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Tag: Edo State

  • Edo Assembly crisis deepens

    • Oshiomhole rejects godfather claim

    • Oyegun: Obaseki is distracted

    • APC dismisses allegation of bias

     

    RATHER than subside, the crisis of confidence rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State seems to be growing.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, on Sunday dismissed allegations of bias levelled by the state government against the leadership of the party.

    Issa-Onilu said what transpired in the House of Assembly was glaring and, therefore, needed no investigation.

    He spoke even as APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole challenged those accusing him of playing god-father’s politics to produce their evidence.

    Also on Sunday, Oshiohmole’s predecessor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun described the ruling party as the greatest problem for the Edo State governor.

    The party’s spokeman, who was reacting to a statement credited to the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Obaseki that the party should have heard from both sides before taking a stand, said there was no dispute between parties, adding that if the issue was a dispute between two parties, then the party would have called for an investigation.

    The party had condemned the inauguration of nine members of the State House of Assembly at about 9.30pm, leaving out majority of members, describing such action as a departure from the constitutional provision

    Issa-Onilu said: “There is no dispute about the fact that nine people were involved in it. There is no dispute about the fact that what took place, took place at 9.30pm. So what is there to listen to?

    “Furthermore, there is no dispute about the fact that the proclamation was not published. The constitution says you should publish and inform all members. So this is not something you need to do an investigation.

    “The facts are staring you in the face. This is not a quarrel between two people. It’s when two people are quarreling about issues that you say let’s investigate. The point is, was the law followed or was it not followed?

    “And there cannot be a fiat accompli in this matter. The processes are regulated by law. We are not talking of an amorphous society or secret cult. Now let me ask you, if a similar thing was done in the National Assembly, would there be the question that since it has been done what needs to happen next?

    “If a foundation is faulty, you can’t roof the building. We must emphasize that processes need to be followed. We are cleaning up our processes. That is what change means to us in APC. Once processes are clean, outcomes don’t matter. Outcomes should reflect the will of the people. I don’t know how inauguration that violated every aspect of the law, tradition, norms, values could stand. If you fail an exam you re-sit.

    “There is no dispute about the fact that nine people were involved, some against their will  to purport to have inaugurated the Assembly. How is it that an APC governor cannot allow people to vote? You carry people by 9.30pm and purport to have elected a speaker. The danger of that is that if you can do it for Speakership purpose, you can also do it to make law that is unpopular.”

    All 24 lawmakers in the Edo state House of Assembly are of the APC. There is in dispute over who should be the Speaker, a position zoned to Edo Central.

    Oshiomhole speaks

    Also at the weekend, Oshiomhole urged those accusing him of plotting to be a godfather in Edo State to provide the proof.

    He was responding to a question from State House reporters in Abuja that he was masterminding the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly because he wanted to become a godfather and to dictate what happens in the state.

    Insisting that he “is a democrat”, he recalled that he fought against god-fathers in Edo politics to emerge become governor in the Southsouth state.

    He also said that he would not need short-cut to sustain his position in the system.

    Oshiomhole said: “What is the evidence? It’s all about accusation. The media has a duty. They have to give you the particulars of that god-father. What’s the evidence? I am a democrat.

    “That I accept the credit, not only that I fought god-fathers, I launched the one-man one-vote campaign to fight against election rigging anywhere in Nigeria and by the special grace of God, under PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) with Chief Tony Anenih alive, and at his best, I won all the 18 local government areas and I won 95 per cent of the total votes cast in my second term election.

    “So, Edo people know me and I know them. I don’t need short-cut to sustain my position in the system. But you know that there is nobody in Nigeria who is not open to accusations. The important thing is that he who accuses should give you proof.”

    Speaking on the ongoing crisis over the inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly, he said: “It’s about rule of law. As journalists there are questions you don’t need to ask me because you know the answer.

    “You know the law provides for how the House should be proclaimed transparently. The day it’s announced, members-elect are informed of date and time for inauguration.

    “These are clearly spelt out in the Nigerian constitution. And just last week (about two weeks ago), you were all witnesses to how President Muhammadu Buhari issued proclamation letter to the Clerk many days before, stating date and time of the inauguration of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    “Even while we are still negotiating to ensure that our party was not divided on the floor of the House, without prejudice to the outcome of those negotiations, the President issued proclamation because he is obliged by the constitution to do so whether he likes it or not and he did.

    Read Also: Edo Assembly crisis: APC dismiss allegation of bias

    “He did it transparently. He has led us by example. For me, it’s very embarrassing if any state governor, particularly of APC extraction, will do anything that is less than what the constitution says and the example that our President has set.”

