and the surrounding circumstances, especially the relationship with the corporate and individuals entities involved,” it stated.

“We expect your response within a reasonable time not later than two working days from the time of the service of this letter.”

Obaseki is re-elected governor of Edo State in cut-throat guber race

Ajibola AMZAT
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Obaseki is re-elected governor of Edo State in cut-throat guber race

THE people of Edo State in the south-south region of Nigeria have re-elected Godwin Obaseki as governor for another four-year term.

For the second time, Obaseki in a fiercely competitive guber race defeated his opponent, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The incumbent governor and flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party led with 307,955 votes against Ize-Iyamu of All Progressives Congress who polled 223,619, according to the final results announced on Sunday in Benin City, capital of Edo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The vote margin of 16 percent recorded in favour of governor Obaseki is bigger than the difference of 12 percent recorded in the 2016 election when Ize-Iyamu, then a candidate of PDP lost to his rival who was then the flagbearer of APC.

In that election, Obaseki led with  319,483 against Ize-Iyamu’s 253,173 votes.

Four years after, Obaseki repeated his victory, with a wider margin despite joining PDP a few days to the party’s primary.

Edo state is made up of 18 local government areas, namely Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East, Akoko Edo, Esan South-East, Igueben, Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central.

Others are Oredo, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Uhunmwode, Egor, Ikpoba Ikha, and Orhionmwon.

Governor Obaseki won in 13 local government areas in two senatorial districts including his local government, Oredo where he polled 43,498 votes against his closest rival, Ize-Iyamu who scored 18, 365 votes.

Ize-Iyamu won only in five local government areas, all in Edo North Senatorial District which comprises Akoko Edo, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West, and Owan East. But he narrowly lost to Obaseki in Owan West by 292 votes.

Several pre-election polls conducted had predicted a win for Obaseki.

The ICIR tracked six polls conducted online via websites and microblogs, all of which show that Obaseki is more popular than other contestants in the recently concluded election.

With this victory, Obaseki became the fifth governor who had won twice as a candidate of two opposing political parties since the return of civil rule in 1999.

The first is the former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed who won as PDP governor in 2011 and later as APC in 2015.

Same for Rochas Okorochas of Imo State who won under APGA in 2011 and APC in 2015.

There was also Peter Obi of Anambra state who also became governor as the flagbearer of APGA and later of PDP.

In 2019, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State defected from APC to PDP and won his re-election.

Obaseki’s victory inadvertently has returned Edo to the political leadership of PDP after a 12-year hiatus, starting with the victory of APC/ACN Comrade Adam Oshiomhole in 2008.

Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of PDP lost to ACN  in 2008 after the court declared Oshiomhole the true winner of the gubernatorial elections, with 166,577 votes.

The tribunal invalidated 263,144 for the PDP and 30,610 for AC in two local government areas where massive rigging was recorded, therefore making way for the victory of Comrade Oshiomhole.

In 2012, ACN won again with 460,644 votes while PDP scored 139,122.

In 2016, APC scored 319, 483 and PDP scored 253,173.

 

 

 

 

 

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