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Tag: Edo

  • Like Edo, like Ondo

    Like Edo, like Ondo

    Media aides are endangered species in the event of a tiff between deputy governors and their principals. We saw that much from the fate lately of media aides of Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who were given the boot by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The pattern replicated what happened earlier to media aides of Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu in his spat with Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Upon returning from his trip to Germany on medical leave, Governor Akeredolu, last week, summarily relieved all media aides of Aiyedatiwa of their jobs. A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Richard Olatunde, detailed Aiyedatiwa’s aides affected as Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola; Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media), Okunniga Oladipupo; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography), Abayomi Samson Adefolalu. It further said the press crew attached to the office of the deputy governor was also disbanded, and members of the crew were to report back to their respective ministry and station. “Equally, the Ministry of Information and Orientation is directed to provide adequate coverage for the activities of the deputy’s governor office henceforth,” the statement added.

    Read Also: Ogoni monarch lauds Tinubu’s clean-up plan, resumption of oil production

    Just before the hammer fell, Aiyedatiwa’s spokesman, Odusola, issued a statement in which he affirmed the deputy governor’s continuing loyalty to the governor and berated those allegedly trying to create a wedge between them. “These faceless individuals who have been hiding their identities, because what they are putting out are pure fabrications, are being sponsored by those who are threatened by the profile of the deputy governor, his relationship with his boss, and the goodwill he enjoys with the people,” Odusola’s statement said inter alia.

    In the context of an uneasy relationship between the deputy governor and his principal, the self-adulatory tone of that statement cannot but be offending to the governor. But though they were appointed on an omnibus platform of the governor and assigned to the deputy’s office, the job brief of the deputy governor’s aides is to show loyalty to their immediate boss. They could not do otherwise on the job. It is the case of the piper playing the right tune, but a tune at odds with the paymaster. Such dilemma is prone to being resolved by axing the piper.

    It was a similar situation that faced Shaibu’s media aides in Edo. The deputy governor arrived the venue of the 60th anniversary of Midwest Referendum after the governor was seated, and his aides assayed to gain entrance to give their immediate boss due coverage. That was an unpardonable breach of protocol for such an event, and they got axed accordingly. But really, they could not have done otherwise. See why they are an endangered species? 

  • 2024: Abure denies interest in Edo Gov poll

    2024: Abure denies interest in Edo Gov poll

    Factional chairman of the Labour Party(LP) Julius Abure has said he has no intention to contest for the Edo governorship election next year.

    The chairman said the clarification was as a result of several inquiries from the media and other party members after a group at the national headquarters of the party on Monday urged Abure to join the contest.

    The group, while making their demands on Abure, said that his acceptance to run for the election will help the party ward off non-party members allegedly bent on hijacking the party primaries ahead of the governorship election.

    National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh informed them that the National Chairman had no intention of contesting the Edo governorship election.

    Read also: Tinubu means well for Nigeria, says deputy speaker

    “Presently, the National Chairman is preoccupied with helping our Presidential Candidate in the February 25 election, Peter Obi to reclaim his mandate freely given to him by Nigerians.

    “He is also about to embark on a membership drive across the states of the Federation in a way to reposition the party ahead of future elections, particularly, the off season elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states.

    “We are therefore calling on all our party members in Edo state particularly, our aspirants for the governorship election to remain focused and to go ahead with their consultations. We assure our aspirants that the party will go into this election in line with our rules and guidelines as stipulated by our constitution,” Ifoh said.

  • Edo govt rallies stakeholders to drive tourism sector

    Edo govt rallies stakeholders to drive tourism sector

    Edo State Government, as part of activities to mark the 2023 World Tourism Day (WTD), is ralling stakeholders in the state’s tourism sector to get their inputs to the recently-drafted Edo State Heritage Promotion and Protection Policy.

    It noted that the policy was aimed at setting guidelines and implementation strategies for the conservation and promotion of Edo’s tangible and intangible heritage materials, in line with efforts to make the state a tourist destination of choice.

