The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adams Oshiomhole

  • Pension fund not for budget deficits, says Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has declared that funds from workers’ pension deductions are not meant to be used for budget deficit by Federal and state governments.

    He said they are rather meant to address the critical issues of the masses, the contributors of the money.

    Oshiomhole spoke on Wednesday at the opening of the Presidential Policy Retreat at the Council Chamber of the State House, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had declared the retreat open.

    The APC National Chairman also called for rejig of the nation’s security architecture.

    He urged participants to brainstorm towards getting practical solutions to the problems facing Nigeria.

    On corruption, the former Edo State governor advised the government to effectively block leakages with all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by reviewing how to achieve it.

    Oshiomhole also recommended long-term national economy plan to replace the current Economic Growth and Recovery Plan.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole, Obaseki reunite, shake hands at Aso Rock

    Acknowledging that so much progress had been made in the past four years in the fight against corruption, economy and security, the APC national chairman said there were still huge challenges and room for improvement.

    He said: “The logic behind introducing the pension scheme under PENCOM was that the workers’ social capital, which they deducted every month and which they would not need to draw on until they retire about 30 years or 35 years later, provides a basis for long-term fund.

    “Happily, PENCOM has generated over N5 trillion to N6 trillion since it started operation. Unfortunately, the money is borrowed by government, both Federal and states, and it is not available to address the social purpose of the working people whose contributions the pension fund evolved.

    “I asked our experts to recognise that the primary purpose of the workers’ social capital is that it would be creatively managed and deployed to workers’ social needs, including housing, education and all the other factors.

    “It wasn’t meant to fund government’s deficit; it wasn’t meant to support Federal Government’s deficit; it was meant to address the primary social purpose of those who work so that they are sure that by the time they finish their employment, that they are retired, they have a modest home to retire into.

    “I think we must visit these issues, address them because this President, if he has opposition, it is among the rich; if he has support, it is among the poor. The poor people’s money must be used to address the critical challenges of the poor.

    “May God drive our thoughts, our processes and rejig everything so that at the end of the day, those people would say, ‘Yes, Sai Baba! We elected him, we trusted him and he has delivered’.”

    Top government officials at the retreat included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote; frontline banker, Mr Jim Ovia and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn.

    The governors included those of Kebbi, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Imo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Edo, Borno and Lagos states.

  • Challenges facing INEC ahead of Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    Bayelsa and Kogi states are warming up for governorship elections on November 16. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI looks at the challenges that may afftect the conduct of hitch-free elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has turned full circle, with November’s governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States. Yakubu’s emergence as INEC Chairman coincided with the inconclusive elections witnessed in the two states four years ago.

    The commission faces another crucial test with the conduct of the governorship elections in the North-central and the South-south states, on November 16, 2019. The off-cycle elections in the two states provide opportunities for the commission to perfect its systems and processes and convince Nigerians that it has learnt some useful lessons from its past mistakes.

    Kogi and Bayelsa are among the seven states where the governorship elections hold on different dates from the other states. It will be the first time that two off-cycle elections would be holding on the same date. Four years ago, the Kogi election was held on November 21, 2015, while that of Bayelsa took place on December 5, 2015. But, the governors will be sworn in on different dates: Kogi on January 26, 2020 and Bayelsa on February 13, 2020.

    In Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking re-election for a second term, while Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be completing a second term in February next year.

    Being the first major elections to be conducted since the 2019 general elections, the commission, observers said, must address the plethora of infractions that have cropped up at the various election tribunals on whether the card readers have helped to plug the loopholes for inflation of ballots.

    Ahead of the elections, the nomination of candidates by the parties must be done within the stipulated time and in compliance with the Electoral Act. Yakubu’s words: “The conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates must be transparent and democratic in accordance with the provisions of Section 87 of the Electoral Act as well as our regulations and guidelines.”

    The INEC Chairman said so far only three political parties have given notices indicating the dates for their primaries for both Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections. He added: “The commission once again reminds party leaders to do the needful. In doing so, you should indicate not only the dates but also venues and time for the primaries.

    “I urge you to avoid persistent rescheduling of your primaries or late minute change of venue which sometimes disenfranchise your members and make effective monitoring by the commission difficult. Where political parties opt for direct primaries, there should be proper register of members otherwise it will amount to conducting an election without the voters’ register.”

    In Kogi State, particularly, the ruling APC is undecided about the mode of primary it is going to adopt to choose its flag bearer for the election. The national leadership of the party, it is gathered, is under pressure from the Presidency to reverse the indirect primary already ordered for the August 29. It was learnt that the party’s top hierarchy were already reviewing the decision in the overall best interest of the party.

    The issue is believed to have generated tension among members of the National Working Committee who met in Abuja recently. The meeting, which took place at its national secretariat, was presided over by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The meeting started a few hours after Governor Bello came to pick his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

    The party had adopted an indirect mode of primary for Kogi State, but kept mute on the Bayelsa State governorship primary fixed for the same day. But, about 20 APC governorship aspirants have protested against the decision, saying it would affect the fortunes of the party. They demanded direct primary instead and for a caretaker committee to be raised due to litigation over the State Working Committee.

