Tag: Edo

• By Solomon Odemwingie

As Edo State warms up towards the next gubernatorial election, it is of paramount importance to advice the electorates that this state needs to be on the same page with the central ruling party instead of being in opposition. This will facilitate the patronage of the federal government in bringing infrastructural developments to the state, reminiscent of the era of the late General (Dr.) Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

One major reason he gave his people, Bendel state when he contested and won the gubernatorial election on the platform of the Old National Party of Nigeria, NPN was his belief that a state which belongs to the party in power at the centre attracts more development.

Some of us have imbibed this political thought and consciousness towards winning the attention of the federal government in favourable allocation of resources.

Edo state has suffered enough to deserve a new government which will rapidly transform the entire phase of this part of the country that cannot boast of much federal presence.

That the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy have as a matter of expediency and necessity engaged in reconciliation in order to perpetrate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state should be viewed with caution and grave suspicion. We cannot fold our arms and watch them put this state in opposition again.

This is a new dawn which has seen the emergence of President Tinubu who has reiterated his determination and willingness to fast track development in the country. Edo state should benefit from the new drive by having an All Progressive Congress in the state for political harmony and cordiality with attendant rapid development.

It beholves on the APC therefore to seriously look inward to facilitate the emergence of a credible gubernatorial candidate capable of winning adequate support and votes from the electorate.

For now, it appears that only the likes of Comrade, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu are capable of delivering favourable electoral results. Both men are great grassroots politicians that have made their mark. Comrade Oshiomhole’s fame started nationwide when he was issuing press releases from his Agidingbi, Ikeja office as Secretary of the NLC. He later became the President of the body and protected Nigeria workers effectively. His excellent records led to drafting him into politics. Friends of his, like former Governor Lucky Igbinedion and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu himself contributed immensely and positively to the first chapter of his political history. Today, he has gained much ground and therefore capable of winning any election any time any day.

Wherever he goes, the Bini people now humorously nickname him “Oshio Baba” meaning Oshiomhole the father. It should be noted that I am not unaware that he has just been voted as a Senator. This is talking about the reality on ground – those that can win for the APC in view of the prevailing circumstances in Edo State today.

Talking about Pastor Ize-Iyamu, I had an opportunity some years back to describe him as a political jewel of inestimable value to the people of Edo State. He remains so. As a colossal presence in the politics of Edo state for very many years, he laboured assiduously to lay a solid foundation for the existence of the APC in the state using late Chief Obafemi Awolowo style. He started and funded the Grace Group which later metamorphosed to Action Congress (AC) and now All Progressives Congress (APC). As a strong, dependable and reliable pillar of democracy with huge followership from the young and old, Ize-Iyamu is very fit to returning the state to APC. Citizens of Edo knew all that happened in the last two governorship elections in which he took part. Let us not go into details of that so that we do not hurt anyone, reignite bad feelings or open up old wounds. Having established himself as a master of the game of politics in Edo State, the son of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief R. Izevbizua Iyamu, owner of the first storey building in Benin Kingdom will certainly lead the party to victory. Everybody holds him as a gentleman and an envoy of goodwill. Infact, it is clear that Ize-Iyamu is the leading light that shaped the APC as a party in the State.

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However, as an insider with some political experience, there is no gainsaying that there are many credible characters in the party that can command political respect and attention from the electorate but the name Oshio and POI have been at the public electoral domain. Edo state has not seen any meaningful development for some years now. The infrastructures we are seeing can only lead us to remembering Oshiomhole and Ogbemudia’s administrations as if it were yesterday.

The present trend in the state occasioned by the manipulation of the government and its collaborators in dragging Edo state backward in gaining federal presence should be checked democratically. In a free and fair election in Edo state, the PDP will face a stiff resistance from Edo people who have learnt their lesson judging by the way the state government hijacked the last local government election and would not want the voice of the good people of the state to prevail. One would be tempted to recommend that the federal government should take over the conduct of all elections in the country in view of the glaring fraud that attended September 2 local government election in the State. In the search for a credible candidate, some have contended that it is now time for a candidate from Edo central to emerge for the sake of political fairness and representation. To me, what should be most important to APC now is who is capable of delivering the state to the party.