    According to him, the proclamation was not publicised in the case of the Edo State House of Assembly inauguration.

    Stressing that the members were not informed, he said that the inauguration took place at 9:30pm.

    According to him, the time was what a Supreme Court judgement described as “nocturnal hours.”

    He said: “Business of parliament are done transparently; they are not secret cult. Now you have 24-member House, 19 members protested. You have six and you carry people in their short knickers. Even in the House they have rules, the dress code. So, it happened in Edo, it has happened in Bauchi.

    “Like Edo, Bauchi used the minority of 10 to go and proclaim the House and lock out 20 APC members and got those 10 people to elect, exactly the way Edo did with six and then co-opted other three people to become nine and even at that, it is nonsense.

    “For us, these are completely illegal. And that is why we said so. If it is wrong, it is wrong; whether it is done by APC or by PDP; whether it is the chairman’s state or not. The law is blind to those sentiments. I believe by the end of the day, the solution is return to the rule of law.

    “Let’s properly follow the law; let the parliament do what they have to do but people have the right to lobby for people they want and whom they prefer. This is also legitimate. Like you saw in the National Assembly, after all the lobbies, people have the right to vote and you saw them in the National Assembly conducting secret ballot.

    “We have an APC senator, who, in spite of all the efforts invested by all our leaders, including Mr. President, insisted that he will contest. The law allowed him so, we couldn’t stop him. The President could have said okay, SSS (State Security Services) please find excuse to invite him for questioning the day before; put him away until the elections are over.

    “But we won’t do that. That is not the change we promised. The change we promised is to try to improve in the ways public institutions are managed and how rules are implemented. I believe that it will be resolved.”

  • Yahoo boy shocks commuters at Edo checkpoint

    IT was like a scene from a Nollywood movie for some commuters who were travelling recently from Ekpoma in Edo State to Benin, the state capital, in a vehicle owned by a popular transport company in the state. A few kilometres to Benin City, the vehicle was stopped by some policemen at a checkpoint.

    The passengers were happy because the vehicle’s driver had been driving recklessly. Then the policemen took a cursory look into the vehicle, sighted a young man in his early 30s and asked him to come down. They demanded for his phone and ordered him to unlock it. He did.

    Just when it looked like the young man’s phone was all the police would ask of him, they demanded for his laptop computer. He told the policemen that he did not have his laptop with him, but they threatened to deal with him if they searched and found the laptop. At that point, he produced the laptop and they searched through it.

    After about 10 minutes, a passenger who had become impatient approached the policemen and pleaded that they should release the boy so that they could continue their journey. But one of the policemen retorted: “Gentleman, do you know what you are asking us to do? This young man can finish all of you. He is a yahoo boy!”

    While the conversation was going on, the young man, who had been handed back his phone, called somebody on it, and in the course of their conversation, was heard saying that he did not have up to N250,000 on him.

    When the telephone conversation ended, the young man turned to the leader of the police team for negotiation. At the end of the discussion, he parted with N88,000 and was released immediately.

  • Edo hands of fellowship

    With barely a year to the next governorship election in Edo State, these are interesting times for political observers with keen interest in the politics of the state.

    With the rumour rife that all is not well between Governor Godwin Obaseki and the former governor of the state and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, every move in the camps of the two politicians is bound to provoke interest.

    Such is the above picture of Obaseki and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie-Ize-Iyamu, at the birthday thanksgiving service in honour of Pastor Ize-Iyamu and his wife in Benin City yesterday.

    Considering that the two were bitter foes in the 2016 governorship contest with Obaseki as the candidate of APC and Ize-Iyamu flying the flag of PDP, one cannot but wonder what discussion the two statesmen are so engrossed in that they can hardly afford to bat an eyelid.

    Could they be reviewing the poll? Could they be previewing a possible re-match? Obaseki has said he would seek a second term, but Pastor, as Ize-Iyamu is called by his admirers, is yet to throw his hat in the ring. Will he try a second time? Could they also be reviewing the situation in the state, particularly the crisis rocking the APC in the state?

    Obaseki has said he would not share the state’s money with anybody, a statement interpreted in enlightened quarters as a jab at Oshiomhole, his estranged godfather and former governor of the state. In the 2016 election, Pastor was at the receiving end of Oshiomhole who accused him of fronting for the godfathers that he (Oshiomhole) had retired. Could they have been discussing godfatherism, its relevance in the politics of the state and the merits and demerits of the phenomenon?

