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Tag: Edo

  • Edo gov primaries: We will arrest perpetrators of violence – CP

    Edo gov primaries: We will arrest perpetrators of violence – CP

    Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye, has declared that officers and men of the command would arrest perpetrators and instigators of violence in the governorship primaries in Edo, irrespective of their positions.

    Speaking on Wednesday, February 21, Adegboye at a news conference in Benin City, noted that both the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) would conduct their primaries on Thursday, February 23, while the Labour Party scheduled to hold its shadow poll on Friday, February 24.

    Adegboye highlighted the recent violent governorship direct primary election of the APC on the previous Saturday, describing it as an opportunity for the police command to learn and take necessary action.

    He said: “This time around, we are not going to view the politicians’ activities as political parties’ affairs. We are going to view them very seriously, to ensure that the right things are done, thereby protecting the lives and property of members of the parties, journalists, and other stakeholders.

    Read Also: Edo guber primary: APC NWC drops Uzodinma, appoints Otu as chairman

    “The Nigeria Police, Edo State Command, is very ready to ensure that peaceful and hitch-free elections are conducted in Edo State.”

    Edo commissioner of police also disclosed that he had adequately deployed officers and men for the shadow elections in the South-south state, and working with sister security agencies to ensure hitch-free polls.

    Adegboye urged the delegates of the political parties to conduct themselves peacefully, while also warning that members of the state security vigilance service would not be allowed into the venues of the elections.

  • Edo 2024: Odimayo hails Idohosa’s emergence as APC candidate

    Edo 2024: Odimayo hails Idohosa’s emergence as APC candidate

    A lawmaker representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency and a leading governorship aspirant in Ondo 2024 governorship election, Omo’oba Jimi Odimayo has felicitated with his 43-year-old colleague and member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, over his victory in Edo All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

    He said Idahosa’s victory serves as evidence of the younger generation’s aspirations and capabilities, expressing optimism for a future where good leaders emerge and flourish.

    Idahosa was declared winner with 40,453 votes to secure the party’s ticket on Saturday.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity to Odimayo, Victor Adedeji, explained Idahosa’s emergence underscores significance of youth engagement in politics, emphasising the cohesive strength that surfaces when communities unite behind spirited leaders for societal advancement.

    He applauded APC members in Edo for their unwavering support towards youth candidacy, emphasizing significance of unity within the State.

    He commended APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje- led National Working Committee, Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma and President Tinubu for their roles in ensuring a seamless and trouble-free electoral process.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Edo APC youths protest over alleged disloyal activities of SWC

    He said their dedication in fostering transparent and fair election is acknowledged which reflected commitment to democratic principles.

    He called for collaboration and support to cultivate spirit of unity and progress within the political landscape.

    He extended heartfelt wishes for a triumphant victory in the September governorship poll.

  • Edo, Ondo polls signpost troubling future

    Edo, Ondo polls signpost troubling future

    Kogi State governor Usman Ododo has so far spoken and acted like someone undeserving of the office his predecessor and kinsman Yahaya Bello single-handedly gifted him. Everything about the new governor betrays his mindset: his wistful look, his unspeakable subservience to the former governor, his first set of appointments, his deferential statements. He will not be the first man to be imposed on a people, nor will he be the last. Those who claim to be his betters, such as ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, had done much worse in imposing misfits and ruining whole destinies. There is indeed hardly any former governor not susceptible to the itch to aggregate to himself the interest of the state’s electorate. In nearly all the impositions, Nigeria has been worse for it. Now, a different kind of farcical electoral shenanigan is playing out in the governorship polls of Edo and Ondo States, for obviously no lessons have been learnt. The field is crowded in Edo State, which will be the first to have a go at imposition in September, and for the November Ondo poll, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, probably the most remorseless of governors, given the way he handled the illness of his predecessor, has a head start in an uninspiring field of aspirants.

