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  • What next for Edo after governorship poll?

    What next for Edo after governorship poll?

    The Edo State governorship poll had come and gone, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, governor-elect. Yet, governance may not be easy for the first-term governor, ASSISTANT EDITOR EMMANUEL BADEJO, writes on the personalities and issues that may shape the new political dispensation in the state.

    The Edo state governorship election is over. The South-South state has returned to the All Progressives Congress’ fold, as its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who won the election, has also received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the umpire whose role it is to organise elections in the country.

    After the exercise, INEC, which announced the result last Sunday, said Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. The third force, the Labour Party, did not spring the much-expected surprise as its candidate, Olumide Akpata, managed to get a lowly  22,763 votes

    The governor-elect won in 11 local government areas while the PDP won seven. The APC won the six local governments in Edo North Senatorial District and two out of the five local governments in Edo Central Senatorial district.

    While both the PDP and the LP might have started talking to their lawyers to probably challenge the election, plans to unveil the direction of governance are intensifying ahead of Okpebholo’s journey into Osadebey House on November 11, 2024.

    Leaders of thoughts, who probably are mindful of the political climate are already expressing concern for good and impactful governance by the incoming APC government in the state.

    Leading the call was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who on Thursday tasked the governor-elect to prioritise the state’s development.

    He also assured him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

    Tinubu gave this advice at a meeting with the leadership of APC, when the Okpebholo, and the deputy governor-elect, Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return to him.

    The president emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State, saying, “Governor-elect, you can now face the task of development.

    We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task.”

    Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies such as Nigeria, the President added, “You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours.

    “If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government.”

    The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy, describing them as a “good symbol of people ordained by God to work together.”

    “You started as rivals and ended up as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before.

    The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion”, Tinubu counseled.

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    Those who could read between the lines have said that Tinubu’s charge and encouragement to the governor-elect may not be unconnected with several political issues Okpebholo and his co-drivers may have to contend with as he prepares to take over the reins of government.

    The State House of Assembly

    Interesting times await the incoming government in the state, as the Edo House of Assembly is dominated by members of the PDP. Out of 24 members, the PDP has 15 seats, APC eight, and LP one. The legislators’ tenure will end in 2027.

    With the PDP-controlled House, concerns are mounting over how this numerical challenge may affect Okpebholo’s tenure. However, history shows that the challenge is surmountable. For state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, faced such difficulties in his first tenure but was soon able to woo members of the opposition. An even more poignant example is in Plateau State where Governor Caleb Mutfwang has skillfully neutralized the APC majority in the House of Assembly.

    As it stands, it is obvious that the APC may not trust the leadership of the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, an ally of the incumbent governor who campaigned vigorously for Ighodalo. For that, the APC will not want him to continue in that capacity and would want to replace him. That won’t happen in a cordial environment.

    Agbebaku is representing Owan West Constituency, in the Edo North Senatorial District. If he will be replaced, the new government may seek for another candidate from his constituency, particularly Owan West or Etsako.

    Pundits are already foreseeing possible defections of the legislators since APC is ruling at the centre.  According to them, the Okpebholo-led government will have to deploy carrot approach to woo many of the lawmakers to his side.

    It is now left to be seen where the pendulum will swing either the PDP-controlled legislature will use its number to resist the APC-led government when it’s eventually sworn in or will the APC go the route of the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, who forcefully excluded some elected legislators and worked with fewer legislators?

    Following invasion and destruction of the House of Assembly complex, Obaseki in June 2020, ordered that the House’s sitting should be moved to the Government House, in Benin.

    Though the reason for the relocation was said to be ‘renovation’ of the complex, observers say the move was a deliberate attempt by the state government to prevent the 14 lawmakers in the seventh Assembly that were not inaugurated from having access to the Assembly sittings. The matter dragged on until their four years tenure ended in 2023.

    With Okpebholo in the saddle, pressure might have commenced to return the legislators to their usual place of sitting.

    Three judges Obaseki yet to swear in

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) had approved the appointment of eight judges for Edo State High Court.

    The eight judges are Justice Ovenseri Otamere, Justice Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Justice Edoghogho Eboigbe, Justice Ojo Maureen Osa, Justice Bright Eraze Oniha, Justice Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Justice Godwin Jeff Okundamiya and Justice Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.

    But for reasons best known to him, Obaseki suspended the judges’ inauguration. Due to pressure and outcry that greeted that decision, five of the judges were inaugurated eleven months after the elevation.

    Those inaugurated are: Justice Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Justice Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Justice Ovenseri Otamere, Justice Bright Eraze Oniha and Justice Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.

    Defending the inauguration of the five justices, Chris Nehikhare, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, had been quoted as saying that there were petitions against some of the judges, adding that they would be sworn in immediately investigations were concluded.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in particular, described Obaseki’s action as an abuse of power and outright disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    Citing the provisions of section 271(2) of the Constitution, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), said the governor’s failure to swear in the judges had occasioned an impairment to the justice delivery system in the state, adding that there is currently a paucity of Judges to attend to the increasing number of cases thereby overburdening the existing jurists in the state with great workload.

