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Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Edo will be a model to other states, says Obaseki

    Edo will be a model to other states, says Obaseki

    The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that he would make Edo, a model to be emulated by other states, in terms of development.

    The Edo APC guber candidate for the Sept. 28 Governorship election, made the promise at a meeting with the Association of Salon Operators on Friday in Benin.

    He said the transformation of the state which had already started under the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC government would be taken to a greater level when he is elected governor.

    He said his government would not only continue with roads construction, the revolution in the educational sector and agricultural sector but will also seek ways to increase wealth creation in the state.

    “We must emulate Lagos State to be a mega state. This has already started but will be move to a logical level where the state will also become a reference point to other states in the country.

    “Lagos did not become what is today without hard work and consistency in governance. It has been consistent with progressives’ governors.

    “Here in Edo, we want to be a able to continue from where Oshiomhole’s government will stop.

    “Oshiomhole has done his best; it is left for us to carry on from where he will stop.

    “As a governor, I will not be learning the rope, as I have been part of the success story of the government but we will be taking it further through human empowerment.

    “Our next phase is to increase and create wealth,’’ Obaseki said.

    The governorship candidate said his administration would have a human face.

    He said that irrespective of party divide, his government would be for the generality of the people.

    “We will be changing the face of government, where the government will simply be more responsive to the needs, yearnings and aspirations of the greater number of the people,’’ Obaseki said.

  • Edo guber: We’ll vote Obaseki — Ogbeson community

    Edo guber: We’ll vote Obaseki — Ogbeson community

    As a mark of appreciation to the Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for his intervention in reclaiming the gully erosion-ravaged areas of Ogbeson community, the leadership of the community has promised to massively vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the governorship election in the state, this Saturday.

    The Community which presented an award of commendation to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and endorsed the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki as their candidate for the September 10, governorship election in Edo State said they will support the Governor as they will never forget how he saved them from consumed by the gully erosion.

    Enogie of Ogbeson, HRH Prof. Aduwa Ogiegbaen who spoke for the community said “I want to say that the people of Ogbeson love you, they appreciate what you have done. We will support all the way in whatever you are doing. We are sitting here today because of you.

    “We couldn’t stand here three years ago, let alone sitting down. Those who didn’t see what happened here in the previous years will not appreciate what happened here – the devastation, the trauma and the difficulties our people went through for several years before you came. This community has benefitted immensely from your government. A lot of people lost their properties, lost their lives, and today, we are looking at this place.

    “There was a church here where these people are standing now, and that church went down. My uncle’s house was here, he was buried here. The house and the grave were swept away. So, we are here to appreciate you. I tell you that we cannot forget what you have done in Ogbeson, and words will not be enough to express our appreciation for what you have done here. Your antecedent is something that nobody will forget in Edo State, even those who are not appreciating what you have done, they know within their minds that you have done a lot.

    “There has been no governor like you in this state. I make bold to say that, and if there is anybody who thinks they have out-performed you, let them come out. Nobody. In terms of road construction and development, you flew high. You are still flying. In terms of education, you excelled. In terms of health care delivery, look at the edifice on Sapele Road, the Central Hospital there. We are looking forward to the day that hospital will be opened. You have given the best to health tourism to Edo State. And you have assured us that you are going to equip it with state-of-the-art health facilities, and we take your word for it. Thank you very much.”

    The Ogiegbaen said, “We appreciate what you have done, and I want to say that my brother here, Obaseki, and I have known him for about forty years. We have interacted with him. Some of the Enigie have interacted with him. And when we talked with him, we knew that he has something up there. He is not going to disappoint. I want to say on behalf of my people, Ogbeson people, we are going to give him the mandate.”

    Also speaking, the Obasogie of Benin, Chief Eduwu Ekhator said, “This gentleman, since he came, words are inadequate to even enumerate what he has done. He took the bull by the horn and he sourced for funds. He got it from all angles to the extent that the source he got the money from call him after that and said we are giving you another seventy-five million dollars, they were impressed with the way you utilized the first one. I think it is this that motivates this community, that motivates every person, that we gather here today to say, well done.”

