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Tag: Blessing Agbomhere

  • Prioritise security, good governance, APC chief urges politicians

    Prioritise security, good governance, APC chief urges politicians

    The South-South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere has called on politicians to make security and good governance top priorities, stating that the neglect of these critical areas has led to widespread unrest and inequality across the country.

    He said this in a press statement on Thursday in Abuja ahead of the release of his forthcoming books: “Nigeria’s National Security Challenges: Exploring the Human Security Solution and For Our Common Good.

    Agbomhere noted the urgent need for a renewed commitment to security and governance, describing them as essential for Nigeria’s sustainable development and progress.

    The statement said: “As a concerned citizen and legal practitioner, I am dedicated to finding solutions to the challenges holding back development in my state and in Nigeria as a whole. Politicians must set aside partisan interests and focus on a common goal: building a safer, more prosperous nation for all. A unified approach by Nigeria’s leaders is essential to address the root causes of unrest and inequality.

    “The future of Nigeria depends on our leaders making security and good governance non-negotiable priorities. Politicians must understand that without these fundamentals, Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful progress.”

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    Agbomhere encouraged leaders to take bold, decisive steps toward building a secure and thriving Nigeria.

    According to him, the failure to address these priorities has put Nigeria’s stability and growth at risk.

    He said that Nigeria’s current security crisis could be alleviated if politicians joined forces for the nation’s progress.

    He said the books outline practical measures such as strengthening institutions, promoting transparency, enhancing intelligence gathering, reducing economic inequality, and fostering inclusive growth.

    Agbomhere said that these steps are crucial for laying a stable foundation for Nigeria’s future.

    He said the books address core issues within Nigeria’s security landscape and provided actionable solutions for the nation’s challenges.

    The statement noted that the book launch, scheduled for November 11 in Benin city, will gather key figures in security and governance, underscoring the importance in addressing Nigeria’s most pressing issues.

  • Edo gov poll: Agbomhere apologises for wearing police SPY uniform at political rally

    Edo gov poll: Agbomhere apologises for wearing police SPY uniform at political rally

    The south-south zonal organising secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere, has apologised to the police for wearing a Supernumerary (SPY) uniform to a political event.

    The police had ordered the arrest of the APC chieftain after he held a press conference where he accused Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State of mismanaging public funds.

    “In this extant case, the police frowns at the wearing of his official SPY uniform and engaging in political activities,” Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Ajejobi had said in a statement.

    “The individual involved has been arrested for further investigations,” he added.

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    In a statement on Friday, September 13, Agbomhere said that he wore the uniform “in the feat of my emotions generated by the conduct of Godwin Obaseki.”

    The APC chieftain said aside from being a SPY officer, he is a noble and patriotic citizen of Nigeria.

    He added: “Whilst the alleged embarrassment is unintended and deeply regretted, I posit that the views expressed in the media interview were not that of Nigeria Police Force but my personal opinion justified within the context of my constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech and association.

    “I have committed my life to the activities of nation-building by helping Nigerians and Nigeria, hence I joined all these organisations, associations, and the Supernumerary Police Division of the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and national security of the nation.

    “I will continue to stand against the massive corruption and incompetence of the Edo State government under Godwin Obaseki as governor and Asue Ighodalo as chairman of Edo State Economic Team.”

    Agbomhere said on Monday that Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate, is the only person who would deliver good governance to the people of Edo.

  • APC chieftain warns against imposition of aspirant in Edo primary

    APC chieftain warns against imposition of aspirant in Edo primary

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere has warned the party against imposing any aspirant ahead of the party’s primary election for the Edo state governorship poll.

    Agbomhere, who is planning to contest the shadow polls, warned that the plot by anyone to impose an aspirant on the people will lead to a major implosion in the party at the state level and an automatic defeat at the polls.

    In a statement in Abuja on Monday, January 22, Agbomhere alleged that the Prof. Julius Ihonvbere-led screening committee set up by some APC leaders was “coerced to tactically prune down the number of APC aspirants from thirty to one – Dennis Idahosa.”

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    The statement said: “The disqualification of twenty-nine other aspirants and the planned endorsement of Idahosa as the sole candidate will lead to a massive crisis in the party in Edo state. Edo people are too sophisticated to accept the imposition of a candidate on them and will lose faith in the APC and cast their ballots for other parties in the contest.

    “Edo State parades a good number of men and women who are qualified to govern it. It is wrong, disrespectful, and divisive to screen out all these men who have paid their dues to the party and the state only to pave the way for a nonentity who can only be remembered for his alleged criminal record.

    “I am deeply grateful to the National Working Committee of our great party which has condemned the clandestine move to destroy the goodwill that the party enjoys in Edo state.

    “The party leadership should be commended for opening up the space again for all thirty aspirants to sell themselves to the people of Edo state, as it would have been catastrophic if they folded their arms and allowed anybody with the party’s glorious opportunity to reclaim the governorship seat in the state.”

