The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that its candidates are being harassed and intimidated, while campaign materials belonging to the party are being destroyed.

The party made the allegations at a press conference in Benin City, calling on security agencies to investigate the reported incidents and bring anyone found culpable to justice.

The state chairman of the NDC, David Olukoga, who addressed journalists alongside the party’s senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates, said the alleged incidents would not deter the party from pursuing its political ambitions.

“We know that the ruling party wants to come back and retain power. We have challenges with our facilities and intimidation. However, offices do not vote, posters do not vote, banners do not vote, but by the grace of God, by January 2027, the people will decide,” Olukoga said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Edo NDC Campaign Council and the party’s candidate for Edo Central Senatorial District, John Yakubu, appealed to the APC leadership to caution its members.

Yakubu alleged that the party’s campaign materials, including banners and billboards, had been targeted for destruction across the state, while materials belonging to other parties, particularly the APC, were left untouched, even when displayed alongside those of the NDC.

He called for a “prompt, impartial investigation” into reported attacks, threats, arrests, property damage and gun violence, urging authorities to prosecute suspects where evidence warranted it.

Yakubu also called for an immediate assessment of reported threats against a person identified as Mr Maxwell and other affected citizens, as well as the provision of appropriate protective measures.

“Edo belongs to all its citizens. No party stands above the law,” he said.

The NDC urged its supporters to remain calm and peaceful, warning them against retaliation. It also called on security agencies to enforce the law impartially and without political bias.

Liverpool beat Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the League Cup quarter-finals, while holders Manchester City survived a scare against Brighton on Wednesday.

In a clash between childhood friends Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso, it was the Liverpool manager who took the bragging rights in the last-16 tie at Anfield.

A 1-1 draw in normal time set the stage for the shoot-out as Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers netted from the spot, only for Cody Gakpo to equalise with a penalty of his own just before half-time.

Chelsea’s Valentin Barco hit the post in the shoot-out before Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas wasted a chance to win it when he blazed over.

Ryan Gravenberch was denied by Chelsea keeper Mike Penders, but Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Emmanuel Emegha’s kick to keep Liverpool alive.

After Joe Gomez scored for Liverpool, Blues defender Wesley Fofana miscued into the Kop as the hosts advanced.

It was former Liverpool midfielder Alonso’s third defeat in his three visits to Anfield as a manager following losses with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and Real Madrid in 2025.

In their debut campaigns at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot both reached the League Cup final and Iraola is on course to follow in their footsteps with the 10-time winners of the competition.

Alonso made just four changes to the Chelsea side that lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham on Saturday, while Iraola made seven changes from Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton on Sunday.

Rogers put Chelsea in front with a 40th-minute penalty after Gravenberch clattered into Moises Caicedo.

But Liverpool were level three minutes later with a penalty of their own as Gakpo converted from the spot following Fofana’s handball.

At the Etihad Stadium, City were pushed to the brink by Brighton in a 2-2 draw before winning on penalties.

City boss Enzo Maresca made nine changes after Saturday’s loss at Aston Villa — which ended the leaders’ 100 percent start to the Premier League campaign.

Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma were among the City stars rested.

Brighton went in front after 30 minutes when Malick Yalcouye steered Georginio Rutter’s shot past Geronimo Rulli from five yards.

Mateo Kovacic hauled City level 20 minutes later with a fine finish that curled into the far corner from 25 yards.

Rutter restored Brighton’s lead two minutes after half-time, slotting home from Jaouen Hadjam’s cut-back.

Vitor Reis deflected in Rayan Cherki’s 72nd-minute free-kick to equalise for City.

Kovacic’s penalty was saved by Jason Steele in the shoot-out, but Rulli denied Brighton’s Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send City into the last eight.

The sides meet again in the Premier League at the Etihad on Saturday.

Bournemouth extended their blistering run with a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries beat AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League last week and followed that up with a 3-0 win at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Marco Rose’s men dispatched Villa in equally emphatic fashion as goals from Amine Adli, Lewis Cook and Alvaro Rodriguez made it five successive wins in all competitions.

Crystal Palace eased the pressure on under-fire boss Pierre Sage with a 1-0 win at Fulham.

Eddie Nketiah struck in the 37th minute to give struggling Palace their first win in five games in all competitions.

Sunderland enjoyed a welcome respite from their Premier League struggles with a 3-2 victory against Brentford at the Stadium of Light.

Sitting bottom of the Premier League, Sunderland swatted aside the Bees with goals from Chemsdine Talbi, Tymur Tutierov and Malick Fofana.

Callum Wilson and Igor Thiago netted too late to save Brentford.

Fourth-tier Fleetwood reached the quarter-finals with a stunning penalty shoot-out victory over Premier League champions Arsenal on Tuesday.

Everton host Newcastle in the last game of the fourth round on Thursday.

Xabi Alonso has insisted he will celebrate if Chelsea score against his former club Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield. 

The Blues must do it without star Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who faces weeks on the sidelines with a thigh problem picked up in training on the eve of Saturday’s dismal 2-0 derby defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso still holds fond feelings for Liverpool, where he spent five years as a player, won the FA Cup and lifted the 2005 Champions League after scoring the equaliser against AC Milan in Istanbul. However, speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup tie, the Chelsea boss made it clear he will not copy the muted celebrations some players offer against their former clubs.

“Of course, I will celebrate, for sure,” Alonso said. “With full respect because for sure, my warmth with Liverpool was there as a player. But now, I am in a different role. I need to support my team. I need to support my club. I fight for my club and if we score, I will celebrate with whole respect.”

Joao Pedro injury leaves Chelsea short up front

Pedro is set to miss the trip to Anfield and Premier League clashes with Manchester United and Sunderland, ruling the 25-year-old out until the next international break at least. That leaves Alonso with two recognised strikers: Danny Welbeck, 35, and Emmanuel Emegha, yet to appear since his summer move from Strasbourg.

Welbeck is expected to start, having only come on in the 88th minute against Spurs despite being fully fit. Alonso instead brought in Geovany Quenda and used Morgan Rogers as a false nine, but Chelsea struggled to threaten Tottenham and often resorted to hoof-and-hope tactics.

Alonso could have been in the home dugout at Anfield had his managerial career taken a different path, having first been linked with Liverpool in 2024 when Jurgen Klopp was leaving. Asked about that, he said: “Well at that time, I was at (Bayer) Leverkusen and I was aware of the situation but I decided to stay. That was my decision at the time.”

Alonso managed Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen and, responding to criticism of Liverpool’s £116 million signing, he said: “One of the main reasons for me being here is the time that I spent with him in Leverkusen. He was a special player. He helped me so much. I learned so much from him and now that he’s in Liverpool, I’m following him and we know that the next step is always an interesting one and he’s getting there.”