    Edo first, then. Governor Godwin Obaseki has no conception of loyalty or finesse. Nor does he care anything about ideology or fairness. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over which, in the Edo chapter, he has a tenuous hold as leader. He will first need to get his protégé elected in the primary poll slated for later this month, but will almost certainly head into the September poll with a fairly divided house, an unruly field of political and governorship hopefuls, and a hardly disguised preference for Asue Ighodalo, a corporate lawyer and investment banker. But then there is also Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama from the Dan Orbih/Nyesom Wike PDP faction, and the cantankerous and sometimes disagreeable deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, who is determined to be a pain in the neck of Mr Obaseki. The governor won his second term exemplifying the state’s suspicion of the godfather phenomenon, an electoral tool deployed with devastating impact against ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole who denounced his leadership and backed Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a pastor. The governorship primaries in the PDP and APC are therefore expected to be keenly contested, but the victors are unlikely to underscore the beauty and independence of democratic practice in Nigeria.

    The dynamics of the Ondo governorship APC primary is unusually different. With a less congested field, which appears more worrisome than Edo’s in terms of leadership capacity, the state may head for an anticlimax. Sen Jimoh Ibrahim is a powerful and wealthy aspirant, but he will have to move mountains to best the incumbent. In his reactions to the late governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health crisis and eventual death last December, Mr Aiyedatiwa hardly put one foot right. He needed to be patient, circumspect, calculating, and even dissembling if the situation demanded. Instead, he spoke brusquely, displayed abrasive and grating manners, and came across as unfeeling and dismissive. Since assuming the governorship, his tactlessness has left many people squirming and bewildered. But, for a governor, patronage is a powerful tool, and the Ondo governor has won many officials and ordinary people to his side. It is nevertheless too early to determine whether he would win, for his opponents will match him in every department of the game. But incumbency, regardless of how long a governor has been in office, can be stifling and unnerving to any opponent.

    Edo and Ondo, however, reinforce and exemplify Nigeria’s deeply flawed succession politics that keeps churning out misfits as local government, state, and federal administrators. The administrators may have flattering academic qualifications, but leadership is far more than academics, far more than loyalty, and far more than looks, eloquence and to some extent even charisma. Decades of focusing on wrong leadership yardsticks have worsened Nigeria’s existential challenges. There will always be global economic pressures triggering or exacerbating domestic economic crisis. And there will always be internal conflicts sometimes consequent upon warped constitutional arrangements and safeguards incapable of mediating ethnic, religious or regional suspicions and pressures. No part of the world is immune to such disharmonies and pressures. What makes the difference is the capacity of their leaders and perhaps too their imagination and boldness. There is nothing in the coming elections in Edo and Ondo that encourages the belief that prospective governors will be judged using the right yardsticks. In Ondo, a flawed Mr Aiyedatiwa schemes his relevance by positioning himself, against all scruples, and even before his benefactor is buried, to take advantage of the state’s desperate situation. And in Edo, the controversial and overhyped Mr Obaseki, who spoke glibly about democracy and denounced godfather politics when he campaigned for a second term, is now desperate to reproduce his kind, with scant attention paid to democratic practices. He believes his preferred candidate’s impressive CV should clinch the argument.

    The succession battle raging in Rivers State between Mr Fubara and ex-governor Wike should serve as signal lesson to political leaders eager to impose successors. Nothing is ever guaranteed. Most states where succession was midwifed by meddlesome political leaders have ended in a cul de sac. But no one takes history lessons to heart, and as Ondo may yet prove, perhaps even those who will vote at the party primary as well as at the governorship election seem absolutely incapable of learning anything. The choices facing Edo may be less complicated than Ondo’s; but simple or complicated, the chances of producing first-rate leaders, when the outgoing leader is himself third-rate, is one in a million.

