A stalwart of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Edo State governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuagbon, has described the late former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dan Orbih, as a courageous, compassionate and loyal politician whose death has created a deep vacuum in Edo State’s political landscape.

Imasuagbon, in a statement issued on Sunday, said he received news of Orbih’s death with shock and sadness, recalling the late politician’s contributions to democratic politics and his acts of kindness to people in times of difficulty.

According to him, Orbih was not only a consummate politician but also a kind-hearted man whose generosity touched many lives.

Imasuagbon particularly recalled Orbih’s support following an accident that left him receiving treatment at a hospital in London.

He said Orbih, alongside the late Chief Tony Anenih and Senator Clifford Ordia, provided financial and moral support to him during the difficult period.

“When I had an accident, Orbih was one of those who sent money to me on my hospital bed in London. He, alongside the late Chief Tony Anenih and Senator Clifford Ordia, stood by me during that difficult period.

“I will never forget that gesture. Some of us can only reciprocate such kindness today through prayers and honouring his memory,” Imasuagbon said.

The ADC chieftain also recalled their political activities during the administration of former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, when he and Orbih jointly led the opposition in the state.

He described Orbih’s residence in Benin City as a major meeting point for party members, political associates and democracy advocates during periods of intense political contestation.

“Orbih was a man of uncommon courage. At the height of the political struggle, his house became our meeting point. He never wavered in defending democracy and standing by those he believed in,” he stated.

Imasuagbon further praised Orbih for his colourful personality and ability to connect with supporters during political campaigns, saying the late politician brought humour and entertainment into political activities.

He described Orbih as a committed party loyalist who was deeply passionate about Edo State and dedicated much of his life to the advancement of democracy.

“Under his leadership, we both toured the 192 wards campaigning. He was kind-hearted, loyal to his party and deeply committed to the people of Edo State,” he said.

Imasuagbon also recounted an incident surrounding the 2022 national delegate contest in Esan South-East Local Government Area, saying Orbih resisted pressure to have his name removed from the delegate list.

According to him, some political actors wanted his name removed because of his preferred presidential candidate in the 2023 election, but Orbih refused to yield to the pressure.

“During the 2022 national delegate contest in Esan South-East Local Government Area, which I defeated Giwa Agbomerere, Orbih faced intense pressure that my name should be dropped because I would vote for Atiku Abubakar instead of Wike, even at gunpoint.

“He resisted the pressure and kept my name on the list. I won the contest squarely, and he said his conscience would not allow him to remove my name from the delegate list,” Imasuagbon added.

He described the late politician as a fair and just individual whose political decisions were guided by his principles and conscience.

Imasuagbon extended his condolences to Orbih’s family, praying that God would grant his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

The Orbih family had announced the death of the prominent Edo politician on September 1, 2026.

In a statement signed by his younger brother, Francis Orbih, the family said Dan Orbih died on Monday, August 31, 2026.

His death has continued to attract tributes from political associates and stakeholders who have acknowledged his long involvement in Edo State and national point.

Residents of Gombe metropolis have commended the peaceful conduct of the ongoing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election, describing the exercise as orderly and largely hitch-free.

The voters also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its preparations for the poll, while commending security personnel and election officials for maintaining a calm atmosphere across polling units.

The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday.

One of the voters, Buhari Ibrahim, who is a person living with disability, said the professionalism displayed by electoral and security officials contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the election.

Ibrahim described the voting process as seamless, saying he did not experience discrimination or difficulty on account of his physical condition.

“I did not feel discriminated against at any point as a physically challenged person during the voting process,” he said.

Another voter, Dalhatu Boderi, also described the exercise as successful and hitch-free.

According to him, the atmosphere at his polling unit remained peaceful, while voters were able to participate in the process without disruption.

“The atmosphere is peaceful, the turnout in this polling unit is impressive and everything is going on well as expected,” Boderi said.

He also commended youths in the area for conducting themselves peacefully, expressing optimism that the same level of calm would be witnessed during the 2027 general elections.

At the Yakub Hassan Polling Unit, another voter, Maryam Salisu, said the peaceful atmosphere encouraged her to participate in the election.

Salisu commended INEC and security personnel for their roles in maintaining order, urging the electoral body and security agencies to sustain the arrangements during future elections.

She also called for the replication of the experience during the 2027 general elections, saying a peaceful electoral environment could encourage more women to participate in the democratic process.

Similarly, Zaliha Garba said women were increasingly recognising their role in elections and were becoming more involved in exercising their franchise.

“We realised that women are critical stakeholders in determining who rules us, so we are now embracing the process,” she said.

INEC Raises Concern Over Low Turnout
Despite the positive assessment by voters in some polling units, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of the North-East, Rear Admiral Jamila Mailafa (retd.), expressed concern over the low turnout recorded in several locations.

Mailafa, who was observing the election in Bauchi and Gombe States, said the electoral process had generally been seamless and peaceful but noted that the number of voters at several polling units was low.

“The election process is seamless, the environment is peaceful, people are out in some places but from my observation, there is a low turnout of voters,” she said.

According to her, voting commenced at 8:30 a.m., but only a small number of voters were present at most of the polling units she visited.

“Voting starts at 8.30 am, but voters were just few in most of the polling units I visited.

“Here I can see a lot of voters, probably they are just coming out. I think they are just taking their time,” Mailafa added.

The national commissioner, however, said there were no major operational problems with the electoral process, noting that both electoral officers and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were functioning as expected.

The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election is being conducted to fill the vacant seat in the House of Representatives.

As voting continues, attention remains focused on voter participation, the performance of electoral officials and the security situation across the constituency, with residents and observers expected to monitor the process through the conclusion of voting and subsequent collation of results.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has appointed a former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mashood Mustapha, as the Ameerul Hajj for the state’s 2027 Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Mustapha, the Wakili of the Ilorin Emirate, is expected to lead and coordinate Kwara’s delegation for the pilgrimage and work with relevant government agencies and statutory bodies involved in organising and administering the annual Hajj exercise.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola, in Ilorin.

According to the statement, the appointment is part of the state government’s preparations for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

“The Ameerul Hajj will coordinate the state’s 2027 Hajj exercise along with other statutory bodies at various levels of government,” the statement said.

The state government described Mustapha as a seasoned entrepreneur, public servant and community leader. He is also the Chairman of Crystal Group of Companies.

The government noted that Mustapha had previously served as a member of the Kwara State Executive Council before his election to the National Assembly.

He represented the Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015.

Beyond his political career, Mustapha, popularly known as MM, has remained active in business and community leadership.

His appointment also comes against the backdrop of his involvement in Kwara politics.

Mustapha is a chieftain of the PDP and had sought the party’s ticket to contest the Kwara Central Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general election.

However, following the emergence of the incumbent Senator, Saliu Mustapha, as the PDP candidate, Mustapha accepted the outcome and pledged his support for the senator.

The state government said his experience in public service, business and community leadership would be relevant to his new responsibility as Ameerul Hajj.

In the role, Mustapha is expected to coordinate with the various statutory institutions responsible for the pilgrimage and facilitate the smooth administration of the state’s participation in the 2027 Hajj.

Mustapha’s educational background includes studies at Kwara State Polytechnic, Lagos State University and Rome Business School in Italy.