The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, as the authentic winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Imo West Senatorial District.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Thursday at Court 11, presiding judge, Hon. Justice Egwuatu, held that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, and duly monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The court held that documentary evidence and certified returns from the primary proved that Okorocha scored the highest number of valid votes cast during the exercise.
Consequently, the court ordered the APC to immediately transmit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its official candidate for Imo West (Orlu Zone) for the January 16, 2027 election and directed INEC to publish his name accordingly.
The court also restrained Governor Hope Uzodimma from parading himself as the party’s flagbearer for the district.
The judgment followed a suit NO:FHC/ABJ/CS/847/2026 filed by Okorocha challenging the submission of Uzodimma’s name as the APC candidate
Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of the APC has reacted to the ruling, stating that it will appeal the judgment and that Governor Uzodimma remains its candidate pending the outcome of the appeal.
….Why the Global Edo Community Must Rise Against Diaspora-Based Attacks on the Benin Monarchy.
By: Dr. Samson R. Osagie
For centuries, the Kingdom of Benin stood as a beacon of African civilization, sophisticated governance, and artistic brilliance. At the absolute center of this magnificent heritage is the Monarch himself, the revered Oba of Benin, who is not just a traditional ruler, but the living soul, spiritual anchor, and historical custodian of the Edo people. The Benin Monarchy has survived empires, colonial invasions, the systematic theft of its sacred artifacts and, even most recently, the attempt by the Obaseki administration to denigrate, undermine and diffuse the significance of the institution of the Monarchy in contemporary governance. Yet a new and deeply painful threat is emerging. It is not coming from foreign adversaries, but from within our own house,driven by certain Benin and Edo indigenes living in Europe and the West.
A deeply disturbing trend has taken root across digital spaces: a coordinated wave of social media attacks, insults, and systematic denigration aimed directly at the revered stool of the Oba. Shielded by geographical distance and emboldened by the anonymity of the internet, these diaspora elements, backed by disgruntled political interests, have weaponized social media platforms to launch reckless assaults on a throne that our ancestors defended with their blood and sustained with their resilience.
This is not a matter of harmless modern commentary, progressive dialogue, or standard political debate. This is a direct assault on our collective identity, culture and heritage. When sons and daughters of the soil, enjoying the comforts of Europe and the West, turn around to insult the Oba of Benin, it is cyberbullying, stalking and a digital desecration of the entire Edo nation and the traditional institution in general.
Thanks to the United Nations General Assembly which has passed Resolution 79/243 against Cybercrimes, which is intended to strengthen international cooperation for combating certain crimes committed by means of information and communication technology systems and for the sharing of evidence in electronic form of serious crimes. This Convention, which is currently undergoing signing by State parties, is expected to remain open for signature until 31st December 2026, hopefully as soon as the fortieth signatory endorses the treaty. It is expected to provide State parties with a range of measures to combat cybercrimes at the international stage.
For us as Edolites and particularly as Benins, we must not spare any opportunity to bring to justice those who have weaponized social media platforms to launch unreasonable attacks both on the person and institution of the Oba of Benin. No, we will confront this contemporary challenge to the throne the same way our forebears confronted all the historical challenges that have faced the Kingdom in the past.
Happily, the absolute absurdity and hollowness of these attacks were laid bare during the historic 10th Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Commander of the Federal Republic. While a tiny fraction of disgruntled voices spewed bile online, the rest of the world gathered in Benin City to witness a breathtaking display of royal splendor, an intellectual discourse in honor of Oba Erediauwa hosted by the University of Benin, a spectacular royal Durbar, and global reverence amongst other cultural activities. While online detractors tried to diminish the Crown, leaders at the highest levels of governance poured out unreserved accolades on the Royal Stool of Benin exemplified by His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the Oba of Benin, warmly describing the monarch as “an enduring symbol of cultural heritage, dignity, and integrity”. State governors, including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside political leaders and first-class traditional rulers such as the Sultan of Sokoto unreservedly affirmed the supremacy and sanctity of the Benin Royal Stool. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Learned Professor Edoba Omoregie, SAN, acknowledged “His Royal Majesty’s role in fostering social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and strengthening the identity and cultural heritage of the Benin people.”
