Category: Edo 2020

 Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki has reacted to the resignation of three commissioners in the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC).

Reacting through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, the governor said the resigned board members of EDSOGPADEC were not members of the Executive Council (EXCO).

He said: “This clarification has become necessary to correct the erroneous impression in the public domain that members of EDSOGPADEC, an agency of the Edo State Government, are members of the Executive Council. Board members are civil commissioners of the government.

“Although these board members are sometimes referred to as commissioners, a title they share with their counterparts on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), they are, however, not civil commissioners of the state government that assist with the day-to-day running of the government.”

Read Also: I left APC because of lawlessness, says Obaseki

The commissioners who resigned were Osamwonyi Atu, Emmanuel Odigie and Rilwanu Oshiomhole, who represented Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts on the board of the commission.

In their resignation letters dated July 27, the three persons gave reasons for resigning.

Atu from Orhinonmwon in Edo South gave family reason for his resignation, saying: “I need to resign to take care of compelling family issues that need my attention.”

Odigie said as a loyal party man, he needed to tender his resignation, adding: “Following due consideration and wide consultations, I have resolved to resign as a member representing Edo Central Senatorial District in EDSOGPADEC.

 

Our Reporter

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday received the blessings of the Enigies in the Benin Kingdom to emerge victorious in the September 19 governorship election.

Ize-Iyamu, alongside other leaders of the APC, including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, visited the Enigies at the palace of its President, His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, the Enigie of Egbaen town, to present the core policies and plans of his campaign manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda.

He lamented the elitist detached style of administration of the incumbent, which, according to him, has resulted in the implementation of wrong policies that fail to address the problems of the people, especially at the grassroots.

Ize-Iyamu cited the worsening conditions of security in Edo State, saying Governor Godwin Obaseki has failed to tackle the problem due to his poor investment in the security architecture of the state and refusal to work with traditional rulers and community heads closer to the people and in possession of vital intelligence reports.

Read Also: APC chief Ogienmwonyi backs Ize-Iyamu

He criticised the government’s failure to address the acute shortage of teachers in rural communities across the state.

According to him, most of the schools in the communities have only one teacher, a situation which has resulted in poor performances during national exams and low enrolment.

He promised to reverse these failures and run an inclusive government that will bring development to the grassroots through a respectful partnership with the traditional rulers, who are well versed in local infrastructural needs.

His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, who spoke on behalf of the Enigies, expressed their non-partisanship and gave him their blessings for his governorship bid.

Comrade Oshiomhole, who received a warm reception at the event, assured the Enigies that Ize-Iyamu will continue his tradition of regular meetings with the traditional rulers to give an account of his stewardship and seek their inputs in policy formation and implementation.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

• ‘Obaseki plans to arrest, detain Oshiomhole, Okunbo, others ahead of poll’
• APC sponsors attempt to eliminate PDP govs, other leaders, alleges Obaseki

Edo State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed over Saturday’s political mutiny at the palace of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.

APC, through the Vice Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of its National Campaign Council, Patrick Obahiagbon, yesterday at a news conference at the office of the campaign organisation of its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, at Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki planned to arrest and detain former national chairman of the party Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

It also alleged that the governor planned to cripple the businesses of a billionaire entrepreneur, Capt. Hosa Okunbo, an indigene of Edo State, presumed to be backing Ize-Iyamu, and to also arrest and detain other APC leaders, ahead of the September 19 election.

PDP, reacting through its Chairman, Edo 2020 Campaign Council, Chief Dan Orbih, who is also the national vice chairman, Southsouth, of the party, alleged that APC leaders sponsored the attempt to eliminate some governors of PDP and other leaders of the party that were in Benin on Saturday for the kick- off of Obaseki’s re-election campaign, which was marred by gunshots, leading to injury of 10 persons.

APC national campaign council further alleged that Obaseki was plotting to subvert the September 19 poll through attacks and illegal detainment of its party leaders and members.

It noted that Oshiomhole would be arrested and detained over trumped-up charges on the eve of the election, adding that Okunbo’s farm would be torched, in continuation of the assault on his reputation and businesses, for refusing to back the second term agenda of Obaseki.

The national campaign council of APC blamed Edo governor and the PDP for the violence that broke out on Saturday in Benin, which led to the hospitalisation of several people for gunshot injuries.

It accused Obaseki of setting conscripted thugs and cultists on protesters who expressed their rejection of him and his invitation of ‘tax-collectors’, who were feasting on Edo’s treasury.

The national campaign council said: “Information reached us from sources in Obaseki’s government, who are disillusioned with Edo governor’s nefarious acts that Obaseki has plotted and perfected a criminally-appalling initiative, aimed at subverting the will of the people.