    “The duty of the Governor of Edo State to swear in these Judicial Officers is a constitutional obligation and not one to be observed at the pleasure of the Governor. Consequently, the continued delay in swearing in the new judicial officers is an abuse of power and an outright disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    “Furthermore, this delay has greatly impaired the financial means of the designated judicial officers who are all currently idling away without any means of sustenance for themselves and their families, as they can no longer, by virtue of their appointment as judicial officers, practice as lawyers,” SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, had said in a statement.

    At the moment, the fate of the three judges yet to be inaugurated still hangs in the balance. This is another matter for the governor-elect Okpebholo to quickly address.

    Phillip Shaibu’s status in the eyes of the law

    The court had ruled that Mr. Phillip Shaibu is the deputy governor of Edo State.  But Obaseki has another deputy, Godwin Omobayo. APC will most likely recognise Shaibu, citing respect for the rule of law.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja last month affirmed the lower court’s judgment that reinstated Shaibu as Deputy Governor.

    The appellate court, while delivering judgment in the appeal brought before it by the Edo State House of Assembly, dismissed the appeal seeking to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment.

    He was impeached on April 8, 2024, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.

    The House Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, had said that while the report of the panel was unable to establish the case of perjury brought against Shaibu, the panel found him guilty of disclosure of government secrets.

    Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on July 17, voided the impeachment and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

    He held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and constituted gross misconduct.

    He ordered the Inspector-General of Police to provide him with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.

    The court warned that any individual, aside from Shaibu, parading themselves as deputy governor would face legal consequences.

    The court also set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwin as the new deputy governor, replacing Shaibu.

    Shaibu, who had since returned to his former political godfather, Senator Oshiomhole, firmed up with the governor-elect to deliver the state for the APC.

    It is certain therefore, that the APC will work towards recognizing him as the deputy and restoring all his rights and privileges.

    Edo North/South push for reward

    Another matter that may mount pressure on Monday Okpebholo is how his government will contend with sharing of positions and offices between Edo North, Central and South zones. It is clear that the governor-elect has lots of political IOUs to pay off.

    Given its contribution to the election that produced the governor-elect, Edo North would want adequate compensation. The six local governments there voted massively for APC – providing an insurmountable gap that PDP couldn’t bridge.

    Similarly, Edo South can make the same argument given that in Obaseki’s stronghold, APC was able to wipe out the margin by which he won in 2020, leave the North to decide the election. There will be pressure on Okpebholo to meet the gladiators at a middle point.

    How he is able to respond to this agitation will lead to popularity or otherwise among the political gladiators in the state.

    By-election to succeed Okpebholo/Idahosa

    With Okpebholo and Idahosa assuming new roles, two seats will become vacant at the Senate and the House of Representatives. Jostling for the seats has already commenced.

    The question remains: who succeed Okpebholo in the Senate and Idahosa in the House of Representatives?

    While political permutations are rife, there is no shortage of capable hands in the Central zone to take over from Okpebholo at the Senate. Idahosa’s replacement may be more straightforward. Omosede Igbinedion who twice lost to the deputy governor-elect has shown interest in the race and is believed to be well placed to replace him.

    Who is Okpebholo godfather?

    Who is Okpebholo’s godfather? The governor-elect, appears to be a self-made politician. He rode on the wings of his populist ideologies to clinch the APC senatorial ticket.

    This might be the reason Oshiomhole didn’t support him the governorship primary.

    However, the Benin elite in APC, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu and others supported him. But, they wanted Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as him running mate.

    To promote promote unity and fairness, the APC settled for Hon. Denis Idahosa, who represents Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency at the House Representatives following Tinubu’s intervention.

    Okpebholo’s rise in politics is characterised by a steady climb from grassroots to national prominence.

    His grassroots experience is seen as a cornerstone of his political career, helping him build a strong connection with ordinary citizens and understand the challenges facing rural communities.

    He has been a strong advocate for empowering women and youth. Through his philanthropic efforts, particularly the Monday Okpebholo Foundation, he has supported initiatives such as scholarships, healthcare, and vocational training for disadvantaged communities.

    In 2023, Okpebholo was elected as the senator representing Edo Central in the National Assembly, running under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    By 2024, he had emerged as a key figure in Edo State politics, winning the APC gubernatorial primary election and securing his party’s ticket for the governorship race.

    His campaign focused on key areas such as agricultural development, youth empowerment, and rural infrastructure, which resonated with voters in Edo State, particularly in rural areas that had long been neglected.

    On September 22, 2024, Okpebholo was declared the winner of the Edo State gubernatorial election. The state and, indeed, the country are waiting to see the style and substance of governance he would bring to the state.

