From Bisi Olaniyi, Benin 

HEAD of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2020 Alaghodaro Summit in Edo State, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai, has said Governor Godwin Obaseki will make Edo great again.

She assured the people that the Alaghodaro investment summit, which would be held with Obaseki’s second term inauguration, would open the state to exciting economic opportunities.

Mrs. Alufohai addressed reporters yesterday on preparations for the annual summit, which is in its fourth edition.

She added that Obaseki would, during the summit, unveil his administration’s programmes and policies in the next four years. She noted that that the programmes would consolidate on the achievements recorded by the administration in the first term.

She said: “More local and international investors, as well as businesses, are coming into Edo to take advantage of the business-friendly environment which the Obaseki-led administration has created in the last four years.”

Over 2,500 youths are expected to participate virtually in the summit, Obaseki’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie, has said.

In a statement on Monday, Osagie said the summit would provide opportunities to evaluate how the policies, programmes and initiatives of the Obaseki-led administration had benefitted youths in the first four years, and to identify areas that require improvement.

Read Also: Obaseki to hold low-key inauguration

The statement reads: “The governor has assured that youths would play key roles in government, going forward. The summit will provide a platform to assess the impact of the Obaseki-led administration’s policies and programmes on job creation, youth empowerment, basic and technical education, and youth participation in governance, among others, in order to identify areas to be improved upon.

“Governor Obaseki is committed to prioritising the needs of youths and harnessing their energy and innovativeness, in his drive to grow the state’s economy and engender sustainable development.

“This is one of such platforms to deliberate on the roles of the youths in the actualisation of the governor’s ‘Making Edo Great Again’ agenda.”

 Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt 

RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has signed an executive order prohibiting hawking, trading and parking of vehicles close to the newly-inaugurated Rebisi Flyover in Port Harcourt.

The Executive Order RVSG -23 2020, Pursuant to Sections 1,3 and 9 of the Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks (Prohibition) Law 2019, takes effect from November 9, the governor said.

The order declared ‘illegal, all forms of street trading, operation of motor parks, markets, roadside vulcanizing and mechanics on, under, or along the Rebisi Flyover within 100 meters from the foot of the Rebisi Flyover on both sides on Aba Road, Port Harcourt’.

The law prohibits traders or hawkers from displaying goods outside or in front of any building along or within 100 meters from the flyover.

Read Also: South-East Govs, Wike meet over IPOB

The order reads: “No landlord or caretaker of any building or premises shall permit, approve or encourage the display of goods outside or in front of any such building or premises along or within 100 meters from the foot of the Rebisi Flyover (on both sides) on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

“Any landlord or caretaker of any building or premises who violates the Provisions of Paragraph 4 of this Order shall forfeit his building or premises to the state and same shall be acquired for overriding public purpose.”

 Bassey Anthony, Uyo

SECRETARY of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caretaker Committee Senator John Udoedehe has warned party members in Akwa Ibom State to stop fighting over the 2023 governorship ticket.

Udoedehe said he remains the party’s authentic candidate.

The party chief, who addressed a news conference in Uyo yesterday to mark his 57th birthday, said those who fought him before he joined the APC have regrouped to fight again over the party ticket in 2023.

He said: “When I led the opposition many years ago, those fighting me were in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I told them that change would take over the country and they never believed. Those who fought me are in APC now and they have perfected their plans to fight me again, even in APC that they hated.”

The senator advised the people to vote for APC in 2023 to attract development to the state. He also blamed the youths for plans to outsmart their elders by floating a juvenile party against the elders in 2023, saying such moves were counter-productive.

Read Also: PDP governor likely for APC this week

“When I became the chairman of Uyo Local Government Area at 33 years, I never stopped my elders. As a Senator, I was the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation without smiting my elders. Why should the youths plan to bench their elders now?, he queried.

 Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

FEDERAL Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safer roads and environment for the public.

Sector Commander Andrew Kumapayi gave the assurance yesterday during the 2020 World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes. The event was themed ‘Remember, Support, Act’.

According to Kumapayi, the trauma occasioned by the #EndSARS protest would not deter his officers and men from rendering quality and efficient services to the people.

Read Also: FRSC Corps Marshal warns officers against bribery

He said: “Our men have been instructed to go back to work. It’s a service we’re rendering to the motoring public. Despite the assault on our workers, we’re fully committed to providing quality service to Nigerians.

“It’s on record that our workers have been killed in the line of duty, but we won’t allow innocent citizens die on our roads.

“We are also very mindful of our safety because we’re not armed. Thank God people have started clamouring that FRSC should also carry arms.”

 Chris Njoku, Owerri

SOUTHEAST leaders and organisations, particularly town unions in Igboland, have begun consultations to pick a consensus candidate to replace incumbent President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, whose tenure expires in January 2021.

Sources close to one of the town unions in Owerri, Imo State, said the decision to pick a consensus candidate was taken at a meeting called by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu last Tuesday.

“We have started consultations on a consensus candidate for Nwodo’s replacement after a meeting in Owerri last week. We also decided that we have to put our house in order before the January 7 election.

“We are expecting 30 delegates from each of the five states in the Southeast, 10 delegates each from Rivers and Delta States, and five delegates from other outlets,” the source said.

It was however gathered that because of the important role the organisation would be playing in the 2023 election, there has been divided interest in the choice of candidate for the position.

Read Also: Ohaneze, IPOB reconcile as Kanu retracts threat

While the northern political leadership is well disposed to the candidacy of former ambassador, Prof. George Obiozor, Western leaders are aligning with former Inspector-General of Police (IG) Mike Okiro.

However, majority of Ndigbo want the former Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwogu, because of his experience and integrity.

“Igbo leaders and organisations want Nwogu due to his experience in the organnisation,having served as the former Secretary-General and three times organising committee chairman for Igbo day,” the source added.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it lacks the power to investigate or disqualify Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from contesting the September 19 election for alleged forgery.

It said only a court order could disqualify a governorship candidate from participating in an election.

INEC insisted it could not investigate the originality, authenticity or otherwise of the disputed certificate presented by Obaseki as it was beyond its responsibility.

The commission gave the responses at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal as the first respondent in a petition by the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate, Iboi Emmanuel.

The response was signed by its lead lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

INEC said: “The information given by the third respondent (Obaseki) in the affidavit and documents submitted as a candidate in the election in INEC’s nomination form (Form C.F. 001) are presumed manifestly true or prima facie correct until and only if the contrary is proved and/or pronounced false by an order of the court.”

Read Also; Edo lawmakers will not hesitate to checkmate Obaseki, others, says speaker

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week admitted there were noticeable errors in Obaseki’s certificate, which it claimed occurred while filling the forms for the election in 2016, with the governorship candidate ‘mistakenly’ writing 1976 as his year of graduation, which ought to be his year of admission.

A PDP chieftain  Kenneth Imasuagbon has assured the people that Governor Obaseki will fulfil his campaign promises.

He urged the people to keep supporting Obaseki’s administration to move the state forward.

Imasuagbon, a former governorship aspirant on the PDP’s platform, spoke at his Ewohimi home in Esan Southeast Local Government Area when he hosted party supporters from ward one to four at the weekend.

The party chieftain said the event was to appreciate his people for voting for Obaseki. He also pleaded with the youths to shun violence.

He said: “I am here with leaders of this local government, especially from ward one to four, to say thank you for re-electing Godwin  Obaseki. I told Obaseki that I was coming to Ewohimi and he asked me to thank you for your support…”