    Would Obaseki have visited Pastor two years ago when he was in the good books of the comrade ex-governor? What is this telling us about 2020? Is this a sign that there could be a realignment of forces in the state as we inch towards 2020? Will Pastor queue behind the governor to try and retire the comrade ex-governor from the state’s politics like the latter says he did to those elders the pastor kowtows to? Is he telling Obaseki “l’m coming to retire you and your godfather?”

    The unfolding drama in Edo is indeed interesting.

  • Heavy security, thugs at Edo Assembly

    The Edo State House of Assembly was on Tuesday overtaken by security personnel to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order following Monday’s inauguration of nine of the 24 members of the seventh Assembly.

    Government officials said the lawmakers were inaugurated about 3pm on Monday but anti-Obaseki lawmakers-elect said the event held at night.

    A top government official said the inauguration held when the 19 lawmakers-elect were addressing reporters on the need for Governor Godwin Obaseki to transmit a proclamation letter to the Clerk.

    Suspected thugs and youths were seen around the assembly complex.

    The letter of proclamation addressed, to the Clerk of the Assembly and dated on June 14, slated the inauguration for June 17.

    Meanwhile, the newly sworn in lawmakers received their official vehicles and other paraphernalia of office.

    Read Also: Edo new Speaker assumes duty

    The Speaker, Frank Okiye, said the seventh Assembly would work to deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Okiye said Obaseki deserved the lawmakers’ support to put the state in the right economic perspective.

    He said: “We are determined and in high spirit to hit the ground running. The job we are doing will not be completed without the complementation of the executive.

    “I subscribe to the fact that the governor is doing well, and we will partner with him to do better

    “We will get the government closer to the people; we will create think tank among ourselves and associates and invite him to be part of us to do the good job. The betterment of Edo State in terms of economic and security is our focal point, and we intend to address this headlong.”

    But the 16 lawmakers-elect insisted that they were not invited to the inauguration.

    Their spokesman, Washinton Osifo, said they would have been present at the inauguration if they were invited.

    According to Osifo, the Clerk called them at about 5:30pm that he had been called from the Government House, and they were happy that the news conference has pricked the Governor to do what the constitution demands.

    He said: “The Clerk told us he will call back 30 minutes later but we didn’t hear from him again. Some of our brothers who were supposed to be at a meeting with us were absent. We called them and they were not picking their calls.

    “At 9:30pm, photographs began to filter into our phones suggesting that a kangaroo Assembly was being inaugurated. We were disappointed. One of us was spotted with a short and slippers taking oath of office. That was an offence in the hallowed chamber. They humiliated him.”

  • Just in: Knocks, kudos as Obaseki performs another ‘wake and see’

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday lived up to his ‘wake and see’ toga as residents woke up to hear the much awaited 7th Assembly has been inaugurated.

    Hon Frank Okiye (Esan North East 1) was elected Speaker while Hon. Yekini Idiaye of Akoko Edo Constituency 11 was elected Deputy Speaker.

    Government officials, in their various social media platforms, said the Assembly was inaugurated at 3pm on Monday while opponents claimed it was done at 12 midnight.

    Reports said Clerk of the Edo House of Assembly, Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai, ushered the members-elect into the chamber and read out the letter of proclamation transmitted to the office of the clerk by Governor Obaseki.

    After his election, Speaker Okiye thanked all present for the confidence reposed in him and promised to work for the people of Edo State.

    Read Also: ‘Obaseki can’t intimidate us’

    Okiye urged all lawmakers who have not satisfied the process of swearing-in, including completion of the asset declaration form.

    According to him: “It is with the deepest sense of humility that I receive this call to serve the people and I assure that I will do all in my power to serve their best interest at all times.

    “I congratulate my colleagues and fellow members who are today inaugurated and urge other members-elect who are yet to meet up with the requirements for inauguration to do so without delay so they can join this honorable house in the discharge of its responsibilities.”

    Sitting was adjourned till July 17, 2019.

    Among members present at the inauguration were Hon. Nosa Okunbor; Hon. Henry Okuarobo; Hon. Uyi Ekhosuehi; Hon. Marcus Onobun; Hon. Ephraim Anehbosele; Hon. Roland Asoro; Hon. Eric Okaka; Hon Frank Okiye and Hon Yekini

    It was learnt that a team of lawyers were assembled to study the implication  before three lawmakers were invited for a meeting and in the process, their phones collected from them after which they were driven to the House of Assembly and then sworn in by the Ckerk.

    There was heavy security presence around the assembly premises.