  • Lessons of Edo governorship poll

    Lessons of Edo governorship poll

    All elections are local. The weekend governorship poll in Edo State was not an exception. Close relationships, affinities, grassroots yearnings and community consensus about matters of common interests may sometimes shape voting behaviour than the appeal or persuasive impact of national issues.

    At a time armchair critics are firing salvos at the ruling party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the subjective opinion has no bearing on the poll  where Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC leaders locked horns. 

    APC won the poll, thereby crippling the power of incumbency wielded by the PDP. It is always painful for a strong and formidable ruling party to lose power to its rival with a thin margin.

    Many local factors, in varying directions, either contributed to success and defeat across the 18 councils.

    The strength of the two parties were not in doubt. The voting pattern suggests that the two parties are likely to dominate Edo politics for a long time. Both parties had impressive showing, underscoring the import of their structures across the three senatorial districts, federal constituencies, local governments and wards. So deep are the APC and PDP taproots that they never lost their deposit in any of the constituencies and councils.

    This is also evident in their antecedents as ruling and opposition parties alternating rulership from 1999 to date. Between 1999 and 2007, PDP ruled the state before it was displaced by Action Congress (AC)/Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which ruled between 2008 and 2016.

    From 2016 to 2018, APC maintained its dominance in Edo until the governor elected on its platform, Godwin Obaseki, defected to the PDP. The governor was reelected on the platform of PDP in 2020. The weekend poll drew the curtains on the PDP administration.

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    The strengths of the two parties reflect in the total results garnered by Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo and his rival, Asue Ighodalo. While Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes, Ighodalo scored 247,274 votes.

    The Labour Party (LP) that fielded Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) was not in the race at all. The candidate lost his deposit. Despite its impressive performance in last year’s election, LP has floundered. Last year, it won the presidential election in Edo with 331,163 votes.. It also produced a senator. But, in the recent exercise, it could not even win a local government. Akpata could not even deliver his polling unit. his total votes was a little over 22,000.

    LP may not die in Edo. But it may continue to serve as a borrowed platform by aggrieved politicians who fall out with their parties.

    The PDP and APC parties tried to consolidate on their prime areas of influence. Key politicians in those strongholds of APC and PDP proved their mettle APC’s backbone is the North Senatorial District., where Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of the state, coordinated the battle. The deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, a defector from PDP, complemented the effort. From the zone, APC got sufficient votes to maintain a lead, despite the shortfalls from the Central and the South districts. In fact, in many parts of the state, many voters said they trooped out to vote in tribute to the performance of the progressive government of Oshiomhole and in anticipation of a similar feat by the incoming Okpebholo administration.

    The PDP also concentrated on the South and Central, winning three councils in the Central. Although it also maintained a predictable lead in the South, its defeat by APC in Oredo, which it prided as its stronghold, was a disaster.

    Sources said unresolved issues, which have remained the bone of contention between the state government and the traditional institution, were responsible for the rejection of the PDP by indigenes loyal to the monarch.

    The frosty relationship between the government and the palace was not hidden. In a breath, there were allegations that some chiefs appointed by the paramount ruler have packaged an unusual rebellion, which townspeople thought had the support of the government. Some princes and chiefs challenged the traditional ruler over the five percent allocations. In another dimension, quarrel ensued over the custody of the returned artifacts looted by the British centuries ago. The place earmarked for its safe keeping by the traditional council of power was allegedly converted into a motor park by the symbol of republican power.

    The popular belief in the state capital is that indigenous people hold their monarch in high esteem and they are ready to obey his instructions. The people also understand how the instructions are passed to them in the hours of cardinal decision making.

    In Egor, where the people have been complaining about infrastructural deficit and neglect by the state government, the people revolted. Also, in Orhionmwon, where the people have frowned at the way government acquired some lands, there was protest vote. Two APC leaders, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Dr. Pius Odubu, who already had an axe to grind with Obaseki, were at work.

    A feature of Edo state politics is the defection from APC to PDP and vice versa. The defections are not motivated by ideological consideration. Thus, there is hardly a line of demarcation between the divides. The sole factor is personal interest.

    Ahead of the poll, APC became the beneficiary of defections, particularly in the Southern District.

    Politicians can only joke with Edo South votes to their peril. It was the battle ground and the ultimate decider. Besides showing real dominance in the North, APC made inroad into the zone, winning Oredo where the defectors, including Senator Matthew Urhoghide, director-general of APC Campaign Council, and Ogbade Ihama, carried out their threats for a showdown.

    The lesson is instructive. Party leaders should always put their house in order ahead of election and avert the split that can reduce its sphere of influence.

    Also, Igbo traders protesting against the tax policy of the state government revolted. Many of them ply their trade along the Mission Road, Forestry Street, New Benin area. They are not fans of APC. They only vented their anger against the PDP.

    Zoning was an issue that could not be glossed over. It accounted for LP’s poor performance. It reflected the party’s lack of strategy and insensitivity to the value of rotation. It was an error of judgement for the party to opt for a candidate from the South in a state where Obaseki from the South will be completing his two terms of eight years in December. Since APC and PDP have more experienced leaders, they never violated violated the zoning principle. The implication of the Edo scenario is that zoning was affirmed, and in eight year’s time, power is likely to shift to Edo North, on the platform of whatever party.