    Fears have been expressed in some quarters that the infighting over the primary could cost the party the governorship seat, as it happened in Zamfara and Rivers States during the last general elections.

    The issue of security is another major challenge that would confront the commission during the conduct of the two governorship elections. This is not only true of Bayelsa, where militancy and violence has often been mixed with politics, but also of Kogi State, where reports during the last general elections painted a picture of violence and lack of enabling environment for expression of voter preferences.

    A security expert, Dr. Joseph Ameh, said what Kogi people expect from President Muhammadu Buhari is for him to rein in security agencies and ensure that they are not at the beck and call of the ruling APC. Ameh said if security officials do their work with patriotism and in an unbiased way, politicians, especially gladiators would reckon that it is no longer business as usual. He said Nigerian voters have become wiser and know how to discipline selfish and arrogant leaders.

    While recalling how, during the recent general elections, violence, intimidation and use of weapons to scare voters away became the order of the day, Ameh said if as many as six persons lost their lives in Kogi East Senatorial District, it could only be imagined what would happen during the governorship.

    He said: “I am calling on President Buhari to ensure that there would be no gun-running and miltarisation during the November 16 governorship election. It is everybody’s concern, but we believe that the Federal Government would not be insensitive to the issues of security in Kogi State.

    “Some of the things that happened during the last election may not be known to the Federal Government, but if the government was in the know, it would be a great blow to the integrity, transparency and even the anti-corruption war President Buhari said he is waging.

    “It would be clear to everybody that the Buhari government is corrupt if the Kogi governorship election is allowed to be militarised; that is, if thugs are allowed to kill and maim during the November 16 governorship poll. We shall hold the Federal Government responsible to ensure that proper things are done.”

    Other challenges INEC would confront in Kogi and Bayelsa include that of logistics and manpower, vote-buying, voter apathy and mobilization. For instance, one area INEC should demonstrate its capacity to learn from its mistakes is in the use of ad hoc staff. Recently a former chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, accused politicians of using university lecturers, who served as INEC’s ad hoc staff, to rig elections. Part of the allegation is that INEC officials collude with politicians to swap trained ad hoc staff.

    Read Also: Breaking: Buhari plays video on INEC’s stand on results transmission

    Already, INEC has commenced the review of the recruitment, training and deployment of ad-hoc staff ahead of the elections. Prof. Yakubu said reforms in the delegation of responsibilities by the commission to the ad-hoc election personnel has remained an exercise it will continue to review from one election to another. The INEC Chairman added that recruitment, training and deployment of ad-hoc staff, mostly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), students of tertiary institutions and university lecturers are crucial to a successful free, fair and credible election. He said with the large population of Nigeria, INEC needed the services of ad-hoc election personnel in the conduct of credible elections.

    In recent times, vote-buying has become common in Nigerian elections and there is no reason to believe that Kogi and Bayelsa would be exceptions. Though the Electoral Act criminalizes vote-buying, because it is completely antithetical to the ethos and norms of democracy, it has become a common feature of party primaries and general elections conducted in recent years.

    Similarly, the 2018 Revised Code of Conduct for Political Parties also enjoins all political parties and their agents shall not engage in buying of votes or offer any bribe, gift, reward, gratification or any other monetary or material considerations or allurement to voters and electoral officials. Notwithstanding its prohibition, vote-buying continues to be a widespread practice in recent elections.

    There is also the issue of distributing uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by INEC. National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, indicated recently that the commission will resume distribution of uncollected PVCs in Bayelsa and Kogi, ahead of the November 16 governorship elections. Okoye said that the commission would soon meet to decide on whether to hold Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two states before the elections.

    He said: “In the next one month the commission will take a decision on whether to conduct CVR for these two states, just before the elections. So, that particular decision has not been taken. Definitely the commission will take that decision. But what is certain is that we are going to distribute the uncollected PVCs in Kogi and Bayelsa before the conduct of governorship elections in the two states.”

    There are 186,798 unclaimed PVCs in Bayelsa out of the 923,182 registered voters, while 269,000 out of 1.6 million registered voters in Kogi are yet to collect their PVCs.

    Elections in this clime have always been characterized with low turnout of voters. For instance, out of the more than 84 million voters registered to take part in the last presidential and National Assembly elections, only 35 per cent of that number participated. This could be traced to lack of adequate mobilization, threat of violence or the cumbersome nature of Nigerian elections, where an intending voter must be ready to sacrifice several hours just to exercise his or her franchise.

    In a nutshell, everything boils down to the fact that people do not have confidence in the capacity of INEC to organize free and fair elections. For example, in the words of political commentator, Dolapo Akinbolagbe, one of the popular rhetoric’s that is pervasive is the idea that one’s vote doesn’t count. He added: “There is this assumption (whether accurate or not it is debatable) that the corrupt nature of the political process has led to issues like electoral malpractices.