     

     

  • ‘Obaseki can’t intimidate us’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers-elect in Edo State have said Governor Godwin Obaseki cannot intimidate them into picking Assembly leaders of his choice.

    The party’s leadership last weekend zoned the Assembly positions to different senatorial districts, but the actions did not go down well with the 19 lawmakers.

    The lawmakers, who addressed a news conference yesterday, accused Obaseki of attempting to truncate democracy by refusing to send a proclamation letter.

    Washinton Osifo said the governor was usurping the powers of the legislature by refusing to allow the Assembly function. He insisted that the governor, no matter how powerful, could not impose a Speaker or Deputy Speaker on the legislature.

    It was gathered that the lawmakers-elect have made some fresh demands on Obaseki before they will adhere to the party’s zoning arrangement.

    The demands, according to sources, is for the governor to give them the yearly N36 million for constituency projects instead of executing the projects on their behalf; payment of all allowances owed old members, restoration of travelling allowances and other payments stopped by the governor.

    He said: “We urge all well-meaning individuals, including Oba Ewuare II and President Muhammadu Buhari, to prevail on Governor Obaseki to issue the letter of proclamation to enable the Edo State House of Assembly function.

    “We are ready to defend our democracy and the sanctity of the legislature.”

    But Obaseki, who spoke through his Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, assured the lawmakers that the proclamation letter would soon be sent. He said the party’s intervention in the assembly leadership was to prevent the rancour that characterised the sixth Assembly.

    He said: “They are products of the party and the party is interested in what they do. The party only helped them do what is needful.

    “The governor invited them and told them the intervention is for legislative harmony. Nobody wants to impose leadership on them. The delay is not a threat to democracy.”

    However, state chairman Anselm Ojezua said there would be repercussions if the lawmakers-elect do not comply with the party’s decision.

    According to him, the lawmakers have accepted the party’s zoning arrangement, and it was only left for zonal leaders to consult and come up with recommendations to the party.

    Read Also: You cannot intimidate us, lawmakers-elect tell Obaseki

    On the constituency project funds being demanded, Ojezua said the issue of constituency project was a matter of policy and open to negotiations. He explained that the party has nothing against legitimate claims of the lawmakers-elect.

    He said: “There are legitimate claims. The party has nothing against them making those claims if they are legitimate. I think the governor is open to discussions as long as there is dialogue. They are not threatening anybody; they are just asking for what they believe will enhance service delivery to their constituencies.

    “There is a way we can go about it. If there are projects they are interested in, they can make input into the budget and the state will implement. There is nothing wrong if a lawmaker ensures a project goes to his constituency so that he can have something to show.

    “The party is keeping to its own obligations, and we have taken needed steps. The governor has prerogative to write the proclamation letter. We don’t need to put him under pressure. He knows the importance of the parliament in a democratic system. He will do what is needful.

    “There is nothing like any lawmaker being an Oshiomhole’s or Obaseki’s boy. Obaseki is Oshiomhole’s boy; there can be no other Oshiomhole’s or Obaseki’s boys. If people should give themselves name, it does not make sense to me because all of us are Oshiomhole’s product.”

  • Community leader to Obaseki: complete Okpekpe road

    The President, Okpekpe Clan Development Union (OCDU), Rotarian Abubakar Shaibu, has called on the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to complete the Okpekpe Road that his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole couldn’t complete.

    Okpekpe Kingdom which is now known for the annual Okpekpe International 10 Kilometer Road Race is in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    In a chat with Niger Delta Report during the 7th Okpekpe International 10 Kilometer Road Race, Rotarian Shaibu praised the former governor, even as he urged the current governor to emulate him by constructing the remaining 12-kilometer Okpekpe Road which crisscrossed  communities such as Ebelle, Ukhomedokha to Ivioghe of Wanno Clan and Agenebode.

    A ride to the local government headquarter in Agenebode, which ordinarily should be 30 minutes, lasts for hours because the road that links Agenebode to Okpekpe is impassable. The agrarian community of the kingdom whose farm produce sustains the entire clan has been cut off from other communities due to the bad condition of the road.

    But for the magnanimity of Oshiomhole, Rotarian Shaibu said, the entire clan would have been difficult to access. The former governor constructed the road on which athletes now compete for honours.

    Rotarian Shaibu, said: “I call on the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki to use this event (road race) as a reminder that he needs to construct and tar the other part of the road that leads to other communities such as Ebelle and Ukhomedokha of the clan that Oshiomhole could not complete.

    Read Also: Obaseki must go, forum insists

    “I want to use this medium to appeal to Governor Obaseki to come to our aid by linking the communities to the headquarters of the kingdom and that of the local government area.”

