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Tag: Edo North

  • Why APC swept Edo North

    Why APC swept Edo North

    The victory of the APC at the polls was largely made possible with huge votes from the six local government areas of Edo North senatorial senatorial district. The APC won in all the six local government areas.

    Edo North has always been the stronghold of the APC. The people leaned towards progressive politics. It is the home of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Dan Orbih, Philip Shaibu, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon Peter Akpatason, Hon Sunday Dekeri, Minister of Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh and a host of other chieftains of the APC and the PDP.

    What further endeared the people to the APC was Oshiomhole’s achievement as Governor of Edo State. Before the emergence of Oshiomhole, residents of Okpekpe and some communities were said to have been cursed to have found themselves in those communities. This was because of difficulty to get to such communities. People living in places like Udaba, Anegbette do not go home during the rainy season. There were no access road.

    Oshiomhole mobilised funds and embarked on construction of roads and bridges across Edo North. He linked communities in Estako West, Estako East and Estako Central. It was the road he built that birthed the annual Okpekpe road race. Besides infrastructure, Oshiomhole empowered people through appointment. His house was opened to all and sundry.

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    In the 2020 governorship election that gave Obaseki his second term in office, the APC won in five out of six local government areas. The party lost with a low margin in Owan West.

    Some senior citizens who were at polling units in last Saturday’s governorship election said they trooped out to vote because of their love for Oshiomhole.

    Mrs. Fatima Jimoh, aged 75, said she left her sick bed to vote because of her love for Oshiomhole. She was aided to the polling unit by her daughter. She said she wanted to make Oshiomhoke happy be ensuirng his party won the polls.

    She said, “I am not feeling well. I like Oshiomhole. I come out of illness to vote.”

    Besides the infrastructural development

    by Oshiomhole that endeared the people, the fracas between Obaseki and his estranged Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu contributed largely to the wide margin with which the APC won in Edo North. Shaibu hails from same Estako West as Oshiomhole. His alliance with Oshiomhole against Obaseki was a boost to the APC.

    In 2020, Shaibu’s support for the PDP helped to reduce the votes of the APC but after he fell out with Obaseki, he reconciled with Oshiomhole and together they crushed Obaseki.

    The fracas between Governor Obaseki and the legacy group of EDO PDP led by Chief Orbih contributed to the PDP’s failure in the zone. Obaseki had sought refuge in the PDP after he was denied second term ticket by the APC. All efforts to reconcile Obaseki and the legacy PDP failed. The PDP chieftains loyal to Chief Orbih worked for the successes of the APC across the state.

    Obaseki’s choice of replacement of Shaibu pitched some APC leaders in Edo North against him. Obaseki had picked one Godwins Omobayo from Akoko-Edo as Deputy Governor to replace Shaibu. A former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, sided with Obaseki against Oshiomhole and Shaibu. He returned to the APC after Obaseki refused to pick him as Deputy Governor.

    Besides Adjoto, Senator Francis Alimekhena and many PDP chieftains returned to the APC. They aligned with Oshiomhole to ensure defeat of Obaseki in Edo North.

  • Auchi monarch to PDP: we’ll support party that fixed Auchi gully

    Edo North senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Engr. Abubakar Momoh got the shock of his life at the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Ikelebe III on Tuesday.

    The monarch told the candidate Auchi people would vote for the party that fixed the gully erosion problem that ravaged the community for many years.

    It was former Governor Adams Oshiomhole that solved the gully erosion problem.

    Momoh was at the Otaru’s palace to seek endorsement of the monarch for Saturday’s polls.

    The Otaru reportedly told Momoh that he would only give his support to the party and people that rescued the community from total collapse when it was ravaged by erosion.

    The Daniyan of Auchi Kingdom, Alhaji Usman Abudah, who confirmed the development, told newsmen that the Otaru of Auchi also advised all political office seekers to desist from the “unacceptable efforts to involve the palace of the Otaru of Auchi with their misgiving political pursuits.”