    “One side-effect of voter apathy can be low voter turnout on election day if voting is non-compulsory. In countries or areas with compulsory elections, voter apathy may manifest itself in the form of a high proportion of spoilt ballots or ‘donkey’ votes.

    “The issue of voter’s apathy became a heated topic during the 2019 presidential and governorship election. As we saw, the election postponement created a form of voter fatigue as it caused an anti-climax amongst those wanting to perform their civic duty. The anticipation was cut short as news of the election postponement came six hours before polling units opened. This was highly unfortunate for many that had to travel long distances in order to vote.”

    All told, as the country heads towards Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections in November, the commission said it will address all the identified challenges and lapses in the 2019 general elections and consolidate on the successes recorded to ensure it delivers credible, free and fair election in Kogi and Bayelsa come November 16.

    Malam Mohammed Haruna, the National Commissioner in charge of Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states, who gave the assurance recently, identified logistics as one of the major challenges that confronted the last general elections. He said the large number of registered political parties that took part in the last election made the entire process cumbersome for the commission.

  • Will Edo APC survive Oshiomhole, Obaseki’s feud?

    Following the inability of concerned forces to resolve the disagreement between Governor Godwin Obaseki and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Osagie Otabor in Bénin, in this report, examines the issues behind the face-off and wonders how All Progressives Congress will fare in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

    ALL is not well within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State. The gulf is widening by the day and it appears the red line has been crossed by the warring groups. It is no longer speculation that the relationship between Governor Godwin Obaseki and National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has broken down. On the one side of the fight is the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), an Edo APC group whose sole purpose is to stop Governor Obaseki from securing a second term ticket of the party and on the other side, the core members of the Oshiomhole Political Family but now fully in support of Governor Obaseki’s second term bid.

    Comrade Oshiomhole has kept sealed lips on the matter and Governor Obaseki once described it as fake news but recent events show that both men are not on the same page in Edo political matters.

    The quarrel between Oshiomhole and Obaseki was long anticipated by some politicians right from the early days of Obaseki’s administration, especially when Obaseki’s style of governance was in direct opposite of Oshiomhole’s method and approach. Obaseki had told politicians when he assumed office to allow him focus on governance and leave politics for elected officials of the party.  He barred politicians from entering Government House without an invitation and refused to interfere in political affairs in the state. Political issues were most times referred to unit and ward leaders of the party by the governor, an action many big politicians viewed as a ploy by Obaseki to retire them from politics.

    To perhaps avoid a clash, Obaseki conceded the position of the leader of the state APC Caucus to Oshiomhole. Contractors used by Oshiomhole were retained by Obaseki. In the selection of Commissioners and local councils’ Executives, Oshiomhole was consulted.

    A source said some politicians wanted Obaseki to take instructions from Oshiomhole and when it failed, they tagged themselves ‘Oshiomhole men,’ including some commissioners in Obaseki’s cabinet. The source said many APC leaders wanted Obaseki to accede to anything brought before him in the name of Oshiomhole. Before he was made the National Chairman of the APC, Oshiomhole’s residence, both at Iyamho and in Bénin City, was thronged by politicians seeking ways to reach the governor despite Oshiomhole’s insistence that he was no longer the governor. Many political appointees of Oshiomhole who couldn’t get Obaseki to reappoint them joined the rank of ‘Oshiomhole men’.

    Also, the 2017 ban on the use of private individuals to collect state and local government revenue pitched Obaseki against those that benefited from the system across the state. The former private revenue collectors claimed the job was empowerment for the boys from previous administrations but Obaseki rather introduced e-ticketing which saw an astronomical increase in the revenue of state and local governments. Thus, the enemies of Obaseki were increasing. There were other aggrieved politicians that saw themselves as deserving appointment or patronage from Obaseki owing to their contribution to his electoral victory but were abandoned. These are the category of persons that formed the EPM for the purpose of removing Obaseki.

    It was gathered that the frosty relationship between Obaseki and Oshiomhole began to manifest during the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2019 general elections. In Oredo Federal Constituency, Obaseki wanted Hon Osagboivo Iyoha but Oshiomhole rooted for Osaro Obazee. It took the insistence of Obaseki that he as the governor must pick who represents his constituency in the House of Representatives. The resultant altercations, especially the cancellation of the Edo APC primaries, worsened their relationship.

    In May this year, members of the EPM unveiled themselves apparently to show where their loyalty lies. At the meeting, the EPM, led by Elder Francis Evbuomwan and Barr Henry Idahagbon, listed why they would not support Obaseki for second term. They said they were committed to rescuing the Edo APC from doldrums.

    The EPM further stated that Obaseki does not fit into the needed candidate equipped to strike a balance between delivering on good governance for the people and promoting the party platform that formed the government.

    Among their grievances were non-opening of the new five star hospital built by Oshiomhole. They accused Obaseki of deliberately shutting down the hospital as a ploy to create room for Oshiomhole to be criticized. Others are lack of political patronage, awarding contracts to friends from outside the state and closure of some tertiary institutions.