  • ‘I’ll eliminate poverty in Edo if elected governor’

    ‘I’ll eliminate poverty in Edo if elected governor’

    A governorship aspirant in Edo State, Blessing Agbomhere, has vowed to eliminate the “massive poverty and unemployment in the state” if he emerges governor.

    Agbomhere made the vow in Fugar, Ward 1, Etsako Central Local Government Area where he declared his intention to run for governor at the ward level.

    Agbomhere, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) Zonal Organising Secretary, said his commitment to serve the people of the state was borne out of “genuine love and hunger to move the state from its current state of hopelessness and deprivation to an enviable height in economic prosperity.”

    He said the “pervasive poverty, unemployment and lack of industrialisation in the state is the result of the corrupt, disorganised and purposeless leadership of the current administration of Godwin Obaseki” who he said is now planning to continue on the same “trajectory of leadership failure by imposing an unpopular candidate on the people.”

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    Agbomhere promised to put his wealth of experience in academics, the media, strategic leadership and international connections to use to “rescue, sweep and reset Edo State by eliminating poverty through job creation which he said can be achieved through foreign direct investment in the state.”

    He added: “I am not unaware that social and economic life in Edo State has been hopeless, chaotic and stale with a dire need for innovative and purpose driven leadership as the tragic state of affairs in the state has become worrisome considering the fallout of the uncoordinated and vision-less leadership provided by Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu in the past seven and a half years, unrepentantly running an administration of ‘two thieves’ who are fighting over themselves over the sharing of their bounty while Edo people wallow in poverty and deprivation.”

    Agbomhere called on the people to challenge any further attempt to betray them by foisting on them leaders without capacity.

  • 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.

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    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.

     

  • I never insulted Prince Tony Momoh – Blessing Agbomhere

    I never insulted Prince Tony Momoh – Blessing Agbomhere

    Blessing Agbomhere, a former chieftain of the All Progressive Congress APC has distanced himself from recent publications circulating online which pointed abusive fingers at one of the founding fathers of APC.

    The one time governorship aspirant in a press release sent across said Prince Tony Momoh is the reason stayed long at the APC and he appreciates him for his fatherly role.

    “Prince Tony Momoh is like a father to me and I value his advice and counsel.”

    “I wish to disassociate myself from the online publication which is on various platforms as I was quoted out of context in some parts of the said interview.

    “I did say I have enjoyed the love and wisdom of Prince Tony Momoh, a founding father of the APC, for whose sake I have resisted to leave the party despite all the challenges I have faced while in the party. And I also said I know that Prince Tony Momoh, an elder statesman, a former Minister and National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, as one of the leaders who led the APC to victory will continue to advice Mr President concerning the oneness and wellness of Nigeria.

    He however apologize for being misquoted in the interview published online

    “I apologize sincerely if any part or all of the interview has offended him.

    “I remain committed in my service to my country and that remains my focus regardless of party affiliations.
    I thank all those who have supported me in my APC days and I hope we will put Nigeria above self by working together for the common good of Nigerians” he said.

  • Vacant Rep seat: Agbomhere, Oghuma battle for APC ticket

    Vacant Rep seat: Agbomhere, Oghuma battle for APC ticket

    Plans by leaders of the All Progressive Congress in Edo North Senatorial district to settle for a consensus candidate for the bye-election to fill the vacant seat of the Estako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives suffered a setback on Thursday.

    Six aspirants including the oldest son of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Dr Cyril, indicated interest to contest the party primaries but as at press time, only two aspirants have purchased nomination forms.

    Those that bought forms were Blessing Agbomhere and Johnson Oghuma.

    Others were said to have stepped down after a meeting with the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu.

    Dr Cyril was said to have stepped down after it was discovered that he does not have a membership card of the APC and may be difficult for him to obtain tax clearance certificate since he has not held any paid employment in the country.

    Another aspirant, Professor Waziri Erameh, named aspirants at the meeting with the Deputy Governor to include John Akhigbe, Jonny Oghuma, Joseph Ugheoke and Blessing Agbomhere.

    He said all the aspirants from Estako Central local government agreed to support Oghuma since Estako West local government with its size and population conceded the seat to them.

    A source meeting said one of the aspirants was forced to step down or he would be made to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    According to the source, “They blackmailed many of them to step down. One of them said he should be compensated and they said they would find something for him. Oghuma is saying if he does not get the ticket he will work against the party at the tribunal because he is a witness.”

    In a telephone chat, Agbomhere denied stepping down for Oghuma and has gone ahead to buy the nomination form.

    Agbomhere said he bought the form because he is confident of clinching the party’s ticket.

    He stated that the Edo North  party leaders wanted to opt for a consensus candidate but

    “The party made them understand that there will be no consensus without the aspirants talking. It is the aspirant that will agree. They have been trying to cancel the primaries.

