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Tag: Edo

  • Police warn Edo politicians against thuggery

    Police warn Edo politicians against thuggery

    •Recover arms used for attacks  

    •PDP lawmakers, leaders flee 

    The police in Edo State have warned politicians to stop sponsoring thuggery.

    The police said they would not allow breakdown of law and order in the state.

    Thugs invaded the Legislative Quarters on Saturday, attacking All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers and their families.

    A statement by police spokesman Noble Uwoh said anybody caught would be prosecuted.

    Uwoh warned politicians not to not to take laws into their hands but to seek redress in court.

    He said the upsurge of political violence in the state does not augur well for its peace and tranquility.

    Commissioner of Police Foluso Adebanjo said policemen have been placed on 24 hours security patrol around Benin City and environs.

    Adebanjo said arms and ammunition used in the attack have been recovered.

    He said the police were on the fleeing attackers and added that those arrested would soon be charged to court.

    Nine PDP lawmakers and some party leaders have fled the state for fear of a reprisal attack by APC supporters.

    It was gathered that APC supporters have been spoiling for “war” but for the continued appeal by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who urged them not to take the law into their hands.

    The Speaker, Uyi Igbe, in a petition, alleged that PDP  members were behind the onslaught.

    Igbe accused the police of complacency. He said: “It was gathered that the police were informed of the attack after the incident at the Benin Airport on Friday, where thugs manhandled government officials as they waited to receive President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “But curiously, rather than strengthen security in the area, policemen attached to the complex and some of the lawmakers were allegedly withdrawn.

    “They went on a rampage destroying vehicles, buildings and assaulting lawmakers and their families. Furthermore, after the exit of the hoodlums, a fez cap was found in the premises with an inscription ‘Final Push’, which is the slogan of a group believed to be sponsored by a PDP lawmaker.

    “Let me remind the commissioner that having heard the news of a possible attack yesterday, we expected that the security in and around the premises should have been strengthened to foil the attack.

    “Also the few police officers who were supposedly posted to the legislators quarters were absent at the time of the attack.

    “This barbaric act lasted for an hour causing residents and neighbours to flee. In addition, police response was very slow, despite several emergency calls. I wish to request your speedy investigation in this matter.”

  • Security guard killed in Edo

    A security guard on Lagos Street opposite the Oba Market in Benin City, identified as Oboh John, has been killed, following the continued battle for the collection of revenue from traders.

    Another guard was beaten to a coma by yet-to-be identified gang.

    Two families- the Osulas and Obazees- have been at war for the last four days over the collection of revenue from street traders.

    Three persons were injured last Wednesday when both families engaged in a free-for-all.

    Goods worth millions of naira were stolen after the  guard was killed.

    A trader, Ebere Chukwu Okafor, said she lost cash and goods.

    “Most of our goods were stolen. We want security in this market. I discovered that our shops were broken into. They took the money I kept.”

    Police spokesman Noble Uwoh said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

  • The bickering Edo Speaker and Rep

    Edo State House of Assembly Speaker Uyi Igbe has had enough of playing at the home front. After eight years at the  State Assembly, Uyi wants to move up.  His target next year is to become a member of the National Assembly. He is aiming for a seat at the House of Representatives. His obstacle against realizing this dream is the lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Razaq Bello-Osagie. They are both seeking the All Progressive Congress (APC) ticket for the same office. This has spoilt the relationship between the two men. As a matter of fact, they have started calling each other names.  Both men now seldom greet each other at public functions.

    Igbe stirred the hornet nest last weekend during his formal declaration to contest for the seat, which Bello-Osagie is seeking a second ticket.  Igbe had made a veiled reference to projects facilitated by Bello-Osagie as projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Igbe said those who have represented the constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly failed to attract federal projects and were laying claim to projects executed by the NDDC.

    According to him, “I have noticed with dismay that nothing really has happened in Oredo Federal Constituency and we want to attempt to change that. I think is time for us to do something about it to engage the federal government.’’

    Bello-Osagie fired back, saying the only project he facilitated from the NDDC was the construction of a four blocks of 16 classrooms at Eyeanugie Primary School because of the poor state of the school.

    He cautioned Edo speaker against engaging in campaign of calumny and said it was regrettable that the Speaker does not understand the workings of government.

    His words:  “It is how much you are able to do, the skill you are able to put in the process to attract more, that makes you a better representative. People cannot use their own yardstick as a basis for measuring the performance of other people. If Hon. Uyi Igbe believes his own score card would be used in assessing me, I think that would be a misnomer. I have delivered on my promise, I do not know about him.