    Edo Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, while yesterday disclosing plans by the Southsouth state to join the world in the celebration of this year’s WTD, which holds on September 27, noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki was a lover of arts, culture and tourism.

    She said: ”WTD is a day set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to foster awareness of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural and economic values to mankind.

    ”The theme for this year’s celebration is Tourism and Green Investment, which emphasises the vital need for investment in building a tourism sector that delivers for people and the planet.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill three security men in Edo

    ”Tourism is a positive force of nature that helps to connect our heritage, historicity and our present. It connects culture civilisations and melts humanity into a common narrative of origins and experiences.”

    Oduwa-Malaka also stated that activities to mark this year’s WTD would hold at the Ogba Zoological Garden, Airport Road, Benin, the state capital on Wednesday, September 27, with the major focus on unveiling the state’s heritage promotion and protection policy.

    She said: ”The WTD celebration will feature stakeholders’ inputs in the recently-drafted Edo State Heritage Promotion and Protection Policy, guided tours, workshops and it will highlight some of the milestones recorded by the state government in the tourism space.

    ”This policy places robust emphasis on preservation, conservation and maintenance of our heritage sites and intangible heritage that is consistent with this year’s theme of green investment.”

    Edo commissioner for arts, culture and tourism also urged participants and stakeholders in the tourism sector to suggest ideas that would promote sustainable tourism practices, through environmentally-friendly initiatives.

  • Controversy trails Fed Govt’s N2b to Edo for palliatives

    Controversy trails Fed Govt’s N2b to Edo for palliatives

    Controversy is trailing the Federal Government’s released N2billion of the promised N5billion for palliatives in Edo State, which was also received by other states.

    Edo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare,  addressing reporters yesterday in his office in Benin, refused to own up on the receipt of the N2billion by the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration for palliatives.

    Nehikhare, accompanied by the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Isoken Omo and Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Andrew Okungbowa, asked the Federal Government to come clean on the sensitive matter.

    Nehikhare said: “When the first set of FAAC (Federation Account Allocation Committee) was shared a few months ago, the Federal Government said it was holding onto some states’ allocations. The Federal Government has not told us if the N5billion it promised each state was part of the money it held back; if it was from the Federal Government’s 52 per cent of the FAAC or the 48 per cent to the states and local governments.

    “If someone is giving me money from my allocation, I do not think he is doing me a favour. If the Federal Government is taking from its 52 per cent, and giving each state N5billion, then we will tell the Federal Government thank you. We have asked this question on many occasions, but we have not got response from the Federal Government, if the N5billion is from the 48 per cent that is constitutionally assigned to the states and local governments, or from the Federal Government’s 52 per cent. “

    “The Federal Government should explain to Nigerians where the N2 billion is from. Is it from the statutory allocation of 48 per cent to the states and local governments or from the Federal Government’s 52 per cent?”

    He noted that the free bus ride initiative in Edo between 6:30am and 7pm, which started on September 11, had benefited 1,494,000 passengers within Benin and its environs, as well as 33,000 passengers in inter-city routes in the state.

    Read Also: Edo Govt House saga: Obaseki, allies must be disciplined, truthful, says Shaibu

    He said: “What we are doing is to make life better for Edo people. We do not work with Kneejerk. We plan and strategise. Among what we have done is to make sure residents get free rides. Transportation is one of the highest expenses in families’ budgets. We have cut it drastically from most families. We have done very well. 

    “If some states used their funds to buy new buses, they have their strategies. In Edo State, there are many things we are doing to make our people’s lives better. We are continuously increasing the fleet of our buses, and we are maintaining them, to ensure they perform optimally. We are also considering buying gas-powered buses, to make sure our people get the benefits of the government they put in place.” 

    The commissioner for information and orientation said the Obaseki administration was collecting data in the 18 local governments on the poorest of the poor, to accurately determine the beneficiaries of palliatives, devoid of politics.

    He said Edo had effective data-collection system, in collaboration with the World Bank.