“On the back of conscripting renowned cultists and providing them official cover and funding for wanton violence, under the guise of aides’ appointments, Obaseki is planning to use COVID-19 as a ruse to neuter grassroots leaders of our party on the eve of the governorship election, by abducting and detaining them in isolation centres-this way, disenfranchising them and forestalling the political force they will deliver, in pursuant of APC’s victory.

Read Also: APC condemns PDP’s ‘do- or- die’ plot over Edo Gov poll

“Having read the handwriting on the wall that he faces a monumental defeat and an electoral opprobrium on September 19, Obaseki aims to illegally strike what he deems the head and important political leaders of our party, with the hope of subverting the election.

“Names of prominent leaders of the APC have been compiled to be dealt with, intimidated, harassed, terrorised, physically assaulted and lacerated by state-sponsored goons.”

APC’s national campaign council also condemned the anomalies and acts of political ‘desperadoism’ as direct affronts on the country’s constitution and the rule of law.

It pleaded with the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to prevail on Edo governor to allow the rule of law and a level democratic playing field to hold supreme between now and the end of the governorship election.

Obaseki, through Orbih, said: “I want to place it on record that the visit (to Oba of Benin by PDP leaders) was officially communicated to the palace and the security agencies, as PDP leaders’ visit that included the party’s National Chairman (Prince Uche Secondus), members of the National Working Committee (NWC), governors of Rivers, Sokoto, Delta, and the host governor (Obaseki).

“There was no official APC event in the palace (of Oba of Benin) or anywhere in Benin that was so communicated in accordance with INEC’s guidelines. There was no official communication to the security agencies and the palace that APC was also going to have event at the palace.

“The invasion of the palace gate by armed APC youths was a well- coordinated assault by the leadership and sponsors of Edo APC to eliminate the national leadership of the PDP and  democratically-elected governors of PDP that were expected to be with Edo governor.

“The action was aimed at throwing the country into crisis. The security breach must be investigated and those connected with it must be arrested and tried in accordance with the laws.

“The APC-organised attack at the palace is a political mutiny against constituted authority, capable of causing interstate conflict and war between Edo State and the affected states of the governors that were marked for elimination.

“There have been several videos in the cyberspace where the thugs have been instructed, directed and motivated to intimidate and cause chaos and mayhem. The security agencies must swing into action to bring those connected with the incident to book.

“Choosing the palace to unleash their evil plans is an abomination and a disrespect to our royal majesty and the highly-respected traditional institution. We condemn the attack and wanton destruction of PDP members’ vehicles and other property by the hooligans in broad daylight, in the vicinity of the palace of our revered Oba.”

Obaseki hailed the leaders and members of PDP and supporters for their maturity on Saturday, especially for restraining themselves from retaliation, in the face of attacks and hostilities.

He assured members that the party’s leaders would not fold their arms and watch them (PDP members) being attacked and killed, because of their support for him.

Our Reporter

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has assured residents of Edo State of a violence-free election while calling on the PDP, to shun provocative acts, insults and name-calling.

Ize-Iyamu speaking at a media parley in Lagos said his party, the APC, has focused on his manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda, and urged the opposition to follow suit instead of name-calling and a campaign of calumny based on things non-beneficial to the people of the State.

He said: “We have said that we want this election to be issue-based. We don’t want to resort to name-calling and insults. We want to focus on our SIMPLE agenda. I can assure you that we as a party will do everything to avoid violence.

“The PDP has posters and billboards all around the place. In fact, they started before us by putting billboards around the place.  We got agents to help us ask the state government how much we need to pay for the available spaces, they told us and we paid.

“However, a top government official said how can they allow APC to have billboards in strategic locations? He then ordered them to go and remove the billboards. So, they began to remove our billboards.

Read Also: Transporters mobilise for Ize-Iyamu

“Rather than resort to violence, we wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police. We also did the same thing to Director of DSS and Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon addressed the press where he advised the PDP to be accommodating, tolerant, and avoid things that could trigger violence.

“We could have taken the law into our hands by destroying their billboards also but we didn’t do it.

From then till now, they have not mentioned that one of their billboards was destroyed. They destroyed our billboards at night, we too could have done any of their own at night but we just left it.”

“So, let me assure you that by the grace of God, there will be no violence. We will do our best by cooperating with the security agencies and other relevant authorities and then, we believe it will be peaceful.”

 Robert Egbe 

 

The New Nigeria Collective (NNC) on Wednesday joined the feud between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and a businessman Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo by describing the former as untruthful.

The group accused the governor of failing to own up to his “acts of ingratitude and cruelty” to Okunbo in his reply to the latter’s “detailed letter” on Monday to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The reply, it added, was “a deceit” intended to “mislead the public and attract undeserving sympathy in his desperation for a re-election.”