    He continued, “We have decided to put on record our signature. It is on this honour and this very regard without wasting words that we have collectively, on behalf of our children and fathers that are not here present to distinguish this gentleman, to give him a certificate of award.”

    Elated by the kind word and the award given him, Governor Oshiomhole said, “I am very humbled listening to those comments. Let me thank you, your royal highness; My Lord Most Reverend Father Ofere and Chief Ekhator for the joint certificate that you presented me. This is a unique certificate that is enough to compensate for the case that was in court when the PDP argued that I didn’t go to school. Today, I have got the privilege to receive a certificate signed by a traditional ruler, signed by a Catholic Reverend Father and signed by a very senior palace chief. These combinations are rare. I am humbled. I am very humbled and I want to thank you for the honour.”

    He said, “We knew we had been denied federal support. We didn’t have the money in our pocket. But I also insisted that my task is not to lament to the people of this community. The task of government is to get things done, not to join the people to wallow in self-pity and lamentation. The government is about what is possible, not what is not possible. And we went to work and did some designs, got the World Bank to look at the designs, sent it to Washington and got approval in principle, but we had to make our counterpart funding before we attract the World Bank grant. And one is a precondition for the other. Without we paying the counterpart funding, the Bank was not going to oblige the difference. We raised the money, and the Bank augmented the money. There is not one dime of the Federal Government in this project.”

    Oshiomhole noted, “This is the evidence that God answers prayers when they are offered honestly by his people who are in genuine need, and that is the story of this place. I am happy that it is now a completed project. I am happy that the people can now drive from there to here.

    He added, “And so, with the endorsement of the community leaders as represented by the Enogie, Godwin will continue. The next election in Edo State is important for us. A clear choice between two parties that have governed this state, one for ten years and one for seven and half years. These two candidates, one has been a Secretary to the State Government and the other one chairman of the economic team under the APC, and it is on the basis of their pedigree that our people should decide whether to build on current gains and continuity or to put on reverse the records of where we are coming from. I pray that the courageous endorsement by the Enogie on behalf of the community, which also carries with it the sentiments of our ancestors, may God guide our people not only to vote for consolidation but to vote for continuity and vote for the advancement of the pace of our development for our great state.”

  • Ogbemudia group screens Obaseki

    Ogbemudia group screens Obaseki

    A socio-political group, the Edo Mass Movement led by two time governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, has screened candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    The group had last week promised to interface with all the candidates and come up with a position on whose candidate to support for the September 10 governorship election.

    Dr Ogbemudia who spoke after the meeting simply said, “is this not the man you people said does not talk?”

    Obaseki promised to eliminate any form of double taxation in form of extortion to reduce the tax burden of the people of the state.

    He said it was regrettable that the tax regime of the state government was politicized by the PDP just to give the state government a bad name.

    When questioned about issue of pensioners in the state, Obaseki said it was unfair to blame Oshiomhole’s administration for the plight of pensioners.

    He noted that ‘if those who were in government between 1999 – 2007 had paid these gratuities and pensions when they were there, this problem we have now wouldn’t have occurred.

    “When government builds roads, it is not 160,000 persons alone enjoy it. Don’t be deceived by anybody who comes to tell you that you will not pay tax. There is no government in the world that doesn’t collect taxes. We have been told on the incidences of double taxation, and we are working on it. As a government, we will stop the incident of double taxation. We will stop the problem of extortion,”

    “When we came, we met gratuity and pension arrears from 1997 and we had a choice of paying only those who retired from 2008 when we came, but we didn’t, instead, we had to start defraying the arrears from 1997.

    “Currently, we have done up to 2013. That is where we are right now and we would have done others but for the economic challenges. We are however working to sort this out as soon as possible.”

  • Obaseki promises to introduce e-governance

    Obaseki promises to introduce e-governance

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has stated that he planned to eliminate wastage and block leakages by introducing  e-governance.

    Obaseki said e-governance is more transparent, accurate and makes governance run faster.

