Category: Edo 2020

 Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

EDO State Head of Service (HoS) Anthony Okungbowa has said Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deserves re-election on September 19 following his commitment to developing the state.

He said re-electing Obaseki for another four years would allow him to consolidate on his achievements, thereby moving Edo State forward.

Okungbowa spoke in Benin at the weekend as a special guest of honour at the Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency’s (EDSTMA’s) inauguration of its academy and the passing out parade of 265 personnel of the agency.

Read Also: ‘Obaseki a man of integrity’

The event was attended by Police Commissioner Babatunde Kokumo and other heads of security and paramilitary agencies.

Okungbowa hailed EDSTMA for the training and controlling traffic throughout the 18 local governments.

He noted that the recruitment into EDSTMA took 265 people from the labour market.

 

 

Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

EDO State Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu has berated a former deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, over his “sickening and unacceptable” comments on the 2024 governorship election in Edo.

Shaibu, in a statement yesterday in Benin by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Benjamin Atu, said his destiny was in God’s hands, adding that it was He (GOD) who could determine his future.

Ebea had said Shaibu was backing the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), so that he would hand over to him (Shaibu) in 2024.

Read Also: Odubu, Shuaibu vote in Edo poll

Edo deputy governor said: “I don’t know the next position God is taking me to. I am not like Ebea who brags about his ability. I brag about God’s ability, which is my driving force. Ebea should speak about himself. He should not speak for me. Ebea should face his principal, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress).

“Ebea is not my friend and we don’t belong to the same school of thought. I belong to the school of thought representing the people when voted for. I did not abscond from my duty post like he did when he was voted for in his constituency. He should check my records and his records.

 

 Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

A PRO-GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki’s civil society group, the Concerned Citizens of Edo State, has asked the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to list his achievements while he was the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff.

The group, yesterday in Benin, in a statement by its Secretary, Orobosa Igbinoba, noted that it was confident that President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies would rise to the occasion to protect the wishes of Edo people on September 19.

It said: “The nation has enough challenges at the moment. President Buhari will not allow the prevailing peace in Edo State to be punctured, because of the ambition of an unpopular candidate, knowing the regional and possible nationwide crises that can follow.

Read Also: Obaseki, bad omen for PDP, says ex-commissioner

“Pastor Ize-Iyamu knows that his party, the APC, does not have the latitude to win elections in Edo State. Instead of withdrawing from the race to save Edo people the troubles and the needless investment by their sponsors, they are relying on Abuja’s backing.”

Ize-Iyamu, through the Director of Communication and Media of his campaign organisation, Prince John Mayaki, said the non-existent group was the creation of Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie.

 

Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

EDO State’s former deputy governor, Rev. Peter Obadan, has said the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, will be elected on September 19, considering his peaceful nature.

He added that Ize-Iyamu will emerge victorious because he does not discriminate.

Obadan said it would be wrong to claim that Ize-Iyamu was imposed as the APC standard-bearer by the former national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, stressing that he was elected by APC members in the 192 wards across the 18 local governments in a direct primary.

Obadan, the deputy to ex-governor John Odigie-Oyegun, spoke yesterday at a news conference in Benin.

He said: “Ize-Iyamu of Edo South Senatorial District does not discriminate. We also have Muslims in Edo State. There is need for this cooperation, so that we can have peace. To build the foundation for peaceful co-existence, he picked a Muslim, Mallam Gani Audu, of Edo North Senatorial District, as his running mate.

“Ize-Iyamu is also a planner. He is not looking at today, but tomorrow. So, he is building a foundation for co-existence between Muslims and Christians.

“It is deceitful to claim that when Godwin Obaseki finishes four years, an Ishan man from Edo Central Senatorial District will take over from him. What do they think Philip Shaibu (Edo deputy governor, from Edo North Senatorial District) is gunning for? Obaseki promised Shaibu that he would hand over to him in 2024. Let no Ishan man deceive himself.

“So, assuming Obaseki wins, which is not possible, and he hands over to Shaibu, Ishan people are looking at 12 years before they can attempt to bring a governor. They will not even have a deputy during Shaibu’s time, if it works for them, because he is going to pick a deputy from Benin (Edo South Senatorial District), which Osarodion Ogie, the current Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) is waiting for. Certain people are being fooled. Ize-Iyamu is a man of his words and he will be fair to the Ishan.”

The APC chieftain, while commenting on the 2016 negative comments of Oshiomhole against Ize-Iyamu, as the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that the remarks were part of playing politics, to ensure the then APC standard-bearer (Obaseki) emerged victorious.

