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Tag: Anselm Ojezua

  • Polls: Obaseki attributes victory to party, people’s power

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has attributed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the March 9 State Assembly election, to the collective effort of his party, the APC and people’s power.

    Obaseki disclosed this during a meeting with the expanded Edo APC caucus, at the Government House, in Benin City on Tuesday.

    Speaking on the party’s outing and eventual victory at the polls, he said, “This is all about gratitude to God and all of you and the millions of our supporters, for accepting the challenge to deliver the party.”

    The governor noted that the 2019 general elections have rekindled his hope in the country’s democracy and reiterated the desire to operate an all-inclusive government.

    He added, “Edo will continue to align with the federal government to attract positive development to the state as the only APC-controlled state in the South-South and South-East of Nigeria. The APC and my administration will continue to run an all-inclusive government.”

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Chief of Staff wins polling unit

    For Governor Obaseki, the victory of the APC at the polls translates to more responsibilities for the political party to live up to the confidence reposed in it by the electorate.

    Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the APC, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, said the victory of the party at the House of Assembly poll showed the massive support citizens of the state have for the Obaseki-led administration, noting, “The result of last Saturday speaks volumes for what Edo citizens think about the APC and the governor of the state. It also speaks volume of the leadership of the political party.

    He debunked allegations that there was rift between Governor Obaseki and theleadership of the APC, adding that “there is nothing the governor has done that the party is not in support or part of.”

    Ojezua noted that the meeting was organised to review the three different elections held in the state, so as to take necessary actions.

    In attendance at the expanded APC Caucus meeting with the governor were APC leaders from the three senatorial districts, including newly-elected House of Assembly members.

  • Tension in Edo APC over primaries

    There is tension among members of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress over the delayed announcement of the results of the National and State House of Assembly primaries held on Thursday.

    State Chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, said the cause of the delay in announcing the results was because of some unresolved issues.

    It was not clear as at press time whether the already conducted primaries would be upheld or a new primaries conducted over complaints of irregularities.

    Many of the aspirants that were victorious like Patrick Obahiagbon, Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, Osaigbovo Iyoha were seen at the APC secretariat waiting for the results to be announced.

    As at press time, the new panel sent by the NWC of the APC has arrived Benin and was scheduled to hold meetings with all the aspirants.

    The meeting was yet to begin.

    Read Also: Primary: My victory is for APC , Ogun people – Abiodun

    Some APC loyalists said the outcome of the primaries was a signal of a brewing war between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    The loyalist observed that many of the aspirants that lost at the primaries were Oshiomhole’s boys.

    But a chieftain of the party who pleaded anonymity said the Edo primaries were conducted according to laid down rules and procedures of the party.

    He said in all advanced democracies, the party decides whose candidate to field in an election.

    The chieftain dismissed fears of implosion in Edo APC saying all aggrieved aspirants would be reached out to.

  • PDP, APC bicker over anti-open grazing bill

     

    The anti-open grazing bill sent to the Edo State House of Assembly by the Peoples Democratic Party has sparked a fresh row between the party and the ruling All Progressive Congress.

    Speaking in Benin City at a lecture series organized by the Gatekeepers, a former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Benue State, Mr. John Ngbede, said the passage of the bill proposed by the PDP will stop destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen.

    But State Chairman of the APC,  Barr. Anselm Ojezua, described the proposed PDP’s bill as a political pamphlet that has no solutions to the menace of Fulani herdsmen.

    The former Benue Commissioner who urged Edo lawmakers to pass the bill stated that the problems of Fulani herdsmen was beyond the ruling APC.

    Ngbede disclosed that they succeeded in chasing the Fulani herdsmen out of Agatu in Benue State because of resilient of the people.

    He added Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, agreed to support the anti-open grazing bill because of the 2019 general elections

    He said, “The herdsmen do not reason like humans. It will take courage for Edo lawmakers to pass the anti-open grazing bill. The lawmakers will have to look at it.

    “We should say no to open grazing because the Fulani herdsmen will become a problem if you allow them.”

    “Activities of herdsmen in Benue is worrisome. We are pleading with the federal government to help the state government implement the anti-open grazing law. There will be no problem if the law is supported.”

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said Governor Godwin Obaseki must listen to the cries of the people to protect them from herdsmen.

    Chief Orbih warned against the use of state instrument to suppress the opposition for democracy to survive.

    The Edo PDP proposed bill prohibiting open rearing and grazing of livestock across the state provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control.

    Barr. Ojezua however urged the APC lawmakers not to hesitate to throw the bill away.

    His words, “Have your read the proposed bill? I saw it myself and it is a political phamlet that does not find any solution to the issue of herdsmen menace. Our people should not waste time in throwing out the document. It is not a serious document. The problem is deeper than what they have proposed.”

    Chairman of the occasion, Justice Roland Amaize, urged the state government to do the needful by not making cattle rearing its business but that of private individuals.

    His words, “Herdsmen menace is Edo is troubling and sickening. I do hope that whatever we do here will provide the legal framework to check the menace.”

  • APC hails police for quizzing Edo PDP chairman

    The Edo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has hailed the state Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, for quizzing the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, over allegations that rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons was diverted.

    It said it would move for Chief Orbih to be prosecuted if found to be lying about the rice donated by the Nigeria Custom Service for IDPs in the state.

    State Chairman of APC,  Barr. Anselm Ojezua, it was laughable for the PDP to turn the quizzing of Chief Orbih to a Nollywood movie by storming the Police headquarters in large numbers.

    Barr. Ojezua stated that the questioning of Chief Orbih was a right step in the right direction since ‘Chief Orbih has been making serious allegations of destabilizing dimensions”.

