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Tag: Edo governor

  • Wike backs Edo governor over Peter Obi visit protocol

    Wike backs Edo governor over Peter Obi visit protocol

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has defended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over his directive that Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, must inform the state government before any visit to Edo.

    Speaking on Monday during the commissioning of the revitalised Edo Line mass transit system in Benin City, Wike said Okpebholo’s insistence on protocol and security was both appropriate and necessary given the current political climate.

    “When I was governor and Obi was campaigning, he would notify me before coming to Rivers State,” Wike stated. “That’s the proper way to do things. If anything happens to him while he’s in the state unannounced, the governor will be held responsible.”

    Wike stressed that no responsible governor would overlook the security implications of unscheduled visits by high-profile politicians, especially in sensitive times.

    “Some people just like to play politics with everything. What Governor Okpebholo said was correct. He never said Obi shouldn’t come. He only said, ‘Let me know when you’re coming so I can protect you.’ And that is the truth,” Wike said.

    Taking a swipe at what he described as “populist politics of pretence,” Wike said the real danger is when political actors manipulate public opinion with theatrics rather than address governance with responsibility.

    “This is not a time for carrying food trays or pretending to fly commercial aircraft just to deceive people. Nigerians must start to recognise what real leadership looks like,” he said.

    Wike further urged the Edo governor to remain firm in his decisions and ignore those trying to undermine his authority.

    “In leadership, people will attack you for doing the right thing. Don’t let that bother you. If no one is talking about you, then you’re not leading. But once you have your people behind you, stand your ground,” Wike charged.

    He also warned that in the heat of political seasons, even the most innocent acts could be twisted for propaganda.

    “These so-called coalition members, if anything happens, they’ll accuse the governor of plotting it. So, your directive to be informed is both wise and lawful. Anyone who doesn’t understand that is playing politics,” he said.

    The FCT Minister described Governor Okpebholo as a quiet achiever whose work in the last eight months had begun to restore Edo’s credibility. According to him, performance, not political noise, was the true test of leadership.

    Read Also: Don’t probe Obaseki, Wike counsels Okpebholo

    “I identify with people who mean well for their people. The governor is focused. He’s not talking too much, but he’s working. He’s not the type to be distracted by noise,” Wike said.

    The event also served as a subtle political reckoning, with Wike publicly expressing regret for backing the previous administration in Edo State.

    “In 2020, I led the campaign that gave Edo bad governance. I apologise. But I won’t make that mistake again. What I see now is a governor who’s serious about delivering for his people,” he said.

    As the Edo Line buses were commissioned amid fanfare, Wike reiterated his support for the Okpebholo administration, urging the people of Edo to rally behind their governor and ignore detractors.

    “You’re doing the right thing. Keep going. Don’t let anyone distract you. Protect your people, protect your mandate, and protect your legacy,” he concluded.

  • Our plans to tame human trafficking, by Edo Governor

    Our plans to tame human trafficking, by Edo Governor

    •Edo, Fed Govt partner 

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday spoke of his administration’s effort to halt human trafficking and illegal migration in his domain.

    He said the state was partnering the Federal Government on a project that will compel people to travel legally and properly.

    In his New Year Day’s broadcast in Benin, the governor said: “Our saddest moment in 2017, was the very shocking and sad experiences of our sons and daughters in Libya: who fell victims to one of the worst forms of evil, which is human trafficking.

    “People, who left our shores with high hopes for greener pastures only to be subjected to all manner of inhuman treatments such as slavery, organ harvesting while many died in the Sahara Desert and in the Mediterranean Sea.’’

    He said that the project would involve training and certification for youths, who then would be issued visas to travel legally if they wanted to.

    “Our skills’ acquisition centres will offer training, certification and process the issuance of visas to those who want to travel under well-defined structures to do so safely and with dignity.”

    He said his administration was also cooperating with the Federal Government, development partners and other stakeholders to execute a comprehensive strategy to identify, track, arrest and prosecute all those involved in the heinous crime.

    Obaseki said: “We were all pained to read harrowing accounts of the experiences of the returnees and even more pained to see videos of their unfortunate experiences on the internet.

    “We have also put in place a comprehensive welcome, documentation, counseling, training, rehabilitation and empowerment programme for the returnees. I am glad to inform you all that we are recording great successes on all fronts in this regard.”

  • Eight APC chiefs for Edo governor

    Eight APC chiefs for Edo governor

    EIGHT chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in the race for governor in Edo State, it was learnt yesterday.

    But the party has warned against diverting Governor Adams Oshiomhole by the succession scramble, stressing that the ban on campaigns have not been lifted.