Read Also: ‘Ize-Iyamu/Audu a great combination’

He said: “Comrade Oshiomhole’s negative comments may not have left the minds of some Edo people, but the good thing is that when they find Oshiomhole in association with Ize-Iyamu, then I am sure they will be keen to understand the game of politics. It is a game of wit and you have to do everything to defeat the opponent.

“So, if I can talk to you to convince you in a manner that will cause you to vote for me, and vote against my opponent, I will. Nobody sermonises in the field of politics.

“Edo PDP became non-existent when Ize-Iyamu left. So, Obaseki decided to defect to PDP to pick the remnant that Ize-Iyamu left. I can assure you that before the September 19 election, Obaseki will look back and will not find his followers.

“The people who are still making noise, who are still shouting Obaseki today, it is because they know that he has some three or four months to go and so the money there must be spent. The contracts awarded must be paid for. So, before the election, they are going to say wait a minute, we have nothing more to gain from this man; it is time to take our decision.”

On the choice of a former Edo SSG (Ize-Iyamu) as APC’s governorship candidate, Obadan disclosed that the leadership of the party met and decided that there was the need for change.

He said: “In Edo State APC in 2020, we had fantastic governorship aspirants and they were all individually qualified to defeat Obaseki, but there were certain things that we did put into consideration. We said the last time (in 2016), Ize-Iyamu won the governorship election, but we were told he lost.

“If that was the case, it was a sin for which you do not only need forgiveness, you need restitution. So, it was on the strength of that that we turned our attention to Ize-Iyamu.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has accused the leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of lacking tact and strategy.

He said they have resorted to giving excuses and mudslinging.

Ize-Iyamu said it was shameful for PDP leaders to field Godwin Obaseki as its standard-bearer for the September 19 governorship election, despite earlier condemning him as a non-achiever as the Edo governor.

Ize-Iyamu, yesterday in an online statement by the Director of Communication and Media of his campaign organisation, Prince John Mayaki, said it was confusing for PDP leaders to be singing Obaseki’s praise, claiming he was the almighty, the saint and the blameless, after parading him as a failure, who deceived the courts and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with counterfeit credentials.

He said: “The same PDP dragged Obaseki before a judge, pointing out the inconsistencies in his academic records, seeking judicial order to stop him from assessing the government corridors.

“Today, the PDP says Obaseki has initiated programmes and policies in Edo State, when only a few weeks ago, before their tax collectors were settled, the party branded the embattled Edo governor a complete failure, who reversed the growth and development of Edo State.

Read Also: Ize-Iyamu seeks violence-free election

“The truth is that the PDP has neither plan nor strategy for winning the election or to lead Edo State. They, therefore, resort to the things that work for failures: excuses and mudslinging.

“Although yet subtle, what PDP is doing is simply the use of an opponents’ negative publicity to show its lack of content, vision, ideas and as a shield for the internal wrangling ongoing in the party.”

The APC governorship candidate said it was a shame that the PDP, which brought out Aliko Dangote from his trademark political non-alignment and characteristic silence, still had the audacity to make national statements that bordered on falsehood and deception.

Fourteen parties are participating in the September 19 election in Edo State, but the real battle will be between Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 governorship candidate of the PDP, who last December defected to the APC and was on May 21 granted waiver to contest by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

 

THE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo State wing, has reaffirmed its support for the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

It hailed the giant strides of the Obaseki administration in the education sector.

Edo NUT, through its Chairman, Pius Okhueleigbe and Assistant Secretary-General Mike Itua claimed that the  governor had been recording unprecedented transformation of basic and technical education in Edo State, in the little over three years of his administration.

The union urged residents to support Obaseki and Shaibu to consolidate on the achievements recorded in their first tenure.

It dissociated itself from an online publication purportedly made by one Suleiman Abdul, who claimed to be a teacher in Akoko Edo Local Government, which it said was aimed at maligning the union and Obaseki.

It described the publication as the handiwork of mischief makers.

Read Also: ‘Obaseki a man of integrity’

NUT said: “The union conducted an investigation into the source of the malicious publication and discovered that there is no teacher in Akoko Edo Local Government called Suleiman Abdul, which means the publication is the handiwork of mischief makers.

“Obaseki came tops as the 2019 best governor in Nigeria, due to his uncommon and unprecedented transformation of basic and technical education in Edo State within three years of his administration, which received and has continued to receive national and international commendation and adoption. The award was never purchased, but given by a very reputable teachers’ organisation to a very responsive, humane, people-centred and knowledge-driven governor.