    Atiku, Makinde and Ibadan blast

    A farcical drama played out in Ibadan last week when Governor Seyi Makinde, still smarting from the January 16 explosion in Ibadan, openly jousted with former vice president Atiku Abubakar over the latter’s lack of empathy for the people of Oyo state. Labour Party’s Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, had visited the state to condole with Mr Makinde and Oyo people over the loss of lives and destruction of properties. The PDP’s former presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku, said the governor plaintively, had not deemed it fit to visit and commiserate.

    The former vice president’s media aide, Paul Ibe, however, refuted the governor’s claims. Mr Makinde, a notable member of the famous G-5 was too busy minding other things, he said, to read the letter of sympathy published in the media and issued less than 24 hours after the blast. How the spokesman missed the inanity of his response is hard to say. Of course Alhaji Atiku’s statement was published in the media, but for a former vice president conversant with bureaucracy and officialdom, it is passing strange that he considered such impersonal methods adequate, let alone one a spokesman would openly boast about. Does vindictiveness not have a limit for Alhaji Atiku?  

  • Edo guber: Imuse, Iyamu, Airhiavbere five others pick APC nomination forms

    Edo guber: Imuse, Iyamu, Airhiavbere five others pick APC nomination forms

    Ahead of the February 17 Edo state governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), eight aspirants have so far picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for the party’s ticket.

    The sales of form which started January 11 are expected to close by 29th January 2024.

    Stakeholders and some leaders of the party in the state through Prof. Julius Ihonvbere’s screening committee at the weekend trimmed down the number of aspirants from 29 to six and later to four after conducting a screening exercise.

    But The Nation gathered that the decision of the Ihonvbere was opposed by many of the screened-out aspirants.

    Checks at the directorate of organisation of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, January 24, showed that eight aspirants have purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms.

    The aspirants include former Minister of State, Prince Clem Agba, Hon. Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Lucky Imasuen, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, APC 2019 governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine, Col. David Onabure Imuse and Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd).

    The immediate past Edo state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Col. (Dr.) David Imuse on Wednesday picked the party’s nomination form with a promise to revive the state from a doldrum of maladministration.

    Imuse who is one of the four aspirants cleared by the Ihonvbere screening committee was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Uwa-Oshodi Imuse to pick the N50 million expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of the February 17 party primary.

    Speaking with newsmen after picking the form, the former APC state chairman said: “Today my purchase of this form is a clear demonstration, of my commitment to resetting Edo state. It is my commitment to rescue our people from the deadly fangs of the political predators and vampires, that presently occupy the state government house on Osadebe Avenue. 

    “We have come so that they will be paradigm shift from politics of greed, politics of deceit, politics of self emulation, politics of self aggrandizement to a more pragmatic, a more purposeful and more result oriented governance that we can be quit as a legacy to our children and our children’s children, we have come to serve, we have not gone to play.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Aiyedatiwa sacks Akeredolu’s Commissioners

    “Today is it a hospital? The health services are grounded, Education is in a comatose state, the roads and infrastructure are in rural development, and the legacies of Edo state have been destroyed.

    “David Imuse have come to change the narratives, when God gives you power, He is not doing it for fun, He does it for two reasons.”

    He gives you responsibility and then privileges if you carry all your responsibilities very well God will give you your privileges unencumbered”

    In the same vein, Hon Emmanuel Momoh, who led the Committee of Friends of Pastor Ize-Iyamu picked expression of and the nomination form for the APC 2018 governorship candidate.

    Addressing newsmen at the party secretariat after purchasing Ize-Iyamu’s forms, the leader of the team said their aspirant was not in any way disturbed by the outcome of the Ihonvbere Committee which screened him out of the adopted aspirants.

    Asked to react to his principal’s inability to make the last four, Momoh said: “That he (Ize-Iyamu) is not among the anointed, it is only God that anoints. Let me make it clear to every Nigerian, what was done is not reflected in the constitution of the APC. 

    “The committee that was set up is not the organ of the APC, there was nothing done, it was an action of one man who is a voter like me.

    “No single voter has the right to anoint a candidate, we are all members of APC and we stand on that it is today that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu officially presented himself to the party as an aspirant, an intending candidate of the party, and the process begins today.