    Ahead of the poll, there was anxiety in some quarters as the PDP refused to sign the Peace Accord. But, the exercise was largely devoid of rancour. There was no disruption, and it is generally believed that the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chaired Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, pased the test of integrity. There was substantial compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act.

    There was no single case of ballot hijack and destruction. There was no illegal thumb printing. Although two people were rounded off by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives over allegation of vote buying, the matter is still being investigated.

    It was obvious that the electoral agency prepared well for the Edo assignment. But, there were still hiches. These minor pitfalls should have been avoided. But, they were immediately overcomed. Logistic failure on the part of transporters led to late coming to polling booths by polling officers in some areas. INEC immediately ordered the extension of the accreditation and voting period.

    There is need for further debate on the electoral law and iREV. It is up to the National Assembly to make this its target in the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act.

    The security agents on electoral duty never disappointed the country. They policed the votes and the voters, contrary to the allegations of partiality against them prior to the exercise. They did not aid and abet, but they were fair to all.

    Even, when Obaseki and Ighodalo stormed the INEC office to protest an alleged irregularity, they were politely turned back by the police without causing a stir. The governor’s presence was questioned by the APC because PDP already had an accrefited party agent at the party office.

    One of the issues raised by the PDP was the collation of the Oredo results at the state INEC office in Benin city instead of the local government centre. But INEC sources said there was a threat to the procedure, the ballot and result sheets. To avoid the loss of sensitive materials to violence, the venue was shifted to the head office. It was alleged that tension rose as some politicians invaded the local government centre.

    According to a source, desperate politicians wanted to create confusion and later ask for cancellation of the poll so that the exercise would be inconclusive. The umpire acted fast.

    The move by the PDP government to play with unauthorised results elicited condemnation. It was a violation of the law, which was pointed out by the televised programme anchor.

    However, more confusion, anxiety and apprehension were unleashed by social media miscreants and manipulators who were posting unannounced and unauthorised results. Before the poll, they potrayed Ighodalo as an alien who could not speak his dialet. They also potrayed Okpebholo as a dullard who was deficient in speech communication. People outside Edo believed the lie until the APC candidate addressed the media in flawless English after voting and after he was declared winner.

    The social media propagandist also doctored a video of how Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo was chased out of border communities in the North where he had attempted to campaign for APC. The communities are culturally contiguous to some Kogi communities.

    The misuse of social media raises questions about professional ethics and invokes the debate on whether it should be regulated or not in democracy.

  • Edo governorship poll

    Edo governorship poll

    •Decorum and civil comportment must be watchwords

    Voters in Edo State are heading for the poll tomorrow, to elect the person who would take office on November 11, when a new governorship tenure kicks in. Of the state’s population estimated at about 4.8million people, some 2.2million are eligible to exercise their franchise in this election – being the number of those who picked up their permanent voter cards from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), out of 2,629,025 people registered as voters. INEC said a couple of days ago that 379,245 had not collected their voter cards.

    Saturday’s election, which is one of the two off-cycle polls remaining for the electoral body to conduct this year, will hold in 4,519 polling units across 192 electoral wards in Edo State’s 18 local government areas. Seventeen political parties will be fielding candidates for the poll. But public electioneering that lasted from late in April till last midnight showed up a three horse race involving candidates Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asue Ighodalo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of Labour Party (LP).

    Security conditions in the electoral environment have been a major issue that hobbles this poll. In the months leading up to the election, the electoral umpire repeatedly affirmed its readiness to ensure a free, far and credible poll but raised security concerns over the charged political atmosphere. At a stakeholder meeting in Benin, the state capital, last week, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu admonished the gladiators to eschew political intolerance and acts that could jeopardise the electoral process. He told them: “You should continue to restrain your supporters from violence and other disruptive conduct,” adding: “The best way to do so is by the personal example you set as political parties and candidates, both in your campaign speeches and action.”

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    Even now that campaigns are over, the same creed is expected to guide election day and post-election conduct by political actors. It is an indication of the overly charged polling atmosphere that the Nigeria Police said it would be deploying 35,000 operatives for this election, to be complemented by 8,000 personnel from other security agencies. Speaking at the stakeholder meeting in the Edo State capital last week, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun pledged that the personnel to be deployed will be professionally comported. He said: “We understand the vital role we have to play in the election and we pledge to safeguard the process, including INEC materials to be used for the election. We have the mandate to provide a conducive environment, and our approach is grounded in professionalism.”

    The police boss mentioned that movement restriction from 6a.m. to 6p.m. on election day would be strictly enforced and assured the people of security of the process, urging them to come out and vote with the confidence that their safety was guaranteed. He warned against political thuggery and violence, saying the police would deal with anyone found wanting. “It is in this regard that I direct all local security outfits in the state to refrain from interfering in election matters,” Egbetokun said as he suspended the activities of the Edo State Security Network “till further notice.” According to him, police personnel have been trained sufficiently to carry out their duties without bias.