    A communique issued by the group reads in parts, “We are committed to rescuing the All Progressive Congress in Edo State due to the monumental loss it suffered in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections as a result of the actions of Governor Godwin Obaseki towards the party and its members.

    “That we urge the national leadership of our party, the APC, to support this efforts else we stand the risk of losing hold on the government of Edo State to the other political parties with whom the governor is already empowering clandestinely.

    “That we condemn in the strongest terms the resort to intimidation and harassment of loyal party members by the governor and his aides on account of their dissent with the style of governance and not fulfillment of promises made to many local government areas.

    “That we demand the immediate opening of the five star Central Hospital in Benin City built by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration and the resuscitation/opening of the Tayo Akpata University , Ekiadolor and College of Agriculture, Iguorhiakhi for the use and benefit of Edo citizens.”

    If the EPM had hoped that its action would spur Obaseki to appease them, they are mistaken as attempt by some leaders to broker peace between Obaseki and Oshiomhole hit the wall because Obaseki insisted that Oshiomhole must issue a statement denouncing activities of EPM before they would meet.

    An intervention by President Mohammadu Buhari, which led to a meeting between the two leaders in Abuja, also did not yield results. It was gathered that Oshiomhole told Obaseki to go and settle with aggrieved party leaders in the likes of Obahiagbon, Tony Kabaka, Osakpamwan Eriyo, Thomas Okosun, Francis Inegbeneki and others. Another condition for peace was for Obaseki to drop his deputy, Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie and Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.

    Indications that all did not go down well at the Abuja peace meeting was when Oshiomhole’s former Political Adviser, Mr. Charles Idahosa, and Prince Austin Eweka berated Oshiomhole for attempting to abrogate the powers of a godfather to himself. Idahosa insisted that Oshiomhole’s refusal to say anything after Obaseki said there was no issues between them was consent to activities of EPM.

    The quarrel however shifted to who controls the Edo State House of Assembly. The APC won all the 24 seats and majority of them were supposed loyalists of Oshiomhole. Obaseki managed to outsmart his opponents and had his preferred Speaker, Hon Frank Okiye elected in his ‘Wake and see’ style. From 15 members-elect opposed to emergence of Okiye, the numbers have depleted to 12. The whereabouts of the 12 members-elect are unknown even though there are speculations that they are holed up in Abuja.

    With the control of the House of Assembly, Obaseki appeared set to take grips of his administration. In the quest to resolve the Edo Assembly crisis, Obaseki sent the Deputy Governor to a meeting in Abuja where the Senate and APC NWC asked that he send another proclamation letter for the 24-member Assembly to be properly inaugurated.

    To prevent taking over of the Assembly by the 13 lawmakers-elect under the cover of heavy security apparatus, Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yayaha Audu Omogbai, got restraining orders from the Federal High Court in Bénin City barring the NWC of the APC and the Inspector General Police, Adamu Mohammed, from harassing or interfering in the legislative duties of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Justice M. Umar who gave the restraining order in the motion ex-parte, ordered defendants in the suit, their servants and agents, not to interfere, disrupt or obstruct the constitutional duties of members of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    He also barred the defendants from further publishing in any newspaper or other media, any inciting publications concerning the inauguration of the 7th Assembly of the Edo State House Assembly and the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker which took place on June 17, 2019 in the Edo State House of Assembly.”

    According to the court document, “that an interim order of injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies from interfering with, obstructing or harassing, in any manner whatsoever, the plaintiffs in the performance of their constitutional duties as the legislative arm of the Edo State Government pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    “That interim order of injunction is also granted restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies from further committing any act aimed at disparaging the integrity of the legislative arm of the Edo State Government and/or destabilising the peace, order and good governance of Edo State in general, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

    Governor Obaseki on Wednesday sacked eight Commissioners believed to be loyal to Oshiomhole.

    The governor immediately nominated six persons for appointment as commissioners without deference to Oshiomhole and they included Damian Lawani; Joe Ikpea; Felix Akhabue; Moses Agbakor; Momoh Oise Omorogbe and Marie Edeko.

    The Egure Oshiomoshiofu of Igarra in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo and a chieftain of the APC, Chief Adewole Mayaki, had earlier told newsmen that any plot against the second term bid of the governor was an exercise in futility and bound to fail.

    Also, the Estako Solidarity Front said those kicking against Obaseki are plotting to return the state to the Peoples Democratic Party because they were defectors from the PDP.

    President of ESF, Comrade Said Momoh, in a press statement cautioned Oshiomhole to know his true friends and those that have genuine intention to develop Edo State.

    But a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, in an interview said no amount of intimidation and harassment can stop their disagreements with Obaseki

    “His deliberate attempt to sideline party leaders from the party administration and his vow to retire all politicians is the bane of his problem, coupled with his closure of institutions in Edo South while using consultants to carry out the responsibilities of this institution is unacceptable. The staff and students of these institutions are in limbo. His substandard roads, many of which are jointly funded by World Bank and NDDC, are a source of worry.