    The commissioner for physical planning said the Obaseki administration was committed to the Coral City project in Benin, in order to decongest the city and have new towns being spearheaded by Edo State New Town Development Authority.

    He said 467 plots were opened up at the Coral City for sale to individuals and comprehensive developers, with emphasis also being placed on the clean and green initiative of Edo government, which she said was not restricted to physical planning.

  • Edo: of purgatory and gracelessness

    Edo: of purgatory and gracelessness

    Just as well: Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, is a Catholic.  He would therefore understand the prime Catholic tenet of the purgatory — the torture chamber in which sinful souls suffer severe soul chastening before going to heaven.  

    The difference though is that in his political hereafter, Shaibu isn’t going anywhere but political hell!  His one-day-one-trouble or one-hour-one-humiliation is stark lesson to political ingrates.

    To serve Governor Godwin Obaseki, his new-god-for-new-convenience and co-betrayer of Adams Oshiomhole, who paved Obaseki’s path to power, Shaibu betrayed a relationship and mentorship that went way back.  

    He went back to their Edo North home base to plot Oshiomhole’s “suspension” from the APC, prelude to his toppling as APC national chair.  Well, it’s morning yet in his long, long day of political purgatory!

    But Obaseki’s god too cannot win this one — though his name is Godwin — because no god endorses treachery and ingratitude.  To be fair though, Obaseki could also claim he was fighting a war of political self-preservation.  

    Still, grim actions do have dire consequences.  The Obaseki that bombs his deputy with political humiliation, simply because he can, will endure his own purgatory in due course.  It’s the immutable law of Karma.

    Read Also: Lockout: Obaseki, Shaibu exchange brickbats

    But enough of a pair that dance naked in public!  Hardball’s concern here is the oft humiliation of democracy and its sacred institutions.  It’s one sick evolution since 1999 — and before — that Nigeria can do without.

    When the chips are down, the President and the Vice President, the Governor and the Deputy Governor, often sink into disrepute that thoroughly humiliates the No. 2.

    The classic was the feuding between President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during their second term (2003-2007).

    The latest reincarnation, at the state level, is the Obaseki-Shuaibu imbroglio, though Muhammadu Buhari-Yemi Osinbajo somewhat erased that federal shame by showing Nigerians the honour and dignity a mutually respecting No. 1 and No. 2 could chalk up. 

    But not at the state level!  There are disturbing echoes from Ondo — coming from the gubernatorial court of Rotimi Akeredolu that just came back from a life-threatening health tour abroad.  Oyo’s Seyi Makinde unceremoniously got his deputy impeached, the same as Akeredolu, with his first-term deputy — a fate that may yet befall Shuaibu.

    When these feuds happen, the deputy governor — constitutionally state No. 2 without who the ticket is neither complete nor legally tenable — suddenly becomes the object of scorn, on which commissioners and other careerists (mere appointees by the way) must spit to show their “loyalty”!

    That’s bad democratic conduct.  To deepen our democracy, we must look into ways to accord the offices and persons of Vice President and Deputy Governor the respect they deserve.  But no need to tinker with the law.  Rather, politicians must tinker own undemocratic behaviours.

  • Three-man tribunal contravenes Electoral Act, Edo CJ told

    Three-man tribunal contravenes Electoral Act, Edo CJ told

    The Labour Party (LP) Chairmanship Candidate for Oredo in the September 2, 2023, local government election in Edo State, Daniel Ero, has urged the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a five-man Election Tribunal.

    Ero appreciated the CJ for setting up a three-man panel but argued that it did not comply with Section 78(3) & (4) of the Edo State Local Government Law, 2012 (as amended) on setting up a Local Government Election Tribunal.

    The law, he explained, provides that the tribunal should have a chairman and four other members.

    His September 15, 2023 letter was titled “Re: Urgent Request for the Immediate Establishment of a Local Government Election Tribunal in Line with Section 78 of the Edo State Local Government Election Law, 2012”.