    It is a shame that the Nigerian polling environment is so insecure as to warrant posting 43,000  security operatives on duty for election in a setting that is only 17,802km2 (6,873 sq. ml) in land area. But that is the reality we face because of desperation by political actors that makes elections wars by another name. It is also the reason that the socio-economy has to be shut down with the no-movement rule anywhere an election is being held in our clime, unlike in more civilised societies where routine life goes on simultaneously with elections being conducted. 

    Electoral wins are pursued by many Nigerian political actors by hook or crook apparently because of the winner-takes-all nature of those wins. Besides, there are few countries where political offices are more rewarding to individual power elite than in Nigeria. The desperation driving behaviour by political actors and their supporters, which makes the electoral environment insecure, needs to be reined in and kept in check by political parties and their candidates. Edo’s political actors should lead the way and ensure civility and decorum during polling tomorrow.

    Part of the challenge, obviously, is absence of requisite level of trust in INEC. The electoral body has done a great deal already to show itself an impartial umpire, but there is room to do more in the Edo State election to boost the confidence of political actors. So must the police and other security personnel deployed on election duty be well comported in line with assurances given by the IGP.

    Let Edo people freely choose and let that choice be reflected in the outcome.

  • Edo governorship poll: APC dares PDP to fulfill boycott threat

    Edo governorship poll: APC dares PDP to fulfill boycott threat

    •Agbomhere apologises for wearing police SPY uniform at political rally

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to go ahead with  its   threat to boycott next week’s  governorship election in Edo State.

    Reacting to a recent statement by Governor Godwin Obaseki   that the PDP would shun the election unless the State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner were redeployed,the Director of Media for the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, labelled the governor’s demands as “ludicrous, ridiculous, self-serving, egocentric, and palpably insulting to the good people of Edo State.”

    Afegbua said the governor’s threat stemmed from frustration.

    He said the officials whose redeployment was being demanded by the PDP have the full confidence of the people of the state.

     “It is laughable that Governor Obaseki, who is not a candidate in this election, is attempting to dictate the terms of the election. He is trying to be clever by half, believing he can choose his referee in a contest where his godson, Asue Ighodalo, is a candidate,” the APC spokesman said.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that the people of Edo have full confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner, as well as the Commissioner of Police.

    “Both officers have been working diligently to ensure the September 21 election is hitch-free, fair, and credible. We commend them for their efforts so far and for withstanding Governor Obaseki’s attempts to influence them to serve his selfish interests.

    “Obaseki’s latest threat stems from frustration. He appears to have forgotten the meaning of ‘NO,’ hence his threats to withdraw.

    “We also commend the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for the bold decision to disband the Edo Security Network, which had been operating like a rogue squad in the state. We are committed to a peaceful, free, and fair election.

    “We welcome the PDP’s planned boycott of the September 21 gubernatorial election and hope it counts against them. We urge all our members to remain calm and confident as we look forward to victory for the APC.

    “Governor Obaseki and his godson are simply trying to create self-serving rules for themselves. Elections are not a do-or-die affair, but a process of selecting who will move Edo State forward.

    “We are confident of victory in both the election and governance. Should Obaseki and his party, the PDP, backtrack on their boycott threat, we will conclude that they are simply failed politicians, attempting to salvage their situation.”

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    Agbomhere apologises for wearing police SPY uniform at political rally

     The South-south Zonal Organising Secretary of the 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 Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki of mismanaging public funds.

    The police had kicked over Agbomhere’s  wearing of his official SPY uniform and engaging in political activities.

    He was subsequently arrested by the police.

    However Agbomhere said in  a statement   that he wore the uniform “in the heat of my emotions generated by the conduct of Godwin Obaseki.”

    He added: “Whilst the alleged embarrassment was unintended and deeply regretted, I posit that the views expressed in the media interview were not those  of the 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.

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

  • ‘Why APC will win Edo governorship poll’

    ‘Why APC will win Edo governorship poll’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Lagos, Alhaji Ibrahim Alao Megida, has expressed optimism that the  party will  score a landslide victory at the Edo  State election  holding next month.

    The Co-ordinator  of Mainland, Lagos Independent Group, said that the rate at which people were defecting from the ruling PDP in the  state shows that things have really fallen apart and the center could no longer hold.

    Megida, a member of the Edo State Campaign Council for APC, said that his interactions with defected ex PDP members, during his stay in Edo, at the period of the inauguration, including Edo indigenes in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the state, where he had travelled to, showed beyond doubt that the average Edo indigene including a good number of PDP members who still pretend to be members of the party, have passed a vote of no confidence in Obaseki, as the generality of the people are already tired of him, hence Obaseki is just a lonely man, fighting a solo battle.