    “The people gave me this mandate. I appreciate this mandate and the least I can do is to see how much I can attract from Abuja to my constituency because politics is about the up lifting of our people and the development of our environment.”

    He took reporters on tour of some other projects facilitated by him and they included and ICT centre at Imaguero College, a 1.15 MVA Electricity Injection Sub-station and a health centre at Umegbe village, solar powered street lights and boreholes across the 12 wards of Oredo.

    Umegbe is among the over 42 villages in metropolitan Oredo Local Government that lacked access to basic social amenities such as school, health centre, electricity and good road. Bello-Osagie said he was moved to build the health centre after the head of Umegbe community died while being taken to Benin Central hospital for minor ailment.

    He said:  “The community has a plethora of problems, water, road and electricity. I was told of how a community head died while being taken to the hospital. I had to build a health centre for them. Following to the needs assessment, we discovered that electricity is a big problem here. We have been working with it for the past two years with the relevant MDA which is the Federal Ministry of Power and I am happy to report that the contract has since been awarded. Work started a couple of weeks ago.

    “The intention of the project is to improve the distribution and of course to enhance power in this area. What we are doing is to find out what they are doing. I go to visit projects I facilitated. I go at night to see if the solar power street lights are working.”

    For the speaker, he can tell all that to the marines. It sure is getting interesting and the last word has certainly not been heard about this matter. These men’s fight may not stop even after a winner has emerged.

    For now, our last word is: let the best man get the job. And please, no violence.

  • Drama as Ozolua fed 5,000 families in Edo

    Drama as Ozolua fed 5,000 families in Edo

    It was a purely charity event. But, since many are used to potential public office seekers engaging in empowerment programme, it was almost mistaken as having political undertone.

    Princess Modupe Ozolua, through Body Enhancement Foundation, just chose to touch the lives of the ordinary folks in Owan Local Government of Edo State.  September 25 was the day. The event witnessed a lot of drama which Ozolua never envisaged, but gave her a better understanding of the poverty level in the area.

    Prior to the foundation’s arrival for the distribution ceremony, some mischievous people had tried to hijack the programme by announcing to the villagers that a political party was donating the items.

    During her speech at the programme in Sabongidda-Ora, Ozolua said she is not a politician, does not belong to any political party and is not interested in running for any political office. She was also clear that the programme was not sponsored by any political party.

    Her announcement was received with loud cheers, clapping and dancing by the crowd of over 5,000 men and women.

    Ms Ozolua said she only carried the Owan West Local Government Council along since the event was holding in the area.

    The ceremony was well attended by traditional rulers and high chiefs from all parts of the local government.

    The foundation made a donation of 800 50kg bags of rice, 660 bottles of vegetable oil, 4,000 packs of salt, 2,400 packs of Indomie donated by Dufil Group and medication donated by DANA Group.

    Princess Ozolua also announced that the food and drugs scheme was not exclusive to Edo State. The foundation conducts the  programme every two months in different parts of Nigeria. The process of selecting the location to go is done by putting names of all the states in a bowl and holding an in-house raffle draw among  members of the foundation’s staff.

    According to Ms Ozolua, her father was from Sabongidda-Ora and the maiden edition of the food and drugs was held in her local government. She said the foundation would not be returning to Edo again for food donations until all other states have benefited.

    Over 5,000 families benefited from the donations. They came from all over the local government.

    Ms Ozolua was very active in the distribution and was seen standing on a huge pile of bags of rice with a microphone coordinating the distribution. Each clan came forward with representatives to collect 100 bags of rice, 25 cartons of Indomie, and so on, which they proceeded to share among their people.

    Significantly, despite heavy security at the venue, there was a near stampede at the event,  a development which shows how hungry and desperate people are.

    According to witnesses, all was going smoothly before lack of trust, desperation and hunger turned clan members against one another. Before long, a row over sharing ratio broke out and fights erupted. In the struggle for food, men and women tossed one another aside like toys. Women started beating weaker men to take the items from them. Women abandoned their children in the crowd so they could fight over bottles of oil.

    Men punched women as though they were in the wrestling ring. Women bit men. Old women given bags of rice were waylaid on their way home by young ones and their foods taken away from them.

    Heavily expectant women fought men and other women over bags of rice and salt. Bags of rice were ripped with bare hands and people got on their knees struggling to pack rice mixed with sand, stones and grass to take home and cook. It was a sad struggle for survival.

