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Tag: Edo

  • ‘We’ll dislodge APC from Edo in 2016’

    Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will, dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the state, next year

    The opposition said the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections showed that it remained a viable alternative for good governance ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

    PDP State Chairman Dan Orbih told reporters yesterday in Benin, the state capital, that the actual race for a change in Edo Government House had begun.

    Orbih noted that the election of two senators, five House of Representatives members and three House of Assembly lawmakers on the platform of the PDP was a reflection of the people’s confidence in the party to checkmate the ruling party.

    The PDP chairman said the people expected a vibrant and focused legislature devoid of political sentiments.

    He urged the lawmakers to think more about the interest of Edo residents instead of the party’s interest.

    Orbih said: “This state belongs to all of us. We have a responsibility, as a political party, to be answerable to our people, to point out the ills of Adams Oshiomhole’s government. I promise Edo people that we are never going to relent in our effort in this regard.”

    “Democracy cannot survive when you don’t have an informed alternative or an opposition party that will always come to speak for the people. Of course, the APC-controlled state government recorded some victories in the House of Assembly election. That has not taken anything away from the fact that the politics of our state is now fairly balanced: there is no one dominant party.

    “Why we can boast of having majority of the people that will represent the people of Edo State at the National Assembly, for tactical reasons, it is also good that they (APC) should have some good representation at the House of Assembly.

    “So, the governor is having a good majority in the House of Assembly and will have no excuse whatsoever to give Edo people for his failure.”

     

  • Edo aids affected victims of construction at gully site

    The Edo State government has begun the payment of compensation to persons affected by the construction at the gully erosion sites in the state.

    Work is going on at gully erosion sites in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area; Ekehuan, Oredo Local Government Area and Ogbeson in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    The payment of the compensation is in compliance with World Bank guidelines on such assisted projects, which require that compensation be borne by state governments through their counterpart funds.

    Addressing residents at a ceremony in Auchi, Project Coordinator, Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) John Adisa said the compensation was being paid to 121 Project-Affected Persons and not to those who lost their property before the reclamation work.

    Adisa said the beneficiaries were those affected by the operations of the contractor.

    He said more money was being expected from the World Bank for other residents affected by the gully.

    The coordinator added that there were plans to involve other members of the community affected by the erosion through a remediation programme.

    Social Livelihoods Officer of Edo NEWMAP Chris Abode noted that while some other member-states of NEWMAP were still struggling to pay their counterpart fund, Edo was ahead in its counterpart fund obligation.

    The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Alieru Momoh, hailed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for  ensuring that those affected by the construction at the gully erosion site were compensated.

    The monarch urged the beneficiaries to spend the funds wisely.

    The state government, early this year, approved over N1 billion as counterpart fund for the implementation of NEWMAP intervention in gully erosion sites across the state.

    About N497 million is being expended on compensation in Auchi gully site as approved by the World Bank. A similar exercise was done at the Ekehuan gully site while another payment will be held at the Queen Ede gully site.

     

  • Polls: Edo police arrest 13 over electoral offences

    Thirteen persons have been arrested by the Edo State Police command over several electoral offences committed during the conduct of April 11 State House of Assembly elections.

    Spokesman of the police, Joseph Edogiawerie, who disclosed this in an interview, said the suspects were arrested at various locations in the state for ballot snatching and other electoral offences.

    Edogiawerie noted that 10 of the suspects were arrested at Auchi while three were arrested at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South- West local government areas.

    It would be recalled that eight suspects were arrested during the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections in the state for electoral offences.

    Edogiawerie said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.

    Meanwhile, Edo state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Patrick Aisowerien of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency.

    Aisowerien polled a total of 21,759 votes to beat his closet PDP opponent, Larry Ogieva who scored 16,519 votes.

    James Idonigie, the returning officer of the election declared the APC candidate as the winner of the election.

  • Edo: INEC reschedule election in Orhionmwon constituency II

    Edo: INEC reschedule election in Orhionmwon constituency II

    The Edo state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said election for orhionmwon constituency II which was inconclusive during last Saturday state house of Assembly election following pockets of violence has been slated for Saturday April 18th,2015.

    Edo state, Resident Electoral Commisioner (REC), Mike Igini stated this Monday in Benin city, the Edo state capital at a press briefing where he noted that the success recorded by the commission outweighed the challenges encountered during the conduct of the general and state house of Assembly elections.

    Igini who assured eligible voters in orhionmwon constituency II that their votes must count in the rescheduled election for Saturday 18th April into the state house of Assembly said election will be conducted in 12 Units of Orhionmwom constituency II with a total of 4,813 registered voters.