      “A telling indication of the rottenness not only in Edo PDP, but also within the government of Obaseki, according to him “could be seen in Phillip Shaibu  his deputy, who had no option than to decamp when he could no longer tolerate the on-going mess” .

    “ Our first-time visit to Edo,was really great,we had an immensely nice time,we had great fun and merriment,we really rollicked to our hearts content,and where-ever we went to, we often won converts to the APC.

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    The outpour of goodwill, love and support showered on us,by the Edos who heartily identified with us, were clear indication not only of the immense support that the average Edo indigene had for the APC,but also a clear expression that the APC will surely carry the day at the coming polls”,Megida stated added.

    Also speaking, Wasiu Banjo, a lawyer and Financial Secretary APC, Lagos State, stressed that the formidable presence of APC top-shot ranging from the National Chairman, Abdullah Ganduje, governors, serving senators, members of the House of Reps, and a host of top functionaries from the national secretariat was really awe-inspiring.

    It shook the entire Edo State. It was quite an exciting experience. Indeed the mood of the people judging from my interactions at restaurants, the motor garages, and where-ever we passed through or went to throughout our stay, were glaring indication that the APC has already coasted home to victory,”

     “Obaseki himself has seen the handwriting on the wall, and has now resorted to threats.

    The authorities will therefore do well by providing enough security.

    This of course is very crucial and important, because it is apparent that if there is adequate security and an impartial poll by INEC,APC will surely beat the ruling PDP hands down, because PDP in Edo is already dead and buried.

    The burial announcement is only a question of formality eagerly being awaited at the September polls”, said the Lawyer-politician.

     He stated that the structure of political representation in Edo State, both in the Senate,and the Federal House of Reps,clearly shows that the APC will surely beat the PDP hands down. “If we look at it,the APC has two seat,out of three,in the Senate,while in the Federal House of Reps,APC has six seat,Labour two,PDP one.The implication of this is clear,that PDP is going nowhere”said the Lagos APC stalwart.

     Other Lagos-based members of the Edo APC Campaign Council,which included Peter Akinniyi,Youth Leader, Mainland Independent Group,a popular socio-political pressure group,Biodun Mafe,former chairman Agbado Oke-Odo L.G also espoused the political cutting edge of the APC and its undoubted possibilities to win the September polls. Cecilia Abhulimen Osemhengbe, a prominent political top-shot of the Edo State APC,described Obaseki as a victim who only yesterday was complaining of being persecuted,all in a bid to curry pity favor and support.

     “But today, Obaseki the victim of yesterday is now a villain.Not just a villain,but a villain of the highest order.”said Cecilia,an architect and former PDP stalwart,now a fanatical member of the APC.

     Painting an awry picture of the incumbent PDP-led administration of Edo State, Cecilia a high-brow professional architect,remarked that “Obaseki demolished an hospital which the common man relied on,a hospital which had been there before I was born,and put a museum in place,when already we had a standard standing Museum at Ring Road.

    Similarly he also demolished a State-owned library, in order to build Shoprite, which means that the education and health of the common man are much less important than the private personal interest of Obaseki”

    “And could you also believe how the road Obaseki constructed on Uwelu Market Road, off TV. Road, suddenly became so horrible and dilapidated, with pot holes all within three weeks,” she revealed, adding that the incumbent PDP governor, had privatized virtually all the key ministries in the name of agencies, just as he revoked a good number of C of Os which he re-allocated to himself and his inner caucus”

    On a note of lamentation, she remarked: ”This is a man from whom much is expected. Under his leadership, PDP is now in disarray, as a good number of members including my humble self have decamped into the APC. All that are left within the party are deceit and sycophancy”

    According to Cecilia, Monday Okpebholo the APC guber candidate in Edo is currently the indisputable man of the people, whose name has been on the lips of all the progress loving candidates in Edo. The average Edo man has passed a vote of confidence on him.

    Recounting his immense humanitarian passion, the female APC stalwart remarked how he donated a stupendous seven million naira to a student for treatment of kidney problem, even in excess of the six million which was the actual sum of money in request, apart from his innumerable empowerment gestures like building of schools purchase of vehicles, working tools, and financial empowerment which he had undertaken with amazing rapidity and consistency hitherto unequalled by any other politician in Edo State ,just as his deputy, Dennis Idahosa has similarly been doing in his Ovie constituency, combing every nook and cranny including the Riverine areas, with an amazing sense of dedication, as had never been witnessed of any other politician in the ovie constituency.

    “Indeed going by the unflagging commitment with which Okpebolo and his Deputy had continued to dedicate their entire beings, particularly their resources to the service of the people,one could not but conclude that the two were indeed humanitarians first,before becoming politicians”said the Architect-Politician.

