The Nation Newspaper

Category: Edo 2020

  • I’m vying to fix Edo, says Ize-Iyamu

    I’m vying to fix Edo, says Ize-Iyamu

    By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 election in Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has stated he is vying to fix the Southsouth state.

    Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), stated this in an online statement by the Chairman of Edo APC’s Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki.

    He said: “We have seen a government completely distracted by needless wars of self-aggrandisement and a complete lack of administrative control, which resulted in endless internal squabbles among Governor Godwin Obaseki’s aides, many of whom lost faith in the governor and his style of leadership.

    “The loss of faith in Obaseki’s ability has cost the state dear, stalled the people’s development and compelled an urgent change to reset the state and start afresh.

    Read Also: Ize-Iyamu assures Edo people of job creation  

    “The incompetence of Edo governor depleted the state’s resources, oftentimes through questionable means, and took a great toll on governance.

    “Education is a prime victim of the gubernatorial lack of leadership and executive in-fighting and confusion.

    “Not a single teacher was hired in four years in Edo State, despite the fact that schools in our rural communities suffer acute shortage of teachers and other personnel.

    “My priority will be to correct the anomalies, because a government that fails in education has failed in everything, and merits to be replaced very fast.

    “A government that fails to prioritise the education of our children, particularly at the primary school level, which is the bedrock of all other levels of learning, has failed in its mandate and betrayed the trust of the people — no ifs and buts.”

    He also stated his priorities would be to fix the serious problems and salvage the state from poor leadership.

    Ize-Iyamu expressed optimism that Edo people would honour him with their mandate on September 19.

  • INEC ready for governorship poll, says Yakubu 

    INEC ready for governorship poll, says Yakubu 

    From Bisi Olaniyi, Benin  

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said the commission is ready for the September 19 governorship election.

    He spoke on Thursday in Benin, the Edo State capital, at a meeting of members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    Read Also: INEC to retain 2019 voter register, says REC

    Yakubu said: “This is the first major election the commission is conducting in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, there is an additional pressure on all of us to ensure that we not only conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable and peaceful poll, but also a safe election.

    “I’m here (in Edo State) essentially to do two things: meet members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and also meet our own officials. Tomorrow (today), I am going to speak with the electoral officers from 18 local governments. I will also visit some of our local government offices.”

  • Court declines request to freeze Edo govt’s accounts

    Court declines request to freeze Edo govt’s accounts

    From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for an order freezing the accounts of the Edo Government over its alleged refusal to pay the outstanding salaries and entitlements of court workers.

    JUSUN had also prayed the court to order the confiscation of what was due to Edo State from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    In a ruling on Thursday, Justice Okon Abang held that the request made ex-parte by the national headquarters of JUSUN was capable of crippling the activities of the state before the coming governorship election.

    Justice Abang noted that the motion, “ coming less than a month before the governorship election scheduled for September 19 is designed to cripple governance in the state.”

    Read Also: Ize-Iyamu, Dep Gov trade blames over Edo gunshots

    The judge was of the view that the motion was filed in bad faith and that he reasonably believed that those behind it had ulterior motive.

    While holding that the application was lacking in merit, the judge described it as “vague” for failing to disclose the amount the union members were being owed by the state government.

    The judge said the action was an abuse of court process.

    He dismissed the application and adjourned further proceedings in the case against the other states to September 30.

  • Shaibu’s wife hails Supreme Court for defending women’s rights

    Shaibu’s wife hails Supreme Court for defending women’s rights

    Our Reporter

    Wife of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. MaryAnn Shaibu, has hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the right of female children to inherit their fathers’ properties.

    “This judgment has restored the pride of place of female children,” she said.

    Mrs. Shaibu said most of the customary laws that are anti-female are in conflict with the nation’s law.

    She assured the women that they can now aspire to the highest height of their dream.

    Said she: “The dark roof that has hindered our women from political and socio-economic relevance has been broken and Edo women will demonstrate this in the coming September 19 governorship election by voting en masse for Governor Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Philip Shaibu on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to actualise their aspiration.”