    “He imported outsiders from Lagos, USA, Delta to preside over our affairs. Derides every one that disagrees with him, his growing authoritarian tendency unacceptable, No one is asking him for contract or money. ”

    It is not clear yet how this quarrel will end as some field ‘generals’ of Oshiomhole are now in support of Obaseki. Also, the Edo State Executives members of the APC are backing Obaseki.

    Also, besides the known EPM members, there are many other aggrieved persons against Obaseki.

    Given the development, only the days ahead will determine how APC will fare in the governorship election.

  • Edo ex-Speaker threatens to open can of worms on Oshiomhole

    Immediate past Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Kabiru Adjoto has vowed to open can of worms on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Adjoto was sacked by the Supreme Court two weeks after he was sworn-in as member of the House of Representatives.

    He was replaced by Hon. Peter Akpatason who has the backing of Oshiomhole.

    Adjoto said Oshiomhole was a deceitful man who does not practice what he preach.

    Speaking at a homecoming reception at Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Adjoto stated that Oshiomhole who was an apostle of ‘One Man One Vote’ and fought ‘Godfatherism’ have now become an ‘Emperor’ that want to lord over everybody and everything.

    The former speaker said Oshiomhole has succeeded in negatively changed the destiny of many people. since he became the National Chairman of the APC.

    Adjoto vowed that at the appropriate time he would speak on the many atrocities committed by Oshiomhole.

    He said the people of Akoko-Edo have been denied, through him, an effective representation at the National Assembly because he refused to give Governor Godwin Obaseki problem as the Speaker.

    According to him, “Oshiomhole wants to be everywhere at the same time. Everything he preached against that we supported him to fight against is what he is now doing.

    “When Oshiomhole introduced one man one vote, we believed in him and supported him. We did same when he was fighting Godfatherism and insulting Chief Tony Anenih and Chief Gabriel İgbinedion.

    Read Also: Buhari greets APC chair Oshiomole at 67

    “We were with him and even helped him to remove leadership of State Assembly that was against his government then. Whatever success you can attribute to him today, its because of the support we gave him.

    “I was under intense pressure to give Governor Obaseki problem when I was speaker, but resisted because it is the people that will suffer when it happens.

    “We are going to resist Oshiomhole antics. We will support Obaseki to make him succeed. He is doing wonderfully well and has surpassed the previous administration.

    “God will catch them if they say Obaseki will not come for second term. Let them try it, that time, the whole world will know the truth about the Mobutu Seseseko Mansion and many other things,” he stated.

    Reacting, Akpatason said Adjoto’s comments were the cry of a frustrated man haven lost at the Supreme Court irrespective of the resources in the course of the case.

    Akpatason challenged Adjoto to tell Akoko Edo people the development he brought to the area as Speaker.

    “Adjoto should be ashamed of himself for trying to deride Oshiomhole who made him all he is today in politics. What will he say his new found friend Obaseki has done for him rather than use willing tools like Adjoto to insult our leader Oshiomhole. They are bunch of ingrates and God will not forgive them.

    “The Nigeria masses have always known and identified with the dispositions of Comrade and what he stands for.

    “The APC National Chairman has always been recognized for his unassailable democratic ethos, his championing of political inclusiveness, pioneer of One Man One Vote; One Woman One Vote, his headlong battle against godfatherism, and several other causes that promote the Rule of Law. So whether Adjoto and his cohorts likes it or not they cannot change history.

     

  • For equity and fairness, zone governorship seat to Kogi West, group tells APC

    A Civil society organization, Citizens for Equity, Fairness and Justice has asked the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the governorship ticket of the party in the forth coming elections in Kogi state to the Western Senatorial district in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice.

    In a letter to the national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and signed by President, Mohammed Abubakar, the group said if there can be power rotation among the various zones of the country, there was no reason why the same principles cannot be applied in Kogi State where one zone has held onto power for 16 years and still wants more.

    Abubakar said if population and voting strength was to be the determinant of who leads the country, people from northern extraction would have continued to hold on to power perpetually, adding that for equity, fairness and justice people from other parts of the country have had opportunity to govern the country.

    The letter reads: “In the Spirit of fairness, equity and justice, we are calling on the National Chairman as a matter of urgency and concerns to look and listen to the voice of the good people of Kogi State who are requesting that the governorship position remain in West and Central Senatorial District of Kogi state.

    Read Also: Seven killed in Kogi attack

    “This position was re-echoed during the recent visit of our royal fathers to the President, Muhammadu Buhari that power should remain in West and Central.

    “In n Nigeria, there is a majority North, minority South West and another Minority South East and South South together. If voting population is the only qualification or criteria for taking over power and ruling, how come it is not only the people of the Northern part of Nigeria that produces the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

    “Nigeria has had Presidents from the North, South West, South East/South South, who were all voted for by all Nigerians in the past twenty years of our democratic experience. Some of the Presidents are Muslims and some are Christians.

