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  • Obaseki leaving huge burden for successor, says Afegbua 

    Obaseki leaving huge burden for successor, says Afegbua 

    A former commissioner for Information and Orientation in Edo state, Kassim Afegbua has alleged that the successor of Governor Godwin Obaseki will inherit a huge burden. 

    Afegbua is one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. 

    Afegbua said he would turn the fortune of the state around for the people if given the mandate to serve.

    He served in the administration of former governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

    Afebua accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of plunging the state into debt.

    He said: ”For me, anybody who is taking over from the governor of Edo state with 325 billion as our debts will have a huge task on our hands. So, we must put our thinking cap on and think outside the box that can generate ideas. 

    “We must keep the conversation around governance to ensure that we are able to do that which will help our people to advance their collective interest.”

    Afegbua said he would beg the federal government if the situation demanded to fix the bad road from Auchi to Benin.

    Read Also: Ighodalo at declaration: why I want to succeed Obaseki

    He said the road has become so deplorable that it should provoke action from any state chief executive, to do whatever was legally possible to bring succour to the people. 

    Afegbua, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said he was the best aspirants among those seeking the acceptability of the members of the party to fly the flag of the APC in the Edo gubernatorial election.

    According to him, it would not be out of place to plead with the federal government to get a special grant to construct the road from Auchi to Edo state capital.

    He said: “For God sake, Edo state is in the news for the wrong reason, there is huge infrastructural decay, address then, instead, you go and put a sign board and say this is federal government roads. What about the ones that are state roads, have you done anything to warrant applause from the people?”

    “Have you impacted on the state road, so that we can say that you have done all the internal roads, community roads such that we are happy with you?

    “Why do I have to play politics with everything? If I am opportune to be the governor of Edo state today, I will go cap in hand to go and plead with the federal government and say that this is an APC state, we need to do this road, please give us with a special grant, if it is N20bn, let us fix the road between Auchi and Benin.

    “Edo is major artery to reach out to the North, southwest and the southeast, so Edo state, is a state in transit, there is so much to this, a lot of people do not connect with this, they need to understand that Edo state is divinely positioned as a middle, of the situation which earned it the ‘Midwest.’”

    Afegbua argued that he is the best aspirant in the lot of those seeking the ticket of the APC as he comes with impeccable assets that the party needs to progress.

    He said his decades of political experience in the various parties he has sojourned with one thing remained: he has been loyal to the truth and has been consistent with the issues of development and respect for defined processes.

    Afegbua noted that the development within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was good for the APC.

    He said: “We have the legacy PDP, the PDP of Philip Shuaibu and the PDP of Obaseki, Now Obaseki has chosen anointed one, so to speak, Asue ighodalo, Philip Shuaibu is contesting and Ogbeide Ihama for the legacy PDP, we are entering into another era of political altercation horse trading and all of that, it is good for the PDP in the state so that the APC would have its own smooth sail. 

    ”I condemn his style of government, his fight with the Benin Monarchy, he is trying to balkanize the kingdom for no just cause, he is fighting over artifact, fighting with the deputy, deputy fighting with the governor, governor fighting with party, party fighting with governor.

    “I love the processes the APC has put in place to get all of us aspirants on the platform, on board to sit down and set up a committee of six persons who will prune down the figure from 29 to maybe between six and eight contestants, so that we will be a manageable figure that will contest at the appropriate time.”

  • Southsouth governors meet in Benin Thursday

    Southsouth governors meet in Benin Thursday

    Governors of the six states in the Southsouth will meet tomorrow in Benin, Edo State capital, to revive and strengthen the BRACED (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) Commission.

    Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki will host his counterparts from the crude oil and gas-rich zone. 

    In a statement yesterday, Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the BRACED Commission was established in 2010, under Article 14 of the BRACED agreement, and signed on June 13, 2011. 

    He said the BRACED Commission’s objective was to promote economic cooperation and regional integration among the Southsouth states, while contributing to the increasing standard of living of the people of the zone.

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    Nehikhare said: “The six governors of the Southsouth zone will be meeting in Benin City, capital of Edo State, on January 18, under the auspices of the BRACED Commission.

    “As the Chairman of BRACED Commission Governors’ Council, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki will host his colleagues: the governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta states, alongside their commissioners for Budget and Planning.”

    “This first meeting of the Southsouth governors in 2024 will focus on how to revive and strengthen the BRACED Commission, and the zone’s aspiration for collective economic development and integration.

    “Issues that will be deliberated on are those relating to the security of lives and property of the zone.”