Social and cultural groups were not left out of the outpouring of eulogies for unarguably the most revered Monarch in Sub-Saharan Africa. The President of the Benin Club 1933, Professor Evbaziegbere Isibor, in a goodwill message said, “We celebrate your reign of peace, unity and progress, which continues to inspire hope and strengthen our culture and bring pride to the Benin Kingdom.” On its part, the Benin Consultative Forum through its Acting President, Samson Osagie, noted “that the reign of His Royal Majesty has ushered into the Kingdom a new lease of life characterized by positive traditional reforms that will further consolidate the global respect for the Kingdom, and that the unprecedented number of artifacts that have been returned from various parts of the world since the enthronement of His Royal Majesty is an attestation to the greatness of the Oba.”
All told, the pomp and pageantry that attended the 10th Coronation Anniversary celebration of His Royal Majesty has unequivocally proved that the Oba’s influence is not a localized affair; it remains a globally recognized institution of monumental importance.
It is profoundly tragic that while the President of Nigeria, state governors, and international delegations bow in respect to our heritage, some Edo people living in Europe and the West are attempting a new form of cultural vandalism. By trying to strip the monarchy of its reverence and reduce a sacred institution to an object of social media ridicule, they are doing the work of dismantling Edo pride from within.
We cannot, and will not, fold our arms and watch this happen.
The freedom of expression and living abroad should never become a license for renegades, fugitives and cultural infidels to continue to denigrate our age-long and God-ordained monarchy.
For as it is often said: “Aisagbonrioba, Erinmwin Na Ke riore.”
As a community, both at home and in the diaspora, we must rise with fierce urgency to defend the sanctity of the throne.
While appreciating a few who have risen to the occasion to defend the inviolability of our sacred monarch, if we continue to remain silent we will be inviting further disrespect and assault on our collective identity and cultural heritage.
We must make it unequivocally clear to these foreign-based elements that the Oba of Benin is a red line that cannot be crossed.
Digital platforms must not become tools for cultural self-sabotage, nor should they be used by individuals to settle personal or political grievances against an ancient civilization.
The strength of the Edo people has always lain in our unyielding unity and our fierce loyalty to the Royal Court of Benin, much the same way the British remain unconditionally loyal to the British Monarchy regardless of the liberal democracy the United Kingdom practises.
The overwhelming success of the 10th Coronation Anniversary showed that the bond between the Oba and his people remains completely unbreakable.
Now more than ever, the global Edo community must channel that ancestral resilience to consolidating the pride of place the Benin Monarchy has always had the world over. The vast majority of Edo people in the diaspora who still hold their culture dear must speak up, isolate these toxic voices and recidivists and protect the custodian of our culture.
The Oba of Benin remains an enduring symbol of African dignity, a bridge to our glorious past, and the compass for our future. The modern world and its digital platforms will change, but the honor of the Benin Kingdom is eternal. Let those who launch arrows of disrespect from afar know this: the Edo soul is fiercely protective of its king, and we will completely reject, expose, and defeat any attempt to diminish the glory of the ancient Kingdom of Benin.
Oba gha t’o kpere, Ise!
Dr. Samson R. Osagie is a Lawyer, Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and the immediate past Attorney General of Edo State.
The Benin Consultative Forum (BCF) has congratulated His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, on the occasion of the 10th Year Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty.
The Forum noted that the 10 years reign of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, has brought peace, development and renewed global respect to the great Benin Kingdom, describing the Oba as a symbol of unity and cultural pride.
The BCF further observed that under the reign of Oba Ewuare II, the Benin Kingdom has witnessed remarkable strides in cultural revival, international recognition.
BCF wishes His Royal Majesty more years of impactful reign on the throne of his forebears and prayed God to grant the revered King wisdom and good health.
Oba Gha To Kpere… Iseee!!!
Signed Rt. Hon. Samson R Osagie Acting President, For:BCF
Ex Attorney General of Edo State and former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Dr. Samson Osagie, has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, the Oba of Benin, on the occasion of his 10th coronation anniversary.
Dr. Osagie, in a congratulatory message, thanked the Almighty God for blessing the Benin Kingdom with Oba Ewuare II, noting that his reign has ushered into the Kingdom a new lease of life characterized by positive traditional reforms that will further consolidate the global respect for the Kingdom of Benin.
According to him, the unprecedented number of artefacts returned from various parts of the world since the enthronement of His Royal Majesty is an attestation to the greatness of the Oba.
As the revered monarch marks ten years on the throne, Dr. Samson Osagie prayed God to continue to grant His Royal Majesty wisdom and strength of character to lead the Kingdom to greater exploits and prominence in the comity of nations.