Like president Tinubu would say: “government should endeavour to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people.” This should be the primary focus of the APC and all well-meaning indigenes of the state.

A look into the state political evolution reveals that the state was the first to be created with Benin City as the capital of the Old Midwest. A lot has taken place without evidence by way of infrastructure to justify this as there is little or nothing to show that Benin City has been the capital of Old Midwest, later Bendel and present day, Edo state because of apparent lack of development. Today, Benin is referred to as a city of civil servants and petty traders.

The renewed clamour for another ­party that is not in opposition stems out of the realization of our people for a better life and opportunities for our youths and investors to strive.

Edo is in dire need of federal attention and should not suffer any more from the whims and caprice of individuals who do not fully appreciate the need to really work in harmony with the centre. Most roads leading to the state are in deplorable conditions and the excuses we often hear from Edo state Government is that they are federal roads. Apart from the fact that this excuse is grossly unconvincing those who understand the workability of governance know that there’s nothing like federal citizens in the constitution. Every citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is from one local government or the other which are under the states. By implications, those who suffer accidents and die on these so called ‘federal roads’ are mostly our Edo people who travel on these routes. Furthermore, many have blamed the state government for total neglect of these roads.

Governance requires political engineers who know the rules of the game of humility, accommodation and harmonious relationship with federal government for the sake of the wellbeing of our people. This is why I am convinced beyond all reasonable doubts that only those who have experience and are familiar with the intricacies of governance should be saddled with the responsibility of leading Edo state to the next level. This submission therefore, is that since Edo has tried Oshiomhole and earned victory, let us try Ize-Iyamu this time around.

It is very crucial for the National Working Committee of the party, former Governor of the State Chief Odigie Oyegun, former Governor (Senator) Adams Oshiomhole, former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen, former Deputy Governor Egberanmwen Odubu, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, all leaders of the three Senatorial Districts including Chief Benson Edosomwan and other top leaders to examine and re-examine this submission and take a wise decision for the sake of the good people of Edo State. This is an opportunity the APC cannot afford to miss.

For the All Progressives Congress (APC), next year’s governorship election in Edo State is crucial. The chapter, led by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who currently represents Edo North at the Upper Chmaber of the National Assembly, is working towards winning the election to avenge the defeat it suffered in the hands of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) three years ago. CHINAKA OKORO reports

Like other political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is strategizing to dislodge the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s governorship election in Edo State. The election is scheduled to be held on September 21, 2024, to fill the vacuum that would be created when Governor Godwin Obaseki’s  tenure elapses. Edo State is one of the nine states that observe off-circle elections. The others are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.

Until the 2020 governorship election, Edo State was under the firm grip of the APC. Senator Adams Oshiomhole who governed the state between November 12, 2008 and November 12, 2016, handed over to Obaseki who secured his first term mandate on the platform of the APC. Oshiomhole, who enjoyed wide support across the state, utilised that opportunity to install the then Chairman of his Economic Team (Obaseki) as his successor; against the popular wish of the people because Obaseki was relatively unknown.

However, rather than Obaseki’s emergence to be a blessing and continuity for the APC and Oshiomhole, he became an albatross to the APC hierarchy, particularly Oshiomhole, who backed him as governor. A year after Obaseki assumed office, a crisis ensued between him and his “godfather” Oshiomhole.

Trouble began when Obaseki banned APC leaders from entering the Government House shortly after they supported his emergence. Some of the APC youth leaders such as Osakpanwa Eriyo were thrown into prison, to the chagrin of Oshiomhole, who tried to call Obaseki to order to no avail.

However, on June 19 2020, Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu dumped the APC for the PDP. That was how the APC lost Edo to the PDP.

So, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the date for next year’s election recently, for the APC, it was another opportunity to strategise on how to take back the state which many believed was taken from the PDP by Oshiomhole through hard work.

On the part of the PDP and Obaseki, they would want to tell the world that the PDP has come to stay. But they should expect the political ruggedness of Oshiomhole and his APC because Obaseki whom he enthroned seven years ago ended up betraying him.

No wonder many aspirants have been expressing their interest in vying for the Edo governorship position on the platform of the APC. The situation now is a huge challenge for Oshiomhole because many of his supporters and the APC hierarchy in Abuja are apprehensive that the mistake he made by bringing Obaseki as governor seven years ago may repeat itself.

The first challenge before Oshiomhole will be where to cede the governorship ticket. Is it to Edo South where the incumbent Obaseki hails from or Edo Central, an area where many believe has been marginalised in terms of the governorship position?

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Rumours making the rounds have it that Obaseki has anointed his friend, Asuen Ighodalo from Edo Central as his successor; after getting rid of the ambition of his embattled deputy, Philip Shaibu, who is from Edo North.

Many are indeed canvasing for the Esan Agenda (Edo Central), but Oshiomhole’s strategy will be to win and nothing more. Looking at the aspirants that have indicated their interest in facing the PDP come September 21, 2024, it is obvious that the battle for the APC ticket is between Edo Central and Edo South where Obaseki hails from.

Some of the aspirants that have indicated interest to run for the position on the platform of the APC include former deputy governor, Chief Lucky Imasuen (Edo South), a former member of the House of Representatives, EJ Agbonayinma (Edo South), Mallam Gani Audu (Edo North), Prince Clement Agba (Edo North), Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd) (Edo Central), Victor Eboigbe (Edo Central), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo Central), Mr Gideon Obhakhan (Edo Central), Saturday Uwuilekhue (Edo South), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (Edo South), Col. David Imuse (rtd) (Edo Central), Denis Idahosa and many others.

It is also rumoured that former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogienwonyi (Edo South) will also join the race soon. The immediate past Director of Finance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) is yet to jump into the race but there are indications that the APC hierarchy may draft him into the race because he has remained consistently loyal to the party. As it is now, Oshiomhole ceded the ministerial position to Edo North; in the person of Alhaji Abubakar Momoh. With the influence of Oshiomhole in Edo North, the APC is intact in that area.

Edo Central indeed, believes that it is its turn after Senator Osarhiemien Osunbor tasted it between May 29, 2007, and November 11, 2008, before the Appeal Court declared Oshiomhole the authentic winner of the governorship election.

But observers believe the best bet for the APC is to cede its ticket to Edo South, which has the biggest voting population. Such political pundits are also of the view that the APC must watch the activities of the Labour Party (LP), which has a strong support base in Edo South. Their thinking is that if the LP decides to give its ticket to a popular Benin man (Edo South) and the APC opts for Edo Central, the contest may become dicey for the APC; particularly now that Obaseki appears to be considering Edo Central.

All Oshiomhole needs to do is to pick a Benin man as the APC candidate and a running mate should be picked from Edo Central since the minister is from Edo North. This political calculation will guarantee victory for the APC.

Examining the candidates from Edo South, if the party should pick Gen. Airhiavbere (rtd) as its candidate, he is one man who has all it takes to sack the PDP and Obaseki from Osadebey Avenue, the seat of power in Edo State.

The former commander of the Army Finance Corps and Accounts and the immediate past Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NDDC was the PDP governorship candidate who challenged Oshiomhole in the July 14, 2012 governorship election. His emergence as the PDP candidate then unsettled the then Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) due to his influence in the military.

However, Oshiomhole, who was basking on his popularity, based on his developmental strides as governor then, won the election.

In 2015, Gen. Airhiavbere, with his supporters, dumped the PDP for the APC. He again vied for the ticket of the party in 2016. But when Oshiomhole anointed Obaseki as his successor, Airhiavbere rallied other aspirants behind Obaseki.