    She dismissed Ighodalo the PDP candidate as a nonentity and stranger who had never really been in touch with the people. ”Look as I am talking to you, I hail from the Esan Division, with Ighodalo. Unfortunately, Ighodalo cannot speak his own native language and these are the people he wants to lead.” “In a nutshell, the entire people of Edo State are saying no to god-fatherism and no to Obaseki’s third term agenda under the guise of Ighodalo.” Cecilia affirmed with a tone of dismissal of Obaseki and the Edo PDP.

  • Appeal Court reserves judgment in Edo election tussle

    Appeal Court reserves judgment in Edo election tussle

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the state governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his party, challenging the verdict of the state governorship election petitions tribunal which upheld the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki’s victory in the election.

    The five-man appeal panel headed by Justice M.B Dongban-Mensem reserved judgment indefinitely after listening to the arguments of all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) in the matter.

    Ize-Iyamu and the PDP had through their lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN), filed an appeal against the judgment of the tribunal presided over by Justice Ahmed Badamasi, which gave judgment in favour of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obaseki and the APC last Month.

    Earlier, the panel which has Justices S. Tom Yakub, M.O. Bolaji-Yusuf, U.A. Ogakwu and Mohammed Mustapha as members, unanimously dismissed a Motion on Notice brought by Ize-Iyamu pursuant to Order 6 Rule 1, Court of Appeal Rules, 2016, and Section 36(1) of the Constitution for the correctiom/amendment of the trial court’s record of his evidence-in-chief.

    He prayed for a leave of court to rely and use the evidence of the first appellant as recorded by Justice Gilbert Ngele (Member 1) of the trial tribunal instead of that of the Tribunal’s chairman.

    The appellant also sought an order deeming the record of his evidence by Justice Ngele, made on January 30, as the correct record of his evidence-in-chief at the lower court.

     

  • Tribunal delivers judgment on Edo governorship poll Friday

    Tribunal delivers judgment on Edo governorship poll Friday

    The Edo States Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal will on Friday deliver judgement in the petition brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Parties in the suit were on Wednesday informed about the tribunal’s decision to deliver judgment on the matter.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the September 28, 2016 governorship election which was won by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Respondents in the suit were Governor Obaseki, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

    Hearing of the petition by the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi began on January 7 and ended on April 3.

    During the course of trial, the petitioners called 92 witnesses while Governor Obaseki called 68 witnesses.

    The APC called 15 witnesses and INEC did not call any.

    Counsel to INEC, Onyinye Anumonye, argued that there was no need to call witnesses that would repair the case already damaged by the petitioners’ witnesses.

    Onyinye, however, tendered 203 documents including 200 copies of Form EC8(B) for the 18 local government areas, one copy of Form EC8(C) for the 18 LGAs of the state, Form EC8(D) for Edo State and Form EC8(E).

    The petitioners tendered the voters’ register from 16 local government areas as well as the Forms EC8A, Form EC8B and EC8C, being results sheets for all the polling units, wards and local government areas of the state.

     

     

  • Edo governorship poll: a post mortem

    Edo governorship poll: a post mortem

    SHORTLY after Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the September 28 Edo State governorship election, Governor Adams Oshiomhole enthusiastically concluded that the outcome of the poll was a crushing blow to those he described as godfathers. He named them. Though he was partly right, his conclusion was nonetheless an incomplete picture of the forces that shaped the poll. Mr Obaseki had defeated Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by more than 66,000 votes, a clearly unbridgeable and even undisputable gap. But in 2012, Mr Oshiomhole had won re-election by more than 330,000 votes, a landslide that shamed the opposition in an election that boasted of more than 10,000 voters (including cancelled votes) than the 2016 turnout.
    The resurgence of the PDP in this election should give Mr Oshiomhole cause for anxiety and Mr Obaseki reasons to proceed more guardedly in his utterances and relationships when he assumes office next month. The outgoing governor is not only popular, he is also a workaholic, and has been judged to be more faithful with the state’s resources than many other governors. Indeed, Mr Obaseki’s victory may in many ways be connected with Mr Oshiomhole’s giant and iconoclastic developmental strides in the state. But, alas, probably for this same reason, the narrowness of APC’s victory may also be connected with the governor’s grating idiosyncrasies, especially his boastful denunciation of opposition patriarchs in the state, and his uncanny ability to raise apprehension among the state’s leading elites.
    Had these reservations not manifested and united Mr Oshiomhole’s enemies against him and his party, it is probable the more urbane Mr Obaseki, the governor’s chosen successor, would have run away with a much clearer and neater victory, nay a landslide. This is because Mr Ize-Iyamu is not as popular as he imagines or campaigns, regardless of his pastoral affiliations. Yes, he is somewhat populist, somewhat given to histrionics, and has a reputation for strong-arm tactics, which he partly and gleefully applied to the relief and benefit of Mr Oshiomhole himself during the 2012 campaigns and elections, but he is quite unable to soar on account of the wearisome influence of his discredited backers. Indeed, at a time during the campaigns, it seemed the PDP was poised for an upset until Mr Ize-Iyamu and the Igbinedions made their famous birthday gaffes. For Edo which perched agonisingly on tenterhooks in deciding whether to cut its own nose to spite its face by punishing the voluble Mr Oshiomhole or to vote sensibly for developmental continuity, sanity and predictability, it required only a slight push to vote either way.
    For the next four years, Mr Obaseki, who is believed to be the governor’s main brain trust, will govern Edo. He will get the cooperation of most of the state, and inherit a solid foundation to build upon. He is more polished than both the governor and Mr Ize-Iyamu, and is expected to accurately read the hidden and open implications of the September 28 electoral outcome. He has won a major and exhilarating and deserving victory, and is inheriting a stable and fairly well-governed state. But the narrowness of his victory despite Mr Oshiomhole’s strides and the salutary effects of an APC presidency imply he is also inheriting a visibly and warily divided state. He should resist the temptation to gloat like Mr Oshiomhole. He needs to work imaginatively hard, in tandem with his reputation, and also attempt to unite Edo behind his government. He can do it if he recognises the outgoing governor’s weaknesses and limitations.
    The PDP has organised rallies to protest what they describe as a stolen election, and Mr Ize-Iyamu himself has postured aggressively against the election’s outcome and promised to go to court. It is not clear what evidence they have. But given the mood of the state and the near equanimity with which a majority accepted the results of the poll, any judicial exercise may end up a wasteful and needless adventure. Mr Ize-Iyamu’s backers may be incensed by the excruciating defeat they suffered in that crucially defining poll because they rightly take it as a plebiscite on their persons and popularity, given that some of them are in their twilight years, but the candidate himself should think futuristically and strive to rise above the fray and be the responsible person and statesman his campaign tried to project him in the past few months. That is if he is capable of that beatification; if the campaigns were not just a smokescreen to burnish a futile image that had been at bottom irredeemably scarred by the excesses of youth.