  • Obaseki launches construction of 9.7km Uwelu road, others

    Obaseki launches construction of 9.7km Uwelu road, others

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday launched the construction of 9.7km Uwelu Market Road with adjoining streets. The governor at the event said the project would benefit over 20 communities.

    He reassured the citizens of sustained efforts to open up more communities for economic activities and development.

    The governor, represented by the  Commissioner for Road and Bridges, Ethan Uzamere, an engineer; said the government, as part of the project, was developing a mini water storm project to address erosion in the area.

    He said: “This road is called Uwelu Spare Parts Road. We are doing a lot of adjoining roads around here. This is an old bypass road reducing traffic around here. We started working around one week ago immediately after the holidays to ensure this road is done well.

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    “The total lots apart from Uwelu Spare parts market road include nine adjoining streets, which amount to about 9.7km. We are using new technology; some of the roads are done with concrete technology with rigid pavement and we are doing some major mini storm water projects as well.”

    According to him, “the road will connect more than 20 communities, boosting economic activities in these areas. We have a major storm water project in the state and need to take water away from our roads as we have issues with water on our roads. We are focused on erosion control and also focusing on the mini water storm project around this area.

    “This Uwelu Spare Parts Road has been bad for a long time and over the years, palliative works have been done without great success. There is a major erosion issue with this road. That is what we are moving to solve immediately and when it’s solved the road will last for a long time.”

    The Chairman of Egor Local Government, Eghe Ogiemudia, commended the Edo State governor for prioritising the development of the area, noting: “The road is like a bypass connecting several communities.”

    She said: “We thank the governor for keeping to his promise of fixing this road. The people of Egor will work with the Obaseki-led administration to ensure he finishes strong.”

    The Chairman of Uwelu Spare Parts Market, Osa Collins, said: “For over 20 years, this road has not been motorable and we have lost customers and traders alike who have all moved to other markets in the state. The governor has done something great by launching this road as our unborn children will appreciate the governor for what he has done.

    “The governor made a promise last year when he came visiting and today he has kept to his promise as construction of the road has begun.”

    Others present at the event include the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, Comr. Odion Olaiye, youths and elders of Uwelu and Ogida communities, serving commissioners, permanent secretaries and traditional leaders, among others.

  • Obaseki not backing me for governor, says Shaibu

    Obaseki not backing me for governor, says Shaibu

    • ‘My boss supporting a stranger’

    Edo State Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu has said he is deeply hurt that Governor Godwin Obaseki is supporting a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, an indigene of Edo Central Senatorial District, whom he described as an outsider, instead of him.

    Shaibu, a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 election, accused Obaseki, who hails from Benin Kingdom in Edo South Senatorial District, and withheld the allocations to his office for over six months, of betrayal.

    Edo deputy governor, an indigene of Edo North Senatorial District, insisted that he was not fighting Obaseki over his decision to support Ighodalo, but Edo governor was the one fighting him.

    He stressed that Obaseki declared a full-scale war against him, for daring to exercise his democratic right in seeking the ticket of PDP, with the intention to succeed him on November 12, 2024.

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    Shaibu spoke yesterday as a guest on a national television’s live programme monitored in Benin. 

    He accused Obaseki of playing the role of a political godfather in the state, nothing that Edo governor and him fought against godfatherism, after agreeing that such a situation should never again be experienced in Edo State.

    He said: “The shared focus of Governor Obaseki and I remain serving the people of Edo State, and dismantling the influence of godfathers in Edo politics.

    “I staked my long-term relationship with Senator Adams Oshiomhole to fight oppression and back Governor Obaseki’s aspiration.”

    Shaibu also expressed displeasure that in spite of his 100 per cent loyalty to Obaseki, his dedication to duties and hard work, while standing through thick and thin with Edo governor, he decided to work against his governorship aspiration.

    He said: “This is the same governor (Obaseki) that issued me many commendation letters, writing that I am the best deputy governor any governor will wish to have, because of my efficiency, transparency and accountability.

    “Anyone who says I betrayed Edo governor is not correct. We all agreed as a group to fight godfathers. Even Governor Obaseki pledged to fight godfatherism in Edo State, and said he should be dealt with, if he turns around and attempts to play the role of a godfather.

    “Since I hate oppression, I staked my relationship with Oshiomhole. I lost about 20 per cent of my political capital in Edo North Senatorial District to support Obaseki as the deputy governor. Through  my friends and others, I supported the second term bid of Edo governor in 2020, with my structure, all my vehicles, and finances. For us to get the ticket of PDP, I contributed financially.”

    Shaibu expressed optimism of emerging the standard-bearer of PDP this year, in spite of the war declared against him by Obaseki.