    “We attended the meeting and they ask what I wanted. I told them whatever they think they can give to me, they should give it to Oghuma. I cannot disappoint the young people of this country.

    “I rather go to a contest and fail than to step down because of piecemeal.”

    National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, had told newsmen that primaries would be conducted for all the aspirants.

  • Edo: APC governorship aspirants back Obaseki

    Edo: APC governorship aspirants back Obaseki

    The aggrieved Edo State governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have all thrown their weight behind the successful candidate at the primary election, Godwin Obaseki.

    This was disclosed by some of the aspirants at the end of a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and other APC leaders on Thursday night.

    The aspirants said they decided to close ranks and support Obaseki in order not to lose the only South South state controlled by the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September governorship election.

    Speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, one of the candidates, Blessing Agbomhere, said: “I was very critical of the process before the elections and anybody will attest to the fact that I was a very vibrant aspirant during the contest. But you see, I am a man who is loyal to the party and this administration run by the APC.

    “I agree that Obaseki has won and as a member of the party, I will do everything possible to support him to ensure APC wins Edo State and why I must make that sacrifice is the peculiar nature of Edo State.

    “It is the only APC state in the Niger Delta and I believe we cannot afford to let PDP take over Edo State looking at the threat this administration is getting from the Niger Delta. Thus as one of the supporters of President Buhari, I don’t have any option but to work with my party and Obaseki to emerge as governor of Edo come September 10.

    “I am fully in support of him, I will work for him and promote him. He is our candidate and I don’t want to talk about the past. I am a man of few words and I want to talk about the reality, the reality is that Obaseki is our candidate.”

    Another aspirant, Peter Esele, a former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said, “It’s a family meeting, the process is ongoing.

    APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni, said: “It’s a family meeting, you can see the smile on everybody’s face. Don’t call anybody aggrieved. We can have disagreement as members of the same family and we will resolve our disagreement and work together.”

     

    He said they were still in the process of resolving all disagreement arising from the primary election.

  • Edo APC primaries: Delegates conveyed to stadium under tight security

    Edo APC primaries: Delegates conveyed to stadium under tight security

    Accredited delegates for Saturday’s All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State were conveyed to the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the primaries under tight security.

    Accreditation of delegates began simultaneously at three different centers in Benin City at about 11:30am.

    Edo South delegates were accredited at Agbado Primary School, while delegates from Edo Central were accredited at George Idah Primary School.

    Delegates from Edo North were accredited at Imaguero College.

    Security agents were deployed to all the accreditation centers to prevent break down of law and order at the centres.

    The accreditation was done on local government basis and each local government delegates were conveyed to the venue of the primaries under tight security to prevent others from joining.

    A total of 2,873 delegates are expected to participate in the primaries and 12 aspirants are vying for the right to represent the party at the state governorship election taking place later in the year.

    The aspirants are – Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Major Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Blessing Agbomhere, Dr. Pius Odubu, Kenneth Imasuangbon, Com. Peter Esele, Oserheimen Osunbor, Tina Agbarha, Austin Emuan, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula and Prof. Ebegbue Amadasun.

    Hon. Philip Shaibu, the lawmaker presenting Estako Federal Constituency said the APC as a civil party had entrenched rule of law and democracy in the country.

    He said the primaries would be peaceful and the results accepted because every delegate came to vote with a mindset of continuity.

     

  • Edo 2016:  I will not beg for APC ticket – Agbomhere

    Edo 2016:  I will not beg for APC ticket – Agbomhere

    Youngest governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress in Edo State, Blessing Agbomhere, has vowed that he would not fall on his knees to beg any godfather for the party’s ticket.

    Agbomhere, aged 37 said he was optimistic of winning at the primaries of the APC without begging for it.

    He spoke in Benin City at the weekend after he bagged the Nigeria Legendary Hall of Fame award for Role Model and the 2016 Man of Excellence award by the Edo Arise for Democracy, Good Governance and Cultural Awareness.

    Agbomhere said he was in governorship race not because of youthful exuberance but to tell the elders that youths in the state were ready to take over leadership positions in terms of governance.

    The APC governorship hopeful stated that youths in the state were only needed to drive revenue, encouraged to join cultism for political war.

    According to him, “The time has come for young pole to demand for opportunity to serve in government at the highest level. Edo State will not go anywhere until it begins to engage up young people as governors and commissioners.”

    “This is the time for young people to be tested. A government without the youths is not for us. We will grab the opportunity this time and there is nothing anybody can do about it.”

    “Those who are not for us, we will lock them in a room until the primaries is concluded. Power is not begged for. I will not kneel down to beg an individual or leader to be governor.”

    President of Edo Arise, Prince Isaac Obasogie, said they picked Blessing for the award because he promised to probe past administrations if elected as governor.

    Prince Obasogie stated that Blessing has shown the temerity to tackle godfathers in the state as well as offer opportunity for the youth.