    “Orhionmwon constituency II was declared inconclusive because there were numbers of polling units cancelled or election not held on account of violence in those areas. Therefore we were unable to make a return. The affected areas here involved are twelve Units in four Registered Areas (RA). We have a total of 4,813 voters in those affected polling Units. It was on account of the fact that the margin of win of the leading candidate was far less to these areas where we have 4,813. On or by Saturday, INEC will be going back to Orhionmwon constituency II to conduct the election,” he said

  • Edo state House of Assembly results

    Edo state House of Assembly results

    Akoko Edo 1

    PDP – 7,206, Johnson Momoh

    APC – 14,195, Kabiru Adjoto

    Akoko Edo 2

    PDP – 677, Marie Olabisi

    APC-2,174, Emmanuel Omaludun

    Oredo West

    PDP- 10,193, Uyi Ogbemudia

    APC -13,127, Chris Okaeben

    Oredo East

    PDP – 9,084, Osadebamwen Okoro

    APC- 15,581, Iyoha Osaigbovo

    Etsako East

    PDP- 8,793, Abbas Momoh Jega

    APC – 16,825, Kingslwy Oghenakhogie

    Egor

    PDP – 12,233, Nosa Adams

    APC – 19,554, Crosby Eribo

    Etsako Central

    PDP – 7,517, Abubakar Ahmed

    APC – 10,310, Lawani Damian

    Esan South East

    PDP-11,61, Festus Ebea

    APC -11,867, Edughele Igbelokoto.

    Esan Central

    APC- 10,557

    PDP -8,201

    Etsako West II

    APC- 14,373

    PDP -4,001

    Etsako East I

    APC -11,228

    PDP- 6,321

    Ovia East

    APC -22,562

    PDP -10,497

    Ovia North East

    APC -7,477

    PDP -4,633

    Ovia North East II

    APC -8,041

    PDP- 5,462

    Owan West

    APC -12,883

    PDP -9,963

    Igueben

    APC -8,140

    PDP -6,944

     

  • Oyegun wins polling unit

    Oyegun wins polling unit

    National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief John Oyegun on Saturday escaped defeat at his polling unit for the first time since 1999.

    Oyegun secured victory for the APC at his Unit one Ward two polling unit in Oredo Local Government Area.

    The APC polled 54 votes to defeat the PDP who secured 48 votes at Unit one for the Oredo East Constituency seat in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    In unit two, the APC candidate, Osaigbovo Iyoha polled 49 votes to defeat the PDP candidates who scored 43 votes.

  • Elections: Edo Compol sues for peace

    The Commissioner of Police in Edo State has told Hon. Samson Osagie of the APC and Pharmacist Mathew Urhuonghide of PDP in the Edo South Senatorial poll suspended in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, last month by INEC, to prevail on their supporters to ensure that the remaining part of the election scheduled for Saturday, is conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

    COMPOL Adegbuyi stated this when he invited the two major contestants to have an audience with security chiefs in Edo State.

    The meeting held at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Edo Police Command headquarters, Benin City, Friday.

    ” The reason why we assemble here is to synergise and put in place a conducive atmosphere for the successful conduct of the forthcoming election slated for 11th of April, 2015.

    ” This meeting becomes inevitable in view of the tension already generating in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

    ” There is need to task both candidates, the APC senatorial candidate Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, the PDP senatorial candidate Pharmacist Mathew Urhuoghide to advise all their teeming supporters that the remaining part of the electoral process be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere…. while security agents present would maintain law and other,” the police boss stressed.

    In their separate responses, Rt. Hon. Osagie and Urhoghide reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful election in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the Edo State.

    They however appealed to the police commissioner and other security chiefs present to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, sensitive material and personnel are closely monitored and protected before, during and after the elections.

    The senatorial hopefuls warned any person who may want to foment trouble during and after the polls to have a rethink as their political ambition or interest is not worth the live of any individual.

    It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, suspendend the election of March 28, 2015 in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

    The senatorial election was however rescheduled to run with the State House of election.

    Present at the meeting included the Edo State Director, State Security Service, SSS, Immigration, Airforce, Army, NSCDC and FRSC.

  • Edo APC accuses PDP of recruiting fake INEC staff

    Edo APC accuses PDP of recruiting fake INEC staff

    The All Progressive Congress in Edo State has raised an alarm over recruitment of students by the Peoples Democratic Party with a view to sabotaging Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

    It said the PDP hoped to bribe some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt the students as adhoc staff for the election.

    State Publicity Secretary of APC, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, in a press statement said thugs have been recruited by the PDP to unleash mayhem in areas where the PDP could not rig elections.

    Erhahon warned the students’ mercenaries to steer clear of polling units and collation centres especially in Orhionmwon or they would be dealt with in a lawful manner that would jeopardize the student’s future.

    He urged parents not to allow their children to be used to sabotage the election by politicians whose children are schooling abroad.

    Erhahon advised INEC not to allow its ranks to be infiltrated as it did in the March 28 general elections.

    Responding, a chieftain of the PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, denied the APC allegation and said it amount to insanity.

  • Why I dumped PDP, ex-Gov Osunbor

    Why I dumped PDP, ex-Gov Osunbor

    A former Governor of Edo State, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor said he decided to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) because the PDP does not have the interest of the people at heart.