    “Equally, Kogi State is the only State in Nigeria where the Senatorial areas are divided along the major tribes in the State, just like Nigeria as a country. Kogi State is the only State where a particular Senatorial Zone has not produce any Governor. Where then is the fairness and equity.

    “If Nigeria can rotate and shift power for fairness, justice and equity, for peace and unity to reign, it is time for equitable opportunity to govern Kogi State. For the past twenty (20) years, Kogi East has ruled for sixteen (16) years and Kogi Central  for four (4) Years.

    “Fairness demands that Kogi West be given the opportunity unless there are no competent people there. There is no monopoly of competence anywhere. The Nigerian Constitution recognizes Nigeria ethnic diversity and the fact that majority numbers only lead to injustice and unfairness gave rise to federal character for equitable distribution of positions and opportunities for everyone to contribution to national development.

    “Kogi State is part of Nigeria and It is time to stop the Injustice in Kogi State. Power sharing is a principle that is based on fairness, equity and justice and not numbers. So the excuse of voting power has never prevail over what is right and what is fair?

    “ Under the law, marginalization is iliegal and under God, marginalization is injustice and immoral. The kind of people we are, our principles and our values is determined by our adherence to the principles of fairness, equity and justice.

    “We cannot promote unity, tolerance, peace, sisterhood, brotherliness and nationhood if we do not deliberately enforce these equitable principles that ensure inclusiveness and not orchestrated citizens from power and equality.

    “If our constitution says all are equal under the law, then no voting power should be used to enshrine inequality. It is time now to ensure fairness, and justice for the marginalized people of Kogi West, who deserve a fairer deal in their home and motherland”

     

  • APC suspends lawmaker-elect in Edo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo State has suspended Hon. Washington Osifo for breach of article 21 (A) of the party’s constitution. Osifo is one of the 13 lawmakers-elect allegedly backed by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole accused of refusing to present themselves for inauguration as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Some party leaders in Uhunmwode had last week issued ultimatum to Osifo to present himself before Speaker Frank Okiye to be sworn-in, arguing that the constituency could not afford its representative to be absent at plenary.

    A communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged meeting of APC in Uhunmwode and signed by 35 party executives and leaders said that Barr. Osifo was suspended over actions that clearly violated Article 21 (a), (iii) and (iv) of the Constitution of the APC 2014, as amended.

    Read Also: APC suspends lawmaker-elect in Edo

    “We the concerned executives of the party hereby referred to the meeting held on June 8th, 2019, advised Barr. Washington Osa Osifo not to go against the rules of our party constitution.

    We have looked into the activities of Barr. Washington Osa Osifo, which were a clear violation of Article 21(A), (III) and (IV) of the constitution of All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 as amended, the local government and ward executives considered the chairman’s brief based on the committee’s report.

    Reacting to the suspension, Osifo said the leaders that signed the communiqué have earlier been suspended by a majority of party members. According to the lawmaker, Mr. Charles Idahosa who convened the meeting was not a member of the APC, having stepped aside from APC activities in 2017.

    “I have not seen where Charles Idahosa said he has returned to the APC. The suspension is laughable because it cannot stand. They think it is their prerogative to own the APC. I challenge them to state what they have done for Uhunmwode people. I will never boot lick. What exactly have I done? Is it my courage to speak truth to power and reject minority rule in the Edo State House of Assembly,” he said.

     

  • Edo Assembly crisis deepens

    • Oshiomhole rejects godfather claim

    • Oyegun: Obaseki is distracted

    • APC dismisses allegation of bias

     

    RATHER than subside, the crisis of confidence rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State seems to be growing.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, on Sunday dismissed allegations of bias levelled by the state government against the leadership of the party.

    Issa-Onilu said what transpired in the House of Assembly was glaring and, therefore, needed no investigation.

    He spoke even as APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole challenged those accusing him of playing god-father’s politics to produce their evidence.

    Also on Sunday, Oshiohmole’s predecessor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun described the ruling party as the greatest problem for the Edo State governor.

    The party’s spokeman, who was reacting to a statement credited to the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Obaseki that the party should have heard from both sides before taking a stand, said there was no dispute between parties, adding that if the issue was a dispute between two parties, then the party would have called for an investigation.

    The party had condemned the inauguration of nine members of the State House of Assembly at about 9.30pm, leaving out majority of members, describing such action as a departure from the constitutional provision

    Issa-Onilu said: “There is no dispute about the fact that nine people were involved in it. There is no dispute about the fact that what took place, took place at 9.30pm. So what is there to listen to?

    “Furthermore, there is no dispute about the fact that the proclamation was not published. The constitution says you should publish and inform all members. So this is not something you need to do an investigation.

    “The facts are staring you in the face. This is not a quarrel between two people. It’s when two people are quarreling about issues that you say let’s investigate. The point is, was the law followed or was it not followed?