    Suddenly, the crowd lunged at the remaining stacks of foods to be donated that were surrounded by members of the foundation and Ms Ozolua. Stacks of rice she was standing on were pulled from under her feet, almost knocking her over. She sustained a cut on her thigh. Her Personal Assistant was knocked flat to the ground. Some of her male employees were thrown over stacks of rice, while others were busy trying to protect her and separate people fighting.

    A source said: “The security agents were torn between keeping order and fighting for food! It is said that even when the mob stampeded the food, they were shouting prayers of gratitude for the foundation and its president.”

    Eventually, the mob was subdued, distribution continued, and fortunately no one sustained any serious injury. Witnesses said Ms Ozolua and her staff handled the incident professionally and with understanding.

    A source said Ms Ozolua  at a point laughed and said she was thankful the foundation was able to help those they sought out to help.

    “Long before the brief disruption to the distribution process, the physically handicapped, widows, orphans and elderly had received their share of the donations,” said a source.

    Although she was shocked at how people fought one another for food, she was not upset because it simply showed there was hunger in the land.

  • Oghogho to present prize share to Edo Orphanage Home

    Oghogho to present prize share to Edo Orphanage Home

    Match Day 27 was a remarkable day for Bayelsa United’s forward, Oghogho Oduokpe as he celebrated his Glo Premier League Wonder Goal award presentation by scoring one of the two goals in his side’s defeat of table toppers, Kano Pillars.

    The setting was the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the adopted home ground of the Restoration Boys and Oghogho was billed to receive the award for his goal against Dolphins FC on Match Day 5 which was earlier in the week announced as securing the highest votes.

    Match Day 25 hat-trick hero, Frank Egharevba had fired a fierce one from outside the box to open scoring for the hosts and then Oduokpe came in as a substitute to double the lead and make victory certain for his relegation-threatened side. He had joined in the fray after being presented the N100, 000 prize money at half time by the Edo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Chris Okaeben.

    Oduokpe, who joined Bayelsa United during the mid-season transfer window, described the award as “one of the best stories of my career” and expressed appreciation to the League Management Company (LMC) for instituting the scheme.

    “I wish to thank the organisers of the award, it is an inspiration to all of us and commendable,” declared Oduokpe who also had stints at Rangers International and Warri Wolves.

    On his Charity of Choice, Oghogho named the Edo Orphanage Home, off Siloko Road, Benin City as the would-be recipient of fifty percent of his win purse.

  • Edo gets new commissioner

    Edo gets new commissioner

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has sworn in Dennis Idahosa as Commissioner for Investment, Public and Private Partnership.

    Speaking after administering the oath of office yesterday, the governor said: “Everyday, we receive all kinds of enquiries from people who want to invest in our state.

    “Quite a number have  decided to come but I believe we can attract even more if we have someone who understands the thinking, the feelings of international investors and what we need to do as a government to attract them to locate to our state so they can create jobs, increase the economy and the GDP of Edo State.

    “So Dennis, I want to appreciate you for accepting and I look forward to working with you very closely in a way that will bring benefit to our people.”

  • Edo APC: don’t trade your cards

    Edo APC: don’t trade your cards

    •2,000 PDP members decamp

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State has urged its members not to trade their temporary voter card for promises of non-existent jobs by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It said it was deceptive of the PDP to promise them jobs in exchange for their cards.

    The State Treasurer, Saliu Momoh, who spoke at a mini rally, urged the people to protect their temporary cards.

    He said: “There is nothing the PDP cannot do to manipulate you to get your voter card.

    “Do not be deceived by them. Don’t release your cards for any job promise.

    “Ask the PDP what it did in 10 years before you release your cards. Let it show you evidence of performance in the state and at the federal level.”

    The Council Chairman, Jimoh Ijegbai said the country could not continue with the “inept PDP government at the federal level”.

    Ijegbai urged the people not to sell their cards but to collect the PVCs to effect a change in country.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Abdul Oroh said the “PDP is an Ebola virus” to the country.

    Oroh said an APC-led Federal Government would restore peace and normalcy to the country.

    He said the $9.3million taken to South Africa for ‘arms purchase’ was stolen by the PDP.

    A party chieftain, Pally Iriase, urged the people to vote out corruption by voting out the PDP in 2015.

    He said President Goodluck Jonathan has  failed in power supply and job creation.

    More than 2000 members of the PDP in the locality joined the APC at the rally.

