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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Tribunal delivers judgment on Edo governorship poll Friday

    Tribunal delivers judgment on Edo governorship poll Friday

    The Edo States Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal will on Friday deliver judgement in the petition brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Parties in the suit were on Wednesday informed about the tribunal’s decision to deliver judgment on the matter.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the September 28, 2016 governorship election which was won by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Respondents in the suit were Governor Obaseki, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

    Hearing of the petition by the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi began on January 7 and ended on April 3.

    During the course of trial, the petitioners called 92 witnesses while Governor Obaseki called 68 witnesses.

    The APC called 15 witnesses and INEC did not call any.

    Counsel to INEC, Onyinye Anumonye, argued that there was no need to call witnesses that would repair the case already damaged by the petitioners’ witnesses.

    Onyinye, however, tendered 203 documents including 200 copies of Form EC8(B) for the 18 local government areas, one copy of Form EC8(C) for the 18 LGAs of the state, Form EC8(D) for Edo State and Form EC8(E).

    The petitioners tendered the voters’ register from 16 local government areas as well as the Forms EC8A, Form EC8B and EC8C, being results sheets for all the polling units, wards and local government areas of the state.

     

     

  • Obaseki urges Edo farmers to see agriculture as a business venture

    Obaseki urges Edo farmers to see agriculture as a business venture

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has urged farmers in the state to see agriculture as a veritable business that can be used to grow the state’s economy.

    The governor gave the advice on Tuesday when he received members of the state chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Benin.

    Obaseki said that the state government was creating the enabling environment for farmers in the state to thrive and become millionaires through its agribusiness initiative.

    “We want to help you improve your yields and reduce the challenges you are facing such as lack of access roads and storage facilities.

    “We are interested in structured cluster farming, where farmers can cultivate large hectares of lands via mechanisation.

    “We are also rehabilitating the fertiliser plant in Auchi, so as to expand the farmers’ access to fertilisers to boost their productivity.

    “So we want farmers in the state to see agriculture as a business with self-sustenance capacities,’’ he said.

    Obaseki said that the aim of his administration was to make available about 200,000 to 250,000 hectares of land for agricultural purposes within the next four years.

    “We have acquired lands in some local government areas and we are carrying out the pilot phase of our cluster farming.

    “We have prepared about 2,500 hectares of land for maize production in some local government areas.

    “We intend to replicate the model in other local government areas across the state,’’ he said.

    Besides, Obaseki informed the farmers’ association of the government’s plans to curb the menacing activities of herdsmen in the state.

    He said his administration was considering the establishment of cattle ranches across the various local government areas in the state.

    He said that the ranches would not only curtail the menace of the herdsmen at farms but would also serve as means of generating revenue for the government.

    Earlier, the state Chairman of AFAN, Chief Emmanuel Odigie, commended the governor for diversifying the economy via investments in the agriculture sector.

    Odigie said that the farmers’ association had over 80,000 registered members who were involved in full-scale crop growing across the state.

    He also said that the association was about to initiate an insurance scheme for its members, as part of its efforts to secure their farm produce.

    He, however, urged the state government to sign the some agreement documents with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate the release of the first batch of the Anchor Borrowers Programme’s loan to farmers in the state.

    He listed the challenges facing agriculture in the state as the heinous activities of herdsmen, poor storage facilities, lack of irrigation facilities and poor access roads to farmlands, among others.

  • Edo polls: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu know fate soon

    Edo polls: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu know fate soon

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate in the September 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, may soon know their fate as the election tribunal on Monday reserved a date to deliver judgment.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu had filed a petition before the tribunal asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the elections based on alleged non-accreditation, over voting and non-compliance with the electoral act.

    INEC had declared Obaseki winner of the election with 319, 483 votes while Ize-Iyamu scored 253, 173 votes.

    The three man panel tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi said a date to deliver judgement would be communicated to parties involved in the suit after the parties adopted their written addresses.

    Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Onyechi Ikpeazu, ‎told the tribunal to dismiss Ize-Iyamu’s petition as the petitioners failed to establish instances of over-voting by not tendering the voter register, ballot papers, the recounted ballot papers and the outcome of the recounting exercise as evidence.

    Ikpeazu ‎said the proof of over-voting must be done polling unit by polling, rather than covering only 29 out of all the polling units in the state.

    The INEC counsel said the petitioners relied on invented figures not before the court and failed to provide competent evidence before the tribunal when they called witnesses who merely flipped through documents.

    Ikpeazu stated that Section ‎138(2) of the Electoral Act, as amended, said that ticking to the left or right for accreditation and voting emphasised by the petitioners, could not be grounds for non-conformity with the electoral process.

    Lead counsel to Obaseki, Chief Wole Olanipekun, urged the tribunal to dismiss the Petition on grounds that the identity of the first petitioner and who was sponsored by the PDP were different.

    Olanipekun stated that the petitioners abandoned their claims in the petition and are holding onto any straw.

    His words, “They could not prove anything. They are holding onto any straw. They don’t know what they want. They didn’t tender anything. What is remaining is carcasses.”

    “The straw of corrupt practices and non-compliance raised by the petitioners was weak as they could not prove anything. The first petitioner’s claim that he got majority votes and won the election was undoable”.

    Olanipekun opined that the name of Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu used in the petition was different from Osagie Andrew  Izs-Iyamu used for the election.

    He said there was no pastor in his name in the document used for the conduct of the election but it was only added in the petition.

    He said that with the conflict in identity of the first petitioner the petition was deemed as incompetent and doom to fail.

    Counsel to the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, told the tribunal that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claim of electoral irregularities in their pleadings, evidence and address.

    Fagbemi argued that the petitioners failed to establish fact before calling witnesses.

    “I urged your lordship to hold that the petitioners have failed. There is no leg on which the deposition stand. They did not establish over-voting. If there was deduction in the recount of results declared by INEC, APC will still win by 58, 696 votes.

    Lead counsel to the petitioners, Yusuf Alli, said the most logical thing for the tribunal to do was to dismiss the submission of the respondents as there was merit in all the complaints of the petitioners.

    Ali stated that allegation of non-compliance with the electoral law was made against INEC but the electoral body failed to present any witness ‎to answer to the allegation.

    He said the petition was mainly based on documentary evidences and argued that it was only PDP that can question the identity of the candidate and not any other party.

    He said no member of PDP was challenging the candidacy of the petitioner.

    He however urged the court to uphold the petition and declared the petitioners as the winners  of the election.

     

     

    “I urge the court to hold that there is merit in all  the complaints of the petitioners and as result of the merit the petitioners should be declared as the duly elected candidate of the election”, he stated.

    “All said my lords, I pray you, sir, that there is merit in all the complaints of the petitioners. And that as a result of the merit of the complaints, the petitioners are entitled to be declared as the duly elected governor of Edo State from the election of September 28, 2016.‎”

  • Ogbemudia, true nationalist – Obasanjo

    Ogbemudia, true nationalist – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented the demise of ex – military Governor the defunct Mid- Western State, Brig-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia(rtd), saying he was a nationalist who would be “sorely missed.”

    Obasanjo who described the late Ogbemudia as a friend and patriot, said he committed his life to the service and unity of the nation.

    In a letter of condolence dated March 11, 2017, and addressed to the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki and which was made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital,  Obasanjo said  Ogbemudia was a versatile soldier and had a brilliant career in the army.

    Obasanjo said: “I recall, Brig-Gen. Ogbemudia and I served in the Field Battalion before Nigeria’s independence. During the civil war, he was able to make his way out of the rebel-held area to report to the Federal side.  This, indeed, was a mark of loyalty to his fatherland.

    “He was a true soldier who fought with commitment and distinction during the civil war on the Federal side. He was a great nationalist.  He fought for the unity of this country with complete dedication to the ideal of a great Nigeria in which fairness and justice will reign.