  • Edo governorship poll marred by violence in parts of Edo central

    The 2016 Edo State governorship election in Edo Central Senatorial District was marred with violence , allegations of vote rigging, scattered incidents of malfunctioning card reader and vote buying and ballot snatching.

    Although electoral officials were at the various polling booths as early as 8.00am,the malfunctioning of card readers delayed the process of accreditation and voting.

    At ward 8,unit 5 , Ujemen Primary School, Ekpoma, Esan West L.G.A violence broke out after angry youths attacked officials of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) for allegedly attempting to influence voters.

    A voter who pleaded anonymity said the NSCDC official attempted to coerce voters to vote a particular party.

    The situation became rowdy as a free-for all ensued as voters scampered for safety, but the situation was brought under control after reinforcements of the Nigeria Police Force stormed the venue.

    There were unconfirmed reports of ballot box snatching at Ewohimi, Esan South East L.G.A.

    The gubernatorial polls witnessed a large voter turnout at many polling centres, with many voters present at polling centres as early as 7.00am.

    At Ikekwanlen Primary School, Ward 9, Unit 8, Okpojie, Irrua, Esan Central, Senator Clifford Odia,representing Edo Central Senatorial District accused the All Progressive Congress (APC) of electoral malpractice, adding that fake soldiers were brought to disrupt polls.

    His words, ‘Security is a major problem in Ward 9, Unit 8.The APC brought fake soldiers and the paramount ruler of a community are terrorising voters and preventing them from voting.

    Another PDP chieftain and former Federal Commissioner, Federal Population Commission, Dr Peter Otaigbe decried the malfunctioning card reader,stressing that the card readers should be scrapped.

    His words, ‘I am satisfied with voter turn out,although there were small skirmishes,but all will be taken care of with the reinforcement of security agents.Card reader is poor,it could not capture my wife and my fingerprints. The two voters behind me suffered the same fate.’

  • INEC clears 19 for Edo governorship poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday cleared Osagie Ize-Iyamu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 18 other candidates to participate in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Amos Areloegbe of the Labour Party (LP) and Oronsaye Richard of Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP) were also cleared for the election.

    The commission released the list of political parties and candidates eligible  for the election on Thursday.

    INEC said the decision to clear PDP’s Ize-Iyamu for the poll was based on a court order.

    Other candidates listed for the governorship election were – Mr. Ishaka Ofemile (Action Alliance), Mr. Andrew Igewmoh (Advanced Congress of Democrats), Mr. Cosmos Irabor (Allied Congress Party of Nigeria), Onaiwu Osaro (All Progressives Grand Alliance), Mr. David Okoror (Citizens Popular Party), Mr. Tobi Adeniyi (Independent Democrats), Thompson Osadolor (KOWA Party), Peters Omoragbon (National Conscience Party) and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena (People for Democratic Change).

    Mr. Thomas Sadoh (Progressive People Alliance), Mrs. Agol Ebun (Peoples Party of Nigeria), Omorogieva Gbajumo (Social Democratic Party), Shadrach Efogie (United Progressive Party) and Nurudeen Inwanefero (Young Democratic Party) completed the list.