    Read Also: Shaibu has been so loyal, helpful – Obaseki

    Wife of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. MaryAnn Shaibu, has hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the right of female children to inherit their fathers’ properties.

    “This judgment has restored the pride of place of female children,” she said.

    Mrs. Shaibu said most of the customary laws that are anti-female are in conflict with the nation’s law.

    She assured the women that they can now aspire to the highest height of their dream.

    Said she: “The dark roof that has hindered our women from political and socio-economic relevance has been broken and Edo women will demonstrate this in the coming September 19 governorship election by voting en masse for Governor Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Philip Shaibu on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to actualise their aspiration.”

  • Ize-Iyamu assures Edo people of job creation  

    Ize-Iyamu assures Edo people of job creation  

    Agency Reporter

    All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has assured people of job creation via investments in agricultural development, if elected as governor.

    Speaking during his ward-to-ward campaign at Agbede, Iyakpi and Auchi in Etsako-West Local Government, he said Edo was made up of agrarian communities that could grow the state’s economy.

    Ize-Iyamu said he would revive the rice production capacity at Agbede via empowerment and provision of loans to farmers.

    “If elected, agriculture will be prioritised because of its potential to create jobs and improve the Gross Domestic Product.

    Read Also: Ize-Iyamu: I will prioritise teachers’ employment

    “Agbede has the potential to supply rice to every area in the state if farmers are supported to grow the crop,” he added.

    At Iyakpi, South-Ibie, Ize-Iyamu said he would prioritise youth and women empowerment, as well as renovation of schools.

    His running mate, Alhaji Gani Audu, an indigene of Agbede, assured the people of good governance if elected.

    He urged the people to come out en masse and vote for the APC on September 19.

    The party received scores of defectors from opposition parties at the rally.

  • INEC to retain 2019 voter register, says REC

    INEC to retain 2019 voter register, says REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will retain the 2019 Edo State voter register for the governorship election, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Johnson Alalibo made this known during a dialogue with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of over 70 civil society organisations, in Abuja.

    He said there are 2,210,534 total registered voters in Edo, while the voter cards collected are 1,726,738.

    READ ALSO: Ize-Iyamu, Shaibu trade blame over gunshots at Edo community 

    “The commission suspended collection of voter cards with continuous voter registration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    So, we are reverting to what we had in the 2019 general election.

    This is what we are using.”

     

  • APC tackles deputy governor over allegations

    APC tackles deputy governor over allegations

    Edo State All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Media Campaign Council has tackled Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu over “frivolous” allegations against the former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    It expressed surprise that Shaibu, the running mate to Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), could accuse Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu of plotting to harm him, thereby calling for their arrest.

    READ ALSO: Ize-Iyamu, Shaibu trade blame over gunshots at Edo community 

    The campaign council, through its Chairman, Prince John Mayaki, in an online statement, noted that hard campaigns would win elections, not dark plot to arrest opponents.

  • Ize-Iyamu, Shaibu trade blame over gunshots at Edo community 

    Ize-Iyamu, Shaibu trade blame over gunshots at Edo community 

    By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and the state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, are trading blame over gunshots at Jattu in Edo North Senatorial District.

    Ize-Iyamu, through the Chairman of Edo APC Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki, yesterday in Benin, alleged that armed thugs, mobilised by Shaibu, occupied the venue of the party’s rally at Jattu, thereby scaring residents and supporters of the APC with gunshots.

    He said: “The thugs, chanting war songs, insisted on preventing the APC rally from holding, as Edo deputy governor is keen on demonstrating his capacity for violence to Governor Godwin Obaseki and other members of the PDP, who are battling him for the control of PDP’s campaign funds.

    “Eyewitnesses at Jattu confirmed the arrival of the armed thugs in a convoy led by Shaibu at Jattu Junction, where they proceeded to the venue of the APC rally, shooting recklessly and causing terror. Some residents fled the area for safety, as some of the thugs pour on the streets, seeking APC leaders to attack.”