    “And there cannot be a fiat accompli in this matter. The processes are regulated by law. We are not talking of an amorphous society or secret cult. Now let me ask you, if a similar thing was done in the National Assembly, would there be the question that since it has been done what needs to happen next?

    “If a foundation is faulty, you can’t roof the building. We must emphasize that processes need to be followed. We are cleaning up our processes. That is what change means to us in APC. Once processes are clean, outcomes don’t matter. Outcomes should reflect the will of the people. I don’t know how inauguration that violated every aspect of the law, tradition, norms, values could stand. If you fail an exam you re-sit.

    “There is no dispute about the fact that nine people were involved, some against their will  to purport to have inaugurated the Assembly. How is it that an APC governor cannot allow people to vote? You carry people by 9.30pm and purport to have elected a speaker. The danger of that is that if you can do it for Speakership purpose, you can also do it to make law that is unpopular.”

    All 24 lawmakers in the Edo state House of Assembly are of the APC. There is in dispute over who should be the Speaker, a position zoned to Edo Central.

    Oshiomhole speaks

    Also at the weekend, Oshiomhole urged those accusing him of plotting to be a godfather in Edo State to provide the proof.

    He was responding to a question from State House reporters in Abuja that he was masterminding the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly because he wanted to become a godfather and to dictate what happens in the state.

    Insisting that he “is a democrat”, he recalled that he fought against god-fathers in Edo politics to emerge become governor in the Southsouth state.

    He also said that he would not need short-cut to sustain his position in the system.

    Oshiomhole said: “What is the evidence? It’s all about accusation. The media has a duty. They have to give you the particulars of that god-father. What’s the evidence? I am a democrat.

    “That I accept the credit, not only that I fought god-fathers, I launched the one-man one-vote campaign to fight against election rigging anywhere in Nigeria and by the special grace of God, under PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) with Chief Tony Anenih alive, and at his best, I won all the 18 local government areas and I won 95 per cent of the total votes cast in my second term election.

    “So, Edo people know me and I know them. I don’t need short-cut to sustain my position in the system. But you know that there is nobody in Nigeria who is not open to accusations. The important thing is that he who accuses should give you proof.”

    Speaking on the ongoing crisis over the inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly, he said: “It’s about rule of law. As journalists there are questions you don’t need to ask me because you know the answer.

    “You know the law provides for how the House should be proclaimed transparently. The day it’s announced, members-elect are informed of date and time for inauguration.

    “These are clearly spelt out in the Nigerian constitution. And just last week (about two weeks ago), you were all witnesses to how President Muhammadu Buhari issued proclamation letter to the Clerk many days before, stating date and time of the inauguration of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    “Even while we are still negotiating to ensure that our party was not divided on the floor of the House, without prejudice to the outcome of those negotiations, the President issued proclamation because he is obliged by the constitution to do so whether he likes it or not and he did.

    Read Also: Edo Assembly crisis: APC dismiss allegation of bias

    “He did it transparently. He has led us by example. For me, it’s very embarrassing if any state governor, particularly of APC extraction, will do anything that is less than what the constitution says and the example that our President has set.”

    According to him, the proclamation was not publicised in the case of the Edo State House of Assembly inauguration.

    Stressing that the members were not informed, he said that the inauguration took place at 9:30pm.

    According to him, the time was what a Supreme Court judgement described as “nocturnal hours.”

    He said: “Business of parliament are done transparently; they are not secret cult. Now you have 24-member House, 19 members protested. You have six and you carry people in their short knickers. Even in the House they have rules, the dress code. So, it happened in Edo, it has happened in Bauchi.

    “Like Edo, Bauchi used the minority of 10 to go and proclaim the House and lock out 20 APC members and got those 10 people to elect, exactly the way Edo did with six and then co-opted other three people to become nine and even at that, it is nonsense.

    “For us, these are completely illegal. And that is why we said so. If it is wrong, it is wrong; whether it is done by APC or by PDP; whether it is the chairman’s state or not. The law is blind to those sentiments. I believe by the end of the day, the solution is return to the rule of law.

    “Let’s properly follow the law; let the parliament do what they have to do but people have the right to lobby for people they want and whom they prefer. This is also legitimate. Like you saw in the National Assembly, after all the lobbies, people have the right to vote and you saw them in the National Assembly conducting secret ballot.

    “We have an APC senator, who, in spite of all the efforts invested by all our leaders, including Mr. President, insisted that he will contest. The law allowed him so, we couldn’t stop him. The President could have said okay, SSS (State Security Services) please find excuse to invite him for questioning the day before; put him away until the elections are over.

    “But we won’t do that. That is not the change we promised. The change we promised is to try to improve in the ways public institutions are managed and how rules are implemented. I believe that it will be resolved.”

  • Edo hands of fellowship

    With barely a year to the next governorship election in Edo State, these are interesting times for political observers with keen interest in the politics of the state.

    With the rumour rife that all is not well between Governor Godwin Obaseki and the former governor of the state and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, every move in the camps of the two politicians is bound to provoke interest.