The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), Edo State Chapter, in collaboration with St. Augustine Medical Center, Bisam Care Foundation and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Chapter, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, held a massive health walk in Benin City to raise awareness on cancer prevention, early detection and management.
The walk, themed “WALK. CHECK. LIVE. PINK STEPS, STRONG WOMEN”*, flagged off at 7:00 a.m. from the High Court/NBA House, moved through major streets with a brief stopover at the NUJ Press Centre, and climaxed at King’s Square (Ring Road).
Leading the rally were Mrs. Bridget Imuetinyanosa Iguodala, Edo State Lead of NBAWF; Dr. Michael Osahumen Orhue, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist; Comrade Habiba Aniekan Sam, Chairperson of NAWOJ, Edo State Chapter; and Dr. Samson Osagie, Chairman, BISAM Care Foundation.
The rally drew stakeholders from the legal, medical and media communities.
In her address, Mrs. Iguodala lauded the Foundation for its sustained intervention in cancer care, particularly its assistance to indigent cancer patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and its relentless drive for routine screenings. She explained that cancer continues to ravage both women and men, with high prevalence of breast and cervical cancers in women and prostate and colorectal cancers in men.
She said the walk, under the motto “Lawyers Who Walk The Talk Against Cancer”, was to reassure the public that early detection makes cancer highly manageable and curable.
Also speaking, Comrade Habiba Sam said NAWOJ remains committed to women’s well-being, noting that good health is the greatest gift, and emphasized that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence when detected early.
Dr. Samson Osagie also lauded the initiative and restated the commitment of BISAM Care Foundation to humanitarian support. He said the initiative was timely and life-saving. As one who has, through BISAM Care Foundation, been at the forefront of free cancer screenings, medical outreach and patient support in Edo State, he noted that awareness can never be over-emphasised.
He reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to promoting routine clinical breast examinations, ultrasounds, mammograms, Pap smears and biopsies for early detection.
Medical experts at the rally, including Dr. Alare Enoma Edosa, listed family history, increasing age and being female as risk factors, and encouraged yearly mammograms for high-risk women and routine tests for prostate cancer in men.
The highpoint was at Ring Road when a middle-aged woman, Mrs. Tawa Akin, who confided that she had been experiencing pain in her left breast, was immediately linked by the NAWOJ Chairperson to the medical team from St. Augustine Medical Center and the BISAM Care Foundation team for attention.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards carried during the rally read: Early Detection Saves Lives; Get Checked, Stay Alive; Fight Cancer With Courage; Cancer Is Curable If Caught Early; Screen Today, Smile Tomorrow; Your Life Matters, Get Screened; Lawyers, Doctors, Journalists Against Cancer Edo Walks;and Pink Steps, Strong Women.
Edo State’s drive for affordable transportation and women empowerment received a major boost on Thursday as Nigerian’s first Lady,Senator Oluremi Tinubu commissioned 50 CNG buses and flagged off a N1 billion support programme for 5,000 women in the state.
The event, held in Benin City, is part of activities marking the First Lady’s official visit to Edo.
Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Tinubu said the two initiatives would ease mobility, strengthen small businesses and create more economic opportunities for women, youths and vulnerable groups.
She commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his people-centred leadership, noting that the projects demonstrated his commitment to improving livelihoods and driving inclusive growth in the state.
“I am glad to be in Edo today after quite a long time for the commissioning of 50 compressed natural gas buses for the benefit of the people,” she said.
On the empowerment programme under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), she said each of the 5,000 beneficiaries will receive N200,000 to grow their businesses and achieve financial independence.
“I pray that the monies received will prosper in your hands and grow your businesses,” she added.
Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Okpebholo described the First Lady’s visit as beyond ceremonial, saying it reflects care, compassion and genuine commitment to the welfare of Edo people.
“Your visit is not just a ceremonial engagement. It is a demonstration of care, compassion and our commitment to the growth of our people,” the governor said.
Okpebholo explained that the initiatives tackle two pressing needs: affordable, efficient transportation and economic support for women and small business owners.
According to him, the CNG buses will make public transportation more accessible, affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly across Benin City and beyond.
“When you empower a woman, you strengthen a family, uplift a community and contribute to the prosperity of society,” he noted.
The governor also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and continued support for Edo State, pledging his administration’s loyalty to the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to ensure good governance reaches every home.
“Our commitment is to build an Edo State where good governance is felt in every home, opportunities are within the reach of every citizen, and no community is left behind,” he added.