  • Shaibu: I’m deeply hurt Obaseki is supporting Ighodalo instead of me

    Shaibu: I’m deeply hurt Obaseki is supporting Ighodalo instead of me

    The deputy governor of Edo state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that he is deeply hurt that Governor Godwin Obaseki is supporting a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, an indigene of Edo Central Senatorial District, whom he described as an outsider, instead of him.

    Shaibu, a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 election, accused Obaseki, who hails from Benin Kingdom in Edo South Senatorial District, and withheld the allocations to his office for over six months, of betrayal.

    Edo deputy governor, who is an indigene of Edo North Senatorial District, insisted that he was not fighting Obaseki over his decision to support Ighodalo, but Edo governor was the one fighting him.

    He stressed that Obaseki declared a full-scale war against him for daring to exercise his democratic right in seeking the ticket of PDP, with the intention to succeed him on November 12, 2024.

    Shaibu spoke recently as a guest on a national television’s live programme, which was monitored in Benin.

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    He accused Obaseki of playing the role of a political godfather in the southsouth state, while noting that Edo governor and him fought against godfatherism after agreeing that such a situation should never again be experienced in Edo.

    He said: “The shared focus of Governor Obaseki and I remains serving the people of Edo State, and dismantling the influence of godfathers in Edo politics.

    “I staked my long-term relationship with Senator Adams Oshiomhole to fight oppression, and back Governor Obaseki’s aspiration.”

    Shaibu also expressed displeasure that in spite of his 100 percent loyalty to Obaseki, his dedication to duties, and hard work, while standing through thick and thin with Edo governor, he decided to work against his this year’s governorship aspiration.

    He said: “This is the same governor (Obaseki) that issued me many commendation letters, writing that I am the best deputy governor any governor will wish to have, because of my efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

    “Anyone who says I betrayed Edo governor is not correct. We all agreed as a group to fight godfathers. Even Governor Obaseki pledged to fight godfatherism in Edo State, and said he should be dealt with, if he turns around and attempts to play the role of a godfather.

    “Since I hate oppression, I staked my relationship with Oshiomhole. I lost about 20 per cent of my political capital in Edo North Senatorial District to support Obaseki as the deputy governor. Through my friends and others, I supported the second term bid of Edo governor in 2020, with my structure, all my vehicles, and finances. For us to get the ticket of PDP, I contributed financially.”

    Edo deputy governor also expressed optimism of emerging the standard bearer of PDP this year, in spite of the war declared against him by Obaseki.

  • I was persuaded to be Obaseki’s deputy – Shaibu

    I was persuaded to be Obaseki’s deputy – Shaibu

    The deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu has said he was persuaded to be the running mate to his principal Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The deputy governor who spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme on Wednesday, January 10, also stated that he felt betrayed by Obaseki, for not backing his candidature in the upcoming 2024 governorship election.

    Shaibu, who fell out with the governor following his run for the forthcoming 2024 governorship election, said he was drafted in to add political value to Obaseki, who then contested as governor.

    According to him, it took almost one month to persuade him to accept the position of deputy governor.

    “Actually, I was persuaded and there was no protest. I didn’t want to be a deputy governor. I was very comfortable in the House of Representatives. It took almost one month to get me to accept to be the deputy governor of Edo State.

    Read Also: Shaibu: it’s my turn to be governor

    “I accepted to add value to the ticket of Obaseki because Obaseki was not known and he was not one of the politicians. They needed a young, vibrant politician who had won the election before and who could add political value to the ticket.

    “I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel much betrayed. When we go to church, there are certain biblical verses that are becoming to make meaning to me. There is this particular verse that has been going through my mind: ‘The heart of man is desperately wicked.’ When I see what the governor is doing, the verse now makes meaning to me.

    “I added value in terms of my political structure, my finances. All the vehicles that were used to campaign in 2016 are mine.

    “I lost about 20% of my political capital in Edo North to support Godwin Obaseki, and in supporting him even as deputy governor.

    “I supported the second term bid of the governor with my finances. Including how we got the ticket of the PDP, I contributed financially, both in naira and in dollars. If I say betrayal, it’s an understatement. I feel very hurt and betrayed.”

  • Obaseki signs six executive orders on investments

    Obaseki signs six executive orders on investments

    Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo state, has signed six executive orders aimed at further enhancing the state’s economic environment. 

    He claimed that his administration has received $3 billion in investments during the last seven years.

    He clarified that the executive directives will make it easier for Edo state residents to conduct business. 

    One noteworthy item in the contents is a tax exemption for small enterprises whose owners make less than the state minimum wage.