    The letter reads in part, “My Lord, I am gratified to note that within 24 hours of my letter, which requested the immediate establishment of the Local Government Election Tribunal in response to the numerous concerns and grievances arising from the Edo State Local Government Election, a press release ostensibly dated August 31, 2023, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, Pastor Benson Osawaru, was posted on the Edo State Judiciary’s website on September 14, 2023, indicating the establishment of the Local Government Election Tribunal.

    “Additionally, banners have now been hoisted at the gate of the High Court Complex on Sapele Road, notifying the public of the existence of the tribunal. I appreciate Your Lordship for the prompt response in this regard.

    Read Also: Edo PDP senator returns to APC

    “May I, however, respectfully bring Your Lordship’s attention to a matter of utmost importance that warrants immediate consideration.

    “I have been informed by my lawyers that the press release in question, which may have been hastily drafted, contains a significant oversight.

    “Specifically, it asserts that the Chief Judge has approved the composition of a Local Government Election Tribunal comprising three members only.”

    Ero reasoned that the three-man composition of the tribunal raises concerns about the validity and legality of any decisions or judgments it may reach.

    He urged the Chief Judge to “take the necessary actions to rectify the composition of the Tribunal promptly”.

  • Edo PDP senator returns to APC

    Edo PDP senator returns to APC

    The representative of Edo South Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2015 and 2023, Matthew Urhoghide, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Urhoghide, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation on Monday, September 18, in Benin, the Edo State capital, returned to the APC, almost four months after he resigned his membership of PDP, with the determination to vie for governorship next year.

    The returning senator, while at APC’s Ward 2 secretariat on Airport Road, Benin, to formally register for the party, was received by the ward chairman, Sunny Omokaro.

    Urhoghide, who was earlier at Edo secretariat APC, also on Airport Road, Benin, was received by the state chairman of the party, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), in company with two former Edo deputy governors, Dr. Pius Odubu and Chief Lucky Imasuen, as well as the running mate to the state’s governorship candidate of APC during the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Alhaji Gani Audu, and other leaders of the party.

    The senator revealed that he left for the PDP due to disagreements over some issues, but was happy to be back home.

    He said: “When I resigned from the PDP in May, I said I was going to join another political party, so long as I remain in partisan politics.

    “After a careful evaluation of what is going on in Edo State, I decided to go back to the party that I was a part of its building. I am a founding member of APC. This is where I really have my political friends and associates. I came to rebuild APC.

    Read Also: APC, PDP, LP and unending firefights

    “I am not rejoining APC alone, but moving with my teeming followers and supporters. There is no ward in the entire 77 wards in Edo South Senatorial District that I did not site a project, while I was in the Senate.”

    Edo chairman of APC, in his remarks, urged other members of the party, who were on exile, voyage and sabbatical leave, to return home (APC).

    Urhoghide had earlier declared that he and his allies would not allow Governor Godwin Obaseki to produce a successor on November 12, 2024, in order to ensure good governance and move the Edo state forward.

  • Edo crisis: Why Shaibu is yet to move to new office – Aide

    Edo crisis: Why Shaibu is yet to move to new office – Aide

    Edo state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, is yet to move to a new office near Government House, Benin, as ordered by Governor Godwin Obaseki, due to the absence of official communication to the effect.

    Shaibu’s aide spoke in confidence with The Nation on Monday, September 18.

    The aide said: “All these are wicked spins from Edo state governor’s media team. All that the Edo deputy governor is asking for is an official communication to move. The movement is not a verbal thing, because the office is a creation of the law.

    “Governor Obaseki has insisted that he does not want Edo Deputy Governor around him anymore, but he should do the right thing. We are still expecting his (Obaseki’s) letter.”

    Read Also: Edo relocates Shaibu’s office outside Govt House

    Recall that on Monday, September 11, Shaibu, his aides and workers of his office were pushed out of Government House, Benin, on the orders of Obaseki, despite his September 5 withdrawal from the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, his anti-impeachment suit, with reference number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023.

    Shaibu’s new office is located at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin, with a green and white signboard, having a Coat of Arms, in front of the just-renovated building, with this bold inscription on the signboard: “Office of the Deputy Governor, No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City,” at a location not far from the Government House.