    Such is the above picture of Obaseki and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie-Ize-Iyamu, at the birthday thanksgiving service in honour of Pastor Ize-Iyamu and his wife in Benin City yesterday.

    Considering that the two were bitter foes in the 2016 governorship contest with Obaseki as the candidate of APC and Ize-Iyamu flying the flag of PDP, one cannot but wonder what discussion the two statesmen are so engrossed in that they can hardly afford to bat an eyelid.

    Could they be reviewing the poll? Could they be previewing a possible re-match? Obaseki has said he would seek a second term, but Pastor, as Ize-Iyamu is called by his admirers, is yet to throw his hat in the ring. Will he try a second time? Could they also be reviewing the situation in the state, particularly the crisis rocking the APC in the state?

    Obaseki has said he would not share the state’s money with anybody, a statement interpreted in enlightened quarters as a jab at Oshiomhole, his estranged godfather and former governor of the state. In the 2016 election, Pastor was at the receiving end of Oshiomhole who accused him of fronting for the godfathers that he (Oshiomhole) had retired. Could they have been discussing godfatherism, its relevance in the politics of the state and the merits and demerits of the phenomenon?

    Would Obaseki have visited Pastor two years ago when he was in the good books of the comrade ex-governor? What is this telling us about 2020? Is this a sign that there could be a realignment of forces in the state as we inch towards 2020? Will Pastor queue behind the governor to try and retire the comrade ex-governor from the state’s politics like the latter says he did to those elders the pastor kowtows to? Is he telling Obaseki “l’m coming to retire you and your godfather?”

    The unfolding drama in Edo is indeed interesting.

  • Edo specialist hospital opens three years after

    The new Edo Five Star Benin Central Hospital, built by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and opened by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 has been opened for business.

    It was renamed the Edo Specialist Hospital.

    Over 100 patients were said to have reported at the hospital for checks.

    Read Also: Buhari commissions Edo five-star hospital

    Workers were seen attending to patients when our reporter visited the facility yesterday and on Wednesday, the hospital offered free radio diagnostics and CT scan to patients.

    Chief Executive Officer of the hospital Chukwuka Monye said the facility is specialist hospital and not a general hospital. According to him, patients who can afford it would get world best standard services.

  • Oshiomhole should intervene in Edo APC crisis, says ex-aide

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been urged to intervene in the crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    His former political adviser, Charles Idahosa, belives  Oshiomhole’s silence is responsible for the crisis rocking the seventh Assembly.

    There have been calls for Governor Godwin Obaseki not to have a second term ticket, especially by the Edo Peoples Movement, which claims to be loyal to Oshiomhole.

    Idahosa, who addressed reporters yesterday, said it was tragi-comical for those who brought Obaseki to power to be unhappy with him while the voters are praising the governor.

    The former aide said it was worrisome that Oshiomhole refused to deny empowering anybody or group against Obaseki.

    According to him, Oshiomhole’s silence means he supports the opposition against Obaseki.

    He said: “We are not comfortable with what is happening in Edo State today; the political division, the confusion. A situation where we should be happy as a party, but it is now like a tragi-comedy. A situation where we have a governor that the people are happy with but his problem is with the party leadership.

    “Over two years ago, I was the first person to react to Obaseki’s relationship with the party leadership. I called leaders who are today fighting Obaseki but nobody saw what I was talking about. They turned around to present a situation that I was fighting the governor. Because of personal interest, they have turned around to fight because they want federal appointment; some want to take over from Obaseki. These people were seen to have no value for eight years.

    Read Also: Adams Oshiomole: Victim of reactionary forces

    “I find it strange that Obaseki on arrival from his vacation said he had no problem with the APC National Chairman. I have waited since for a reaction from Oshiomhole, but none is coming. Why has Oshiomhole refused to say he did not send anybody to gang up against the government? Silence means consent.

    “I make bold to say that Oshiomhole is responsible for the problem of APC in Edo State by his silence. Many of these boys are his boys.

    “Truth be told, it would not have got to this stage if Oshiomhole had spoken. We must look at the fact before us and say the truth. At what point did Obaseki insult Oshiomhole? Oshiomhole is no longer governor. Let the governor there now do his work. The public is hailing Obaseki but the people that brought him to power are angry. We must be very careful so that what happened in other states do not happen here.”

    But convener of EPM Henry Idahagbon described Idahosa as a “political jobber frolicking with Obaseki to fight Oshiomhole”.

    He said: “Oshiomhole is too big for these people, and it is sad that each time Idahosa wants to seek relevance, he sang Oshiomhole’s name so his benefactor will see he is working.

    “The crisis in Edo is between Obaseki and the leaders of APC and not Oshiomhole. Many of us are well known for the efforts we made to bring on board this governor. If they like, let them call Oshiomhole’s name to high heavens, it will not stop our genuine agitation.

    “And we will continue until we kick Obaseki out of the Government House. Idahosa is free to continue his sychophancy; that is his stock in trade. We will not be surprised to see him on the other side tomorrow.”