    Ojezua said Governor Godwin Obaseki was right in asking the police to investigate and prosecute Orbih’s where necessary.

    Read Also: Lawmaker supports APC faithful with 10 buses

    According to him, “Most of the allegations by Orbih are false and untrue. I am always of the opinion that the police have a duty to arrest a situation like that. You don’t wait for there to be a breakdown of law and order before making an arrest.

    “How can Dan Orbih come out to say Edo State Government made provisions for Iyamho university but didn’t make provisions for the AAU and Tayo Akpata University thereby giving the impression that the government does not care for some people. It was not true.

    “When a person provides information that is false, it is actionable particularly when it is meant to incite the public against government. The rice issues have to do with IDPs, vulnerable people. You can imagine Police invites Dan Orbih to substantiate his comments and the entire PDP showed up like a Hollywood movie. It is becoming a tradition for the PDP to turn serious issues into comedy. We are going to insist that police prosecute Dan Orbih.”

     

  • No tenure extension for Oyegun, others yet – Edo APC

    No tenure extension for Oyegun, others yet – Edo APC

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State has dismissed reports that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party approved the extension of the National Working Committee (NWC)’s tenure.

    The party said no decision was reached at the party’s NEC meeting about extending the tenure of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun.

    The state Chairman of the party, Anselm Ojezua, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City on Friday, said only a motion was move to extend the tenure of Oyegun and others but NEC was reminded about provisions of the party’s constitution.

    He insisted that no decision was reached at the NEC meeting on tenure elongation, adding that state chairmen of the party supported the plan because they were beneficiaries of the arrangement.

    Ojezua warned that APC must act fast because the tenure of the party executives would expire soon.

    He said: “There must be a misconception as what decision the National Executive Committee of the APC made. There was a motion put before NEC proposing the extension of tenure for a number of reasons but our attention was also drawn to the constitution of the party that it does not contain any provision for extension and that should it be that there was extension, something has to be done to satisfy the constitutional provision.

    “There was no decision to extend tenure of the NWC. A motion was passed indicating a preference that tenure be extended. But there was the realization that the constitution does not permit it and therefore there must be a further action taken on it. No decision was taken to extend tenure of the executives.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Edo APC Deputy Woman Leader resigns

    Edo APC Deputy Woman Leader resigns

    Deputy State Woman Leader of the All Progressive Congress in Edo State, Mrs. Tina Agbarah, has resigned her membership of the party and member of the party’s Executive Committee/Caucus.

    Mrs. Agbarah who was a governorship aspirant in 2016 stated this in a letter addressed to the State Chairman of the party, Barr. Anselm Ojezua and dated February 5, 2018.

    Her decision to quit the party came one week after another APC governorship aspirant, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, defected to the PDP.

    Read Also: APC  sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    In the letter, Agbarah said, “I wish to notify you of my resignation as member of the All Progressive Congress, my position as the Assistant State Woman leader and member of the Executive Committee/Caucus with effect from Monday, February 5th.

    “This my irreversible decision became imperative after due consultation with my family members and teeming supporters across the length and breath of Edo State.”

    When contacted for comments, State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Azebamwan, said only Mrs. Agbarah could state her position and status in the party.

     

  • Protest as two factions present candidates for Edo LG polls

    Protest as two factions present candidates for Edo LG polls

    -APC to disqualify candidates

    There was massive protest at the Edo State secretariat of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) on Thursday following the conduct of parallel primaries in Owan East local government for the March 3rd local government elections.

    Delegates from 10 wards led by the APC chairman in the locality, Mr. Roland Edeki, stormed the secretariat to demand for justice.

    The APC had on Wednesday conducted party primaries to elect its candidate for the local elections.

    But in Owan East, two candidates, Victor Ohiosumuan and Andrew Osigbe emerged at the two different primaries held at Afuze and Warrake communities respectively.

    The protesters said the party primaries held at Warrake was illegal.

    Mr. Edeki who spoke on behalf of the protesters said the party’s designated venue was the mini stadium at Afuze.

    He said the party must accept the candidacy of Barr. Ohiosumuan because they followed the directives and as such the party cannot reverse the exercise. 

    His words, “We are here to protest against the illegal primaries that was conducted by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu in Owan East local government. The primaries was to be conducted at a designated venue. What happened at the mini stadium in Afuze is the correct primaries but some people went to a private residence in Warrake to hold an illegal primaries.

    “The party directed that the party should be conducted at the mini stadium. The only candidate that emerge from the primaries is Barr. Victor Ohiosuma, any other person purported to have been elected is illegal. We did not see Barr. Emmanuel Agbale. They hijacked him and took him to Warrake. Instead of coming to conduct primaries at Afuze, they went to Warrake. We are asking for justice.”

    State Chairman of the party, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, said the party was yet to look into the report submitted by the committee sent to conduct the primaries in Owan East.

    Ojezua said the some candidates would be disqualified over alleged discrepancies in their educational qualifications.

    He dismissed that protesters as thugs and not delegates that voted at the party primaries. 

    “All those people, are they party executives? We have internal mechanism to deal with issues. We have room for appeals. What I saw outside is not one of the mechanism. If the LG chairman want to protest, he should do a letter to me. Bringing a bunch of thugs to my office representing them as delegates is irresponsible on his part. 

    “We constituted committees to go and conduct primaries across the state. The venues were decided by us. No LG chairman was authorized to conduct primaries anywhere. The committee went to Owan East and they have submitted their report.”

    Spokesman for the Deputy Governor, Mr. Musa Ebhomiana, said the primaries at Warrake was the genuine one recognized by the party.

    Musa said his boss was present at the parallel primaries as the deputy governor and leader of the party in Edo North.

    He said the deputy does not determined venue for primaries but to ensure peace across the state.