    Also, at the entrance of the one-story building, is an unveiled inauguration plaque, with this inscription: “Edo State Public Procurement Agency – This building was commissioned by His Excellency, The Comrade Governor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, MNI, OON, Edo State Governor, on Tuesday, 16th December 2014.”

    The face-off between Obaseki and Shaibu, ahead of September next year’s governorship election, may lead to the removal/impeachment of Edo deputy governor, most likely by the 24 members of the state’s House of Assembly, in order not to succeed his boss on November 12, 2024.

  • 18 graduate in Edo IDP camp, one bags first class

    18 graduate in Edo IDP camp, one bags first class

    Eighteen of the over three hundred Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) in universities within and outside Edo State have graduated.

    One of IDPs, Amos Ishaku, bagged first class in Chemical Engineering from Edo State University, Uzairue with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.80. He was the best graduating student in the Faculty of Engineering.

    Ishaku, who hails from Gwoza Local government Area of Borno State, joined the IDP camp at Uhogua in Ovia Northeast Local Government Area of Edo State in 2014.

    He dropped out of school in 2012 due to the Boko Haram insurgency. He was then a Senior Secondary School (SSS2) pupil.

    The Coordinator, Home for the Needy Foundation, Pastor Solomon Folorunso, made the dropped the hint yesterday in Benin.

    Folorunso noted that he felt fulfilled, seeing the IDPs, whom most people had not given a chance in life, succeeding in their academic endeavours.

    Read Also: Obasanjo was wrong, says Adeniyi

    He reiterated that the Home for the Needy Foundation started in 1992 as a non-overnmental, non-profit-making organisation, but engaged in providing shelter, education, health and other welfare services to the IDPs across Nigeria.

    The coordinator said: “We want the world to know that good things are coming from Home for the Needy Foundation. It is a place where homeless and vulnerable children come, as well as women that are oppressed and abused, but are specially cared for.

    “In 2012, we started working with IDPs from the North. People who never went to school, people who were slightly educated. Today, we have good results coming out.

    “We are contributing to governments’ efforts. We are doing things to make sure that those who have no opportunity are given opportunities in this country.”

    Folorunsho also assured that the foundation would continue to help the needy, including orphans, street children, children from broken homes and poor families, among others.

  • One bags first class as 18 Edo IDPs graduate from varsity

    One bags first class as 18 Edo IDPs graduate from varsity

    Eighteen of the over three hundred Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) in universities within and outside Edo State have graduated.

    One of the IDPs, Amos Ishaku, bagged first class in Chemical Engineering from Edo State University, Uzairue, with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.80, and was the best graduating student in the Faculty of Engineering.

    Ishaku hails from Gwoza Local government Area of Borno State, and joined the IDPs camp at Uhogua in Ovia Northeast LGA of Edo State in 2014, having dropped out of school in 2012, due to the Boko Haram insurgency, while he was in SS2.

    The coordinator, Home for the Needy Foundation, Pastor Solomon Folorunso, made the disclosure yesterday in Benin.

    Folorunso noted that he felt fulfilled seeing the IDPs, whom most people had not given a chance in life, succeeding in their academic endeavours.

    Read Also: Abbas to Cardoso: “Help us navigate Nigeria out of economic crisis”

    He reiterated that the Home for the Needy Foundation started in 1992 as  a non-overnmental, non-profit-making organisation, but engaged in providing shelter, education, health and other welfare services to the IDPs across Nigeria.

    The coordinator said: “We want the world to know that good things are coming from Home for the Needy Foundation. It is a place where homeless and vulnerable children come, as well as women that are oppressed and abused, but are specially cared for.

    “In 2012, we started working with IDPs from the North. People who never went to school, people who were slightly educated. Today, we have good results coming out.

    “We are contributing to governments’ efforts. We are doing things to make sure that those who have no opportunity are given opportunities in this country.”

    Folorunsho also assured that the foundation would continue to help the needy, including orphans, street children, children from broken homes and poor families, among others.