    “If you look at the calendar of APC, the issue of somebody being anointed does not hold water, and we want to let you know that he is going ahead with the race and whatever has been done can be considered as a sham and is not inline with the direction of the National Working Committee of the party.”

    For General Charles Airhiavbere, the spokesman of his campaign council, Hon. Daniel Ighile said the retired military tactician is in the race to redeem the state from further decay inflicted on the state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration of Godwin Obaseki.

    Charles Nwala, APC south-south zonal coordinator said of all the aspirants parading themselves for the Government House in Osadebe Avenue, Benin.

    According to him, “Gen. Airhiavabere is the only aspirant that can turn the fortune of Edo State around. He has the Midas touch to change the narratives in Edo state.”

  • I’m running to improve the life of Edo people, says NRM aspirant 

    I’m running to improve the life of Edo people, says NRM aspirant 

    An aspirant of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dennis Aikoriogie, says he is in the race to improve the life of the people of the state.

    He said this while returning his nomination and expression of interest form at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Aikoriogie said the collapse of good governance, infrastructural decay among others informed his decision run for the office of the governor.

    “Governance has failed the people, and I am in the race to rescue the people of Edo State. I believe that Edo State citizens deserve better, and there are a whole lots of things we can do differently in the pedestal of development in terms of all sectors of economy from road infrastructure, education, health, security, and every other ramifications,” he said.

    He expressed confidence that he does not need the help of godfathers to win the election.

    He urged the people of Edo State to reject the antics of people who have succeeded only in impoverishing them over the years.

    He said godfathers have done more harm than good, adding that they must be stopped to give the state the room to develop in the interest of the people. 

    Also speaking, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Chinedu Obi, expressed confidence that the party would be triumphant.

    He said contrary to the belief in some quarters, NRM is not new in the politics of Edo State.

    He said, “In the last election (2020) even when we had a candidate that was not too grounded, we came 5th. Today, Nigerians are not too bothered about the name of the political party; they are interested in what you are bringing to the table. The name of a party has not taken away poverty from Nigeria. The country is multidimensionally poor and there is nothing to celebrate here. So, anyone talking about the identity of a political party now is missing the point.”

    According to him, “NRM is not just a party, it is a movement to rescue Nigeria from the situation we found ourselves in. It is a platform for every Nigerian that feels tired of what is going on in Nigeria to express himself to usher in a new order for our country

    “We believe in giving the right candidate the opportunity to be voted for. Poverty does not know where you come from. It does not matter whether you are a Christian or Muslim, from North or South. Poverty does not know these things. We want someone who has the answers to the problems of society.” he added.

  • Why I want to be Edo governor, by LP aspirant

    Why I want to be Edo governor, by LP aspirant

    A leading governorship aspirant on the platform of Labour Party (LP) in Edo State, Tom Iseghohi, has said he wants to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12, 2024 to ensure good governance, proper management of the resources and commensurate infrastructural development.

    Iseghohi, an indigene of Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government in Edo Central Senatorial District, spoke at Edo secretariat of LP in Benin over the weekend, during his official declaration to vie in September 21, 2024 governorship election.

    Read Also: Victoria Amu withdraws from Edo Gov race

    He expressed optimism of emerging victorious during the party’s primary election next month.

    The aspirant, who insisted that he did not enter the race late, and that he was not worried about the presence of equally-formidable and highly-experienced aspirants on LP’s platform, was received by Edo Chairman of the party, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, who was accompanied by members of his executive.

    He promised to ensure a level-playing field for the aspirants.

  • Guber Race: What did Edo Central do?

    Guber Race: What did Edo Central do?

    • By Kenny Okotie

    It’s no longer news that the governorship election in Edo State is coming up probably by September, this year. And as such, gladiators from all divides of the state comprising Edo North, Edo South and Edo Central are once again agitated and excited about this, probably because the incumbent governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, according to most Edolites, has performed far below expectations.