    Speaking at a rally where he formally decamped to the APC, Tuesday, Osunbor said: “sometimes in February 2012, I reflected on my journey in politics and realized that the people in my party at that time (PDP) did not have the interest of the people of Edo State in mind and that was why during that election I cast my vote in favor of the re-election of the Comrade Governor. I told all my supporters across Edo State to give their votes to him and what did we see? 18 over 18.

    “I did that because I was convinced that the Comrade Governor has the interest of the ordinary people at heart but the people in my former party, the PDP, didn’t have the interest of the common man at heart.”

    The former Governor said, “In the local government elections, I supported the ACN as it were then but and all the while I have been supporting the APC and the election of 2 weeks ago, I cast my vote for the candidate of APC and I told my supporters to vote for APC candidates. I also reflected and saw that within APC are my friends. Why should I be in exile while my friends are in APC, so I decided to come home from political exile to realign with the Comrade Governor and APC in Edo State. The government at the Federal is APC and the Government at the State is APC, what will you benefit if you vote for PDP? He asked.

    In his response, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said, “today for me is historic for several reasons. This is the first formal public display of the bond of unity, friendship and comradeship between Prof. Osunbor and Comrade Oshiomhole. I am sure you all know that I took over from Prof. Osunbor under very hostile condition and today it is to his credit, his large heart and my own purity of heart that whereas governors who smoothly change power today are at war against each other in many parts of Nigeria, in Edo State, the immediate past and the present are bonded together by the broom in a common commitment to work and sustain positive changes in our state and indeed in our great country.”

    Oshiomhole added, “Prof. Osunbor, I want to thank you for your courage and for putting the bigger issue before the smaller issue and like you said demonstrating publicly what you have always done with us privately. May God bless your decision and all those who have come with you in their renewed hope in our mission of change.

    “For me, it is a fulfillment of a long dream. Like he said, Prof. has shown a large heart. For many people, once you have a little quarrel they never forgive and politicians are worse for that and like he recalled, before my second reelection, Prof. Osunbor was there for me not secretly, he told everybody to vote for me and he made a statement that will be recorded in our history.

    “There are many who will say, ‘I will never forgive him’ but that is not Prof.  For me, your coming has not just completely healed wounds, it has strengthened us and it will make a very important mark in the heart of many of our young people who should learn the spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of downplaying personal issues and supporting the bigger question.

    He continued: “The election that took place last week has already settled one major problem that we have had in this state, the problem of political godfatherism. That is now buried forever and history will record it in our favor that together we buried godfatherism in our state and in the country. We now have a state that will be led by younger generation of leaders whose actions and interest in politics is about development. We have radically moved away from politics of exclusion to politics of inclusion. From politics of who do you know to politics of everybody matters.”

    While admitting the Professor into the APC family, Oshiomhole assured that a bigger ceremony will be held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to receive him.

  • Edo: 5,000 PDP youths set to join APC

    Edo: 5,000 PDP youths set to join APC

    Over 5000 youths in Oredo Local Government Area who voted for the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 28, 2015 general elections, are set to dump the party for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The PDP youths who were led by their leaders, Victor Oviawe and David Agbonifo Wednesday stormed the office of the APC state youth leader, Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo where they made their intention to embrace the APC known.

    The youths stated that their visit to Comrade Eriyo was in recognition of his office as the APC state youth leader.

    They urged Comrade Eriyo to use his good offices to ensure that they were properly absorbed into the All Progressive Congress as bonafide members of the party.

    Responding, Comrade Eriyo commended the youths for coming to terms with the reality on ground.

    The Edo APC youth leader stated that the APC holds the prospects for youths in the country, adding that the youths should look beyond mere political gains and think how to build a virile nation.

    He promised to carry their message to the state governor who is the leader of the APC in Edo State.

    He, however, advised the youth to ensure that they have their PVCs .

    Also , Unsettled by the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 28 Presidential election, more chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State are set to desert the party for the APC before Saturday’s general elections.

    Already, with about eight days after Buhari was declared president-elect, over 10,000 PDP members including governorship candidates and principal officers have defected from PDP to APC.

    Unconfirmed report has it that those to defect before Saturday include a prominent Benin chief who is a PDP caucus member and a House of Representative-elect and over 5,000 youths.

    It was reliably gathered that immediately it became clear that President Goodluck Jonathan has failed in his second term bid, prominent chieftains of PDP started talks with APC members who were considered close to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and can carry their message forward to higher authorities.

    It was also gathered that the resolve to move from PDP before Saturday’s election may not be unconnected with the desire to use it as a face saving device in the event that PDP fails in Saturday’s elections, especially as funds were not likely to come from the presidency to prosecute the elections.

    A top official of the PDP confided in Nation that President Jonathan, having lost out in the last elections may not be well disposed to release funds for Saturday’s election.

    Reports have it that inspite of expected poor funding of Saturday’s elections, some PDP leaders said they can only leave the party if the party fails to secure majority members in the House of Assembly .