    Shaibu, reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Benjamin Atu, however, denied the allegations.

    He said: “The allegations are not true. Edo deputy governor was in the home of the late Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Zakawanu, for the 40 days prayer, in line with Muslim practice. How can a man in prayer session with others be accused of such allegations?

    “Ize-Iyamu lies to survive. He spins lies like rain. One day, one lie. Is that the kind of life he has fashioned out for himself?

    “Today (yesterday), four PDP members were gunned  down at Agbede by APC thugs at a PDP rally. Even the deputy governor’s campaign vehicle was attacked. The victims are at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State. Ize-Iyamu has the attitude of always being the first to cry.”

  • Palace Chiefs endorse Ize-Iyamu

    Palace Chiefs endorse Ize-Iyamu

    Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

    The palace chiefs of Agbede in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State have endorsed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 19 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    They gave the endorsement during the candidate’s visit to the palace for royal blessings before his ward-to-ward campaign in the town.

    Chief Bello Umoro, who spoke on behalf of the palace, assured Ize-Iyamu of their complete support.

    He pleaded with Ize-Iyamu to support farmers in the area with investments and the provision of incentives.

    Umoro hailed Ize-Iyamu’s running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, who is an indigene of the community, for his contributions to development.

    READ ALSO: Christian leaders endorse Ize-Iyamu

    He urged the governorship candidate to ensure that they have a new King when he emerges victorious at the poll.

    At the campaign ground, Ize-Iyamu thanked the crowd of supporters, who poured out to demonstrate their support for the APC.

    He assured them of his plans to boost agriculture and protect farmers.

    He assured his administration would provide ready markets for harvests and make investments that would grow the local economy, and increase the earnings of the people.

    Audu encouraged the people to come out en masse to vote for the APC on September 19 to usher in good and responsible governance.

  • Ize-Iyamu, Dep Gov trade blames over Edo gunshots

    Ize-Iyamu, Dep Gov trade blames over Edo gunshots

    By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu have traded blames over gunshots fired during a rally at Jattu in Edo North Senatorial District.

    Ize-Iyamu, through the Chairman of Edo APC Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki, accused Shaibu of mobilising thugs who he alleged occupied venue of the party’s rally in Jattu, scaring residents and other supporters of APC with gunshots.

    He said: “The thugs, chanting war songs, insisted on preventing the APC’s rally from holding, as Edo deputy governor is keen on demonstrating his capacity for violence to Governor Godwin Obaseki and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who are battling him for the control of PDP’s campaign funds.

    “Multiple eye-witnesses in Jattu confirmed the arrival of the armed thugs in a convoy personally led by Shaibu at Jattu Junction, where they proceeded to the venue of the APC’s rally, shooting recklessly and causing terror.

    “Some residents fled the area for safety as some of the thugs pour on the streets, seeking leaders of the APC to attack.

    “Edo deputy governor masterminded the attack and invasion. The thugs were hired and lodged in hotels by Shaibu who preceded the carefully-planned attack with a false petition to the police to deflect attention from himself and blame the violence on others.

    “Today in Jattu, Shaibu charged his thugs to ensure that no APC rally took place, because the sheer number of residents who planned to attend would expose his rejection to the whole world and advertise his defenestration as a good-for-nothing liability on the PDP ticket.”

    But Shaibu, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Benjamin Atu, denied the allegations.

    He said: “The allegations are not true. Edo Deputy Governor was in the house of the late Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Hon. Zakawanu’s for the 40 days prayer in line with Muslim practice. How can a man in prayer session with others be accused of such allegations?

    “Ize-Iyamu lies to survive. He spins lies like rain. One day, one lie. Is that the kind of life he has fashioned out for himself?

    “Today, four PDP members were gunned down in Agbede, Edo State by APC thugs at a PDP rally. Even the deputy governor’s campaign vehicle was attacked.

    “The victims are in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State. Ize-Iyamu has the attitude of always being the first to cry.”