    However, a careful and critical analysis of the political scenario in Edo State would inevitably reveal that from the inception of the 4th democratic dispensation in 1999, one disadvantaged senatorial district which has not produced the governor is Edo Central.

    For instance, in 1999, Lucky Igbinedion of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the governor for two terms, from 1999-2007, then there was a very brief period between 2007 and 2008 when Prof. Oserheime  Osunbor of the then PDP was elected but whose tenure was cut short by the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, having emerged as governor of the state following Prof Oserheime Osunbor’s disqualification, took over the reins of the state from 2008 to 2016, he of  course served two terms. Then, at present, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has  been governing the state since 2016 up till now.

    It would interest you to note that while Lucky Igbinedion was PDP, from Edo South, Adams Oshiomhole (APC) was from Edo North and now the incumbent is also from Edo South flying the banner of PDP.

    Therefore, my one million dollars question is “What did Edo Central do?” Having been the only zone that has not produced the governor to full completion these sundry years. Isn’t it justifiable for this disadvantaged senatorial district to now produce the governor? Most of the politicians we have in this part of the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria, and Edo State in particular usually throw all forms of rational reasoning, integrity and absolute caution to the dustbin. Always dreaming and living in a severe illusion that because they have money, so anything can go. This amnesia and illusory thinking have made them believe they are the only ones that possess tangible and workable solutions to the myriads of problems besieging the state.

    Furthermore, they have also realized that this is Nigeria, a country where anything goes. But how wrong are they? The likes of us and others of genuine interest of the state at heart would, should and must never allow this highest form of shenanigan to occur. Never again, shall we live in the past. This particular message is not applicable to Edo State alone, but other states in the federating unit called Nigeria. Know that, this is a new Nigeria otherwise called United States of Nigeria (USN). We shall employ every constitutional means and avenues to truncate this type of ignorant people, firstly in Edo state and secondly and largely, other states in Nigeria where we perceive injustice.

    Edo State indigenes otherwise herein called “Edolites should shine their eyes.” What I am professing and confessing is happening in every part of Nigeria. It is the genuine and workable ideas of our heroes in time past to zone every elective office in a state to senatorial districts basically to calm frayed nerves and put smiles on the faces of every nook and cranny of a particular state due mainly to the obvious and admissible fact that we are multicultural from a particular region to the other in a given state.

    This idea is working perfectly in the neighbouring Delta State which advertently introduced it in the governance and rulership of the state. His Excellency, James Onanefe Ibori having perceived that Delta State is a ‘Mini Nigeria” with diverse culture, tribes and tongues.

    So one wonders if it is happening in other states, why is Edo State different? Politicians in Edo State should wake up to these realities and stop wasting their hard earned money, if ever, they haven’t cut corners. They are the so-called Anomi and Ignoramous. Now you will observe all obscure political parties springing up, even when they know that their chances in the election are below 1%.

    To them, they are satisfied with being called “Governorship candidate.” From all the parties jostling for the soul of Edo gubernatorial election come September this year, only three outstanding parties have the chance of making it to the near finish line.

    Read Also: Tinubu advocates equitable capital market access for developing countries

    The PDP, APC and Labour parties are the preferred choices. If the intuition I’m getting from above is anything to go by, the All Progressives Congress (APC), stands the best chance to win the governorship election in the state. The PDP has and would always remain and continue to be factionalised. It is a popular saying that “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

    Now that the election is near, they want to mend fences but it cannot and would not work. One of the advantages APC has is that, they are at the Federal level, therefore the indomitable, versatile comrade, once a prestigious NLC leader, two times governor and now Senator representing Edo North of the state would inevitably throw all his arsenals combined if need be, with the federal might to redeem his credibility he lost after vacating office and entrusting a “godson” who shamelessly and brazenly betrayed him. In the odyssey and the tapestry of life, we are meant to be learning everyday. Needless to say that power is transient, and in no distant time, Governor Obaseki would quit the stage.