    They are Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, ex-Governor  Osarhemhen Osunbor, Charles Airhiavbere, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osarodion Ogie, Kenneth Imasuagbon and Godwin Obaseki.

    They have been lobbying party stakeholders, especially those likely to be selected as delegates to the primaries.

    Oshiomhole is expected to leave office next year after completing his two terms of eight years.

    He has not spoken on his succession plan, although supporters of some aspirants have been dropping his name.

    Last month, a PDP elder, Dr. Sam Ogbemudia, said he would mobilise some indigenes to assist the governor in searching for a credible successor.

    Hailing Oshiomhole, the former governor said a worthy successor would form a government of continuity and build on his legacies.

    During the seventh anniversary of the administration in Benin-City, the state capital, some aspirants spoke at the colloquium to showcase achievements of the governor.

     

    A source, however, said the ruling party might contend with the persistent agitation for power shift to Bini.

    He said: “Bini is a factor in Edo politics. The demand for the slot by the people is a challenge to the APC and the governor. Already, the PDP has zoned the slot to Benin. So, the APC has to study the situation and strategise well for the next election. “

    From 1999 to date, Edo has been ruled by three governors. Chief Lucky Igbinedion served between 1999 and 2007. He was succeeded by Osunbor, a former university don, who was deposed by the court, following the flawed governorship poll of 2007. He was succeeded by Oshiomhole, the former labour leader.

     

     

  • Re: Between Edo governor and Benin palace

    I read your piece of last week concerning the above. I must commend you for your objectivity. I agree totally with you that it is the duty of all right-thinking people of Edo State to continue to support Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to finish well, especially in the face of relentless hostility of a few self-centred political godfathers.

    However, the only point I disagree with you is the aspect where you lumped our revered Oba of Benin among those working against the Comrade Governor. The fact that two of the Oba’s sons who were hitherto given backroom assignments in the corridor of power by Oshiomhole chose to decamp recently to PDP is not sufficient reason to impute or conclude that the Benin palace has turned against the Comrade Governor. As a matter of fact, discerning observers see the errant duo as the black sheep of the family.

    On the contrary, the Benin monarch has always given the governor unqualified support since he assume office in November 2008. As a progressive himself, the Benin Oba has always maintained that his blessings are for anyone ready to work for the progress of Edo State and that is what Oshiomhole has been doing.

    •John Iyamu, Iyaro Quarters, Benin City, Edo State

  • Edo governor swears-in new Head of Service

    Edo governor swears-in new Head of Service

    GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has sworn in Mr. Jerry E. Obazele as the new Head of Service with a charge to reposition the service to meet modern challenges. Speaking after the new Head of Service had subscribed to the relevant oath of office, Governor Oshiomhole congratulated him on his well-deserved appointment. On Mr. Obazele’s choice as the new helmsman in the Edo State civil service, the governor said: “There would be many who are competent and eligible, but at any point in time, it is only one person that God will choose to head a system. For the records, let me say that your appointment is based strictly on merit.” Speaking further on Obazele’s choice as the new HOS, Oshiomhole said: “I have looked at the list of the permanent secretaries, on the conventional approach of seniority, you are probably number three or number four. That is when you use the criterion of the last appointment as permanent secretary. In my view, this is not the best way to measure and to determine seniority. “What this means for geopolitical reasons or mere reasons of bias is that if someone who is less eligible got appointed as permanent secretary before you, he automatically carries seniority as a result of that bias judgement. To me, the real seniority which cannot be contested is your date of first appointment. “I checked through the records and I discovered that those who might have actually become permanent secretaries before you, you joined the service before them and in terms of seniority I am convinced that we have done justice, not because you are the most senior but I also believe that you have the qualities that I need for that position,” the governor said. Oshiomhole who reminded the new HOS of the importance of the oath of office, said: “The problem of the country is that after subscribing to the oath, because it is not juju, some believe that the oath of office is a mere formality that is not meant to be obeyed.” The governor said any leader who is going to ensure progress should not be detained by the bitterness of the past, adding that it would be difficult to do justice to fairminded people. The governor said further: “Your appointment shows that for us, we are one and the same in Edo and the fact of being loyal to one governor does not mean you will be disloyal to the next governor. What we do or rather what we say speaks eloquently about our character. Understand that this position is one of trust and I believe there is something about you that is trustable. “You saw what happened last week at the Oba Ovonramwen Square (Kings’ Square), I want to return Benin City to what it was. I spend time thinking and planning how to build modern roads and insist some of these roads must be as good as any other anywhere in the world,” he said.