    “Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that the history of our struggle for national unity, democracy and good governance cannot be written without ample reference being made to the patriotic, visionary and heroic role played by Ogbemudia.

    “As a Military Administrator of the defunct Mid-Western State between 1967 and 1975 and later as an elected Civilian Governor of the old Bendel State briefly in 1983, he made tremendous mark and he was the creator of what today is called “University of Benin”.  It is a testimony to Brig-Gen. Ogbemudia’s versatility that on retiring from the military, he rapidly transformed into a successful businessman.

    “But it was in the sphere of politics that he made his most enduring contribution to national development. His position in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the early days of the present democratic dispensation gave the Party the strength in Edo State and indeed in the South.”

    According to Obasanjo, Ogbemudia was also well known for his contributions to sports development and chaired the National Sports Commission creditably.

    He commiserated  with the people of Edo state and members of Ogbemudia’s immediate and extended family on the demise.

    “I, myself, have lost a friend and close associate. Brig-Gen. Ogbemudia will be sorely missed by all of us. The finality of Brig-Gen. Ogbemudia’s passage is painful, especially as he still had a lot to contribute to community and national life, but we can draw some solace from knowing that he left his mark indelibly in whatever he was called upon to do,” Obasanjo stated.

  • Edo assembly adjourns plenary in honour of Ogbemudia

    The Edo House of Assembly on Monday adjourned its plenary session for eight days in honour of the late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, who died at the age of 84 years.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, the Deputy Speaker and member, representing (APC-Uhunmwode) Constituency, moved motion for the adjournment under matters of urgent public importance.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late elder statesman, who died on March 9, was governor of the old Mid-West region and later Bendel State, now Edo and Delta.

    Moving the motion, Ativie said that Ogbemudia had brought unquantifiable development to the defunct Bendel State.

    “We can all attest to the massive road construction and infrastructure development during his tenure as the governor of this region.

    “He founded the Mid-West Institute of Technology, now University of Benin, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the Palm House, among others,” she said.

    According to her, the assembly commiserates with his family and the entire people of Edo and Delta.

    Other lawmakers took turns to eulogise Ogbemudia for his contributions to the development of the state and Nigeria in general.

    The Assembly also directed all institutions across the state to fly the nation’s flag at half-mast in honour of the late elder statesman.

    The Speaker, Justin Okonoboh, described the death of Ogbemudia as a loss to Edo, saying that he would forever be remembered for his vision for the defunct Bendel State.

    Okonoboh, however, directed that the resolution of the House should be sent to Gov. Godwin Obaseki. 

  • Ogbemudia’s burial holds Friday

    Ogbemudia’s burial holds Friday

    Former Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia who died of diabetes complications will be interred on Friday.

    The burial date is in accordance with the wish of the deceased that his body must not be kept in the morgue and should not be left for more than seven days.

    Dr. Ogbemudia also reportedly requested that his body must not be publicly displayed.

    The decision was disclosed after a meeting Governor Godwin Obaseki had with members of the family.

    More details later….

  • Presidency urges oil producing states to absorb Amnesty beneficiaries

    Presidency urges oil producing states to absorb Amnesty beneficiaries

    • Submits 1,416 names to Obaseki

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), on Thursday appealed to governments of the oil producing States to absorb beneficiaries of the amnesty programme from their respective states.

    Boroh said the development will reduce unemployment among the ex-militants.

    Describing the new approach as a game changer, in a statement by the Office Media & Communication Consultant, Owei Lakemfa, Abuja, the presidential aide added that it would resolve youth restiveness in the region.

    He disclosed that in line with the model, the  Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki already commenced moves to provide employment for Edo State amnesty beneficiaries. 

    Boroh noted that the Office has submitted a list of 1,416 ex-Agitators including 213 scholarship graduates and 466 persons who needed training and empowerment or employment.