    He spoke at an interactive session with some social-media expert.

    The APC candidate said he would make Edo the hub of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with a view to gainfully engage youths in the sector.

    Obaseki promised to revolutionize governance in a manner that both the people and government can have immediate feed backs on issues affecting them.

    He did, “We have built the foundation where we can consolidate on the achievements made in the education sector, but priority will be on primary education because that is the basis and we must get it right from day one.

    “And that is why I said this election is very critical to me and the APC because we want to avoid a disconnect of what the current administration has achieved in the past seven and half years

    “Not getting it right with polices have always been the problem of many state governments. Once you get the policy right, every other thing will fall into place,” he stated.

  • Ize-Iyamu cannot be governor, Monarch tells Obaseki

    Ize-Iyamu cannot be governor, Monarch tells Obaseki

    ……PDP bribed us with N6m
    Traditional ruler of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government, His Royal Highness, Anslem Okojie, Onojie of Uromi has declared that he does not trust Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu enough to be governor of Edo State because of the People’s Democratic Party track record of under development.

    Top chieftains of the PDP such as former Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustee, Chief Tony Anenih and former Minister for Works, Mike Onolememen hail from Uromi.

    The Uromi Monarch said the PDP has made many unfulfilled promises in Esan Land and therefore could not claim to be in-charge of the land.

    He spoke Thursday when candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Hon Philip Shaibu, visited his palace to seek royal blessings and support.

    HRH Okojie said politics ‘is not about sentiment but development’ and that he is in charge of the political affairs of Uromi people.

    Okojie stated that he does not own any political leader any explanation about affairs of his kingdom.

    The Monarch said he was impressed by the performance of the Governor Oshiomhole adding that he was in the entourage of the Comrade Governor to inaugurate three roads projects in Uromi and a town hall which were part of the promises made by the Oshiomhole administration.

    He stated that reports by the PDP that Uromi belongs to them was untrue and frown at what he termed desperation of Pastor Ize-Iyamu who he said cannot be the next Governor of Edo State based on their track record of under-development.

    Narrating how the PDP leaders brought N6million for the traditional rulers in Edo Central, the monarch said “I do not trust Pastor Ize Iyamu enough to become a Governor. My People want Godwin Obaseki. I have been on this thrown for twenty five years and I am ready to say the truth always. Ize-Iyamu spoke to me and said he wanted to meet with traditional rulers in Esanland. When he came to my Palace; we were 29 in number and he gave us N3 million.

    “We have what we call a caucus in Esanland and I am the chairman of the caucus. Out of the N3 million, we declared N2.5million and N500,000 was for members of the caucus.  That is past. Again PDP said they will come to flag off in Uromi, I said, yes no problem. Before that time Onojie of Ewu called me to say PDP is bringing N3 million for us that it will not be enough. Also, the Onojie of Opoji called me to say the N3 million will not be enough and I ask what should we do?

    “He said, we should tell pastor to make it N10 million or we would tell the Comrade Governor to give us N10 million. Now I called Ize-Iyamu to say I heard you are bringing N3 million for traditional rulers in Esan land, that is small, you have to do something better than that because when you were coming before the primaries you brought N3 million now you are a candidate, you can’t bring N3 million, you have to do something better.

    “So when they came Chief Anenih brought N3 million, Ize-Iyamu brought N3 million making it N6 million that was what was brought to me in this palace. They have been begging me not to play the tape to you but I said I will let you know about this because you are my friend and a good man who has done so much for Uromi people.

    “Nobody controls me even Chief Tony Anenih doesn’t control me, I tell him what to do because I am the owner of Uromi kingdom.

    Meanwhile, Obaseki assured the Monarch and people of Uromi that he will build upon the good work already started by Oshiomhole.

    He described Uromi as the power house of the economic life of Esan Land and promised to develop the land and deal with human capital development.

    “As a government, we shall be accountable to the people and continue with the developmental strides of the incumbent governor of Edo State. We are familiar with the Challenges and we will deal with them.”