    Whether he did well or not would become immaterial, having gotten what he wanted most, not minding or biting the “hand that fed him”. His Excellency, Prof. Oserheime Osunbor of the APC stands the best chance to emerge victorious in this September Edo gubernatorial election.

    To counter this divine directive from the Almighty, those in other camps would have to spend enormous sums of money, but then again, times in Nigeria and Edo State are hard. Please Edolites, you are graciously advised to grab their monies with both hands, if ever given, but then again “Vote your conscience,” It is a secret ballot voting without intimidation. “Nothing spoils.”

    Their money in your pocket could solve one or two things which would inadvertently make life a little easier for you “Period!”

     A cursory look at the man in question, His Excellency, Prof. Oserheime Osunbor shows that the Prof was the best graduating student with a first class honours at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1975.

    He was also the best student at the Law School. It is not surprising that Prof. Osunbor has the intellectual capabilities, and  knows his onions.

    The soon to be held primaries of the APC in Edo State should be an easy ride for Prof, if actually others see him as the solution to the myriads of problems in Edo State. Prof. Oserheime Osunbor would surely and of necessity “walk the talk”. Time alone would tell.

    •By Kenny D. Okotie, Founder/CEO, Abadingo Abadango Foundation  (AAF), wrote in via Kennyokotie1959@yahoo.com

  • Edo 2024: I will get APC’s ticket, win gov election – Ize-Iyamu declares

    Edo 2024: I will get APC’s ticket, win gov election – Ize-Iyamu declares

    One of the 29 governorship aspirants on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has assured his teeming supporters that he will get the party’s ticket on February 17, and win the September 21, 2024 election.

    Ize-Iyamu, who was APC’s governorship candidate during the September 19, 2020 election, and the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2016, spoke at Benin Airport, on his return from Abuja, where he attended crucial meetings with APC’s national leaders.

    He told his numerous supporters that there was nothing to worry about based on his capacity, experience, intellect, and trust in the Lord.

    Ize-Iyamu, who is a senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said: “I want to tell you that APC in Edo State is a united house. We may disagree in reaching the process, but at the end of the day, when we choose a candidate, we will all rally around the person. By the grace of God, and with your support, rest assured that I will get APC’s ticket, and win the election.

    “There is nothing to worry about. When you are contesting for elections, there must be intrigues, all kinds of rumours and stories. Next week, by the grace of God, I am going to collect the forms. I want to assure you that I am in the race. 

    “The only people that can exclude people are members of the screening committee set up by the National Working Committee of APC. Even then, there is room for appeal. The screening committee has not been set up. 

    “Any Edo person is worthy of the ticket, not to talk of somebody who was the candidate of the party. I am not a stranger. More people are saying today that I should contest. I want to assure you that I will not only contest, I will win.”

    The governorship aspirant, who hails from Benin Kingdom in Edo South senatorial district, also stated that he would not take Edo people’s support for granted.

    He said: “I was surprised when I saw the multitude, thousands of young men, women, elders, and leaders at Benin Airport to welcome me. So overwhelming. I am extremely grateful. Your support will not be in vain.”

    Ize-Iyamu also described as cordial, his relationship with the representative of Edo North senatorial district, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo state, who is also an ex-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    He said: “My relationship with our leader, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, is very cordial, contrary to any insinuation. He is my senior brother. He is older than me. I respect age. We have worked together for many years. He is the leader of APC in Edo State. He is a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We have no problem. Even if we are to disagree, that cannot lead to any problem. Let me tell our followers that we need everybody, especially our leaders. 

    Read Also: Edo poll: Expression of Interest, Nomination forms available to all aspirants – APC

    “The fact that you hear about disagreements does not in any way mean that anybody is our enemy. In fact, the hallmark of democracy is the right to disagree, but we disagree to agree.”

    Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, is pushing that his successor on November 12, 2024 should be from Esanland in Edo Central senatorial district, while he is backing on PDP’s platform, the aspiration of a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, who hails from Ewohimi in Esan Southeast Local Government Area of Edo South senatorial district.