Obaseki is seeking a second term on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform against the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Pastor Ize-Iyamu in the September 19 election.

In a statement by its chairman, Adeola Adewunmi, NNC claimed that Obaseki’s response was “emotional blackmail”, and that the governor “danced round the issues without paying attention to the clearly  identified issues.”

According to it, Obaseki was untruthful when he described Okunbo as his brother.

“If truly he was your brother or friend as you claimed, did you ever reach out to him even after he said at different times that you and your men should leave him alone?

“Why didn’t you also confirm to the whole world that Captain Okunbo was your brother and friend by asking your foot soldiers to  stop all their attacks against him, at least, after you saw a letter he personally wrote and addressed to the public? But after that, the attacks escalated,” the group said.

Read Also: Obaseki rescued state from huge debt, says PDP

It criticized Obaseki for calling a former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole a godfather.

It claimed that the governor was “the greatest beneficiary” of the godfatherism status he conferred on Oshiomhole.

It added: “As the economic adviser to Oshiomhole for eight years, why did you not resign your appointment since you said you did it  pro bono, especially if the man was evil as being painted now the same way you are trying to paint Captain Hosa with lies…

“We make bold to say Oshiomhole did more infrastructure developments than your propaganda of the last four years.”

 

Our Reporter

 

THE Chairman of Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council for the 2020 governorship election, Chief Dan Orbih, has said Governor Godwin Obaseki cleared the debts incurred by the sacked National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, when he left as the governor.

He spoke at the inauguration of the Edo State PDP Campaign Council for the coming poll, at the party’s secretariat in Benin City.

Orbih said: “The PDP has the best candidate for the election. The governor and his deputy have given a good account of themselves. They deserve a second term to continue the great work. They have demonstrated uncommon leadership qualities in charting a road map for the development of our state. I must say that I admire you more, now that I am privy to more facts about where you started.

Read Also: Obaseki didn’t give us N15bn to get ticket – PDP

“You inherited the highest debts ever in the history of our state. Through prudent management and financial discipline, you have reduced our indebtedness and embarked on infrastructural development, digitalised payment of pensions to pensioners, clearing all arrears and prompt and regular payment to pensioners.”

He said the governor has undertaken institutional reforms and social welfare enhancement, agricultural support and development, and made the state investor-friendly.

 

Our Reporter

 

TRANSPORTERS in Edo State have supported Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 19 governorship election.

Thousands of members of the Association of Professional Drivers on Wheel, led by their President, Comrade Adams Ehi, also known as Shaba, defied the rain yesterday morning for a meeting where their endorsement of the APC candidate was publicly announced.

Ehi said the professional drivers abandoned their businesses to announce their endorsement of Ize-Iyamu because of their conviction in his intention and ability to transform Edo State and develop infrastructure that would lift the state’s economy and ease the transportation of residents and goods.

He said the association has begun mobilisation of its members in all senatorial districts, including Edo North and Edo Central, to strengthen support for Pastor Ize-Iyamu and deliver victory for him at the polls.

Read Also: Professionals rally support for Ize-Iyamu

Other drivers hailed Ize-Iyamu for his promotion of human and infrastructural development and attested to his positive contributions to the development of the state as the Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff.

They said his previous contributions, both as a public servant and private citizen, assured them that if elected, Pastor Ize-Iyamu would prioritise their needs and those of other Edo residents at the grassroots.

Ize-Iyamu thanked members of the Professional Drivers on Wheel Association for their support and promised to ensure that no one is left behind in his empowerment and development efforts to restore economic growth.

 

 

 

Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, has alleged that thugs working for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have invaded the home of the Commissioner for Youths, Damian Lawani.

He alleged that the attack occurred around 11pm on Tuesday at Udaba Ekphei in Etsako West Local Government.

Osagie, on Wednesday in a statement, said that the state government on July 20 alerted the public through publications in national newspapers that Oshiomhole and a billionaire businessman, who is an indigene, allegedly on the prompting of Ize-Iyamu, engaged thugs at a meeting held at Aiguobasimwin in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, while claiming to have paid them in advance to cause mayhem in the state.

Read Also: I’ll never follow Obaseki to PDP, says Esele

The media aide claimed that the attack on Lawani was part of the execution of the tasks handed to the thugs.

Osagie said: “The gunmen, who did not meet the commissioner at home, shot sporadically at other residents, destroying belongings and leaving Lawani’s family in pains with injuries.

“The assailants, who promised to return to inflict more pains on the commissioner and his family, dropped a message with the inscription: ‘Damian Lawani, you are lucky we did not meet you at home, but we promise that we are coming back for you. If you like tighten security.’