  • I’ll reignite Esan Land, Obaseki assures monarch

    I’ll reignite Esan Land, Obaseki assures monarch

    The All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in the September 10 election, Mr Godwin Obaseki has assured people of Esan South East Local government area that his vision for the land is to reignite its economy, create employment and bring investors to the area.

    Obaseki stated this alongside with his running mate Hon Philip Shaibu when they were led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to the palace of the Onojie of Ubiaja.

    “My mission is to reassure you that I know Esan Land, I grew up in Esan Land, I have friends and family in Esan Land so I have a sense of commitment to the Esan people.

    “Given the opportunity, we will accelerate the things which we have started over seven years ago.

    “My responsibility is to reignite the economy of this place. I promise to construct the Ubiaja road, bring investors for mechanised rice farming Ilushi.

    “The emphasis will be to bring back the economy of this place by setting up technical centers that would repair machines that will be brought in by Investors.

    “Because of the direction we are heading, we have no choice but to work with the traditional institutions to ensure security of investors. So Trust us and give us your blessings.”

    Responding, the Onojie of Ubiaja, HRH Zaiki Curtis Aidenojie, flanked by Onojies of Emu, Oroh, and Uhodua tasked Comrade Oshiomhole on improving basic infrastructures in the area and assured Obaseki of their support in the forthcoming election.

    Also speaking, Governor Oshiomhole who thanked the monarch for receiving them commended his style of leadership in the community saying, “You are an example of what education can do in the life of any person”.

    He assured that Obaseki as next governor will improve on what has been done in the state and not slow it down.

    He listed the number of schools done in the area and noted, “My responsibility is to work hand in hand with traditional institutions for the sustained of peace and progress in the state.

    “We have delivered water to communities where it was thought impossible and Obaseki will do the remaining ones.”

    He said Chief Tom Ikimi as former minister of External Affairs constructed a road to the end of his village leaving others out stating that the government had done major roads without limitations as Edo is one.

    Oshiomhole added that those who claim that Esan land has been marginalised failed to build a school in the local government for the use of their community children.

  • Buhari wades into Edo APC crisis

    Buhari wades into Edo APC crisis

    There were indications Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari may have directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal to interface with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state with a view to resolving the crisis in the party.

    Sources close to the party told journalists that the President has asked the SGF to meet with all the aspirants in the last governorship primaries and other stakeholders within 24 hours.

    The Edo State APC governorship primaries which was held on June 18 and won by Mr. Godwin Obaseki is being challenged by two of the aspirants who alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary.

    In his petitions to the Appeals Committee, Ogiemwonyi alleged over voting at the primaries, while Imansuagbon claimed that the primary was rigged electronically.

    It was gathered that the two aggrieved aspirants have threatened to drag the party to court if they fail to nullify the primary.

    The source said, “The two aggrieved aspirants are waiting the recommendation of the Committee, threatening to go to court and work against the party in the event of any last minutes endorsement”.

    Chairman of the Primary Committee and  governor of Katsina, Aminu Bello Masari who was invited to appear before the committee was said to have been represented by a Director at the National Secretariat of the party.

    Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the committee was compiling its recommendations, adding that all the stakeholders invited met with the Committee members and made oral presentations of the primaries.

    He however deny knowledge of the proposed meeting between the aspirants and the SGF.

  • Edo APC primaries: Delegates conveyed to stadium under tight security

    Edo APC primaries: Delegates conveyed to stadium under tight security

    Accredited delegates for Saturday’s All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State were conveyed to the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the primaries under tight security.

    Accreditation of delegates began simultaneously at three different centers in Benin City at about 11:30am.

    Edo South delegates were accredited at Agbado Primary School, while delegates from Edo Central were accredited at George Idah Primary School.

    Delegates from Edo North were accredited at Imaguero College.

    Security agents were deployed to all the accreditation centers to prevent break down of law and order at the centres.

    The accreditation was done on local government basis and each local government delegates were conveyed to the venue of the primaries under tight security to prevent others from joining.