    His words: “Specifically Hon Abubakar Momoh who has on numerous occasions been seeking for political positions at the wrong time in wrong places visited the palace of the Otaru of Auchi and on each occasion, HRH Otaru of Auchi explicitly advised him to find a way to fall into line of the realities of the moment.

    “The Otaru said he will never while alive not to be appreciative of any government that came to the aid of the community during the problematic erosion problem which Oshiomhole government in collaboration with the World Bank solved for the community.

    “Otaru will never in his life mislead his people he has spoken and will continue to speak the truth to the people of his domain.”

  • How to develop Edo North, by Senator

    How to develop Edo North, by Senator

    Senate Deputy Chief Whip Francis Alimikhena has identified the absence of infrastructure for industrial activities as the bane of economic development in Edo North District.

    Alimikhena, who was speaking at the Igarra Public Field in Akoko-Edo, described Akoko-Edo as a land that is full of untapped natural resources. He promised to attract development.

    The senator said: “Edo North is strategically located with networking of road to facilitate movement of goods and people to the North, Southeast as well as the Southsouth geo political Zone. We have no justification whatsoever not to benefit from the commercial nature of our district. He explained that his infrastructural development efforts targeted at attracting investors to the area who will take advantage of the industrial sub- structure for the establishment of industry, will soon yield the needed result.”

    Alimikhena promised to make Edo North investors’ delight by ensuring necessary development initiative for the private sector to take over its economy.

    He added: “It is not the duty of government to be in business but to create enabling environment for investors to invest.

    “Edo North has energetic working population with a vast arable land crisscrossed by rivers, stream and investment in power transmission and distribution facilities for the smooth and efficient take off of industries. We have fertile land for agricultural product and produced. As we complete the ongoing infrastructural development which will Constitute the basis for industrial sub structure for business activities, we will give attention to youth training and skill acquisition centre to enable us produced the human resources that will be required by industry.”

    While thanking Governor Godwin Obaseki for his developmental initiative, he said the governor has not lost focus. He added: He is consistent and we have faith in his ability to Industrialised the entire State. As law makers, we will give him all the necessary support and encouragement to fast track his developmental initiative. Senator Alimikhena, who also appealed to the people of Edo North to be patient with the APC Government, expressed confidence that the  2017 budget will Sink the ongoing recession and reposition the nation in record time. Nigeria was brutally destroyed by the opposition party for more than sixteen years and we cannot expect an overnight transformation from the Buhari’s administration. “But I can boldly assured Nigerians that the faithful implementation of this 2017 budget will sink all our hardship, struggle and recession”.

    Recounting his achievement in the last two years in the Senate, he outlined Bills that he has sponsored, co-sponsored and his motions. He also outlined key projects, which he has attracted to Edo North in the 2016 budget, with the assurance that the 2017 budget which will soon be ready for implementation is pregnant with more infrastructural projects all across Edo North.

    He appealed to beneficiaries to effectively deploy the items given to them, adding that those who are yet to benefit will have their turn in the future.

  • Edo North art expo: Boost to youth empowerment

    Edo North art expo: Boost to youth empowerment

    Edo State Commissioner for Education Mr. Gideon Obhakhan has described the recently concluded Edo North Art Expo 2016 as a timely boost to the war against the increasing rate of youth restiveness and unemployment in the country. He said the expo would not only reawaken art consciousness and creativity of the youths, but would also reveal its essentialities in contemporary society.

    “Let me reassure all of us that Edo State Ministry of Education is in support of psychomotor domain of learning that embraces manipulation of skills which give birth to arts and crafts. The ministry recognises the role of art and craft to nation-building to the extent that two of its departments are now assigned to handle arts related matters,” he said.

    The commissioner, who was represented by the Chief Inspector of Education, Etsako West Local Council, spoke at the maiden edition of Edo North Art Expo, which held on July 12 and 13 at the main auditorium, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. The theme of the expo was Reawakening the art consciousness of Edo North. It featured no fewer than 40 exhibiting artists, and performances were organised by Merit Interior Gallery in collaboration with School of Art and Industrial Design, Auchi Polytechnic. Curator of the expo was Dr. Helen Uhunmwagho, while Otunba Usman Charlton Magaji, the Samari of Auchi Kingdom, was the chairman of the event.