    The statement reads: “A fundamental one in sustainably reintegrating  aggrieved youths who six years ago, had  taken  the amnesty offer of  the Federal Government.”

    He emphasised the need for other State governors from the oil producing states to partake in the programme.

    “By assisting their youths the presidential amnesty programme is not an open-ended one and all beneficiaries would have to eventually exit the programme.

    Boroh said the visit to Edo State by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo last Monday, further cemented the ties between the people in the Niger Delta region and the federal government. 

    He said, “If the amount of empathy, concern and commitment to the people in the Niger Delta and their plight shown by the Buhari administration had been shown by past governments, there would have been no reason for agitations in the region. All that the people require and are asking  for is basic development and understanding which is what the Buhari administration is offering.”

    He lauded government’s decision to get all contractors who have abandoned projects in the region to go back to work and fulfil their contractual obligations.

  • Edo polls: APC begins defence

    Edo polls: APC begins defence

    The All Progressive Congress has opened its defence in the ongoing hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the September 28, governorship election over alleged non-accreditation of voters and over voting.

    The APC which is the third respondent in the suit opened its defence after Governor Godwin Obaseki closed his defence by calling 68 witnesses.

    Witnesses called by the APC insisted that they were not trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission but by their party.

    The witnesses that testified included Mr. Charles Adenomon, Diamond Ogieriakhi, Ugeleri Sunday, Emmanuel Omoregbee, Hon Osadolor Gilbert and Samuel Omoruyi, all from Ikpoba/,Okha and Ovia South West local governments respectively.

    During cross examination , the witnesses said no voted without accreditation.

    Diamond Ogieriakhi said he saw INEC officials ticked the voter register in his unit during voting and accreditation which he said was done simultaneously.

  • Edo Assembly reaffirms commitment to promotion of gender equality

    Edo Assembly reaffirms commitment to promotion of gender equality

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to continue to promote gender equality through the passage of laws that would protect the rights of women.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Justin Okonoboh, made the promise during plenary to mark the 2017 international women’s day celebration in Benin.

    Okonoboh noted that the house had passed six bills that affected women and children.

    He listed the bills to include; a law to prohibit Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation, 1999. And law to make provision for the prohibition of inhuman treatment of widows, 2001.

    Others include; A law to amend the provisions of inhuman treatment of widow (prohibition) law, 2004 and law to provide protection against stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with (HIV/AIDS), 2006.

    He said the House also passed a law to protect the rights of the Child 2007 and a law to establish the Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids, 2009.

    Okonoboh said that the Gender Equality Opportunity Bill,2016 and a Bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons were pending.

    According to him, they are before various committees of the House.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, member representing (APC Uhunmwode) Constituency urged Gov. Godwin Obaseki to give top priority to 35 per cent affirmative action in his appointment across the state.

    The affirmative action seeks 35 per cent employment opportunity for women in governance.

     

  • Edo APC members kick against list of appointees

    Members of the All Progressive Congress in Estako East local government area on Tuesday protested against list of commissioners’ nominees submitted by leaders of the party in the locality.

    The protesters said the names submitted by the party leaders do not represent the interest of party members across the locality.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki had asked for nominations from Ward leaders to be appointed Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistants.

    The protesters said the party leadership led by one Sunday Adoga and Musa Afegbua  picked names in Benin City without recourse to the choice of party members at the Ward level.

    They protested to the State House of Assembly, party secretariat and Government House.

    Spokesman for the protesters, Oba Steven Peter, said the APC leaders opted for zoning arrangement with adhering to the guidelines issued by Governor Obaseki.

    Oba stated that elected members from the zone kicked against the plot but the APC leaders refused to listen.

    According to him, “They don’t represent us and should not preside over our Affairs anymore. We call for outright rejection of the diabolical list of nominees concocted in their bedroom.

    “That list is not from us and is designed to serve some parochial interest of those who do not care about the general interest of our party.

    “We call on you Excellency to order an all-inclusive process of nomination exercise.”