    A total of 2,873 delegates are expected to participate in the primaries and 12 aspirants are vying for the right to represent the party at the state governorship election taking place later in the year.

    The aspirants are – Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Major Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Blessing Agbomhere, Dr. Pius Odubu, Kenneth Imasuangbon, Com. Peter Esele, Oserheimen Osunbor, Tina Agbarha, Austin Emuan, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula and Prof. Ebegbue Amadasun.

    Hon. Philip Shaibu, the lawmaker presenting Estako Federal Constituency said the APC as a civil party had entrenched rule of law and democracy in the country.

    He said the primaries would be peaceful and the results accepted because every delegate came to vote with a mindset of continuity.

     

  • APC: 2,304 delegates expected for Edo primary

    APC: 2,304 delegates expected for Edo primary

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says 2,304 delegates will be electing a gubernatorial candidate for the party in Edo on June 18.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja reports that 12 delegates from a 192 wards in 18 local government areas will converge on Benin to choose a candidate out of the 12 aspirants angling for the top job in the state.

    NAN also reports that of the 12 aspirants, 11 bought their expression of interest and nomination forms for N5.5 million each while one, a woman, got hers for free.

    Some of the aspirants confirmed the allegation that some fellows were buying up Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) ahead of the Sept. 10 election in the state.

    An aspirant, Mr Charles Airhiavbere, told newsmen at the APC secretariat that such acts were fraudulent, despicable and shameful.

    “That information is correct. Delegates have reported some elements buying up PVCs for N5,000.

    “This is a gross abuse of human rights. It’s a challenge a leader has to face in the future. It’s painful to hear.

    “One aspirant had to post an advert that people should not sell their birth rights. In Owan, one buyer was driven out of that area,” Airhiavbere said.

    On another allegation that the aspirants were being pressured to step down, Airhiavbere said: “I will not be in that category of people stepping down for other aspirants.

    “Aside that where is the democracy if I step down; that is a psychological warfare but for me I won’t step down for anyone.’’

    Another aspirant and incumbent deputy governor, Mr Pius Odubu, told newsmen that “I’ve heard that allegation too but I cannot confirm whether it is true or not.

    “In any case if anyone does that, it’s just a wasteful exercise because there are other forms of identification aside from the PVCs.

    “What you need is to properly identify yourself at the polling unit through the voter’s register… so anybody buying up PVCs doesn’t believe in the tenets of democracy.”

    For Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi, the I-G, Independent National Electoral Commission and the APC should look into the allegation before the primary.

    He condemned the action that a lawmaker, Rep. Phillip Shuaibu, allegedly invited members to his house and mandated them to come with their PVCs for an exchange of N10,000 each.

    “The lawmaker called the delegates to his house requesting, threatening and intimidating the delegates to submit their PVCs to him with an intent to disenfranchise voters and use the PVCs for other purposes.

    “As we speak the process is ongoing. This is wrong, it is not the democracy we fought for. We do not want PDP to take over the state.

    “I call on the APC leadership not to allow a process that is flawed and challengeable in court to produce the next gubernatorial candidate.

    “I’m equally surprised that today, the Edo House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, never sat.

    “We are raping democracy. Are they supposed to be here with an aspirant. That is disgraceful, unacceptable, shameful and wicked.

    “We believe the process can be managed and that is why we are talking with the APC leadership,” he said.

    Reacting to the allegation, the aspirant, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said: “I don’t believe that Ogiemwonyi with his standing will say that. I hold him in high esteem.

    “I can tell you that nothing like that happened. For someone to make such a flimsy, unguarded statement is quite unfortunate.

    “Everybody has a right to prefer somebody in a race. Having worked with everybody if the governor decides to choose someone is there anything wrong with that.

    “What has put me at an advantage is the skills and quality I have as a person. The governor did not appoint any of these people, they chose me so that says a lot.”

    He said it was very erroneous to say nothing had been done in the state for the past eight years because “if the government before us did a tenth of what Oshiomhole did with the allocation the state had then, we would have had a platform or something tangible to work with”.