“Edo NUT’s membership register does not have Suleiman Abdul as a member. Therefore, as an impostor, the writer of the publication does not have any locus standi to write for or on behalf of Edo teachers or NUT, Edo wing. Such powers, in accordance with the union’s constitution, are vested in the state chairman and secretary.

“The pending issue of Edo teachers’ welfare is already being attended to by the union and the state government. Therefore, any individual or group that has misgivings or hatred against Edo government or the governor and his appointees should not hide under any cloak or drag the NUT into it, but should seek redress by exploring the laws of the land.”

Edo NUT urged the public to disregard the publication and its intents.

Agency Reporter

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has lifted the ban on campaigns by parties ahead of the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.

INEC Head of Voter Education Mr. Timidi Wariowei told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday that the campaigns officially began on June 21.

He said: “Campaigns have officially started in the state. Campaign starts 90 days to election and it started on June 21.”ariowei said the office had taken delivery of some non-sensitive materials and distributed same to the 18 local governments.

“We distributed materials early because the office we are occupying has a small storage capacity.

Read Also: INEC releases provisional candidates’ list

“The storage facility cannot accommodate all the materials. So, as the materials come, we dispatch to our local government offices.

“The non-sensitive materials we have received so far are not complete, so as they come in batches we distribute because of lack of space to keep them,” he said.

Wariowei said the total registered voters as at 2019 was 2,210,534, while uncollected PVCs stood at 483,868.

NAN reports that INEC has cleared and displayed list of candidates of 14 registered parties, including the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, being the major contenders, ahead of the election.

 Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

THE Benin National Congress (BNC) has opposed a planned protest against Capt. Hosa Okunbo, by a group loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki, over the philanthropist’s perceived support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

BNC, on Monday at a news conference in Benin, through its President, Mr. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, said the planned protest to the homes of Benin leaders would end at the palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, adding that it would hold any moment from now to embarrass billionaire industrialist Okunbo.

Read Also: NYSC issues new certificate to Obaseki

The conference had as its theme: ‘In defence of Benin patriotism: Steer clear of Benin youths and our territory in your unholy campaign of calumny against exemplary Benin patriot.’

BNC said: “With reference to a mischievously-packaged orchestra, aimed at tarnishing the towering image of one of Benin’s distinguished sons, Capt. Okunbo, a multinational business mogul, by well-known entrepreneurs of violence and apostles of stone-age politics in Edo State, it is incumbent on us, as ambassadors of Benin’s peace and hospitality values, to warn the anachronistic elements to desist forthwith from their carefully-planned mission.”

 

 Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

 

THE Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for Edo State Governorship Election, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,  has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is only interested in Edo State treasury, hence the support for Godwin Obaseki.

Ganduje, the governor of Kano State, said Edo people are conscious of the political antics of the PDP and hoped it would meet its Waterloo at the polls.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja with reporters after the inauguration of the 49-member National Campaign Council of the party, Ganduje pitied Governor Obaseki, whom he said knows next to nothing about the PDP.

He said the opposition party was after Edo treasury and nothing more.

Ganduje said: “The PDP decided to accommodate our former governor in Edo State not because they have anything in common, not because they share the same feelings, but simply because he is managing the treasury of Edo State and they want him to use that treasury in order to win the election.”

He told Obaseki: “The people of Edo State are watching, they know that somebody who was assisted in 2016 to win an election, somebody who was given every cooperation to succeed in governance of Edo State without doing much for the people, at the end of it, he has taken the treasury and now handed it over to PDP in order to win the election.

“Edo State will not accept this treachery. The people of Edo State on September 19 will come out en masse and vote for APC.”

The campaign council chairman vowed to humiliate the rigging machine of the PDP by ensuring victory for the APC. “We know the opposition is planning to rig the election, we know there are tactics, we know there are methodologies and we shall dismantle their tactics to ensure we win this election,” he said.

Ganduje, who described the Edo Governorship Election as a war, said with the calibre of “young and war veteran” in his campaign council, APC was ready to confront PDP head long.

Read Also: Ganduje heads 49-member APC National Campaign Council

He said: “With the composition of this committee, we have war veterans in politics, and we have young people who are just coming out from election and are ready to go back into the processes of election again. And we have all the horses who never miss their targets.”

Ganduje promised to checkmate the Governor Nyesome Wike-led campaign council of the PDP.

“We know PDP made Wike their chairman. I assure you, we will isolate Wike in an isolation centre and before he recovers, the election is over.”

The National Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party, Governor Mai Mala Buni, said APC had confidence in the ability of the council members to achieve the goals.

He urged them to remain focused and committed to succeed.