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<h1>The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District, has won the ticket to return to the Senate. </h1>

Prof. Joseph Osewankhae, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, for the Feb. 23, National Assembly election, declared Urhoghide winner in Benin on Tuesday, having scored the highest votes of 135, 588.

Osewankhae said Urhoghide defeated his closest opponent, Patrick Obahiagbon of the APC, who polled 121,957 votes in the election contested in seven local government areas that make up the district.

According to the returning officer, 8, 232 votes were cancelled at different units in Oredo, Ovia South West, Ovia North East and Uhunmwode local government areas due to irregularities.

He, however, said that a winner must be declared because the total cancelled votes were less than the margin between the winner and the next contestant.

“The PDP is leading the next contestant with 13, 631 votes, so we must declare a winner.

“Urhoghide, having scored the highest number of votes and satisfied all the requirements in this election is hereby declared winner and returned as elected,” he said.

The returning officer gave the total registered voters in the district as 1, 274, 485, total accredited voters as 291,548, valid votes as 266,109 and rejected votes as 18,457.

Osewankhae said Urhoghide defeated his closest opponent, Patrick Obahiagbon of the APC, who polled 121,957 votes in the election contested in seven local government areas that make up the district.

Obahiagbon's senatorial hopes dashed as PDP’s Urhoghide retains Edo South senatorial seat

<h1>National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, says the party will not allow thuggery and ballot box snatching during the general elections.</h1>

Oshiomhole stated this on Thursday in Benin while briefing newsmen after he met behind closed doors with leaders of the party from the 18 local government areas of Edo.

He also said that the party had no intention to rig the elections.

“We had a special meeting; we met as APC family to reaffirm our commitment to ensure we do what is expected of us as leaders to mobilise the people of Edo to vote for APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“In Edo, we are used to one man, one vote; so, we will not allow thuggery and ballot box snatching,’’ he said

Oshiomhole said Buhari had demonstrated that “he is a trusted and honest leader and therefore, deserved a second term to complete his development agenda’’ in the country.

“We have promised to give Buhari a second term and based on the track records of APC governments in Edo, I believe Buhari will win,” he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said his administration recorded successes within a short time because of the support he got from the president.

“Edo is an APC State and there is no doubt about it.

“The Buhari led administration has been supportive to us and granted all our requests; he has assured that he will do more for us,’’ the governor said.

Obaseki assured that the people of the state would vote for APC, expressing confidence that the state would deliver one million votes to Buhari.

Oshiomhole stated this on Thursday in Benin while briefing newsmen after he met behind closed doors with leaders of the party from the 18 local government areas of Edo.

Oshiomhole meets APC leaders in Edo, says no intention to rig elections

<h1>Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has urged Christian contingent from the state in the 2018 Pilgrimage to see their visit to Israel as sacred and to be good ambassadors.</h1>

Obaseki gave the charge in his farewell speech to the pilgrims at the Government House Chapel in Benin on Thursday.

The governor was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Youths and Special Duties, Ms Itohan Bazuaye.

He said: You must have a humble character and be full of reverence in your approach to God in the holy land.

You are going to Israel to experience and have a living encounter with God and come back a changed and transformed person.

Some of the pilgrims who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the journey as divine and an opportunity to seek the face of God on behalf of the country.

Mrs Stella Esan, a Civil Servant, said: It is a divine favour for me to visit the holy land.

We are going to ask God to intervene in the country, especially as the elections draw near.

Esan condemned the act of absconding, describing it as unacceptable and wickedness.

It is not a good thing for pilgrims to abscond. It gives the country a bad image and makes the process of visa procurement very difficult, she said.

Mr Damian Lawani, Member, Edo House of Assembly, said the purpose of his visit to the holy land was to pray for his family, the state and the country.

He said pilgrims needed to be counselled and encouraged not to abscond during such journeys.

They should look at what they can contribute to the country because those countries they are running to were built by citizens of those countries, Lawani said.

The Secretary, Edo Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr Patrick Ihayere, said the state had a contingent of 20 persons consisting of 13 females and 7 males.

Ihayere said the pilgrims would only be visiting Israel and not going to Rome due to visa denials.

The secretary said the pilgrims would be away for 10 days from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, 2019.

Obaseki gave the charge in his farewell speech to the pilgrims at the Government House Chapel in Benin on Thursday.

Obaseki urges Edo Christian pilgrims to be good ambassadors

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Articles written by the author

Obahiagbon's senatorial hopes dashed as PDP’s Urhoghide retains Edo South senatorial seat

Oshiomhole meets APC leaders in Edo, says no intention to rig elections

Obaseki urges Edo Christian pilgrims to be good ambassadors