The colourful ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, APC leaders and other dignitaries. Beneficiaries, who were visibly elated, expressed gratitude to the First Lady and Governor Okpebholo, pledging to judiciously utilize the support to grow their businesses.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday received the remains of Chief Dan Orbih at the Benin Airport.
Chief Orbih, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, died on August 31, 2026, at the age of 64.
His remains arrived at the airport at about 9:55 a.m. and were received by Governor Okpebholo, accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government and other top government officials.
The Governor led family members and political associates in a motorcade from the airport to Orbih’s Benin residence, where a brief lying-in-state ceremony was held
Speaking at the residence, Governor Okpebholo described Orbih’s death as a great loss to Edo State, saying the deceased was more than a political associate.
“He was a brother,” the Governor said.
“At times like this, when the loss is difficult to bear, we can only turn to God for comfort and strength. I pray that God will give us all the courage and fortitude to bear this great loss. I also pray that God will protect the family, strengthen them during this difficult period and provide them with the grace to carry on.” He also added
Officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Palmer Ikponmwosa, in his tribute, described Orbih as a colossus of Edo politics, a master tactician, leader and kingmaker.
Other political leaders, including PDP chieftain Chief Pascal Ugbome and APC chieftain Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, also paid glowing tributes, describing him as courageous, generous and compassionate.
Chief Orbih was former Chairman of the PDP in Edo State and former National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party.
As announced by the family, the final rites, which commenced in Abuja on Wednesday with a Requiem Mass and Night of Tributes at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, will continue in his hometown, Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area.
According to the funeral programme, a Vigil Mass will hold today, Friday, October 9, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ogbona by 4:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the same venue, with interment at his country home immediately after.
The obsequies will be rounded off on Sunday, October 11, with a Thanksgiving Mass at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ogbona by 10:00 a.m.
A man, Monsuru Musa, has been apprehended for impersonation after he was caught writing a promotion examination for his father in Abuja.
Monsuru was arrested on Wednesday at the examination centre located within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) premises, while writing the exam for his father, Musa Mohammed, a staff of the FCT Fire Service.
The examination was organised by the FCT Civil Service Commission.
He was apprehended by security operatives deployed to monitor the exercise, following measures put in place at the instance of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to curb examination malpractice and impersonation.
During interrogation, Monsuru claimed his father was ill and had asked him to write the examination on his behalf.
When asked about his father’s age, Monsuru said he was between 67 and 68 years old. However, his father gave a different age, saying he would turn 60 in February 2027, a discrepancy that prompted further questioning.
The father, Musa Mohammed, also told interrogators that he completed primary school in 1977 and secondary school in 1982.
Both father and son have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation after making statements to operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Twin sisters, a medical doctor and a pharmacist, have died two days apart from complications linked to sickle cell disease in Yobe State.
The deceased are Dr. Hadiyah Usman Abdullahi and Pharm. Aidah Usman Abdullahi, daughters of Prof. Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru.
Dr. Hadiyah, an intern in the Department of Haematology at FMC Nguru, died on Friday, October 2, 2026, after about a week on admission following a sickle cell crisis.
Her twin sister, Aidah, a pharmacist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), was also hospitalized for similar complications at the same time.
Iconic news gathered that Aidah was discharged after her condition improved to attend her sister’s burial. She reportedly collapsed shortly after visiting her sister’s grave and was rushed to the hospital, where she died on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
A family member, Ibrahim Auwal, who confirmed the incident on Monday, described the deaths as devastating to the family.
The sisters have been buried according to Islamic rites in Nguru.
With the current development, the medical community has been thrown into mourning, with renewed calls for increased awareness on sickle cell disease and the importance of genotype compatibility before marriage
A Special High Court sitting in Benin has convicted and sentenced four men to death for kidnapping and other related offences.
The convicts, Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael, were found guilty of kidnapping a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City
They were tried on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, is the maiden judgment of the Special Criminal Court on kidnapping.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Aigbona Momodu said the law left him with no discretion in imposing the prescribed sentences.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish the law would permit me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law,” the judge said.
Justice Momodu sentenced Isaac to seven years imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine, 10 years imprisonment on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.
Wisdom Michael bagged 7 years on count one and death on counts two to nine; Rufus Emete Michael, 7 years on count one and death on counts two, three, four, six and seven; while Gift Raphael got 7 years on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.
The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits.