He ran again in 2020, but Oshiomhole preferred Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Again Gen. Airhiavbere worked for the party. Unfortunately, Ize Iyamu was outfoxed by Obaseki in that election.

Those familiar with Edo State politics over the years believe that Gen. Airhiavbere is the kind of man Oshiomhole needs to sack Obaseki and the PDP in the coming election. He is a man that has a regimented background. So, he will be loyal to the party and its leaders at various levels.

His relationship with the palace of the revered Oba of Benin is also an advantage to the APC. Judging from his antecedent, he is a progressive-minded politician who has the interest of his people at heart.

These attributes played out when Governor Obaseki sacked 14 members of the House of Assembly. General Airhiavbere came to their rescue and housed them in his Abuja hotel. During that turbulent period, those G14, as they were fondly called, echoed their regret of choosing Pastor Ize-Iyamu as their governorship candidate.

In terms of management, as the immediate past Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the NDDC, it is said that Gen. Airhiavbere exhibited his high capacity and intellectual prowess in assisting the management to redirect the commission positively.

He was said to have introduced policies that will assist the current management to achieve its goals of ensuring that the commission delivers on its promises to the people of the Niger Delta.

So, as the APC primary beckons sometime in February 2024, all eyes will be on Oshiomhole to get the right man who will help the party dislodge Obaseki and his PDP associates in the election scheduled to be held on September 21

As the governorship race to the Osadebey House, Benin City, gathers momentum, there are array of aspirants warming up. the ambiance is going to change with the entrance of Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a professor of political science. 

His weighty credentials for the job are not in doubt. That is why political pundits maintain that he has an edge.

On his aspiration, he simply said: “this is no doubt the golden chance which the Edo people  may have been longing for over the years. I doubt seriously if they would allow anybody or circumstance deprive them of it”. 

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Odion-Akhaine was one of the foremost pro-democracy activists who fought and suffered for the democracy that the country is enjoying today.              The ex- activist undoubtedly appreciates the value of today’s democracy than any other contestant because he was involved by just putting his life on the line to ensure that the process that finally led to its actualisation succeeded at all costs. 

An intellectual who means well from the depth of his heart for the Edo people, he maintained that this is the best time to bring to the table a development plan. “targeted at the improvement of material conditions of the people of Edo state and their ethical re-orientation to create a hegemony in self reliance in Edo state”.

The professor stated that his programmes are woven to unleash productive employment for the people and to realise Maslow hierarchy of needs in the state, namely food, shelter and clothing on a sustainable matrix.

As the gubernatorial race to the Osadebey House begins to gather momentum, there are array of aspirants warming up for the race, the ambiance is going to change with the grand entrance of Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a professor of political science in the race, whose presence is already rattling most contestants. 

Perhaps, this is so, because of his weighty and relevant credentials for the job. That is why political pundits maintained that he is obviously head above shoulders of others in the hot race.

When our reporter had a snappy chat with him, he simply said “this is no doubt the golden chance which the Edo people  may have been longing for over the years. I doubt seriously if they would allow anybody or circumstance deprive them of it”. 

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It is on good source that Prof Odion-Akhaine was one of the foremost pro-democracy activists who actually fought and suffered for the democracy that the country is enjoying today.                         

For this singular reason, the ex- activist undoubtedly appreciates psychologically the value of our today’s democracy than any other contestant because he was involved by just putting his precious life on the line to ensure that the process that finally brought about this democracy succeeded at all costs. 

A world class of intellectual who means well from the depth of his heart for the Edo people maintained that this is the best time to bring to the table a development menu “targeted at the improvement of material conditions of the people of Edo state and their ethical re-orientation to create a hegemony in self reliance in Edo state”.

The professor of political science obviously bleeding with passion for the good of the Edo people, stated that his programmes are woven to unleash productive employment for the people of Edo state and to realise Maslow hierarchy of needs in the state, namely food, shelter and clothing on a sustainable matrix.