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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Osinbajo’s visit: Obaseki apologizes to Edo people over gridlock

    Osinbajo’s visit: Obaseki apologizes to Edo people over gridlock

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki has apologised to people of the state, especially those in Benin metropolis, for the traffic difficulties experienced during Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit on Monday.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, on Tuesday, Obaseki regretted the inconveniences people went through during the visit and assured such situation would be better managed in future.

    It can be recalled that Osinbajo was in Edo in continuation of his visit to the Niger Delta for dialogue with the people on the issues affecting the region.

    In the state, the visit enabled him to interact with leaders of the oil-producing communities on how to resolve the persistent crisis in the area arising from oil activities.

    “I apologize to everyone in the state, especially those in the Benin Metropolis, for the difficulties experienced in mobility.

    “The torrential downpour also worsened the situation. I want to assure you that the situation will be managed more effectively next time.

    “I want to thank the Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo, for the visit and for rubbing minds with the good people of the state on how best to develop its oil-producing communities.

    “The people of Edo have no doubt that you mean well for the state and the entire Niger Delta region.

    “Be rest assured, Professor, that the government and people of Edo will support you, and may your strength never fade.

    “To the people of Edo, I also say thank you for successfully hosting the Acting President in the state warmly,” he said.

     

  • Edo polls: Obaseki calls 65 witnesses, closes defence Monday

    Edo polls: Obaseki calls 65 witnesses, closes defence Monday

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Monday closed his defence at the ongoing hearing of the petition filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party at the Election Petition Tribunal.

    Governor Obaseki who is the second respondent in the suit has so far called 65 witnesses to testify and make counter claims of non-accreditation and over voting as postulated by the petitioners.

    Obaseki has three days left to call witnesses.

    The first respondent, INEC, did not call any witnesses. It only tendered documents claiming that its witnesses may help the petitioners proved its case.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP called 92 witnesses and tendered several documents to back claims of  alleged non-accreditation and over voting. 

    At the resumed sitting on Thursday, lawyers to Obaseki informed the tribunal that they want an adjournment to enable them re-strategise their defence.

    Lead counsel to Obaseki, Mr Adetunji Oyiyepo, said the adjournment was to enable the defence team re-appraise their case before proceeding to calling any more witness.

    “My Lords, we are asking for an adjournment for this petition. We have so far called 65 witnesses across the wards from the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “We need Friday and Saturday to reappraise our defence strategy. We need more time to re-appraise our case.

    “We need to re-strategise to make maximum use of the available time on Monday. We don’t want to dump all manner of witnesses at the tribunal,’’ he said.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi granted the order and told Counsel to the third respondent, Mr Rotimi Ogunesho, to be ready to open his defence on Tuesday.

  • Edo polls: Tribunal releases results of recounted ballot papers

    Edo polls: Tribunal releases results of recounted ballot papers

    The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal has released results of the recounted ballot papers used for the September 28 governorship election.

     

    In its ruling on February 9, 2017, the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi granted the prayers of the People’s Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu by ordering the recount of ballot papers in Egor, Akoko-Edo, Etsako West and Etsako East local government areas.

     

    The APC won in all the four local government areas where the ballot papers were recounted.

     

    However, the ballot papers which held for two days could not be concluded following the expiration of the period given to the petitioners to prove their cases.

     

    From the results released, only eight wards were counted in three local government areas while no ballot papers were recounted in Estako East local government.

     

    In the report signed by the Assistant Secretary to the tribunal, Buhari Sani, and given to parties in the case, the recounting exercise was concluded in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Etsako West Local Government Area, Wards 1 and 2 in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Ward 1 of Egor Local Government Area. 

     

    The recounting from Estako West showed that Ward 1 had 1,281 votes, Ward 2 had 1,542 votes, Ward 3 had 1,490 votes, Ward 4 had 1,994 and Ward 5 had 3,025 votes.

     

    In Akoko-Edo, Ward 1 had a total of 3,206 and Ward 2 had a total of 3,849 votes.

     

    The only ward counted in Egor local government had 3,217 votes.

     

    Sani said the recounting stopped at 1pm by the tribunal on the application of Counsel to the Governor Godwin Obaseki.