    He commended the Onwueweko of Okpekpe Kingdom, His Royal Highness Peter Abalumhe Osigbemeh. He added that his reign has brought many developments in the community.

    He commended the organisers of the road race and urged them to consider building a mini-stadium for the competition.

  • Fire razes 30 shops in Edo market

    A midnight  fire has razed over 30 shops at the PZ market in Evboriaria, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The fire was said to have been caused by an electric surge. Many of the victims said they left money in their shops.

    Blessing Justina, who owns a beauty shop, said she was informed about the fire by a relative but could not remove anything from her shop.

    Read Also: Epetedo residents recount experience

    Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha council Eric Osayande, who visited the scene, directed the Councillor of Ward 6, Obosa Jolly Ogbeide, to embark on a needs assessment exercise of the burnt market.

    Dr. Osayande also directed the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Kingsley Iyamu, and Director, Administrative and General Services (DAGS) Frank Osa-Idahosa to prepare a white paper draft for approval to rebuild the market.

  • Protest in Edo over non-inauguration of Assembly

    There was protest on Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State, over the non-inauguration of the seventh House of Assembly.

    The lawmakers-elect, who are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are waiting for a proclamation letter from Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    It was learnt that the unresolved issues over the leadership of the seventh Assembly was responsible for the non-inauguration of the House.

    The protesters, led by One Love Foundation, asked Governor Obaseki to settle whatever political differences he had with the APC and proclaim the seventh Assembly.

    The Founder, Patrick Eholor, said: “We are gathered here today for a peaceful protest to remind the governor that the people deserve better. This is our seventh assembly, and we are hoping that as at now, the governor would have transmitted proclamation letter to the Clerk so that they can carry out the duty and functions in a democracy.

    Read Also: Protest in Edo over non-inauguration of new Assembly

    “So, if members of the Edo APC have issues with themselves, they should come to a round table and settle it because they cannot use the people to settle their issues. We cannot continue to suffer this pain. It is very clear in the 1999 Constitution, section 105, sub-section 3. I am not a lawyer, but I read it very clearly that when election is conducted, and representatives duly elected, the governor has the right to transmit to the clerk of the House of Assembly so that the representatives can be sworn and begin acting for the people. “That is why we are here to appeal that they be sworn in immediately. The governor is a technocrat, he is very well read. We are appealing to his conscience that no matter what is going on with him, within the party or other parties; he should do the needful and respect the right of the people.”

    But Obaseki’s Special on Media and Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said the governor, who was still in Abuja, could not be doing proclamation of the Assembly in Edo.

    He said as soon as the Governor is back from Abuja, he would proclaim the Assembly.

  • Obaseki: no quarrel with Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has described the reported infraction between him and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, as fake.

    Obaseki, who also spoke on his second term bid, said whether he gets a second term or not depends on God and the people of Edo State.

    The governor, who addressed reporters on Sunday after a meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum in Abuja, said: “There is no infraction between me and the National Chairman of the party. It is all in the press. It is all fake news.”

    There have been reports of a crisis between the governor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and this got to a head when the governor failed to show up for the annual Okpekpe in May.

    However, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly intervened in the crisis last week, bringing the two together. Sources close to the governor confirmed the President’s intervention, saying “the President called them and they have been talking. I can tell you that there is nothing serious going on between them really”.

    Read Also: Obaseki finally opens up on reported quarrel with Oshiomhole

    About his second term bid, Obaseki said: “My second term is left to God and the people of Edo State. At the end of the day, the people will decide, depending on how much they see that we have added value to their lives.

    “As you know, we are the only APC state in the Southsouth and Southeast. So, we want to be a flag bearer for what APC should represent as a party.

    “I have things like industrialisation, ensuring economic growth by building production centres, industrial parks and ensuring that government serves as an enabler. That is key for us. So, we have been spending time improving the business climate so that people can do business easily. Hopefully, that will have a snowball effect on the region.

    “I promised to create 200,000 jobs in our first four years in office. As at the last count, we have exceeded 90,000 and we are still counting. As you are aware, these jobs are coming in from various aspects of industries, technology, ICT, education, the services, and now, we are investing in production hubs where we bring electricity, water and security into specific locations and invite people to come and set up in those particular locations.

    “What we are doing, which is different and which we are very excited about, is education reform, particularly basic education reform. We have trained over 10,000 teachers in our basic education system, and introduced technology. Now, we can track when teachers are in class, we can track when students are in class and for about 200,000 kids in our basic schools, we have supplied them almost one million books.”