    Obhakhan reassured that Edo State is irrevocably committed to ensuring quality and all- round education for her citizenry. This drive, he said, has informed government’s commitment to the massive renovation of schools across the state in order to make learning environment conducive for pupils and students. According to him, this has, no doubt, raised the tone  the public schools and boosted the morals of the teachers.

    “Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME), which are now the fulcrum of any emerging economy, mainly involve artistic works. Therefore, if the high rate of unemployment of our youths must be dealt with, artistic skills must be acquired and encouraged alongside the conventional cognitive domain development of the individuals. Our youths must recognise that self-sustaining disciplines like the arts and crafts are long lasting, compared to the popular white or blue collar jobs that are no longer there,” he noted.

    In his paper, Engaging cultural production as social activism: multidimensional approaches to regional advocacies in an art world, Prof Frank Ugiomoh of University of Port Harcourt stated that in many cultures of the world, art is appreciated in such a way that its activities evolve into global annual events or two-yearly and three-yearly events.

    Ugiomoh cited platforms such as Dakar Art Biennale and Life in My City Projects as examples of consistent art events that have succeeded in attracting participants from across the globe.

    He noted that regional spaces such as Auchi and the Northern Edo cultural space can overcome their provincial setting through the expo, adding that all it requires is a commitment and a funding plan. According to him, the gains remain inestimable and it is important to buy into a project like the Edo North Art Expo, which aims to re-awaken the region’s art consciousness.

    “This annual project may not be able to build this consciousness in the desired way where supporting events are not organised through the year. To this end, I encourage diverse activities centred on art that would engrain and build community consciousness regarding the subject and its cultural value. This is where a multidimensional approach comes to play in the set agenda for this vision.

    “The Northern Edo region is endowed with regards to the practice and appreciation of the arts right from time. The initiative set forth by the current programme is well seated in the cultural history of the region. The siting of the Polytechnic in Auchi thus is a boost to this agenda. However, a variety of activities aimed at sustaining and building the consciousness of the people is required to sustain the initiative,” Ugiomoh said.

    He observed that in Nigeria, there is no gainsaying the reality that Lagos has a domineering hold on cultural production and allied activities. But that the status of cultural production of Lagos makes other epicenters of culture in Nigeria inactive. “However, they indeed are inactive when the inventory of activities in Lagos are placed side by side other cities in Nigeria,” he said.

    Proprietor, Merit Interior Gallery, Mr. Chris Ogiebo recalled the challenges he went through to seek sponsor of the expo, describing it as monumental.

    He pledged that the expo will hopefully be an annual event that will bring artists, connoisseurs, art lovers and collectors to discuss and share ideas. “We intend to use this event to cause a revolution. Not a blood flowing revolution, but a mind-renewing revolution that will open Edo North to the creative world. This is timely, especially now that the Federal Government is diversifying our economy. If the cultural element across the country is properly harnessed the revenue will surpass that of oil,” he said.

    Dean, School of Art and Industrial Design, Auchi Polytechnic, Mr. Oladapo Afolayan said Edo North is not new to art and craft world  as it parades an array of famous art and artists both modern and post-modern cultures. He stated that in contemporary Nigeria, Edo North  have records of the first generation artists such as Mama Ugiomoh (traditional textiles) and Ms. Clara Ugbodaga-Ngu (painting), General Bolivia and Waziri Oshioma and a host of high-life musicians.

    “Auchi Art School is ever in the good news of contemporary art scene. We also parade so numerous artists, who are creating waves and are cynosure of Nigerian art. We could hardly count five contemporary Nigerian artists in any area of art specialisation without Auchi alumnus mentioned,” he added.

  • Violence: Edo North monarchs apologise to Odubu

    Violence: Edo North monarchs apologise to Odubu

    The Otaru of Auchi kingdom, Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, has led other prominent traditional rulers in Edo North to apologise to Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu for the attack on him in Auchi. He called for reconciliation between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Odubu.

    The monarch extolled the cordial relationship between Oshiomhole and Odubu in the past seven and a half years. He said that at a time like this, the friendship should not turn sour.