     

    The tribunal resumes sitting on Friday with INEC opening its defence of the case.

  • Edo: 400 witnesses to testify for Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Edo: 400 witnesses to testify for Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Over 400 witnesses are expected to testify for the People’s Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the ongoing hearing of the petition against the victory of Godwin Obaseki in the September 28 governorship election.

    Some witnesses who testified before the three-man panel insisted that there were no accreditation before voting at their various polling units.

    The witnesses who were Ward agents of the PDP in Akoko-Edo local government said they used incidence forms after the INEC card reader malfunctioned.

    They said there were over voting in during the elections.

    Those that testified are James Mayaki, Charles Osagbemeh, Richard Olori and Ayeni Sunday.

    During cross examination by Prosecution Counsels, James said he voted even though he was not accredited.

    He said there were no accreditation in Unit 2, 9, 11, 12 and 14 in Ward 2, Akoko-Edo local government.

    Richard told the tribunal that all party agents in Ward 5 signed the unit results and that he examined the pink copies of form EC8A before he handed them over to the party chairman.

    Hearing was still on as at press time.

     

     

  • Obaseki presents 2017 budget to Edo Assembly

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday presented a budget estimate of N150bn for the 2017 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

    The 2017 budget is 29 percent larger than the 2016 estimate.

    Tagged a “Budget of Consolidation and Prosperity, “Obaseki said recurrent expenditure is N74.9bn, while capital expenditure is N75.1bn.

    The governor said the budget has a deficit of N25bn which would be funded by external borrowing in the first tranche of the World Bank support project.

    He said the 2017 budget was planned around six key policies including economic revolution, institutional reforms, social welfare enhancement and tourism among others.

  • Obaseki knocks PDP over stir at new five star hospital

    Obaseki knocks PDP over stir at new five star hospital

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has knocked chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party in Edo State for causing a stir at the new five star Benin Central hospital.

    Obaseki said the PDP chieftains led by the party’s State chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, wanted to score cheap political point by feigning the illness of a healthy family man.

    Chief Orbih had described the five star hospital recently inaugurated by President Mohammadu Buhari as a fraud when no doctors or nurses were on duty to treat the ‘patient’ brought by the PDP.

    Governor Obaseki who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, said governance is not run on an ad hoc approach as the PDP want Edo people to believe.

    Obaseki explained that the ongoing 3-day strategic policy dialogue workshop would afford his administration the opportunity to holistically look at all sectors including the five star hospital.

    He said the workshop is expected to come up with method to administer the various sectors in the state including the new hospital.

    According to him, “After the commissioning of the said facility by the past administration, you are well aware that there was change of guard in government – and as such, this disgruntled people should give us some time to look at the entire sector.

    “Edo people watched the said scene in the electronic media and came to a consensus that the alleged illness of one Ibawah – who surrendered himself for such ungodly act, was not only a charade but orchestrated by the PDP and their mischievous Chieftains.

    “We envision a broader perspective – the possibility of expanding the facility to become a one-stop-shop for medical tourism – and not the normal hospital we are used to – that facility was born a 5-star and nothing short of that for Edo people. After the strategic policy dialogue workshop, a blueprint on government’s direction would be unveiled.”

     

  • Edo to be most prosperous economy in South South by 2019 – Obaseki

    Edo to be most prosperous economy in South South by 2019 – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that his administration’s desire is to make Edo the most prosperous economy in the South-South within three years.

    Obaseki said this on Thursday night in Benin at a seminar organised for permanent secretaries as well as leaders and stakeholders in the state.

    He said that in another seven to 10 years, his desire was to position the state as the number one economy in the country.

    The governor said that in “15 to 20 years, we want to be the number one investment destination in the continent’’.

    “To achieve this vision for the state, first class institutions capable of nurturing transformation policies must be built,’’ he said.

    Obaseki stressed the need to deliver on infrastructure better than what was available in the Federal Capital Territory.

    “We must deliver on infrastructure better than what are available in the Federal Capital Territory.

    “We must aim at generating revenue more than Lagos without putting an unbearable tax burden on our people.

    “We must, therefore, aim at developing our institutions because, in the course  of this workshop, we shall be working on six semantic areas, which are the key pillars of our goal for the state, the governor said.