    Ighodalo will have to contend with on PDP’s platform, Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, an indigene of Edo North senatorial district; and the eventual consensus governorship aspirant of the Legacy Coalition, led by the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, the immediate Edo chairman of the party.

  • Edo guber: We are set to reclaim Edo back from PDP – Oshiomole

    Edo guber: We are set to reclaim Edo back from PDP – Oshiomole

    Former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomole on Monday, January 15, stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is resolute in reclaiming the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 21 governorship election, amidst 29 contenders vying for the party’s ticket.

    The national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje also charged stakeholders from the state to ensure that the state is delivered to the party during the forth coming state governorship election.

    The two leaders spoke Monday night at the extended Edo State stakeholders meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) on the state gubernatorial election at the party national secretariat in Abuja.

    The former APC national chairman, who is the leader of the party in the state told members of the NWC that leaders and members of the party in the state have resolved to reclaim the state, which he said originally belongs to the party.

    Oshiomole: “We are particularly determined, as you can see everybody here has a robust past and even present. We are determined to reclaim Edo State. I used the word reclaim because Edo is ours. We lost it due to several factors some of which were caused by some APC elements.”

    Stressing the resolve of the party to add Edo in APC kitty, Oshiomole said stakeholders in the state have embarked on series of dialogues with governorship aspirants with a view to getting their understanding for a rancour free primary and to eventually win the governorship election slated for September.

    He said: “On our part, we have tried to initiate dialogue among our aspirants. It is no secret, that at the time we had the dialogue, I think they (aspirants) were 27. I learned it has increased to 29 now. The process is ongoing, and the struggle continues. So we are looking forward to a healthy deliberation.”

    Read Also: APC NWC to meet with Oshiomole, Iyamu, others today

    The former governor also appreciated the role the national chairman, Dr. Ganduje played during the last governorship election in the state and prayed that God will crown his efforts this time around as the party rejoins the progressive family under his leadership.

    Counselling the delegates, APC chairman said the party must  improve internal democracy for a popular and widely acceptable candidate to emerge as the flag bearer of the party at the party’s February 17 primary election.

    He noted: “We have to improve our internal democracy – we have to deepen and widen it. We need to understand the party and its manifesto; its rules and regulations. We need to understand its philosophy. 

    “We need to move towards having a party ideology so that we will not be an ordinary political association whereby everybody can come in just to win an election. 

    “We have to be transparent and at the same time we have to also adopt a guided democracy where we can discuss issues so that we limit if possible the number of contestants. 

    The chairman then assured that APC is taking Edo State back come September 2024.

    He stated: “Edo is an APC state.Now we have to take Edo back. We have only one state from the South South for the greatest party in Africa which is not acceptable. We were able to get only Cross River State; after crossing so many rivers we succeeded in getting Cross River. But Edo State, we Isha Allah must get it.”

  • Ogbeide-Ihama declares for Edo governorship

    Ogbeide-Ihama declares for Edo governorship

    The Legacy Coalition in Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, has drawn a battle line with Governor Godwin Obaseki and his anointed governorship aspirant, Asue Ighodalo, with a prominent member of the coalition, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, yesterday declaring to vie in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

    Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Oredo Constituency of Edo State, and stepped down for Obaseki, ahead of the September 19, 2020 governorship poll, said after emerging victorious during the PDP’s governorship primary election on February 22, he would win the governorship election and succeed Governor Obaseki on November 12.

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    The governorship aspirant spoke at Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre of the Catholic Church on Airport Road, Benin, while meeting with Edo South Senatorial District’s stakeholders of PDP, led by Nosa Ogieva-Okunbor, a lawyer.

    Ogbeide-Ihama, after picking the governorship’s expression of interest form at the national secretariat of PDP in Abuja, flew into Benin and he was received by his supporters at Benin Airport, who sang, drummed and danced, while holding his colourful banners and posters.