    He said that the development of the state is tied to the oneness of purpose. The monarch prayed Almighty Allah that nothing should separate the governor and his deputy.

    The traditional ruler urged the deputy governor not to be distracted by mischief makers, who want to trivialise the attack across ethnic and senatorial divides. He assured the aspirant that the traditional institution recognised his ambition.

    Otaru thanked the Almighty Allah that no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident and prayed for quick recovery of those presently receiving treatment.

    The traditional rulers in the senatorial district had earlier resolved to investigate the matter, even as the Otaru said youths in his kingdom where the incident happened are not known to own guns.

    Oturu promised that the royal fathers will mediate in the dispute  and the rancour in the House of Assembly.

    The relationship between Oshiomhole and Odubu was strain when the later declared his intention to contest the governorship election.

    The Otaru said: “We want to see the governor and hear from him what is happening.”

    He said the issues are germane and as traditional rulers they have resolved to look for a way to addressing them, adding that this informed their decision to go into the matter and try to settle them.

    “I can assure you that we have disciplined youth in this community and they don’t have the gun to go and be shooting at people and we don’t have guns in Auchi. It is a case of internal political conflicts and those conflicts are exclusive to them. I am not aware that any Auchi youth has taken part in that crisis. The incident that happened in Auchi was one that nobody expected to happen and we as a community are very sympathetic with the deputy governor, but we are investigating who and who would have been responsible.”

    The traditional rulers also visited the governor, and heir apparent to the Benin throne Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, to commiserate with him over the death of his father Oba Erediauwa.

    Odubu escaped death in Auchi as gunmen shot at him inside the APC Secretariat, Auchi as he was being received by the delegates of Etsako West Local Government Area, the governor’s hometown.

  • Edo North Senatorial election result

    Edo North Senatorial election result

    PDP: 66,082 (Pascal Ugbomeh)
    APC: 86,021 (Francis Alimekhena)

    SDP: 23,650 (Abubarkar Momoh)

  • Group hails Oshiomhole over Edo North development

    Group hails Oshiomhole over Edo North development

    A group, Edo North Professionals’ Forum, has applauded the role of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the development of the Edo Central District, The group also assessed the performance of Senator Domingo Obende, who represents the zone, urging him to live up to expectation.

    In a letter to the governor signed by its Coordinator, Muhammed Alaoye, and six local government coordinators, the group expressed the desire “to champion the socio-economic development of Edo North Senatorial District and reposition it for greater participation and political relevance”.

    Alaoye said: “It does not require a special skill or intelligence to recogniee the effort of Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, towards rebuilding Edo State, with particular reference to Edo North. But the senator representing the district must also rise to the challenge of assisting the governor in the administration’s bid to confront the political and socio-economic challenges confronting our people”.

    The coordinator said that there can be no progress, if the elected representatives fail to work harmoniously, share ideas and cooperate together, while finding solutions to pressing socio-economic and political challenges.

    He warned against self-centered and lack-lustre representation and leadership, saying that it could impair growth and development.

    Alaoye added: “The problem of the senatorial district is inextricably tied to the poor quality of leadership. The district’s fortune has continued to plummet.This dearth of quality leadership cannot be divorced from the poor recruitment process called party primaries. The consequence of poor choice at the polls is the election of wrong persons into public management offices. No country, state, senatorial district or local government can rise above the level of it’s workforce, especially at the decision-making or business of law-making or be it leadership at any level”

    “What Edo North deserves at this critical point, especially so, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole would be rounding off his tenure, is a crop of leaders that are endowed with the gift of steady application, imbued with the ability to control events, rather than drift with the tides and, who in the range of vision and depth of conception, tower above their contemporaries. Edo North needs a senator of iron resolve, indomitable courage and sharp intellect. Men of proven integrity should also come out to assume positions of responsibility.

    “Mr. Governor Sir, you owe it a duty, just as we collectively do, at this particular point in our political history, to fish out patriotic and right-thinking citizens to man positions of responsibilities in Afenmai, and by extension, Edo State.”