    He said: “We are very keen on supporting small and medium size businesses and we are also conscious of the fact that we don’t want to overburden them with tax while they are at their nascent stage of development.

    Read Also: ‘Why foisting Obaseki on Edo PDP was counterproductive’

    “So the adoption of pre-emptive income tax regime for small businesses in Edo State now ensures that except you are earning above the minimum wage as a proprietor or an entrepreneur you will not be liable to tax and when you begin to make money then we expect that you meet your obligations.

    “We have received in excess of $3 billion in the last seven years in various areas as investments, either in agriculture, in technology, in manufacturing, in services and this is just the beginning.

    “With these executive orders I have just signed, I expect that we will see rapid increase in investors who want to take advantage of the opportunities which Edo offers.”

  • ‘Why foisting Obaseki on Edo PDP was counterproductive’

    ‘Why foisting Obaseki on Edo PDP was counterproductive’

    A group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Oredo Political Front (OPF), has said the party’s governors and the national leadership of PDP foisting Godwin Obaseki on Edo PDP, ahead of the September 19, 2020 governorship election, was counterproductive, in view of his alleged poor performance.

    It noted that after Obaseki’s June 19, 2020 defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, and was subsequently given the governorship ticket, mainly because he was an incumbent governor, he ought to have united Edo PDP members, not divided them.

    Read Also: Obaseki pays 13th month salary

    OPF said it was imperative for a two-term representative of Oredo Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who stepped down for Obaseki in 2020, to vie again in the 2024 governorship race.

    The group yesterday through its Coordinator, Ken Ekpe, noted that while it understood the pressure that was brought on Ogbeide-Ihama in 2020 to abandon his governorship pursuit, “the former lawmaker now owes it a duty to Edo electorate to salvage the state from the current mess and misgovernance.

    It said: “We have learnt our lessons from 2020, and we will not want to look back. Our party has been devastated by the government of Obaseki. His unimpressive performance in office is not what we are looking forward to, as PDP members, to campaign with.”

  • Obaseki pays 13th month salary

    Obaseki pays 13th month salary

    Workers in Edo State have praised Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on his pledge to pay workers in the state civil/public service 13th month salary.

    The state government in a statement had announced that the 13th month salary promised by the governor would be paid on December 27.

    In a statement, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Council, Comrade Chief Odion Olaye (JP), said workers in the Edo State civil/public service are grateful to Governor Obaseki for the show of love, care and compassion for their welfare.

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    He said: “We on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the working people of Edo State wish to put on record the unprecedented and a landmark decision of Governor Obaseki to pay Edo workers on December 11, 2023.”

  • Lawmakers to confront Obaseki over Shaibu

    Lawmakers to confront Obaseki over Shaibu

    Most of the 24 members of Edo State House of Assembly, who belong to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), are set to confront Governor Godwin Obaseki “over the embarrassing and unfair allocation in the 2024 budget to the office of his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu.”

    It was gathered yesterday by our reporter that most of Edo lawmakers “were not happy over the shabby treatment of Shaibu and his office, concerning the deputy governor’s 2024 governorship aspiration.”

    In the 2024 budget, a meagre sum of N300 million was allocated  to the office of deputy governor, as against N18 billion allocated to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); N968 million to Head of Service; Speaker got N13 billion, while N19 billion was allocated to the office of the governor.

    It was learnt that Obaseki was ready to use anything at his disposal to thwart the political aspiration of Shaibu, ahead of PDP’s primary election in February 2024, but the deputy governor was surprisingly waxing stronger.

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    A source said: “The 2024 Appropriation Bill that Obaseki hurriedly signed into law in the evening of December 15, 2023 is the latest of the series of missiles fired at Shaibu and indeed, office of deputy governor, with a view to destroying the institution.

    “Before the controversial budget was passed by the lawmakers, there was disagreement among the legislators over the embarrassing allocation to the office of the deputy governor, leading to shouting matches at the executive session by many lawmakers, who raised objections to the fund that was allocated to the office of the deputy governor.

    “The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, later at the plenary, threw parliamentary decency to the wind, and disregarded all efforts made by his fair-minded colleagues to ensure that the right thing was done, as an unbiased parliament.

    “It is obvious that Obaseki is determined to ridicule and punish Shaibu financially, in a bid to frustrate his governorship aspiration, forgetting that Shaibu is only an individual, while the office of deputy governor remains an institution, but Edo lawmakers are ready to challenge Obaseki, and the speaker may be the first victim.”

    Our reporter also gathered that the PDP, APC and LP lawmakers in Edo Assembly have in the last few days been meeting regularly and intensifying efforts at ensuring justice for Shaibu and his office.