  • Photo: Victim being rescued from collapsed building in Edo

    A victim being rescued from the rubble of the building collapse in Benin-City, Edo State... on Friday.
    A victim being rescued from the rubble of the building collapse in Benin-City, Edo State… on Friday.

  • Two persons shot in Edo community clash

    THE Edo State Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee has condemned the shooting of two youths in Oka-bere Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, recently.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Chief Eduwu Ekhator while speaking with journalists in his office in Benin City, yesterday, noted that his committee had no knowledge of what transpired in the community, however assured that investigation has commenced to ensure peaceful resolution of the crisis.

    Ekhator advised those responsible for the attack to surrender themselves to the police instead of being evasive as they should not expect to escape justice after committing such atrocious crime.

  • Will INEC conduct by-election in Edo?

    Will INEC conduct by-election in Edo?

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in a fix  in Edo State. The commission has received two letters from the  House of Assembly. The first letter is from 15 All Progressive Congress  (APC) members led by Speaker Uyi Igbe. The second letter is from nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members led by impeached Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea.

    In the lettwer, INEC was informed about vacant seats in the House and  the need to conduct by-elections within 90 days. The seat of Abdulrazaq Momoh (Estako West 1) was declared vacant by the Speaker, following his  defection to the PDP without following the due process.  In reaction, the PDP declared the seat of Victor Edoror (Esan Central) vacant for defecting to the APC

    Crisis hit the House on June 9 after four lawmakers-Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba-Okha), Friday Ogierhiakhi (Orhionmwon South), Festus Ebea (Esan Southeast), and Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East) were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and attempt to woo other lawmakers to the PDP.

    The suspended lawmakers were also accused of offering APC lawmakers N50m to join the APC. Before the suspension, four lawmakers of the APC including Ise-Idehen, Patrick, Friday and Momoh had defected to the PDP. With the defection, the PDP lawmakers rose to eight against 16 APC lawmakers before the impeached Deputy Speaker pitched tent with the PDP.

    What the PDP needed was to woo four more lawmakers to effect leadership change in the House, which would have led to the impeachment of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu. Ebea was said to have been penciled down for the position of acting governor, if the plan had succeeded.

    For about four weeks, Benin-City was enveloped in anxiety as lawmakers battled for the control of the House. The police took over the premises and put a blockade on roads leading to the city centre where the Assembly complex is located. It was a daily exchange of blows for the PDP and the APC lawmakers. Legislative businesses were put on hold.

    The crisis persisted because the lawmakers insisted on attending plenary sesions,  despite a court order restraining them from gaining access to the  complex. Several meetings supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, failed to resolve the crisis as the APC lawmakers said they would be disobeying court orders by allowing their suspended colleagues to attend plenary.

    On July 7, Speaker Igbe moved the plenary session to the old legislative chamber inside the Edo Government House, citing the on-going renovation of the complex. PDP lawmakers kicked against the relocation of the plenary session and vowed not to attend the sitting. Legislative staff were asked to resume work at another location.

    The roof of the hallowed chamber was removed. Armoured doors and iron bars were used to seal the chamber and offices of the suspended lawmakers.

    PDP lawmakers however, broke the armoured doors and resumed plenary session inside the unkempt hallowed chamber. They recruited two former  workers-Omoregbe Osagie and Okoh Godwin-to assist them. Omoregbe and Okoh served as Sergeant at Arms and Clerk for the PDP lawmakers.

    Victor Edoror was named the new Deputy Speaker by APC lawmakers while PDP lawmakers also replaced principal officers. The latest action of the divided House was the sacking of two lawmakers. Speaker Igbe declared the seat of Momoh vacant while PDP lawmakers declared the seat of the new Deputy Speaker vacant.

    Whose resolution will INEC obey? The 15 APC lawmakers or nine PDP lawmakers?

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpagih, confirmed that the commission has received two letters from both camps informing it about the vacant seats. But, he said  the commission was yet to take a decision on the matter.

    Baritor  said a by-election was not important to the commission than the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards.

    He said the INEC does not take decision on a by-election at the state level , adding that its activities are guided by law.

    “We have received two letters, but what is important to us is the distribution of permanent voters cards and thereafter, we register those that are yet to register.

    “Regarding the by-election, the House of Assembly has notified us. As far as we are concerned, we don’t take decisions on such matters here at the state level. We have communicated to the INEC office, Abuja and, once a decision is taken, we will act on it.”