    He said the six semantic areas include how the state would achieve economic revolution that would develop world class infrastructure.

    “ How do we ensure institutions are reformed so they can deliver?

    “How do we ensure that we can create a state that is socially-conscious and create emphasis on the welfare of our people.

    “How do we ensure that our culture which is world-class acclaimed is displayed and made available for the world to enjoy our tourism as well as sustain our environment,’’ the governor said.

    Obaseki said in the case of the economic revolution, the semantic group should focus on how the state would establish an investment bureau that could begin to attract world class investments.

    He also said that focus should be on a strategic plan that could create a minimum of 200 jobs as well as many small scale and medium enterprise that would be  sustainable.

    Obaseki tasked other semantic groups on the expectations of government at the end of their three-day brain storming session, adding that their resolution would be the working document for developing the state.

    He said that in view of this, the state government looked forward to a range of experts in the semantic areas expected to be covered.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Retired Justice Samson Uwaifo, said that effective leadership called for a good decision.

    Uwaifo described the retreat as a revolutionary approach to governance.

    The former Supreme Court Judge urged the people not to misunderstand or abuse the dialogue platform as it was a sign that the governor was ready to serve with the best intention.

    The Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Philip Shaibu, said that the administration would be an all-inclusive government that would be beneficial to all.

  • Obaseki restates commitment to create 200,000 jobs

    Obaseki restates commitment to create 200,000 jobs

    The new governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki has promised to fulfill his campaign promise of creating 200,000 jobs in the state within the next four years.

    The governor made the remarks shortly after taking oath of office administered by the Chief Judge of Edo state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa at the Dr Samuel Ogbemudia stadium Benin City.

    Obaseki who extolled the achievements of former governor Adams Oshiomhole added that; “I’m honored to be succeeding a true friend and I will always uphold your trust. I will resolve to build your legacy.”

    In his speech with witnessed huge applause from the crowd, Obaseki promised to attract industries and aide small businesses for Edo people in order to produce goods and services

    He added, “Edo state belongs to all of us no matter our political parties. Let’s integrate our ideas with diligence and focus on investing on preventive medicine as it is better to prevent than cure.”

    On Education, the governor said, “We will thrive to improve the quality of our schools by introducing ICT and broadband into our schools.”

    On infrastructure, Obaseki promised to continue to consolidate on the infrastructural development which Comrade Oshiomhole started, saying; “We will focus on completing all on-going projects.”

  • Buhari congratulates Obaseki, Oshiomhole on victory at poll

    Buhari congratulates Obaseki, Oshiomhole on victory at poll

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday congratulated the government and people of Edo State on the successful conclusion of the gubernatorial election and the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki at the polls.

    In a telephone call to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, President Buhari commended the well-articulated campaign programme of the APC in the state, the doggedness of the governor, governor-elect and party members in going round the state to reach the people with records of good governance over the years and a promise of continuity.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said that the outcome of the election clearly reflected the mood of the people to sustain the pedigree of responsiveness, forthrightness and diligence that Governor Oshomole brought into the service of his people.

    ‘‘The victory is good for democracy, for Nigeria and the people of Edo State,’’ he said.

    President Buhari also said that the victory was well-deserved as the campaign train, which he joined, worked hard to sell its people-centered manifesto.

    He applauded the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, corps members and electorate in ensuring a peaceful election.

    INEC had announced that Obaseki won the majority of the votes cast, with a total of 319,483 votes, and he was closely followed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP, who polled 253,173 votes.

  • Obaseki wins Edo governorship election

    Obaseki wins Edo governorship election

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has won the Edo State governorship election based on the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday.

    Obaseki was declared winner of the election after polling 319, 483 votes, while his  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, garnered 253, 173.

    He edged out Ize-Iyamu with 66, 310 votes in the election held across Edo State on Wednesday.

    A total of 1, 900, 223 voters registered for the election, while 622,039 were accredited.

    The APC won in 13 out of the 18 local government areas of the state and the PDP triumphed in five.

    Votes polled by other political parties are listed below:

    APGA – 876

    ACPN – 3, 184

    ACD – 1,350

    PDC – 1, 289

    LP – 182